Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows, #1)

by Devney Perry

The Guardian. A man rumored to be more vicious and deadly than any creature crafted by the gods.

“Not her.” Margot blinked. “Excuse me?” “Her.” The Guardian’s eyes flicked in my direction, and the whole room followed his gaze. To me. “Prince Zavier will marry her,” he declared. “Tonight. As the bride prize for killing your marroweels.”

A King cannot kill his Sparrow, and a Sparrow cannot kill her King, either directly or indirectly, without death befalling them both.

“You have no chance at outrunning an opponent, either monster or man. You’re too short and slow.” “Thanks,” I deadpanned. “And I was certain I wouldn’t earn any compliments today.” “Praise is for the bedroom, Cross. Not the training ring.”

I hated him. I hated him for stealing my rope ladder again last night, trapping me in my treehouse. I hated him for smacking me in the face with a pillow this morning. I hated him for his pointy elbows. I hated him. The end.

He swung off his horse, leaving it free to roam as he dropped to a knee, arms held wide. Evangeline crashed into his chest. “Papa!” Um… What?

“This was a horrible idea.” “Agreed.” “Ah!” I yelped as I spun around. The Guardian stood in the center of my room, his legs planted wide, arms crossed over his chest. A breeze drifted in from the open window. And he was livid. “Hello, my queen.” Well, fuck.

“I hope my snoring keeps you awake all night.” He chuckled. “Good night, my queen.” The sound of his voice, haunting and beautiful, followed me into my dreams.

He was too stubborn, too much of a monster himself, to die. He hadn’t pestered me enough to die. Not today.