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To the characters who came before. To the stories that led us here. To the chances we take. To the dreams we chase. Trust your wings.
Someday, when I didn’t have Margot dictating my wardrobe or Father’s scrutiny at every meal, I wanted to wear red. Or green. Or black. Or yellow. Any color but gray.
Literally hate this shit. Wear what you want. Evil step mother, not dad's favorite child. Reminds me of a Disney Movie
“I’m well aware that I have no choice but to stand aside and welcome these guests to our kingdom. That I must be in your father’s throne room and meet the piece of filth who destroyed my family. I deserve to have that bastard’s head on a platter, yet I can do nothing. Nothing. I know exactly what fucking time it is, Odessa.”
Yeah...NO. I fucking wish a mf would. I'd be going to jail quick af
on the fourth floor. My gray rooms. Mae’s suite was pale blue, for the virginal bride who would soon be married to a prince. Who would fulfill her role in accord with the Calandra trade treaty that kept the five kingdoms at peace.
Okay but she's engaged to a general?!?! Sooo why does she have to dress & live in gray??
She shook the powder into my roots until my natural color was muted. Until the orange and red and copper and caramel strands were gone.
Why does the evil step witch insist she dye her hair??? & why are her sisters hobbies acceptable??
The Turans were here to kill the monsters that had wreaked havoc on Father’s trade routes over the past year.
Keeps mentioning monsters...
That the God of Death had grown tired of his throne and disguised himself as a man to torment humankind for amusement. And others were certain he’d been gifted his powers by the old gods themselves.
“In accord with the Shield of Sparrows, she is to be your bride on the autumnal equinox in three months’ time.”
Hmmm... Title of book mentioned, what is the meaning?
“The Shield of Sparrows treaty stipulates a daughter of the king’s choosing. As I am the only king in this room, the choice is mine.” Father pointed to Mae. “You will wed Mae. She is the Sparrow. And you will be given the gold we have promised for your assistance with the marroweels.”
“Seven lives in a chain.” Father’s emissary spoke gently, like he was pulling a punch. “Long ago, before the five kingdoms, the lands and seas were overrun by monsters. To regain control, the ruling lords made a decree. Any warrior who risked their life against the beasts would be granted a prize of their choosing if they returned with the heads of seven slain females from the species. As with all treaties, the Chain of Sevens was sealed with our magic.”
“To alter the chain of life,” the floating priest said. “Killing seven females will break the chain. Break it in enough places, and it holds no strength.”
“Seven.” A man’s voice caught my ear. “Have you ever seen seven marroweels?” “Shades no. I’ve never seen one.”
“Seven,” I spat, walking closer to the monsters. The marroweel scales were as blue as sapphires and tipped in turquoise. The fins along their backs were iridescent, like opals. The single bones that extended from their skulls were smooth and as white as snow. Their mouths were open wide in death to reveal five rows of razor-sharp teeth.
“Feel free to wander into mine, Princess.” He leaned in closer. “Zavier likes to share.”
Soo did she marry the prince or the guardian?
Its bearlike frame lay prone on its belly. Its massive body was covered in coarse cinnamon fur. Along the spine, jutting through that thick, wiry hair, were spikes as long as my arm. They were as white as snow and as pointed as the Guardian’s sword. They angled in all directions, some curving to the sides, others aiming straight.
Sooo a porcupine?!?!?
And the dark-green blood seeping from its slit throat.
The last one had red? Wtf is happening
Did it have anything to do with that green blood I’d seen from the marroweel and dead grizzur? Why was King Ramsey burning books and building a militia? What was happening in Turah, and how many secrets were these people keeping beyond the location of their capital?
!!!!!
“They might not have said it, but my family expects me to fail. There’s a reason my father chose Mae instead of me to be the Sparrow. And I think, in my heart, when I left Roslo, I expected to fail, too. I’m tired of being shoved to the wayside. I’m tired of being dismissed. I’d like to prove to them, to myself, that I am more than a token to be traded.”
Fucking finally
“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.
You dumb bitch...bssfr. Eyes everywhere!!!!!
“I didn’t ask to be married to a stranger and shipped across the continent. I didn’t ask to come to Turah. I didn’t ask to be jailed in a wilderness treehouse. Those were decisions made for me by the whims of men. So you can threaten to take away my freedom all you want, but I will fight you. Every step of the way. Until my last breath. And I will not go quietly into a cage.”
YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
“Don’t make me regret giving you your own space.” “Please.” I huffed. “I would never cause trouble.” “That you actually believe yourself is the most terrifying part of that statement.”
Oooooooouuuuu
The alligask lived in swamps and bogs. Their bodies were covered in lime-green scutes, and their tails were twice the length of their bodies. They could walk on land, though their legs were so short their bellies scraped along the dirt. The monsters could unhinge their massive jaws to swallow prey whole.
Soooo an alligator?!?
“There’s a treaty somewhere on this continent that proves otherwise.” Ransom growled. “Who did you exchange vows with, Odessa?” “Zavier.” He’d stood at my side. He’d signed his name in blood. He’d vowed. Except he hadn’t uttered a word. Not once. The Guardian, Ransom, had volunteered to speak for his prince. Oh, gods. The color drained from my face.
There should have been a monster’s lifeless body in the courtyard. There should have been a winged beast with my sword in its chest. Instead, I’d pulled my sword from this woman’s body. A woman with red hair, the spiraling curls a mix of orange and strawberry and copper. Odessa’s hair.
Bsffr. Thats why tge monsters are drawn to Odessa. Thats why she can feel Voster magic & such... Thats why it causes her pain. She is born of the Crux
