Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows, #1)

by Devney Perry

“Good.” My voice was too bright. “That’s great. I’m sure your future wife will be glad that you can, uh…” This just kept getting worse. “You know what I’m saying.” “That my future wife will be glad I can kiss and fuck her.” “Yes. Great news.”

“I guess you’ll just have to be careful not to bite her.”

“I’m not much for biting women.”

“Would you kill me if necessary?”

“Yes,” I whispered. “If I must.” “Swear it.” There was an intensity, an edge, to his voice that made it difficult to breathe. “I swear it.” “I will hold you to that vow.” He dropped his gaze to the tarkin. “Odessa.”

“You asked for my name,” he said. “You told me I had to earn it.” He nodded. “Ransom. My name is Ransom.”

“Tillia. Halston. All of the rangers in his hunting party. They’ve all sworn to do what is necessary should I lose control.” “And Zavier?” “He was the first to promise. And when the time comes for my death, I’d prefer it be his blade.”

I couldn’t fathom the idea of Turah without the Guardian.

He saw me in a way that no one else had ever tried. He didn’t stifle my sarcasm or snide remarks.

He was a man who’d follow me off the cliff, who’d jump at my side, not pull me away from its edge.

“You’re a princess. And a legend tamer.”

“Coward.” His eyebrows arched. “What did you call me, Princess?” “I called you a coward.” The gasps at my back only fueled my rage. “Watch yourself, girl. Your ignorance is showing.” “As is your true nature,” I spat. “Only fools and liars burn books and people’s homes.”

It wasn’t that he’d chosen Jocelyn. It was that he hadn’t chosen me. Why was I never the first choice? Why was I always the consolation prize? With Father. With Margot. With my tutors. And now with Zavier.

What was wrong with me that I wasn’t enough?

Ransom wasn’t mine. He wouldn’t be mine.

“You have always been my queen.”

Ransom was my husband. There was no need to keep fighting my own feelings. I no longer needed to convince myself that he hadn’t stolen my heart.

“You are mine, Odessa.” It was a growl, more animal than human. And the shiver that cascaded down my spine might as well have been my own blades, cleaving me in two. Mine.

“Why me?” “I told you. You are mine.”

Rough calluses caressed my palm. He laced our fingers together, threading them so quickly it was as if he’d done it a thousand times before. “Walk with me? It helps afterward. To clear the fog.”

“You’re a pain in my ass.” “So eloquent, my queen. Also, that’s my line.”

“I did.” His fingers flexed. “I should have told you a long time ago.” All those times he’d stared at me as if he wanted to say something. “Why didn’t you?” “Because I knew you’d look at me differently.” “Like you were my husband?” I quipped. “Like I was another person to wrap you in chains. Like the way you looked at Zavier.”

“I am loyal to my people. Does it matter who they believe I am? A prince or a guardian? I strive to keep them safe. From the monsters with claws. And the monsters with crowns.”

“I cannot trust you with all of my truths, Odessa.”

“But I will give you as many as possible.”

“Forgive me, my queen. Please.”

“Cross.” “Wolfe.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “Miss me?” “Never.” “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a horrible liar?” “Has anyone ever told you that you stink?”

I’m not trying to trap you here, Odessa. But I need you to live. I won’t…” He dragged a hand over his face. “I have never been more scared than when I saw you run for that boy.”

“I don’t know what to do. I’m failing you.

“Good. I have no desire to live in Quentis.” “Wh-what?” I leaned away. “You are mine.” His hands dove into my hair, fingers threading through my curls. “Even if we are kingdoms apart, you are mine. But I’d rather not be a kingdom apart.”

“When I am nothing but dust and ash, Turah will endure. I do not need a crown. And I have made peace with my destiny. But before I step into my grave, my choice is you.”

Ransom was mine. Every flaw. Every perfection.

“What have you done to me?” I leaned in, smiling against his mouth. “Stop asking questions, Ransom, and kiss your wife.”

“Yes, my queen.” He grinned, then sealed his mouth over mine.

“You’ve ruined me.” A smile toyed on my mouth as I shoved up on an elbow. “And here I was thinking you had stamina.”

“We’re just getting started. Wife.”

“Who said anything about the training area?” He leaned away, hooking his finger beneath my chin. Then his lips were against mine, a deviant smile stretching across his mouth. “The training I have in mind does not require pants.”

Ransom as a lover was a dream. Never in my life had I felt the way he’d made me feel last night. I hadn’t known sex could be so centered around my pleasure instead of a man’s. But gods, Ransom had been generous. Orgasm after orgasm, all night long, until finally I’d collapsed on his chest and slept like the dead.

“I’ve got you,” Ransom murmured. “I won’t let go.”

“I wish…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “What?” He lifted my hand to kiss my knuckles. “I wish we didn’t have to pretend.”

“You are not fucking dying, Ransom Wolfe.”

“Please don’t leave me,” I whispered. He kissed my hair, arms banding tight. “There has to be another way.” “I don’t have an army for this fight, Odessa.” No, he didn’t. But my father did.

“Then you have to come back to me. Or I’ll hate you forever.” “You already hate me.” “Yes, I do.” I’d never hated him. Not even in the beginning. Not really. But hate was the safer word to use. Even if we both knew it meant something else.

“I don’t regret it. Not a moment.”

“Who do you think you are, Sparrow?” “The future queen of Turah,” I hissed through gritted teeth. “Let. Me. Go. Now.”

“I will kill you. I swear it.” Ramsey’s nostrils flared. “I see the way you look at her.” “She is my life,” Ransom said. “She will be your death. As your mother will be mine.” “Father. Please.” Ransom put a hand on Ramsey’s arm. “Let her go.”

This was the reason I’d asked Ransom and Zavier for a sword. This was what I’d spent months and months training for. Not for someone else to come to my rescue. To rescue myself.

Hot tears dripped to the dirt at my boots. “I love you.” “Yes, you do. Don’t forget.” “Never.” “Neither will I.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “I will find you. Here, or in the shades.”

The crux landed at his back, the ground shaking as she dropped. And Ransom, my Guardian, turned to fight. To show that bitch who the real monster in Calandra was.