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I wanted to be unshackled from everyone’s expectations for just one godsforsaken moment.
She was the Sparrow.
Maybe when her shadow was gone, I’d have some freedom. Maybe not. Maybe the only moments of peace I’d find for the rest of my life were on this cliffside.
I raced for the cliff. My drab, gray dress streamed behind me as I ran, faster and faster, arms pumping, legs pushing. I didn’t think. I didn’t falter. One moment, my feet were tethered to the earth.
The next, I was flying.
It was written that the old gods, Ama and Oda, created Calandra’s animals as gifts to humans.
variations were far more beautiful. Far more powerful. Far more deadly. They birthed monsters to serve as a reminder to humans and animals alike that we were fragile and insignificant.
“Why is your dress wet?” Margot’s question caught me by surprise, my hand slapping over my breastbone. “And what happened to your hair?”
I don't know Margot
The Guardian. A man rumored to be more vicious and deadly than any creature crafted by the gods.
The man who entered next didn’t look like a god incarnate. He didn’t appear to be a ghost. He was tall and broad, like the other Turans. Muscled to the point of distraction. His chocolate-brown hair tickled the tops of his shoulders, and his chiseled jaw was covered in a short beard of the same shade. At first glance, he was just a man. Striking. Intimidating. But still, just a man. Yet his irises did not have the typical Turan green starburst. They were solid, molten silver. Liquid metal. Colorless, like my dress. The Guardian.
“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.”
“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.”
These men were bartering for us like we were crops.
Since the Shield of Sparrows, the five kingdoms had endured, surviving nine migrations. Celebrating nine marriages. Mae’s would have been the tenth. If not for the fucking Chain of Sevens. “I can’t believe this,” I whispered. “This isn’t happening.”
A King cannot kill his Sparrow, and a Sparrow cannot kill her King, either directly or indirectly, without death befalling them both.
Your mother would be so disappointed in me.”
“Your former fiancé must not have a big sword.”
But I wasn’t a good princess.
“Fine. Guardian,” I drawled. “Is that really what everyone calls you? You must have a name.”
“I do.”
“Maybe I’ll tell you. If you earn it.”
“Was it your idea for him to train
me? Or his?”
“Mine. He is the best warrior...
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“The crown prince is always my concern.”
“If you’re not going to send him here, I guess I’ll have to find his tent myself.” “Feel free to wander into mine, Princess.” He leaned in closer.
“Zavier likes to...
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“Praise is for the bedroom, Cross. Not the training ring.”
A warm bath was waiting. And an apple. I didn’t let myself think about who had likely arranged for them both.
A shudder ran through my body, and I forced my eyes to the dirt. He’s a monster. He’s a monster, he’s a monster, he’s a monster. A beautiful monster but a monster all the same. He’d killed Banner’s brother. He was a murderer. And I was married. Married. Married. Married. Shit, my face was hot.
The Guardian’s finger hooked under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Need a moment?”
The Guardian. My babysitter had returned.
It was time to stop waiting for the Turans to gift me information. It was time to start acting like a spy. It was time to figure my way out of Treow.
He’d saved my life. Again. He’s sworn to protect you. The Guardian. The slayer of legends.
My finger was still on the trigger. All I had to do was squeeze. “Do it.” His voice was a terrible whisper. A challenge. A dare.
His fingers dug into my flesh. His eyes bored into mine. Do it.
This was the chance I’d never have again. This was how I proved to my family I was more than they believed. I closed my eyes. I blocked out those...
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“What horse will you ride?” “Mine.” Oh, hell.
“You mean as the Guardian? You have the entire realm fooled. They all think Zavier is the prince.” “I am Zavier.”
