More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
There were boys and girls practising with sticks, trying to make themselves slingshots. No armour because there was none in their sizes. The sight made Helena sick. They were battle fodder. They’d be slaughtered in minutes. But they would do that rather than allow necromancy.
“You’re the one who gave them all the information?” she said. “Who let them into Headquarters?” It wasn’t Cetus. Here stood the real traitor. “I had to,” Ivy said. “It’s the only way to get Sofia back.” “Ivy, your sister’s dead.” “No!” Ivy shook her head. “She’s alive. I’ve
“No!” she said forcefully. He looked up at her, his face hardening. “You always said you wouldn’t choose me over everyone else. I am chained to a sinking ship. I will not take you with me.” “I was lying!” The words came out a scream. “I didn’t—I couldn’t—I wasn’t g-g—” She gasped for air, clutching at her chest.
She leaned closer, her hand sliding down his chest. His hand closed instantly around her wrist, stilling it. “What are you doing?” She sat up, drawing a deep breath. “I want to have sex with you.” The tips of her ears burned at saying it so baldly, but she watched him as she spoke. Searching for his reaction. There was a hard, flintlike look to his eyes, visible even in the dimming moonlight. “No.”
He looked at her, his eyes burning. “Do you think that makes it better? Your heart could fail, and if I’m not here, you’ll be gone. Just like—” He went silent. “Don’t do this to me.” Her mouth went dry. “But I have to save you.” “No.” The word was sharp. “You don’t. And you can’t. You are the only person who has never understood that.” She opened her mouth, but he cut her off.
“I don’t want to be your friend,” Helena said coldly. “Your sister is dead. You betrayed us all for a corpse.” “I know!” Ivy’s voice rang with grief as she whirled to face Helena, face pale, eyes bright. “I know, but I couldn’t—I couldn’t let her be dead. I thought—” Her face crumpled. “—I told myself she was just hurt, but she would come back. But she doesn’t. She—can’t. Even if she did, she would never forgive me for all this. Would she?” Helena felt no sympathy.
“The irony is, this is what we orchestrated, this was our plan, except they weren’t supposed to do it until I was gone.” He threw his helmet against the wall. “Now they’ve given Morrough warning and time to assemble forces and recall the necrothralls from the mines, and I am still here and I can’t refuse orders. Fuck!”
“You promised we’d run away together,” she said. “Remember?” He dipped his head. “Why is it that I have to keep all my promises, but you never seem to keep a single one of yours?” She shook her head, tilting up her face so their foreheads touched. “The first promise I made to you was that I’d be yours for as long as I live. I’m keeping that one.”
Kaine was standing almost as far from her as he could without going for the door. She stared at him in confusion. He had barely left her side for weeks, but now he looked cornered. “Kaine…come and see her.” He swallowed. “Helena—” “She’s your daughter.” The muscle in his jaw jumped. “Yes. I know. I remember how it happened.”
“Do I leave Enid here? Or take her with me while I try to clear Kaine’s name?” Lila looked away, staring out at the sea. “You can’t clear his name. It’ll never happen. I know you think he’s a tragic hero with no choice, but he’s done the most terrible things. People talk about Morrough, make jokes about him, but do you know who no one ever jokes about? The High Reeve. People look sick at the mere mention of him.
“I’m sorry, we can’t,” Helena said, holding her tight as Enid attempted to collapse onto the floor and crawl to Pol. “It’s not safe for us. That’s why we live on the island, remember? Because Mum’s heart goes too fast when we do too many trips. Mum can’t go places that make her heart go fast.”

