Thorns & Fire (The Ashes of Thezmarr, #2)

by Helen Scheuerer

“You love her,” Queen Reyna said quietly, studying him. “The youngest of the Embervale sisters.” Torj struggled to swallow the lump in his throat, not meeting her gaze. “That doesn’t matter now.” The queen gave a sad smile. “You loved her then as you love her today, and will for all the days that come after. You will always love her. That is the only thing that matters, Bear Slayer.”

“And you, Bear Slayer. Keep her safe.” Torj started back toward the camp and Wren scrambled to hide her presence, but not before she heard his parting words to her sister… “I’d die before I let anything happen to her.”

“And you?” Wren asked her friend with a glare. “Who are you meant to be?” “Who do you think?” Kipp gave her an incredulous look as an ornate carriage pulled up at the end of the alley. “I’m Kristopher fucking Snowden.” “Furies save us all,” Torj muttered, striding toward the carriage.

His body heaved, and something inside him snapped—the last remnants of his restraint. He seized Wren, gripping her behind her thighs and shoving her up onto the desk. “I can’t take it anymore. I want you, Wren. I want you so badly I can’t breathe.”

Torj had become what he was always meant to be: the shield between Wren and the world that had already taken too much.

“I’m his to protect,” she said. “And he’s mine.”