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

by Helen Scheuerer

“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.”

Feeling as though he were drowning, Torj grasped at the only lifeline he could find—he forced himself to look away, to pretend her presence didn’t still set his soul ablaze.

“If you were my wife,” Torj said, his voice low and rough, “I wouldn’t let you go. So that’s what I’m doing.”

“That man burns for you, Wren. The sooner you both catch alight the better, lest you set the whole world ablaze.”

He would do it all again to keep her safe. He would do it a hundred times over if it meant Wren still walked the midrealms, even if he couldn’t walk beside her.

“I can still feel the imprint of you like a brand, Embers, so no. No pretending.”

They’d watched the stars together. He’d held her hand. He’d memorized the constellation of freckles across her nose in the moonlight.

“We were always stronger together.”

Wren was everything. Everything he’d ever wanted. Everything he’d ever needed.

Soul bonded. His soul bonded.

Then, he positioned her grip back on the edge of the headboard. “You’re going to want to hang on tight, Embers…”

“You asked for a queen,” she said. “Now you have one.”

“Then tell me how to serve you, my queen.” “You stand at my side.” Wren’s fingers closed over his, gold and lightning joining them as one. “And we destroy them all. Together.”