A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles, #1)

by Amanda Bouchet

The woman who divines the truth through falsehood? The most coveted diplomatic weapon in the realms? The Kingmaker?

So this is it, exactly what Mother was trying to teach me, to pound and torture into me. Love is weakness, an exploitable flaw.

“I conquered a kingdom and found a treasure.” His voice turns gravelly, low. “I won’t let you go. Not now. Not ever.”

If my God Father wants Beta Sinta and me together, he must have a very good reason for it.

Thundercloud eyes flash to mine. “No one touches you.” I chew on my lower lip, confused. “You’re touching me.” His eyes dip to my mouth. “I’m the exception.”

“Oh, no!” I cry. “We mustn’t kill by accident. Only on purpose.”

He stuffs the rope into his saddlebag, drags me onto his lap, and then plants his mouth on mine.

“You’re mine now, Cat. Don’t you dare die on me.”

Everyone turns to me, and as much as I love having four handsome men gape at me in stupefaction, right now, I could do without.

Griffin glares at me like he wants to throttle me. Instead, he hauls me up against his chest and kisses me.

his cheerful smile threatening to infect me with something awful, like a good mood.

Griffin looks nauseatingly gleeful, and every member of his family suddenly has a hideous gleam in their eyes. I hate them all.

“I love you, Cat. I would do anything to keep you safe. That is my binding vow.”

“You reject our gift!” Poseidon’s voice is an angry tempest in my head. “Griffin? A gift from the Gods? I’d better not tell him that, or I’ll be hearing about it for the rest of my days.”

“You’re my life now. We’ll live together, or die trying.”

If I can make him want me enough, maybe he’ll never give up on me.