One Dark Throne (Three Dark Crowns, #2)

by Kendare Blake

Perhaps that is how all men love. More with their eyes than with their hearts.

The oracle said that she was cursed. That she would bring about the fall of the island.

“Drown her,” she said. “She carries the legion curse. Her naturalist gift will be touched with war. Drown her now, before she goes mad with it.”

“Don’t be daft,” he says into her hair. “No matter how far I go, I’m still your person. We stand together now. We are together now, aren’t we?” “Are we?” she asks. He kisses her forehead, and her cheek. He kisses her shoulder, still too nervous to kiss her properly, and that is her fault. Then he gently removes her arms and turns to walk away. “Billy!” she calls out, and he stops. “Why did you choose me? Instead of one of my sisters?” “Because I saw you first,” he says, and winks. “I’ll be back soon. But . . . just in case I die, I want you to remember that you could have kissed me that day in the meadow.”

I have been eating poison since I was a child. Now I am practically made of it.”

“Have they not heard?” she asks. “You cannot kill what is already dead.”

“Why would she when I didn’t? It wasn’t like I read in books. A thunderclap. Eyes meeting. Tortured glances. With Arsinoe it was more like . . . having cold water poured down your back and learning to enjoy it.” “And does she love you?”

“Do not be ridiculous, boy. You cannot kill what is already dead.”

“I love you,” he says suddenly. “I should have told you. Maybe I never knew. But I do. And you love me, too. Say it.” For a moment, Arsinoe just blinks. Then she laughs. “Mainlander. You can’t make me say it.” “Then say it when I get you out of here. Promise.” “I promise.”