One Dark Throne: Three Dark Crowns Book 2

by Kendare Blake

‘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?’

Mirabella’s throat tightens. Her eyes sting. But she is a queen. A broken heart must not show.

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.’

There is no poison on her lips this time. If he kisses her, she will kiss him back. She will never let him go.

‘They can dress that little witch up any way they like. But she’ll still be a monster.’

‘What a pleasant place to stay in,’ Mirabella muses. ‘Were I not here to kill or die.’

‘Whatever is left in me that can love,’ she says, ‘loves you.’

‘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.’

‘You won’t throw away everything for one girl,’ he mutters. ‘You’re wrong, Father,’ Billy says, right before he turns and walks out the door.

His normally clear, handsome eyes are squinted and swollen. She does not like him like this. Though perhaps this is what he truly is underneath. Angry, and ugly, and small.