Iron and Magic (The Iron Covenant, #1)

by Ilona Andrews

“A tiger doesn’t change its stripes,” Rufus said. “You misunderstand. I don’t want him to change his stripes. You said it yourself, he is the monster rough men fear.” She smiled at him, sharp, pinning him with her gaze. “He puts himself between evil creatures and small children. He protects us. He is my monster, Commander. Should any rough men come here and try to take what is ours, he will remind them of that.”

“Sometimes there is nothing left and all that’s anchoring me here is knowing you’ll pick a fight with me in the morning.” “Hugh...” “What do you want more than anything? Tell me what it is, and I’ll rip the world apart to bring it to you.”

“Is there anything else you would like to disclose?” Hugh asked. “Do the gates open when someone says a magic word?” “Not that I know of,” she told him. “Why don’t you scream some magic words at the gates for a while and tell me how it turns out?”

“You can’t,” Savannah recoiled. “For him? You would manifest for him?” “Hugh was abandoned by everyone in his life.” Her words rang out. “His parents, his teacher, his surrogate father. They all threw him away. He trusted us. He sacrificed himself to save us. This is his home. I’m his wife. I will not abandon him. Bring the cows.”

“You’re my husband, Hugh. We no longer walk alone. We are each other’s shelter in a storm. As long as you want to stay here, you’ll have a home. I’ll never abandon you.”