A Heart of Blood and Ashes (A Gathering of Dragons, #1)

by Milla Vane

“There are enemies, and there are monsters. Always slay the monsters first, because enemies may one day become allies—but monsters never will.”

He was everything his mother had claimed he was—fierce and proud and strong, savagery contained through sheer will.

This could not be like death. Not when Yvenne felt alive for the very first time.

For Maddek was truly a great warrior, finding vulnerabilities Yvenne had not known she possessed. He could even make weapons of her sighs, transform her longing into a blade, and use them to slice through her heart. A great warrior indeed.

“In truth, I was thinking of my own poor decision. I cannot blame haste or rage, because my choice of husband was years in the making. But still I regret my choice now.”

Because even though she no longer wanted more from Maddek, some foolish part of him wanted to give it.

She had promised to make his life a misery. He still believed she would. But in that moment, he’d realized his life would also be a greater misery if Yvenne wasn’t in it.

“You will share my furs again each night.” He slipped his hand between her thighs, where his release pooled at her entrance. A soft, shuddering sigh left her as he pushed his longest finger into her sheath, carrying the seed deeper.

So many promises he’d made and not fulfilled this night. Not only to Yvenne, but to himself. For he might have protected Yvenne from her brother, but he hadn’t protected her from himself. And he’d not truly had her. And now he might have lost her.

Now he held out a hand to her? When she had resigned herself to nothing? When she had given up all hope?

“You need only be a warrior-queen.” Then she would. “And what will you be?” “Yours,” he said in a raw voice, and bent his head to feast.