The Gilded Cage (The Prison Healer, #2)

by Lynette Noni

“Sometimes the people who act like they don’t care are really the ones who care the most. They feel so much that it overwhelms them, and to keep from falling apart, they hide behind easy smiles and quick laughter, acting like nothing matters. It’s a defense mechanism, a way to protect themselves from the world. A way to keep from getting hurt.”

“Kiva has spent over half her life locked in a nightmare. The last thing I want is to make her feel like she’s trapped in another kind of cage, gilded though it might be. I have no idea what the future will bring for us, but right now she deserves the chance to live her life and follow her dreams. I can only hope she’ll grant me the honor of being by her side on that journey, and if she does, you’ll have to find a way to deal with it. I don’t think I can be any clearer than that.”

“I dream of darkness, I dream of death,” Jaren answered slowly. “I dream of you falling from that tower and me not catching you in time. I dream of you walking into the crematorium and never coming back out. I dream of—of—” He swallowed. “I dream of finding you at the bottom of the quarry, not breathing.” He shuddered against her. “I dream of you dying, over and over, while I just stand there, watching.”

“Not to mention, you were abducted by rebels, you’re living at the palace, and the crown prince looks at you like he would burn the world to keep you safe. But sure, you’re just a normal, everyday kind of girl.”

It was a family portrait. Created by an eleven-year-old. Who had been asked to paint his future.

“Should I, um . . .” Kiva waved to her outfit, fearing her clothes were too casual for dinner with the royal family. Jaren’s eyes didn’t wander from her face, his tone soft as he said, “You’re perfect, just as you are.”

AHH JAREN 🥰😭🤭😋🫠

The three of them had snuck out of the palace one night, having overheard a diplomat from Nerine talking about visiting a Red House before traveling back to his kingdom. In their innocence, they’d assumed he’d meant a literal red-colored house, and so they’d followed him to the docks. What they’d seen—

Maybe I'm innocent or smth but what's a Red House? 😭

“It’s not my fault you’re so irresistible.”

Yeah, exactly 🤭🫠

For one embarrassing moment, Kiva wondered if Caldon had company—the kind he wouldn’t want interrupted.

Ummm....

It’s so much easier to hide in the night than to fight for the light.”

“You say you became the darkness, that it consumed you,” he said, his cobalt eyes soft on hers, “but I call bull on that. I’ve never met anyone who shines as brightly as you do.”

“Why didn’t you tell me your brother looked like that?” Caldon asked quietly, bringing up the rear of the group with Kiva. “Like what?” she murmured distractedly. “What do you mean, ‘like what’?” Caldon said, exasperated. “Like that.” He waved a hand toward Tor’s strong back. “He’s delicious.” That was enough to shock Kiva from her fears, and she whipped her head toward the prince. “I thought you were into girls?” Caldon pulled a face. “Firstly,” he said, “women. I’m into women—not girls. There’s a difference.” Kiva raised her hands in apology. “All right, sorry.” “And secondly,” Caldon said with strained patience, “I’m attracted to who I’m attracted to. And right now, there is nothing about that”—he dipped his chin toward Torell—“that isn’t attractive.” Somewhat woefully, he added, “I can’t believe you kept him a secret.”

Umm... okay, so Caldon's bi... greattt I still love him He's still in third place

She wouldn’t push him away. She would hold on to him, for as long as she could, for as long as he’d let her. Because she was in—

Because she was in... Love?? 🙃🫠

Jaren laughed quietly. “Careful, or I’ll start to think you’re planning to overthrow me yourself.”

Hahaha. Ironic isn't it 🙃 You're actually not far off, Jaren... like at all

Caldon came to a stop right in front of her. “Let me rephrase.” He leaned in, his eyes like cobalt fire as he asked in a lethal voice, “What did your brother and sister—the Viper and the Jackal—want?”

Jaren pulled back with a muted oath. “Do you think anyone would care if I murdered my own Golden Shield?” Kiva bit back a smile. “Hypothetically?” “Sure. Let’s go with that.” “I can hear you!” Naari called. Jaren sighed and placed a hand on Kiva’s back, guiding her toward the doorway and muttering under his breath, “Maybe not so hypothetically.”

“Take care of her.” “Goshdarnit, there go my plans to toss her in the Serin,” Caldon deadpanned.