Rising Queen (Court of the Sea Fae, #3)

by C.N. Crawford

“It still makes no sense. He can’t love. It’s not possible for him. It’s, like, the first thing he says about himself. ‘Hi, I’m Salem, and I burn people and can’t love.’” Ossian let out a long breath. “You’d actually be surprised how many women love that shit. Can’t bring myself to try it, though.”

I took a deep breath. “Last time, I made a little blood sacrifice to increase my power. I cut my skin open, let my blood drip into the seafloor. I made a bargain. But it needs to be more. I need to sacrifice someone’s life. Someone important.” The two of them stared at me. “You’ve gone a bit dark with this, Aenor,” said Ossian. “Says the guy who pals around with Lucifer,”

Gina started pacing too, literally wringing her hands. “Is there something else the sea god might like, besides a life sacrifice? A Starbucks gift card or bath soaps?”

My throat burned so much that I didn’t care to protest. “Fine. I’m a swan.” His eyes danced with mischief. “Aenor Dahut, Scourge of the Wicked, Swan of King Salem.” “Okay, you need to stop.”

In the worst situations, my thoughts crystallized. And right now, the guards’ words were replaying in my mind. Its magic is so powerful that only the glashtin itself could kill itself. Turning monsters suicidal wasn’t in my skill set, regrettably. If I could convince him to leap over the edge of this cliff, I would. Maybe if I had more time, singing Elvis’s entire discography song by song would persuade him to end it all.

Lady Richelle thought I was a monster. And you know what? I fucking was. And that was why I was still alive.

Before the mob could descend for me, I turned and leapt. I was aiming for Salem’s arms, hoping they’d be outstretched. Because sometimes, falling was a leap of faith.

“When you leapt off the stone balcony soaked in blood… I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen such a beautiful vision.” “You have interesting taste.”

“Our union is a brief, blinding explosion of light in the darkness. It’s a star bursting into life and dying in the vast expanse of eternity. It’s perfect, even if it’s not forever. And there will never be another moment like this, Aenor, with you sitting in my lap, and the rain hitting the windows, and the feel of your hand on my chest. There will never again be two powers like us, joining together. We are two beautiful and broken souls perfectly made for each other.”

“What were you thinking about?” Aenor asked. “When you just started bursting into flame?” “I was thinking about protecting you by torturing to death anyone who refused to swear fealty to you.” Her jaw dropped open. “Salem. Once the divine hex is gone, I don’t need protecting. Trust me. And if the divine hex is not removed, I also won’t need protecting, because I will be dead. So, if you were fantasizing about burning people, it makes me wonder if that’s because you are just really into lighting people on fire.”

I folded my arms, frowning. Bloody hell. She was right. I did like indulging in that fantasy.

I nodded. “I suppose that’s true, yes. It is a favorite pastime.” “Maybe you could take it down a notch and learn to barbecue. I mean food, not people.”

“He can’t. I can’t. But I can make you warmer.” I grabbed an old chair in the corner of the room, its wood rotten and covered in lichen, and smashed it against the wall until it fractured into little pieces. “Even when you’re being nice,” said Aenor, “it looks a little insane.”

Apparently, he was shocked, shocked that the demented monster with human bones in her house wasn’t entirely on the up-and-up. Note to self—never trust Lyr’s judgment of people again.

I’m not sure I do now. But I know I’m not rotten. You worried that I was filled with darkness. And I have a dark side, as did you. But strength, like beauty, is painted by shadows… Light on its own is just a blank canvas. And you know what, Mama? I don’t want to be anything like you.

We were the beginning and the end, and our love was eternal. This was where I belonged.