The Song of the Marked (Shadows and Crowns, #1)

by S.M. Gaither

She had just fought off two undead monsters, and now she was letting a storm trigger her? Letting it steal her breath? Letting it tie its weights to her hands and feet and hold her in place this way? But her anxiety was like that, unfortunately. It didn’t always make sense, even to her, but that didn’t make it any less real.

“Well, one of us is kind of grossly incompetent, in all fairness.” “Don’t talk about yourself that way, Greythorne.”

If Oblivion was an ocean of nightmares, here was a reminder that morning still existed, even here, and that there was still a sky above it all.

Girl stand up

The closer I get to the end, she had told Cas once, the more I find myself wanting to go back to the beginning.

some people are just naturally…happy.” “How strange,”

He smirked, and then proceeded to tuck the flower into the breast pocket of his coat, letting its pink petals stick out on full display—while looking properly grumpy about it, of course.

Oh I love him

But his tragic backstory did not excuse the fact that he was a complete and utter bastard.

“You looked like you were plotting something.” “I usually am.”

“Why do you keep showing up everywhere I go in this place?” “Because I live here?”

“Ah. I see.” “You see what?” “That you’re delusional.” “No, I’m an optimist.” “That’s essentially the same thing,”

“The Thorn part of that last one does, at least. Because the old saying a thorn in my side comes so very vividly to mind whenever I think of you.”

I’m SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP

one piece.”

one piece.

Or else I’m coming after you, because… No. No, it wasn’t that.

“Favorite animal?” “Bunny rabbits.” She made a face. “You aren’t taking this seriously, are you?” “Excuse you, I am very serious about my love of bunnies.”

“You have to let some things go, Thorn,” he said, gentler. “Not everything—just whatever things you can. Or else it’s all going to get too exhausting to carry one of these days.”

You’re a rather…captivating combination of fearless and faint-hearted.”

“I was terrified the entire time. I’m always terrified. The fear never entirely goes away—but I’ve just learned to do things while I’m afraid. I can’t always pull it off, obviously. You saw that the other night by the fire. But when I think of my friends or…or even other people that need my help, it kind of overrides whatever fear I’m personally fighting with. I can’t be fearless for myself. But for other people…it’s different.”

“You’re much nicer after you’ve had a near-death experience. You should almost die more often.”

“You’re safe here.”

Even after two days of her treating him as coldly as she could, he had still felt the need to check on her?

“If we end up having to battle the gods, I vote we charge at least triple our normal service rate.”

“I don’t want him to hurt you,” Elander said, very suddenly and very quietly, and without opening his eyes. “Why?” The challenge in her voice seemed to catch him off guard. It took him a long time to answer, and even then, all he said was, “I’m not sure.”

“Just be careful,” he continued. “Because if he hurts you, you know I’m obligated to murder him, right?” “And I’m obligated to help,” added Laurent. Nessa gave them both a withering look before turning back to Cas with a slight grin. “Because nothing says friendship like being willing to murder on your behalf, right?”

“I expected you sooner, Captain,” she informed him. He flashed her a crooked grin. “Sorry I’m late.”

“I like to think my relentlessness is one of my better qualities.” “When it isn’t getting you into trouble, I suppose.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll be gentle.” Her eyes narrowed. “Be as rough as you want.”

She took several deep, calming breaths. “Negotiating with death again, I see.” He coughed a few more times, and then his smile became more blatant. “I get better at it every day.” “Idiot,” she growled.

An instant later Elander had Caden by the throat. He lifted him several inches off the ground, and his voice somehow reached an even more terrifying level of cold as he gave a second command. “Keep your fucking magic away from her.”

So he stayed. He didn’t ask her to talk. Or eat. Or sleep. Or calm down. They simply existed in the same space for a while; she was a ship drifting aimlessly about, and he was the lighthouse that she occasionally found herself looking for when she needed to see something real. Something solid. An anchor.

A panic that soon felt almost reassuring, because at least it was a demon she had experience with.

“And yet, the thought of missing my chance to hold you like this is somehow more terrifying.”

“The most stunning half-drowned rat I’ve ever seen.”

She had just realized an awful, undeniable truth. She wanted him.

Me too girl dw

“Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s not an act. I’m all dark and dangerous, all the way through. My heart is actually just a barely-functioning blob of blackness.”

Me