Spellmaker (Spellbreaker Duology, #2)

by Charlie N. Holmberg

Alas, there weren’t any straightforward rules of decorum for how to comfort a lady after she was nearly murdered by her possessed employer.

“I will get you out of here, if I have to melt the castle down myself, do you understand?”

She stared at him, wanting so badly to believe him. Wanting to ignore the fear and anxiety festering beneath her ribs and give hope its way, but hoping had always hurt her. Still, she found herself nodding. Not hoping, exactly. Wishing, perhaps.

“When you are an outsider, you do what you have to do to fit in, or people will ostracize you. Sometimes without even realizing it.

“But it is easy to miss the pain of being different when you fit in so well with the standard.”

“Is that how all Bajan men kiss?” He smirked, the insolent man. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never kissed any of them.”

Of course I’ll come, you lummox.

We are at war. Not across country borders, but in our very streets. The lower classes must fight for everything. Food on their table, employment, right of way, their very dignity.” Her voice was strained. “We even fight each other. If there’s one pattern history teaches us, it’s that the rich start the wars and force the poor to soldier them.”

“I love you more than Barbados, more than magic, more than myself. You are all I think about. And now you are mine. I love you, Elsie.”