Gleam (The Plated Prisoner, #3)

by Raven Kennedy

“Mmm. I like your anger, Goldfinch. If only it weren’t always directed at me.”

Maybe it’s foolish to risk standing up here, but sometimes, you have to do foolish things just for the sake of doing them.

We tell ourselves twisted lies to tangle around our wicked truths, all so that we can get caught up in the bind and not have to face bare regrets.

But the eyes of liars are tricky things. They can show you what you want to see without ever reflecting the truth. It’s best not to look a liar in the eye. They’re so good at their own compulsions that their gazes hold steady, and then you’re the one who loses sight.

The Golden King wants to pluck my strings and make me sing. So I’ll sing.

“I’ll do that anytime you need catching, Goldfinch.”

“Then you’d be a statue stuck right here on the stairwell, and I don’t think gold’s your color, Commander.” “I disagree. Gold has quickly become my favorite.”

MELTING 🫠

“You’re very floppy.” I rest my head against his firm, muscled chest. “You’re very hard,” I counter. A rich, dark laugh slips from his mouth. “You’ve no idea.”

THE SCREAM I LET OUT

“I’m glad you’re choosing you,” he says quietly, and my lips part, like I want to swallow the rumble of his cadence. “You are?” I go completely still as he moves his hand and grips my chin, like he wants to make sure I’m paying attention. I am. “Yes, Goldfinch. Because I’m choosing you, too.”

MY HEART. PLS STFU 🥲🥲🥲

Just a kiss. One kiss, and I’m wrecked, because I never want this to stop.