Gleam (The Plated Prisoner, #3)

by Raven Kennedy

My parents called me their little sun, and I used to be proud of the shine.

Yet in this world full of gawking Oreans and a bereft sky, all I want to do is go dull. To finally find a hiding spot where no one can find me.

I was my parents’ little sun. I used to dance beneath a sky that sang.

Between life and death. Then, with a raindrop on my cheek that might have spilled from my eye, I open the door and walk into the inn.

And I die, just a little bit more.

You’re King Ravinger. Yes, Goldfinch, I am. But you can call me Slade.

Both forms are drop-dead gorgeous and otherworldly, and no matter the eye color, he looks at me with the same intensity as always.

“I want you to leave, Rip,” I say again, hoping this time he’ll listen. “I told you, you can call me Slade.” “No, thanks,”

Much to my irritation, he smirks. I hate that the sight makes my stomach leap.

He gives me that maddening smirk of his. “Mmm. I like your anger, Goldfinch. If only it weren’t always directed at me.”

Chills scatter over my arms as he continues to stroke, easing it in a way I’ve never felt before.

“What’s he going to do? Turn me gold?” Rip mocks with a vindictive gleam in his eye. Of course he’s smug, why wouldn’t he be? He holds Midas’s greatest secret in his hands.

“Those golden eyes of yours, so expressive,” Ravinger murmurs. “There’s hate one second and heart the next.”

“I won’t hurt you, Goldfinch.”

Ravinger shrugs. “They’re fine now. A little food and rest, and they’ll be right as rain.”

Ravinger watches Midas, and Midas watches Ravinger. I watch them both.

“If you try to shove me in there again, I will fight you every step of the way, and I won’t ever turn another thing gold for you again.”

Ravinger is achingly beautiful in the same way as when he’s in his Rip form.

don’t think I’ll ever have the kind of love that I crave.

He is undoubtedly in love with my power. I gave him my heart, and I was too young, too stupid to see that his adoration was for my gold, not me.

Perhaps love is the price of my power.

When I wake up, I’ll make sure my heart is hardened. Come morning, I’ll make sure it only plays a song for me.

“Well, bright side, it makes my ass look amazing.”

They weren’t what I expected. But somehow, they ended up being exactly what I needed.

“I see you’re awake, Goldfinch.” The dark, sensual voice snaps my devouring anger in half, yanking me from my trance-like state.

his green eyes locked on me. Power coils around him like mist clinging to a dawn-lit field, and I lick my suddenly parched lips.

“Something I can help you with?” he asks in a teasing tone. A blush rises to my cheeks for too many reasons to count. I almost...and then he...

He looks good. Way too damn good.

His gaze drops to his boots, and when I follow his line of sight, mortification flushes my skin when I see one of my ribbons curling around his leg.

Ravinger’s grin widens. “Making frien...

“Everything is well in hand, King Ravinger. I thank you for your benevolence in releasing me,” I say with a sickly sweet tone.

“Does anyone need to release a goldfinch? Or does she do it herself?” I open my mouth, but no words come out.

Anger, I realize, tastes like a sugared flame. And after a lifetime of cold bitterness, a part of me wanted to indulge in it, wanted to bloom in its burning embrace.

I felt so powerful. So unstoppable. And...I liked it.

I see you’re awake, Goldfinch.

A pain I’m trying to deny. My pride was hurt, sure, but my heart was hurt more. Because Rip felt like more. Almost. He was my almost more.

My eyes skim down his form, gaze lingering. He’s a scary, terrifying king. But bright side? He can sure wear a pair of pants. Damn.

I’m still staring at his ass when I see his body stiffen. His shoulders go tense, and then he turns around, gaze landing right on me.

I know I shouldn’t do it, but against my better judgment, I slowly peek back around because apparently, I just can’t help myself.

He’s leaning with his back against the fence now, arms crossed in front of him, and there’s no doubt that his attention is locked on me.

When he sees me looking again, his lips turn up into ...

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.

My cager and betrayer.

I’m a strong woman who’s learning to be independent, dammit. Ish. I’m a strongish woman. That ish is going to have to be good enough for now.

“Goldfinch? What’s wrong?” My eyes snap open.

The ticking time between us is marked only by the beats in my chest, one that seems to match the thrum of the pulse in his neck.

Rip narrows his eyes. “Are you drunk?” “Drunk on power.” Much to my embarrassment, an incredibly loud snort erupts out of me

Before I can fall, Rip’s strong arms go around me, one beneath my knees, the other behind my back, and I’m swept up before I can even lose my center of gravity.

soft laugh ripples out of him, as cool and refreshing as running water over timeworn rocks. “I noticed,” he replies,

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