A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire, #1)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“There isn’t a decent bone in the entirety of my body. So, no, I do not have this thing you call common decency.”

“It’s not your fault,” he repeated.

“That what you just did is nothing short of a blessing.” She appeared as if she wished to shake me. “You’re a blessing, Sera. No matter what anyone says or believes, you are a blessing. You always have been. You need to know that.”

“It’s not your hands. It’s not even your gift, and that is what it is. A gift. Not a failure. You’re not a failure.” I drew in a shuddering breath that did nothing to ease the sudden burn in the back of my throat. I kept toying with the button. What she said… I didn’t think she could understand how much those words meant to me. And I didn’t think I could acknowledge it because doing so meant acknowledging how much all the other words hurt.

My heart thundered as a knot expanded and grew in my throat, threatening to choke me. “I know what I am. I’ve always known. I am one of the worst sort. A monster,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “But don’t you ever tell me how I feel.”

“You are the heir to the lands and seas, skies and realms. A Queen instead of a King. You are the Primal of Life.”