House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City, #2)

by Sarah J. Maas

“Well, we should probably leave. Before someone comes in and finds us all in here and thinks I’m having the night of my life.”

“You remind me that I’m alive,” she said, voice thick. “You remind me that goodness can exist in the world.”

“Orion was bred to be receptive to our kind.

“Come find me in Hel when you learn the truth.”

Is no one else about to puke at the thought?” Ruhn held up a hand, and Tharion lazily lifted one from the bench,

Ruhn. She moved again, slower this time. But her brother yelped.

Declan braced himself, like he thought he’d be next, so Bryce thought, A foot behind Hunt. She pinched her mate’s butt so fast he didn’t have time to whirl before she’d moved again.

This time in front of Declan, who cursed when she poked him in the ribs, the...

She appeared in front of Tharion’s bench, but the mer was waiting. Fast as a striking shark, Tharion grabbed her face and planted a smacking kiss on her lips. Hunt’s laugh boomed across the space,

“Too slow, Legs,”

Tharion remained sprawled across the bench, but—that was a knife now gleaming in his hand.

it had been pride in the way she’d defused things without violence. Like he thought she might actually deserve the title she now bore.

and the sprites, who had draped themselves around Flynn’s shoulders

Exactly what Flynn needed: his own flock of cheerleaders trailing him at all hours.

“Hey, remember that time you wanted to marry me and wrote Lady Bryce Flynn in all your notebooks?”

Hunt shoved Ruhn out of the way with an elbow and claimed the seat next to his mate.

“She’s Bryce. Everyone has got a thing for her.”

“Mer,” she said by way of greeting.

Flynn and his backup singers

“One, no. Two, fuck no.

“Team Fuck-You.”

“I think, with time, she might have undone the damage my father did to my soul.” “Bryce has that effect on people.”

The Umbra Mortis and the Starborn Princess don’t seem the types to accept things as they are.

“Team Fuck-You forever.”

If it’s of any interest to you, your Starborn bloodline specifically hailed from a small isle a few miles from the mainland.

“I shouldn’t enjoy this so much.” Before Ruhn could react, his sister punched the shifter in the face.

He was holding his mate’s hand for the last time.

Ruhn looked at his sister and said softly, “You brought so much joy into my life, Bryce.”

Not to attack this world, but to defend Hel itself. To ally with any who’d stand against the Asteri.

“Our love is stronger than time, greater than any distance. Our love spans across stars and worlds. I will find you again. I promise.”

But you have to live, Bryce. You have to be queen.”

And Ruhn said, shining with pride, “Long live the queen.”

“Hello, Bryce Quinlan. My name is Rhysand.”

“My friends need me. My … my pack needs me.”