The Blood Traitor (Prison Healer, #3)

by Lynette Noni

We can look at the darkness and let it consume us, or we can recognize that it’s only temporary, trusting that once it passes, the light will return,”

For as long as we’re locked away, you’ll move, you’ll train. It’ll get your blood flowing and cleanse your thoughts,” Cresta said. “And just maybe it’ll stop you from hating yourself long enough for you to see that you do have a reason to live — and that there are people who, despite you believing otherwise, need you to live, too.”

“Everyone deserves to have someone fight for them, even — and especially — when they’re unable to fight for themselves. You did that for me, once. You fought for me, you saved my life, and I’ve hated you every day since because it meant that I then had to make the same choice: to fight, and to keep fighting, day after day. And that’s hard. It’s exhausting and it’s painful and it hurts. But I eventually realized that it’s also a part of life, and it will all be worth it one day. I have to believe that — for me, and for you.”

“Life is worth living, even the parts that make us feel like we want to die.

it was impossible not to be drawn to her gentle spirit and sincere kindness.

She didn’t allow her mind to wander down the path of fear, refusing to give power to the darkness of possibility.

Kiva had done it. It hadn’t even been hard. She’d just had to believe in herself — to not be afraid of herself.

“What you’re feeling is valid, but it’s also wrong.” Her voice gentled as she said, “You’re a good person, Tor.

“Don’t get me wrong, it was one of the most uncomfortable conversations of my life. Owning up to your mistakes is never easy. It’s not meant to be easy. But it’s always worth it.

Instead, she attempted to piece together her heart, knowing it was impossible — because it had just walked away.

way. He just had a different kind of personality, prone to independence and solitude, rather than socializing just for the sake of fitting in. Too often people considered such a temperament to be strange or even rude, but Kiva saw it as a strength. Eidran knew who he was, and he embraced his autonomy with a contentment that she envied.

Why do you keep making yourself the villain in your own narrative?”

That’s why I was so upset. Not because of everything else beyond your control, not even because of the mistakes you made. But because you never really let me in. I gave you every part of me, and I thought you gave me every part of you, but the whole time, I didn’t even know who you really were.”

It was from the realization that she had a decision to make. She could keep running away from him, guarding her heart so as to never risk such pain again. Or she could give Jaren what he’d just given her: the truth, messy and broken as it was.

Only then did she open her eyes, seeing the affection shining clear in his expression. “So beautiful,” he murmured again. But this time, there was no golden light. He wasn’t talking about her magic now — he was talking about her. His face softened as he saw the realization hit her, as he watched something settle deep within her, the final broken pieces of her sealing back together, healed by a different kind of magic that could only come from him.

she wanted to know every part of him, even the parts that hurt. Especially those parts.

Once there, Torell looked straight at Jaren and said, “Protect her.” More serious than Kiva had ever seen him, Jaren replied, “With my life.”

Despite her training, all the magic she had left was currently being fueled by desperation — but it needed more than that. For light to grow, it needed more light. I want you to think of a memory, Jaren had told her, weeks earlier, a good one. A memory filled with love, Caldon had added. Even in the midst of the battle, that wasn’t difficult for Kiva — because all she had to do was think of them. Jaren and Caldon. Tipp and Naari. Cresta and Torell and Ashlyn. All the people so dear to her, who had fought with her — and for her. She thought of kissing Jaren on the mountaintop, of crying in Caldon’s arms. Of Tipp’s gap-toothed smile and Naari’s fierce protection. Of Cresta’s unexpected friendship, Torell’s unflinching loyalty, and Ashlyn’s unearned kindness. They were her hope. They were her strength. They were the reason she would not give up. Could not give up.

fear tried to overwhelm Kiva, but she wouldn’t let it, thinking only of those she loved, of the strength that love gave her.