The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom, #2)

by Danielle L. Jensen

“Spoons are remarkably formidable weapons when wielded by adept hands.” Sarhina slurped soup off her spoon and gave him a bright smile before digging back into her food.

Idle hands may do the devil’s work, but idle minds…” Achieved a prince’s ends.

“I imagine this is how parents feel when their child learns to speak,” Keris said. “It’s tremendously satisfying to see this display of intelligence from you, Your Grace.”

Willpower. That was what kept her going. Sheer force of will and a stubbornness to match.

“Lara, no matter where you are in the world, if you need me, I’ll come for you. Please know that.”

She was everything. Mind, body, and soul, she was everything he wanted. Everything he needed. The queen Ithicana needed.

She was right, and he knew it. But in his heart, he knew that even if he never saw her again for the rest of his life, it would never be over. She would always be his queen.

“Awake or asleep, all I see is your face. All I hear is your voice. All I feel is you in my arms. All I want is you.”

“You are my goddamned damnation, but there will never be anyone but you.”

“But I need you.” He pulled her tight against the metal, his forehead pressing against hers through the bars. “I love you, and I’ve never stopped. Not once, not even when I should have.”

“Since the day we met, there has never been anyone but you. And there never will be anyone but you. You are my queen, and I need you.”

“You can.” He kissed her hard. “I’ve never once seen fear make a decision for you.”

“I need you.” His breath was hot against her lips. “And I need you to keep fighting.”

But if the sharks leave the person be, that means the person isn’t a traitor—that they are true to Ithicana.”

“I swore to fight by your side, to defend you to my dying breath, to cherish your body and none other, and to be loyal to you as long as I live.”