The Witches' Blade (Five Crowns of Okrith, #2)

by A.K. Mulford

“A common sickness amongst men who were raised to believe they were owed the world.”

“You can play that game forever, Rua,” Bri said, standing back from the fire. “It changes nothing. You learn. You move forward. It is the only way and then the fear of it will lessen.”

“I know what that darkness whispers, and how the lies begin to sound like truth. We wear those lies like armor, thinking they will protect us.

The two of them smiled at each other as the rest of the world faded away. Just them and their smiles in a room full of sound.

“You smell like wildflowers and fresh spring rains . . .” His eyes dropped down to her lips. “You smell like home.”

“I want every part of you.” There was no hesitation in his voice this time, nothing holding him back. “I want every beautiful dark corner of your soul.”

“the sun will keep rising and so too shall we all.”

“I see you, all of your dark corners, just as you see mine. And I love you.”

“I would tear down the sky for you,” he promised, leaving her with one last kiss.

this King who thought himself a monster was really an avenging God.

They both laughed, that mischievous lover’s laugh of two people so in love they didn’t care about anything other than being joined together. This was the kind of reckless she wanted to be.

They were flawed and healing, but at least together it was okay.

This was the magic the oracles prophesied. This was Fate, a real living ember that would exist in the world long after their deaths. The world would still feel their love even then.

There would be more anger and fear and pain, she was certain of it, but she would make that warmth, that love, count for more.

She would give herself over to this happiness. The fear of losing it would no longer hold her back. However long it lasted, she would make it count for something. She felt the darkness and the joy. One did not deny the other. She could hold it all.