Lightlark (Lightlark, #1)

by Alex Aster

Only joined can the curses be undone Only after one of six has won, When the original offense Has been committed again And a ruling line has come to an end Only then can history amend.

On Lightlark and beyond, love had a price. Falling deeply and truly in love meant forming a bond that gave a beloved complete access to one’s abilities. They could do whatever they wished with it. Wield it, reject it. Even steal it.

Isla didn’t meet his gaze, though she felt his eyes all over her. It was unnerving. Her skin felt inexplicably electric.

And just like she did back home when she was alone in her room, whenever she felt anxious and lonely and trapped, she began to sing.

He watched the movement, staring at her neck far too intently, before almost absentmindedly baring his teeth, like he wanted to bite her there. Her skin inexplicably prickled at the thought.

He looked shamelessly, eagerly, like it was important to commit every inch to memory.

“I haven’t told you what you do to me.” She blinked. “What?” “I haven’t told you that you’ve ruined me.” “Ruined?” He nodded. “Ruined. Tortured. You haven’t stopped tormenting me since the first moment I saw you.” Isla opened her mouth. Closed it. Considered apologizing, even. Grim continued. “A few conversations with you, and I was ready to make the most disadvantageous trade—all of me in exchange for any part of you you’d be willing to spare.” He shook his head. “You have invaded my mind. I have questioned my sanity. I think about you all the time.”

“Look at me, heart. I want to watch you come undone.”

Remember us, Heart. Remember it all. You will remember. And when you do— You will come back to me.

That was the moment I knew I loved you, he had said. When that arrow went through your heart, and it might as well have gone through mine.