Lightlark (Lightlark, #1)

by Alex Aster

The Nightshade ruler grinned, revealing a single dimple, completely out of place in his cruelly cut face. “Call me Grim, Isla.”

Yep. This one right here. Dimples talk dark and handsome. This one officer

Was his flirting meant to distract her? Isla glared at him. And Grim grinned even wider.

Yep. I love him.

Lightlark was a shining, cliffy thing. Its bluffs were white as bone, and sunlight rained down in sheets of misted gold.

Thousands of years ago, the island was cut into several pieces, so each realm could claim a shard. Nightshades left the island shortly afterward to form their own land. Wildlings left after the curses. The pieces that remained were Star Isle for the Starlings, Sky Isle for the Skylings, Moon Isle for the Moonlings, and Sun Isle for the Sunlings. Then, there was the Mainland, where all the realms had traditionally gathered together. It was the Centennial’s base.

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.

Sooo…like mates?

Then she spent the night retching blood.

Isla had been born without the Wildlings’ curse—or their power.

One of the six rulers had to die to break the curses, according to the oracle’s prophecy. But it was worse than that. A ruler’s power was the life force of their people. So, if one died without an heir— All their people would die along with them.

“The first rule. A ruler may not assassinate or attempt to assassinate another ruler until after the fiftieth day.” The rule was a relief to Isla. For at least half of the Centennial, powerless or not, she would be safe. Which was why she and Celeste planned to be off the island before the ball on the fiftieth day even took place. “And, when pairs are decided on the twenty-fifth day, a ruler may not assassinate their partner.”

“The second rule. All rulers must attend and participate in every Centennial event.” That rule seemed innocuous but was dangerous, depending on what it was.

“The third rule. To participate, no ruler can have an heir.”

“Can you . . .” “Read minds?” His head knocked gently from side to side. “Not really. I can read flashes of emotions. Fear. Anger.” His lips raised into a half smile. “Curiosity.”

“I’m not sure what I enjoy more. Seeing the way you grip a sword . . . or the way your dress grips you.”

“And I don’t know what I enjoy more. Replaying the image of my sword against your throat . . . or thinking about how your heart might look on my plate.” Grim’s dark eyes flashed with amusement. “Careful, Hearteater,” he whispered, towering over her, standing far too close. “I might just give it to you.”

RAQAHHHHHH GIVE ME YOUR HEART I’m KEEPING IT

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.

I feel like they’re interpreting this wrong. End of a ruling line doesn’t have to mean someone dying. It can simple mean there is no overall ruler. And they all have to work together to break the curses, not battle one another?? I actually think this means all 6 need to work together, find out what the original offense was and repeat/recreate it. Eradicate the ruling line so there’s no overall ruler in order to break the curses

“My choice of partner,” the king repeated through his teeth, clearly hating every word coming out of his mouth. The room fell away. She forgot to school her expression or control her emotions around Grim. Her mouth might have been hanging open. She might have accidentally shot Celeste a horrified look. “Is Isla.”

Maybe it’s just me but I’m 100% sure Celeste is going to betray her Also I thought it was clear that Oro would want to pair with her, personally.

“Don’t you understand, Wildling? Killing a ruler isn’t the hard part. We all have had several opportunities to fulfill that portion of the prophecy. Do you know why killing isn’t allowed until the fiftieth day?” He looked so upset, she didn’t dare form a response. “It’s because choosing the right ruler and realm to die is the difficult part. Not just because we would be sentencing thousands to death. But because all of our futures depend on making the right decision.”

Oro said this and still proceeded to out Isla as powerless and as the one that ‘should’ be killed smh Gg chat. I’m done. Bring Grim back. Im done with Oro the backstabber

“What about staying away from me?” His lips were right above hers now, his words practically pressed against the corner of her mouth. “I gave it an honest effort,” he said. “But it turns out . . . I’m not that honest.”

There’s just something about the dark and mysterious shadow wielders for me😩🤌🏻

No. This couldn’t be right. They had searched every library on Lightlark. The text had said— It had said the bondbreaker was in a library centuries ago. More than enough time for it to have gone missing. Or to have been destroyed.

OR MAYBE, guess what, it’s behind that sealed door in Wild Isle that she still hasn’t opened…perhaps??

“Can I trust you?” she asked. Oro stared at her. “Yes. I’ve never lied to you, Isla. Not once.”

Bare minimum tbh Update: DO NOT TRUST

“I believe it’s time for a change in matches.”

Are you serious right now??! I feel betrayed ://

“I’ll let you in on a secret that might explain my decision,” he said loudly, for all to hear. He turned to look straight at her. “Isla Crown doesn’t have powers.”

Now I really feel betrayed… what the fuck? I was just starting to like Oro. I am so mad right now. He literally just gave her up for slaughter. "Killing a ruler isn’t the hard part. Choosing the right ruler and realm to die is the difficult part. We would be sentencing thousands to death. All of our realms are connected. The decision of who needs to die would be nearly impossible." Oro said this and still proceeded to out Isla as powerless and as the one that ‘should’ be killed smh Gg chat. I’m done. Bring Grim back. Im done with Oro the backstabber

“Nothing, absolutely nothing, is wrong with you, heart,”

From hearteater to heart 🥹🥹

But before she landed on the ground, someone else’s arms were around her. And she was in the air.

Oro to the rescue. Dont think this means you’re forgiven. I’m still mad at you

“My ancestor, Horus Rey, and Grim’s, Cronan Malvere, created the island.” She nodded. She knew that. “And so did yours.”

“Lark Crown. She made the land we stand upon. The island was named after her.”

I think - because the history book on the shelf always repeats itself - that Lark Crown fell in love with either Horus or Cronan (or both) and whoever she didn’t choose was so upset that they spun the curses so that she would have to kill her lover Therefore, if you follow the prophecy, the original thing that happened wasn’t someone using the heart — it was a girl falling in love with two people (Plot twist these two people are actually brothers lmao) This leads me to believe that the heart and the bondbreaker and everything else….is stuck in that bleeding vault in the palace of mirrors THAT SHE STILL HADNT OPENED

A large scar marred the center of his chest. It sat inches from his heart.

“What is this from?” Her pulse was already racing. So was his. Grim shivered as she traced the scar’s jagged mark. “Just someone trying to kill me.”

Oros ancestor, Horus , and Grim’s, Cronan were both in love with Lark, Isla’s ancestor.I think Lark chose Cronan, so Horus, in anger, spun the curse, and Lark tried to kill Cronan (as per the curse)And they were all cursed to reincarnate but they forget previous lives or sumn

And something about it all was so familiar, like falling asleep, or humming to the rain, or breathing. Like she had already done it all a thousand times in her dreams.

Her dreams aren’t dreams😭😭 THEYRE VISIONS FROM THE PAST