Scarred (Never After, #2)

by Emily McIntire

For the freaks. The misfits. The bullied. The loners. The insecure. The damaged. You are worthy. You are warriors.

If you want to burn down hell, you must learn to play the devil’s game.

“Be safe, my queen,” Daria whispers to my back. My heart stutters. “I’m no one’s queen. I’m just the one who will burn the crown.”

little doe.”

That’s the difference between me and other people. They run away from the bad things, and I become them.

Together we rule, divided we fall.

my little doe.

ma petite menteuse.

“If you want a god to worship, ma petite menteuse, no need to look so far.”

“I’d like to draw you,” I rephrase, moving in closer, my fingers dancing across her skin. “Just like this, with your face kissing the stars… I think it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Ma petite menteuse… My little liar.

My little doe is no doe at all. She’s a hunter, pretending that she’s prey.

“I’m going to kiss you now,” I tell her. “Why?” she whispers. “Because, ma petite menteuse, the thought of not kissing you makes me want to die.”

“The truth is, I am yours. Wholly. Inexplicably. Painfully. Unconditionally.” He moves my hand until the dagger presses against his throat. “And if you need to sacrifice my soul so you’re able to live with yours, then do it.”

he drops to his knees instead, his arms splaying wide at his sides. “I am nothing if I’m not yours.”

“Give me a reason,” I say instead. “One good reason why I should let you live.” His eyes flare. “Because I love you.”

“You could burn down the entire kingdom until it’s nothing but charred rubble, and I would crawl over the embers with glee, so long as I could worship at your feet.”

What good is a world without her in it?

“If something happens, know that I will find you in every lifetime, Sara Beatreaux. You are mine, and not even death can keep you from me.”