One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1)

by Rachel Gillig

He inhaled. “Perhaps it’s good you did.”

Giggling and kicking my feet

“And that was nothing to the wicked things I was imagining after we argued in the garden.”

The man you that you are Ravyn

“It’s not safe to draw too close to me. I’m a liar, Elspeth. A traitor. And someday, there will be a reckoning.” He pulled back, his gray eyes tight with strain. “The highwayman meets the hangman. Always.”

I pulled back and looked him in the eyes. “It is not they who bring the reckoning, Ravyn. It is you. It is us.”

Yesss power couple

“It’s different for Ravyn,” he said. “He’s not skeptical of your infection, your magic. When he looks at you, he feels he knows you—wants to help you. You make him remember why he’s done everything he’s done, and why he must continue on doing it.”

“I can’t tell you,” I said, more forceful than before. “You won’t want anything to do with me if I do.” Ravyn exhaled. “Then your estimation of me is lower than I imagined.” He reached into his pocket, tapping the burgundy light three times.

“Don’t think me deaf to the dissent you sow behind my back, cousin. If it’s command you want”—he spread his arms wide, an invitation—“take it.”

So hot

Next to me, his posture rigid, Elm glared daggers at Ravyn across the table. After a full minute of biting silence, Ravyn slammed his fork onto his plate. “Trees, Elm. What?” “I need to talk to you.”

LMAOO

“Twenty people would have seen you march through that gate,” Elm bit back at me. “Besides, the Captain bade we wait.”

He cracks me up

Elm looked up from his second glassful, his green eyes flickering from Ravyn to me. “Bloody trees,” he muttered, hoisting himself out of his chair. Without a good-night, he took the flagon of wine from the table and quit the parlor.

LMAOOOOOO

Fenir did not miss the cue. He cleared his throat. “Well, that about does it for me,” he said, shuffling out of the room, leaving me and the

Lolll

“We all have secrets we’re forced to keep, Elspeth,” he murmured. He lifted my chin. When I opened my eyes, his gaze poured into mine. “I trust you. You’re safe with me. Magic—or something else—is pulling us together. Only two more Cards,” he said, the tips of our noses grazing. “And then you’ll be free.”

Love them so much

A loud clatter sounded somewhere outside the parlor door, followed by the echo of rapid footfall, close, then far. Thistle, no doubt coming to refill our wine, scurried away in a hurry.

Loll

“Can I kiss you?” My voice shook. “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?” “Not on your mouth, Elspeth.”

LORD HAVE MERCY

With a sharp breath he pushed my thighs open, wide enough to accommodate his broad shoulders. “Here.” I put a hand over my mouth and fell back on the bed, my breath soaring out of me, caught between a sigh and a curse. The ache in my stomach moved lower, amber hot as it coiled, touch starved. I shut my eyes. “Yes,” I said, dropping my fingers into his hair. Ravyn sighed into me, his hands on my hips tightening,

Get it yall

He leaned over me and smiled, like he knew exactly how thoroughly he’d shattered me. His hand slid up my stomach to my chest, pressing over my breast, just above my heart. He bent down, his lips brushing mine. “Your heart is racing,” he said with a smirk.

Hes exactly who he thinks he is

“An enjoyable evening, I hope.”

JESPYR LMAO

“Sorry,” she said, not sounding sorry at all. She looked me up and down, her eyes landing on the mess of my hair. “You look… well rested.”

LMAOOOO JESPYR

“Smells amazing,” Ravyn said, patting Thistle’s back.

The giggles that are coming from my mouth are not human HELP

“You were gone when I woke up.” I leaned into him. “I wanted to let you rest.” He kissed me, his fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of my neck. “I don’t want rest, Elspeth,” he murmured into my lips. “I want you.”

God this man...

jaunt

Elm leaned forward, quiet a moment too long, his green eyes measuring Ione. “Are you in love with him?”

He likesss her

“Are you still pretending?” I said, reveling in his gaze. Ravyn gave a surprised laugh and, in front of everyone, leaned in and kissed me. “I never was,” he whispered into my lips.

Period

Help me. Help you? YOU HEARD ME. Help! The Chalice affects the blood, he said. My strength—my magic—will not deliver you. His laugh cut through the dark.

Loll

The Nightmare’s voice dripped like oil. Ravyn Yew, he said. At least this time, you come invited.

Idc i love the nightmare

I wanted to cry—to

Girl thats all you do

“Be safe,” I whispered to the wind as Ravyn Yew disappeared beyond the gate. Had I known they’d be the last words I’d say to him aloud, I might have chosen them differently.

Oh heck naw bruh

He nodded stiffly, gesturing back up the stairs. “Opal is waiting.” He’s hiding something, the Nightmare murmured. I continued up the stairwell.

Girl-

But Hauth Rowan, hidden in the shadow of the wardrobe, was.

Shit

“Why else would Ravyn protect you so ardently?” He smiled, cruel. “Your uncle confirmed it.”

Not him ratting out his own brother

The last thing I saw before I opened my eyes was a small girl, timid as she peered into a looking glass, her black eyes glazed with fear. “Do you have a name?” she whispered. I smiled at her, memory tugging at the corners of my ancient mind. The strange magic, the same beautiful wonder, of the children I once knew. They called me a King’s name once, I said, my tail flickering. But that was a long time ago. “What shall I call you, then?” Nothing, child, I said, crawling back into the blackness. I’m just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves… the nightmare in the night.

Elm’s voice was lifeless. “We were going to use his blood to save Emory. And you’ve just spilled it all over the floor.”

Crap i forgot about that

He would find the last Card. He would lift the mist. He would save Emory’s life. And he would free Elspeth Spindle from the darkness that consumed her.