One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1)

by Rachel Gillig

too young to fully comprehend the dangers of the world we so innocently occupied.

The Black Horse made its beholder a master of combat. The Golden Egg granted great wealth.

Hold tight to your charm, And you’ll come to no harm.

But it felt incomplete, my collection yet whole. And so, for the Nightmare, I bartered my soul. I put a hand to my mouth, fingers shaking. My voice came out hollow. “But that would mean I absorbed your soul when I touched the Nightmare Card. Which makes you… the Shepherd King.” A growl, a sneer—oil, bile. His voice called, louder than it had ever been, as if he was closer. Stronger. Finally, my darling Elspeth, we understand one another.

no one had ever held me so tightly—as if they needed me in their arms as much as I needed to be held. As if nothing else mattered but to hold one another.