Between Despair and Hope (The Divine Between, #2)

by Jess Wisecup

I didn’t think many kings were overthrown from the dungeon of an enemy kingdom.

Who better to accompany a girl who couldn’t wake than a boy who dallied in dreams?

“I have known King Rainier for many years. I did not know your name but I

knew you. He did not fall in love with you again. Always, that man has loved you.”

you aren’t only a mother. Your identity isn’t your daughter. It isn’t your dead sister. Hell, your identity isn’t the Beloved either. You are a woman who did her best in an impossible situation, and just because you stole some happiness for yourself does not mean you are a bad mother.”

“Elora, please wake up. It’s me. Please wake up and yell at me. I deserve it. I deserve your hatred. I deserve everything you want to throw at me. Just wake up. Just wake up and hate me. You can kill me if you want to; I won’t even move. I’ll hand you the knife.” Cyran.

me. Please wake up and yell at me. I deserve it. I deserve your hatred. I deserve everything you want to throw at me. Just wake up. Just wake up and hate me. You can kill me if you want to; I won’t even move. I’ll hand you the knife.” Cyran.

“Every choice, every mistake, every movement has a consequence we can’t always foresee.

But I’d never been scared of him, even at his worst. He was my safety and my wild. He was my home. He was mine.

I swear to the gods if she is hurt…” He trailed off before pinning me with hate in his eyes. “She is my gods damned soul.”

I swear on every star in the night sky if you do not shut the fuck up, I will kill you.

I fell in love with her while showing her the stars, and I’ll love her until the last one falls from the sky.”

“You mistake me. I need you more than I’ve ever needed anyone.

You are my heart and soul. You are the reason I draw breath.

There was something to be said about feeling like a caretaker of someone else’s happiness; it could make you forget about your own.

If I am the moon, then you are the sun, fireshine. You shine your light upon me and brighten all which is cold and dark within me. You have taught me to forgive is divine and even I, a loathsome creature, am deserving of it. I spend every moment wishing for more with you. More quiet, more talking, more kissing. Just more. If you never wish to look upon me again, Alina, I understand. But know, I am ruined for having loved you.

“I think I do. I just hope you know I realize now it was a mistake. I should have let it all burn. Either way is hell for me, but in one outcome, I made it hell for you too. I wish I could take it back.”

“It shouldn’t be something I have to do alone,” I said, stifling a sob. “No, it shouldn’t,” he agreed. “They should be here. It’s not fair.” “They should, and it isn’t fair.” “It should be the three of us, not just me.”

“Oh, dear brother. She is going to ruin you.” She gave me a soft smile as she tilted her head. “She already has.”

Standing tall, he took us in and removed his cloak, shaking his mussed hair out of his eyes. Gods, that age. He was far better than I ever was at faking it, I’d give him that.

“You’re almost sixteen years old, and I know more than I care to about what you’re feeling. You’re either going to sneak out later, or I can take you there now. One involves significantly less work for both of us.”

“Larke was…torn between two men. Your father and the elf prince.” “Tannyl.” “Yes, the very one.” She leaned forward, clipping a bead to either twist before pulling them back to join her bun. I was growing impatient, and observing her do something I’d watched in moments of adoration during my childhood made me more annoyed as each minute passed. “Larke had both men and found herself pregnant. When Tannyl died, it seems she blamed your father and threw herself off the balcony.”

“It would seem as if saving the rest of the world came at the cost of my own happiness. And that has to be alright. Because you are alright.”