The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1)

by Carissa Broadbent

After all, vampires know better than anyone how important it is to protect their hearts. And love, understand, is sharper than any stake.

Death isn’t frightening when weighed against an insignificant existence.”

“Maybe our skin doesn’t scar the same as yours, but our hearts do. Sometimes they never heal.”

It had been a long time since I found myself wanting to know more about someone, even if it was only because they were so confusing.

And then I realized. I realized that fear, when embraced, hardens and sharpens. That it becomes rage. That it becomes power.

He was on his knees, staring up at me. And that—the way he looked at me—was the first thing that felt real. Real, and raw, and… and confusing.

Because he looked at me in sheer awe—like I was the most incredible thing he had ever seen. Like I was a fucking goddess.

“Careful, princess,” he said at last, his voice rough. “Someone might think you’re actually nice.”

“I would beg,” he murmured. “For you, I would. You have fucking destroyed me, Oraya. Do you know that?”

Raihn was in love with me.