The Gargoyle's Captive (A Deal With a Demon, #3)

by Katee Robert

“I love you.” I stare. Did he just say what I think he just said? “What?” “It won’t be easy to be with me. Things in my territory are a mess, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. The nobles will push back against any change I make. They will try to incentivize you to leave, and when they realize that won’t work—you were right—they’ll try to hurt you. But someone very wise told me that hope is a powerful thing. I think, with you by my side, we can give that to my people. If it all goes terribly wrong and they oust me from the throne, at least we’ll be together.” He swallows visibly. “If you want to, I mean.” I blink several times, still trying to keep up with the direction the conversation has gone. “But my mother—” “You’re not your mother. Just like I’m not my father. It’s not fair to judge each other by those standards. I . . .” He shakes his head. “I’m not saying it’s not going to be a problem once the truth of your family comes out. And I can’t pretend those old hurts won’t rise from time to time to sting us. No matter what else is true, it’s going to be a lot of work to step out of the long shadows our parents cast. But I have to believe we can do it.” Hope hits me so intensely, I’m surprised I don’t rise right off the roof of the castle. “You love me.” “Yeah. I love you.”