The Puppeteer and The Poisoned Pawn (The Pawn and The Puppet #3)

by Brandi Elise Szeker

“You’re right, Runa. This isn’t the face of the girl you first met. This is the face of a woman who has just lost… everything.”

“I’m going to marry her one day, Momma.” Sophia’s soft eyes lighten, and she begins to smile. “Is that so?” Kane nods once. “Yep. I’ll protect her and take good care of her until we’re all grown up. Then I’m going to marry her in the Red Oaks. And you and her daddy will be there too. And and and… we’ll have babies! And they’ll be twins too!”

“But women are dragons kept in chains, convinced that they are helpless little birds. But that’s a lie, dashna. It’s time someone told ya that ya can breathe fire.”

“I will be the first man that kisses you. But not now. When we’re both adults, and you want me as more than your friend. I’ll bring you under that waterfall and kiss you.”

“That’s right. If you can’t survive without the sun, then we’ll build a fire.”

“I have waited half my life to hear you say that,” I breathe out, trapping her face between my hands. “I love you, Skylittle. I’ve loved you every moment since I pulled you from that basement. I’ve loved you as a child, a teenager—but as an adult, I am deeply, madly, agonizingly in love with you.”