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

by Brandi Elise Szeker

“I’m sorry you were only there because of me…” He sighs, still not looking back at me. “I’d do it a thousand more times.” “Why?” Stupid question. But is it? After everything I’ve learned. Why would he put himself through all of this for me? “Because… I’d never let you burn alone.”

“You’ll know she’s ready when the first blood is drawn for the one that was born of slaughter.”

“After we kissed under the waterfall. I lied. I told you it didn’t mean anything to me.” My armor softens, and I lose my breath. “That was a lie, Skylenna.” He swallows, eyes glistening with tears. “That kiss was my whole world, honey.” His chest is moving rapidly as if he’s in the midst of battle already. And I can see that he needs to get this out. He’s dying to tell me what’s in his heart. “Years ago, I promised you I’d take you under that waterfall when you were old enough and give you our first kiss. I’ve—I’ve waited so long to keep that promise.”

“Before I let you go, I’m going to make one last promise.” I swallow down the growing lump in my throat, making it painful to speak. “I won’t ever love again. And I’ll never lose hope that I’ll see you again, either. Until hell freezes over.” And even then.

“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.”

“Who would have guessed that the three-year-old little girl with curly golden hair and squishy pink cheeks would have me wrapped around her little finger for the rest of my life?” He sighs, stroking her cheek with his tan fingers. His brow knits together in affliction or sorrow at the sight of her. “Dessin spent years in that asylum, being tortured endlessly, so much so that new alters had to split off just to endure each sadistic treatment. All for my sweet Skylenna.”

“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.”

“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.”