Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1)

by Rebecca Ross

“Take care of Mum,”

“Stay in school.”

Just in case you didn’t know … you are by far the best sister I’ve ever had. I’m so proud of you. And I’ll be home before you know it, Little Flower.

no one has spent as much time looking at me as you do, Winnow.”

“See something you like?”

Turn a foe into a friend, and you’ll have one less enemy.

This isn’t Forest.

By all means, don’t stop on account of me or my floor. I claimed who I wasn’t, and you then—quite naturally—asked who I am, but I think it’s better this way. That we keep our identities secret and just rest in the fact that some old magic is at play here, connecting our doorways. But just in case you were wondering … I’ll gladly read whatever you write.

I hate him.

“Stop thinking about her!”

He was about to marry a stranger.

He crawled to it.

he knew this was the one he wanted to share with Iris.

“I always thought the two of you would make such a striking pair.

“Kitt and I are like fire and ice.

she knew that something was wrong.

“You’re nineteen,” she guessed. “But you have an old soul, don’t you?”

But if I’ve learned anything from those fools, it’s that to be vulnerable is a strength most of us fear. It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are.

One person, one piece of steel.

I’ve given you a piece of armor, I suppose. But I don’t think you’ll mind.

One person. One piece of armor. I’ll strive for this. Thank you.

She wondered if she had dreamt that moment with him, when they had almost spoken to one another like old friends.

For a breath, Iris couldn’t move. And whatever mask he had been wearing for everyone else—the smile and the merry eyes and the flushed cheeks—faded until she saw how exhausted and sad he was. It struck a chord within her, music that she could feel deep in her bones, and she broke their stare first.

As soon as he heard the locks slide, Roman Kitt turned and left.

Because that was the hardest part—sharing the words she wrote.

I rarely share this part of my life with others, but I want to tell it to you now. A piece of armor, because I trust you. A glint of falling steel, because I feel safe with you.

But time will slowly heal you, as it is doing for me. There are good days and there are difficult days. Your grief will never fully fade; it will always be with you—a shadow you carry in your soul—but it will become fainter as your life becomes brighter. You will learn to live outside of it again, as impossible as that may sound. Others who share your pain will also help you heal. Because you are not alone. Not in your fear or your grief or your hopes or your dreams. You are not alone.

Grief is a long, difficult process, especially when it is so racked by guilt.

“Don’t go, Iris,” he said.

I’ll carry the things you shared with me into my next adventure.

She left his letter lying in a pool of sunlight on the floor.

He couldn’t protect Del when she had needed him most, but he would try his best to protect Iris now.

“This typewriter is a very rare beast,”

“I don’t want to wake up when I’m seventy-four only to realize I haven’t lived.”

Which only made Attie laugh, and gods, if she didn’t have a contagious one, just like Roman Kitt.

“They’re not even my sisters by blood, but I choose them. And that sort of love is everlasting.”

I think there is a magical link between you and me. A bond that not even distance can break.

In the meantime, I hope you will find your place, wherever you are. Even in the silence, I hope you will find the words you need to share.

I would know you anywhere.

choose your lovers wisely.

he felt pierced by all the words she had written to him. They made him ache, and he didn’t know why.

“You’re finally putting my typewriter to good use, then,” she said. “I take it you’re writing to Daisy Winnow’s granddaughter?”

Something that was now stealing his sleep and making his chest ache with each breath.

“And you’re going to let her slip away, then?”

“There is always a choice. Are you going to let your father write your story, or will you?”

The days to come will only grow darker. And when you find something good? You hold on to it. You don’t waste time worrying about things that won’t even matter in the end. Rather, you take a risk for that light.

I want to see you. I want to hear your voice.

I want to touch you.

Anything you would like, I would too. I’ll be here, waiting for whenever you’re ready to see me.

“Do you think it’s possible to fall in love with a stranger?” Iris asked.