The Crown of Oaths and Curses (The Mortal Fates #1)

by J. Bree

My croí is already buried deep in my heart, and I’ll prove myself to her, whatever it takes.

Staring back at me, with contempt in her undeniably silver eyes, is my Fates-blessed mate. A witch.

“If you want me dead so badly, Savage Prince, then maybe you should just kill me.”

“I am Rookesbane Eveningstar, Mother of the Ravenswyrd Coven.”

“The goblins never stopped speaking to the trees. The Ravenswyrd has missed you for a very long time, and the sorrowful melody it sang for you reached far across the kingdom. I hope you return to the trees again soon, they have mourned your loss.”

Idle gossip is at the base of every community, and to entertain it is to invite it to take root and flourish—better to let it die on bored lips looking for weaker prey.

His death will be mine, and the trees will sing their glory once more.

The witches were strong enough to be sent to fight me, but their magic was no match for what burns within me, a neutral witch called to war with the power of the forest in her veins. The old gods that walk amongst the oaks, resting there for a time unknown, nurtured me and protected me so that I may protect it now.

“That doesn't look like begging to me. I'd rather walk until my feet bleed.”

We move as though we're dancing around each other, an intricate pattern of steps as we circle and refuse to make the first move. Whether we’re making amends or killing each other makes no difference; the dance is the same.