The Ever King (The Ever Seas, #1)

by L.J. Andrews

“Two healers now bear the mark of the House of Kings, both with their own darkness, but I sense if they were to unite as one, it might have wonderous consequences.”

“It means your heart must bond with the land. Naturally, the land of your birth is part of your heart, but the Ever?”

“This is where your heart lies, or you would not be capable of accomplishing this healing. The land of your enemies holds value? I don’t understand it.”

“It appeared after reading to a boy locked in a cell where his folk—the people who should’ve stood for him—were nowhere to be found.”

I considered stealing Livia away to safety in one breath and tasting that mouth again in the next.

You broke the walls between you.”

“He will discover the truth of what happened to give you that mark. Desperate as he is, do you think he will show you the same compassion when he does?”

“The Chasm was closed to your blood until a woman who defied her people and comforted an enemy came near it. A woman who is drawn to the sea despite being of the earth clans with magic that thrives in your realm, thrives beside you.

“Fate smiled upon you, no mistake, for her gift is truly needed here, but to pull back such a fierce plague as this darkening, her power would need to bleed for the Ever. It does, I felt it, the draw, the desire, the sense of belonging.

“So I can witness another betrayal of a gift that ought to have been strengthened through love?”

“Yes, you’ve been given that same chance, but you seek the approval of your sire too fiercely. Follow in his footsteps, and you will lose your mantle the same as him.”

“You are Livia Ferus,” I whispered, “daughter of warriors, princess of earth magic, rebuker of the Ever King—”

“This fear takes your thoughts, and I won’t tell you not to let it; things are never so simple. But I will remind you of who you are, for you are a formidable foe.”

“Not the way you do, and I think I hate you for it. You should be horrid all the time.” “I’ll try harder, Songbird.”

“The mark came right after,” she said. “I never told anyone except my cousin that it appeared because I broke the talisman. I even replaced the original with a wrapped gold plate.

“I knew the Ever would heal if I found the power of the king again,” I said softly. “I was right.”

“I thought it was my father’s power calling me through, but you called to me. You are drawn to the sea; you’re drawn to the Ever, to me.”

“I found my mantle, Songbird. It’s you.”

“Because you’re bonded with the Ever. You took the place as my mantle, and I took you. I won you. That is what you’re feeling.”

“You have it, too, a pull to me, maybe even the ability to sense things about me. Open yourself to this connection, and I suspect you could feel my thoughts the way I feel yours. A dangerous bond for a king to have, love. You might learn exactly how to break me.”

“Careful what lines you cross, Songbird.” “Those lines will change nothing.” “Still detest me then?” “Still plan to keep me captive?”

“I have many plans for you in my head right now.” “Then let me hate you and want you, and let us get back to it.”

Erik lifted his head for a moment, a gleam in his gaze I wanted to capture in my mind forever. The look of a man who wanted a woman; a man who’d do anything to have her.

“Have you never been touched, Songbird? Never been tasted?”

“My perfect songbird. I imagined you tasted just as perfect.”

“Say you hate me all you want, so long as all this is for me. Your cries, your taste, those ragged breaths. Those belong to me.”

“Keep doing that,” he rasped, “and I will forget to be gentle.”

Never had I wanted to murder someone more than I did in this moment.

A bond. We were unwittingly bonded, that was all.

For a long moment, Erik hesitated, then he leaned over and bruised my lips with his kiss. When he pulled away, he whispered, “Still hate me?” “Always,” I said, desperate to either shove him back or pull him close.

“Hate me all you want, but don’t regret me. Promise me that.”

I could spend the rest of my days with my mouth on her body, and I’d consider it a life well lived.

A bond. Livia had taken on the power of the mantle, and unknowingly bonded to me as the king.

But now, the thought of watching light leave Livia’s eyes because of my actions left a rancid burn in my stomach.

“Breathe, Songbird. You’re at no risk here. It’s only me tonight.” “Yes,” she whispered. “And you are the problem.”

“Ah, I’ve always loved a man who tries to impress me with his purse.” She arched a brow. “It’s usually compensating for other, lesser qualities.”

“Oh, you speak dangerous words.”

“But if you’re curious about my ship, or possibly other things, you need only ask.”

“I don’t want to know anything about your ship and certainly have no inte...

“Those odious things, Princess,” I insisted. “Are part of an array of history. Every spine represents an Ever King. With each new claim comes a new spine. This ship has seen many kings for thousands of turns. They never cease growing, love. They are the shield, the blade, the power of this ship, and they deserve your respect. Tell them they’re beautiful.”

“That was the spine that grew when my father was crowned as king. It broke at his death. You see, they fracture like a weak thing, for an Ever King should never be bested.”

Hells, I’d take her pitiful looks, the ones where I was nothing but a fiend in her eyes, over this. In this moment, she looked at me as if I’d taken her heart and torn it in two.

Erik Bloodsinger had a heart, one buried deep inside. One that felt a great deal, but one he despised. A beautiful, black heart.

“If you want them to take the air from your lungs, swim with merfolk,” Tait said sharply. “They will offer a kiss to see your thoughts. Be wise and never let them.”

The palace was made of tall spires, sloped rooftops, bridges, and balconies. Gold edging flowed along parapet walls and watchtowers in front of two lofty doors. With the slope of the hill, the castle was staggered in partitions and connected by floating staircases or walkways. Through it all were several waterfalls spilling between the different levels.

“Why?” A wickedness, dark and a little mad, lived in his gaze. He used a thumb to wipe some of the sour juice off my cheek. “Because you are mine.”

“I am preparing to claim you as mine, so you should know that will be the last time another man’s name is on your tongue.”

If the Ever King was unsettled walking into his own palace, what horrors awaited me?

Gods, were they lovers? The way she looked ready to devour him left me pleading with the cracks in the stone floor to widen and swallow me whole.

“I betrayed no one, love.” His eyes dropped to my parted lips for one breath. “As I said, Fione will tell you we are mates based on an old agreement made before our births. Once I took the throne, I saw to it the agreement was dissolved.”