More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“I’ve no interest in hearts, Songbird. Put your mind at ease, I always make my intent clear before any woman shares my bed. I’m sickeningly honorable.”
“I did not hear your complaints when my tongue was slipping inside you.”
SIRRRRRRRR
The first night I’d allowed a man to touch me so intimately, and I’d started a new war.
“The air here breathes differently,” he said briskly without looking at me. “Changes the shade of the flame. Still carries a bite that’ll boil the skin.”
Across Erik’s back, from the top of his shoulders, around his ribs, to the lower curves of his hips, were dozens of scars. Pink and gnarled. Some white and fading. Old wounds left behind from prolonged suffering.
“I know how disgusting it is for you to look upon such mangled skin.”
“So, believe what you wish, Princess, but I did not do it to myself.”
He wanted me and didn’t, but his want seemed to win out more than his resentment. Odd as it was to admit, Erik felt like the safest person in the palace right now.
A turn older than me, Gavyn Seeker was the only face in the noble houses I could stomach, and it was a relief to see only his vessel.
The House of Mists did not associate with the House of Kings unless forced or enticed. Even then, Narza would likely find a way around it.
“Think he’s ever bedded anyone in the daylight with them scars?” “Only the ones I kill right after I come.” I stepped from the alcove, fists clenched.
I lifted my palms, studying the rough calluses, the scars along the meat of my thumbs, my wrists, and forearms. Mangled.
I wouldn’t be foolish enough to think Livia would ever truly crave a touch from a man like me.
Resentment festered, a gangrenous poison in my bones, until the sight of them brought nothing but disgust.
Brown skin, dark eyes, but hair with a touch of fire in the color, he always wore a grin like he knew every salacious secret in the kingdom.
“I assure you, My King, I’d find out all your scandalous secrets on my own.”
“Therein lies the question, My King. A living talisman for the House of Kings has just . . . never been.”
“Tait has the smallest mouth in the entire kingdom and would not speak of you unless he had concern or reason.” Gavyn hesitated. “I ask if she is only a source of magic to you since you know as well as I do, a sea singer’s trance will attract the victim to the true desire of the heart.”
“A new fate seems to be at play for the Ever with the mark, but perhaps there is more than one purpose the Chasm drew you to her.”
“It’s not my place to offer conjectures, merely something to consider. Tell me what I am to do. It’s been too long since you’ve utilized my more remarkable qualities, and I was beginning to think you’d forgotten me.”
“Bring the Night Folk clans word that their princess belongs to the Ever, she cannot be taken, then see to it they cannot find their own way through the barriers.”
Gavyn Bonerotter, thought to have an ability where he could crush bones with a touch. He couldn’t, yet he served as the lord to the House of Bones. It was a ruse to keep him breathing. True sea seekers didn’t live long before they were killed by blade or their own reckless magic.
He could become as mist and slip through any body of water in an instant to wherever he desired. Be it from one isle to another across the sea, or perhaps a pond in the private courtyard of another lord.
Tucked away near the back was a woven basket with a thin paper tag on the top. My pulse quickened—the tag was labeled Songbird.
He’d sent me window paints. A bit of home. A bit of comfort.
Like he saw every fissure of weakness, every strength and imperfection, and wanted them anyway. Not because I was my father’s daughter. He wanted them because they were mine.
“Songbird.” His voice was soft as an approaching storm. “Serpent.”
“This reminds me of another ball I attended not too long ago.” My lips pinched. “Well, I hope you’re not expecting the same results. I assure you it will not be happening.”
“I’ve no need to take you,” he whispered. “You’re already mine.”
“You are Livia Ferus,”
“Daughter of warriors, blood of the Night Folk fae, painter of windows, challenger of the Ever King. These people can do nothing to you.”
Dueling emotions collided in my chest. Erik was cruel, he slaughtered men and strung them up by their innards. The man didn’t coddle, I wasn’t certain he knew how, yet his simple reminder of who I was left me sitting straighter, more empowered than before.
“Her worth to me and this kingdom is unmatched. She has become the mantle of the Ever King.”
“It is for this reason I make a deeper claim beyond the power in her veins. Tonight, I claim her as mine.”
“The woman is not to be touched, threatened, or harmed in any way. Those who try will die. You will be known to me through the mark of the claim, and you will be granted no mercy. As the claimed and mantle of your king, she will have your respect. Nothing less.”
“Gavyn is my brother.”
“Because no one knows what I am to him. It must be this way.”
“If anyone discovered my true name, it could get both of us killed.”
“Because I should not exist.”
“Please, I can’t tell you more. It isn’t a matter of wanting, I truly can’t for the sake of more than just me. But know this—you might detest what my king did to you, but Gavyn and I, we owe Erik Bloodsinger everything.”
“Don’t let down your guard, love. Not in the Ever.”
“Fight me.”
“Show me you can defend yourself,” he said in a sharp tone, but beneath it all there seemed to be a strange plea to his voice.
“I think of you like this too often,” he whispered. “The fire in your eyes, sweat on your brow.” “It will only be in your head, Bloodsinger.”
“Ah, but I’ve had a taste already, Songbird.” “I was feeling generous.”
“Where are you going now?”
“Kingly business, love.” Erik offered his horrid, beautiful grin. “Miss me often?” “Never.”
We’d have what he called blood feasts every quarter moon, and he’d repeat the tale. He’d stir the hatred. He’d bring Erik out and—”
“What did he do?” “He’d strip me down and force my people to look at my mangled skin, love.”
“The gardens nearly look like they once did.” “Why do you neglect them?”
