Lightlark

That was the moment I knew I loved you, he had said. When that arrow went through your heart, and it might as well have gone through mine.

There are lies and liars all around you...

And I don’t know what I enjoy more. Replaying the image of my sword against your throat . . . or thinking about how your heart might look on my plate.” Grim’s dark eyes flashed with amusement. “Careful, Hearteater,” he whispered, towering over her, standing far too close. “I might just give it to you.

The temptress and the ruler of darkness. A winning pair.

I’m not sure what I enjoy more. Seeing the way you grip a sword . . . or the way your dress grips you.

I’ll give you anything,” he said immediately. “Anything you need. Anything of mine. It’s yours.

The ruler of darkness and the ruler of the wild, both breathing a little too quickly

Look at me, heart. I want to watch you come undone.

You might be dying, but you’re not dead yet, you miserable wretch, now get up and do something before you allow your brother’s sacrifice and everything we all have lost to be for nothing.

I could open a black hole that would swallow the beach. I could turn the sea dark as ink and kill everything inside of it. I could demolish the castle, brick by brick, from where we stand. I could take you back to Nightshade lands with me right now.” His voice was deep as dreams, dark as nightmares. “I could do all of those things.” His lips pressed against the top of her ear, for just a moment. “And I might—if I didn’t think you would hate me for it.

They had always loved wildly, lived freely, and fought fiercely.

What about staying away from me?” His lips were right above hers now, his words practically pressed against the corner of her mouth. “I gave it an honest effort,” he said. “But it turns out . . . I’m not that honest.

The Centennial was many things. A game. A chance at breaking the many curses that plagued the six realms. An opportunity to win unmatched power. A meeting of the six rulers. A hundred days on an island cursed to only appear once every hundred years. And for Isla— Almost certain death.

You take the pain like medicine, Terra had said in response to her tears. You swallow it down with a smile.

The only way not to fear death is to meet it.

She ran like she was running from something,

A few conversations with you, and I was ready to make the most disadvantageous trade-all of me in exchange for any part of you'd be willing to spare.

You might be dying, but You're not dead yet, you miserable wretch.

You are a rose with thorns, she said. A pretty thing capable of protecting itself.

If anyone makes a move to harm you, I will ruin them and their entire realm.” His fingers trailed down her face, past her throat, then tugged gently on the pendant at the end of her necklace. “Pull this,” he said. “And I’ll be there.” Isla believed him. She believed only him.

I have never lied to you, Isla.” He took a step closer. “Even though you have lied to me repeatedly.” Another step. “You told me your secret. Now let me tell you my flair. No one can lie to me.” She remembered his words from the cave. “Because I know when people are lying.

Lightlark was a shining, cliffy thing.

She might not have powers, but that didn’t mean she was powerless.

Grim grinned. “Oh,” he said, eyes trained to hers, as if he wanted to make sure she heard every word, “what I’m feeling can’t be said in a place like this.

Right now, you’re killing me.

She spoke of kings who could grip the sun in their hands, white-haired women who could make the sea dance, castles in clouds, and flowers that bloomed pure power.

Have we met before?' It wasn't that he knew her name, no. That was expected. It wasn't even that he pronounced it perfectly, like a snake's hiss, with all the letters sounded out. There was something else. That grin faltered. "If we had--" his eyes dipped for just a moment. "It wouldn't have been just once.

But before any of the rulers could make a move on her, Grim took her hand and they were gone.