Nightbane

I’ve been stabbed a thousand times . . . but none of that hurts more than hearing you say goodbye.

My entire world was night, and you lit a match. No matter what happens to me in this life, I’ll find you in the next one. I’ll always find you. What I feel for you can never be extinguished. Like the nighttime sky, it is infinite. You and me . . . we’re infinite.

If you hurt her,” he said, voice lethally calm, “she will kill you. And then I will find a way to revive you so I can kill you again with my own bare hands.

I wish you could see yourself the way I do. You would never doubt yourself again.

It’s the parts you don’t seem to like about yourself that I love the most.

You think I would watch you die, for the sword? Did you think I would make any choice that wasn’t you?

When you’ve seen something truly beautiful, everything else starts to look painfully ordinary.

Please,” he said, sounding pained. “Please, tell me you want this.” He waited for her to nod. He traced her body with his eyes and said, “I know if I touch you again it will kill me . . . but I think I might die if I don’t.

Oro turned to her, then. He looked her right in the eyes as he said, “Isla. You are my favorite everything.

The gods don't listen to people like me, but I would go on my knees and beg them to let me keep you. You were once the bane of my existence... and now, you are the center of it.

Who did this to you?

Memories fluttered, until they snagged on one last moment. She saw herself wearing her Centennial dress. She watched Grim take a necklace out of his pocket and present it to her. One with the biggest black diamond she had ever seen. “In Nightshade, instead of rings, we give necklaces,” he said. “I should have given this to you before. It’s a sign of our commitment. Once I put it on, it is on forever. Only with your death will it be released.

Every time I see you, I think the gods must play favorites. Every time you’re near me, I am overcome with the urge to bed you, to have you, again and again. I want to devour every inch of you, until you’re all I taste, until you are shaking with pleasure in my arms. That is what I want.

But I want to be the only person you glare at, Hearteater. I want to be the only person you insult. I want to be the only name you speak in your sleep." His eyes darkened. "I want to be the only person who knows how to make you writhe against a wall." He studied her. "You know what? I want everything. I want to be greedy and selfish with you. I want all your laughs. All your smiles too." He frowned. "I would rather die than watch you smile at anyone that isn't me.

Grim’s grin was wicked. “Oh, Hearteater.” He leaned down, until his lips were pressed right against her ear as he said, “If we do decide to truly have fun, there will be nothing momentary about it.

The girl has a name—and a title,” Oro said, his voice cutting through the room. “You will address her with the respect you give all rulers, or I will use you as kindling for the castle hearth.

We do such depraved things, in my dreams.

Because I’m going to bring him to the brink of death a thousand times before I will finally allow him the mercy of dying.

Demon,” she said. “I’m not going to have any dresses left if you keep destroying them.” “I’ll buy you new ones. I’ll buy you a market. I’ll get you your own tailor.” “Fine,” she said, and the dress didn’t stand a chance. It was ribbons in a second, and then his mouth was on her chest.

until you beg me to.

Just as he deepened their kiss, she grabbed her dagger from where it was holstered on her thigh. Gripped its hilt. And stabbed him through the chest. There was a moment of quiet. The Nightshade ruler met her eyes, right before his chin dipped, and he slowly looked down to his chest, where the dagger still stuck out, inches from his heart.

If you wanted someone to bed you so badly, all you had to do was ask.

His expression softened. “You’re struggling, love.” He took her hand. “I feel like I’m watching you fade, day by day, and I don’t know what to do.” He surprised her by going down on one knee, his gaze never leaving hers. The king of Lightlark was kneeling before her. “Tell me how to help you. I’ll do anything. Give you anything. Just tell me.

No, Isla,” he finally said. “It’s the parts you don’t seem to like about yourself that I love the most.

Did you laugh when I left your room? When I told you all my greatest secrets, and all you gave me were lies?

His eyes held all sorts of dark promises, and she wanted them all.

I don’t recognize you, love.

You were once the bane of my existence . . . and now, you are the center of it.