Shields Of Sparrow Quotes

Only fools and liars burn books and people’s homes.

Forgive me, Highness, for not giving a fuck.

I love you.” “Yes, you do. Don’t forget.

Praise is for the bedroom, Cross. Not the training ring.

The only person who was always going to fight for me was me.

To the characters who came before. To the stories that led us here. To the chances we take. To the dreams we chase. Trust your wings.

When I am nothing but dust and ash, Turah will endure. I do not need a crown. And I have made peace with my destiny. But before I step into my grave, my choice is you.

I didn’t ask to be married to a stranger and shipped across the continent. I didn’t ask to come to Turah. I didn’t ask to be jailed in a wilderness treehouse. Those were decisions made for me by the whims of men. So you can threaten to take away my freedom all you want, but I will fight you. Every step of the way. Until my last breath. And I will not go quietly into a cage.

If I truly wanted to be in control of my destiny, then I couldn’t wait for someone else to save me from danger. The only person who was always going to fight for me was me.

What’s that word you like so much?” He tapped his chin, pretending to think it over. “No.

Worried about me, my queen?” I rolled my eyes. “Only that you’d die and I wouldn’t get to spit on your grave.

Gods save the men who make you mad.

Who would I become if I wasn’t at the mercy of men?

Hot tears dripped to the dirt at my boots. “I love you.” “Yes, you do. Don’t forget.” “Never.” “Neither will I.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “I will find you. Here, or in the shades.

Where are you going?” Cathlin called. I kept walking. “To find my wife.

What if I jumped? Would anyone notice? No. Not for this princess. A smile tugged at my mouth. I raced for the cliff. My drab, gray dress streamed behind me as I ran, faster and faster, arms pumping, legs pushing. I didn’t think. I didn’t falter. One moment, my feet were tethered to the earth. The next, I was flying.

If the last kiss had ignited the spark, this kiss set me aflame.

Tell me you want to leave, and I’ll take you back to Roslo myself.” He was giving me the choice. All I had to do was say yes. “No,” I whispered. His eyes drifted closed, his forehead dropping to mine. “Good. I have no desire to live in Quentis.” “Wh-what?” I leaned away. “You are mine.” His hands dove into my hair, fingers threading through my curls. “Even if we are kingdoms apart, you are mine. But I’d rather not be a kingdom apart.

You are the crown prince. It was all a ruse.” “Not all of it.” His eyes darkened, shifting to that forest green as he took my arms, keeping me on my feet. Pulling me close and into his chest. “You have always been my queen.

You are mine, Odessa.

You don’t have to hide who you are, Cross. Not here.

How much of an identity could one person lose before they were hollowed into a shell?

Did he regret telling me his name? Well, too bad. I liked saying it.

I’ve never met a woman who asked so many questions.

You were suffocating in Quentis. You were fucking wasting away in that golden castle. I’m not trying to trap you here, Odessa. But I need you to live. I won’t…” He dragged a hand over his face. “I have never been more scared than when I saw you run for that boy.

Have you no one else to pester?

I will find you. Here, or in the shades.

If I just pushed him over the railing the next time he invaded my privacy, would he die? A girl could dream.

Feel free to wander into mine, Princess.” He leaned in closer. “Zavier likes to share.

It wasn’t that he’d chosen Jocelyn. It was that he hadn’t chosen me. Why was I never the first choice?

What was wrong with me that I wasn’t enough?

I don’t like holding hands.” “How do you know? You’ve never held mine.

It was a smile to chase away that sullen fog. A smile to brighten a miserable day. A smile, just for me. It lasted for only a heartbeat. Smiles faded too fast these days.

My attendance? Entirely unnecessary.

Damn that smirk. Damn the way it made my heart trill.

My queen the assassin.

He might be a jackass, but at least he was handsome. There were worse things to behold at the end of a life than a nice face.

It always made me wonder. What other stories are out there? What if some are true? What if we’ve burned too many books?

A King cannot kill his Sparrow, and a Sparrow cannot kill her King, either directly or indirectly, without death befalling them both.

Falconi said, "Hey, Gregorovich, you're in fine form. How about a few words to send us on our way?" The ship pretended to clear his throat. "Fine. Here me now. The Lord of Empty Spaces protect us as we venture forth to fight our foes. Guide our hands - and our thoughts - and guide our weapons that we may work our will upon these perversions of peace. Let daring be our shield and righteous fury be our sword, and may our enemies flee at the sight of those that defend the defenseless, and may we stand unbowed and unbroken in the face of evil. Today is the Day of Wrath, and we are the instruments of our species' retribution. Deo duce, ferro comitante. Amen." "Amen," said Hwa-jung and Nielsen. "Now that. was a prayer!" said Sparrow, grinning.

There was a tether between us. Gods save us when it snapped. Why couldn’t I feel this way for the man who’d claimed me? Our mouths were too close. All it would take was a shift and we’d collide. We’d crash into each other, and the shock waves would destroy us both. I needed him to say something mean. To strike a nerve. To bruise my heart. I needed him to hurt me so thoroughly, I’d never forgive him. “I hate you.” It should have broken the moment. It should have pissed him off. But he stared at me like I was something to behold. Something to cherish. Something to protect. “Yes, you do,” he said. “Don’t forget.” “Never.

What was it with the Turans and dawn? Something always seemed to be happening at dawn. “Fine.

There’s my queen.

Um… What?

There was only one way for me to break free. Knowledge.

He’s a monster. He’s a monster, he’s a monster, he’s a monster. A beautiful monster but a monster all the same.

show. “Not all monsters are born from the gods, my queen. Some of us were made.

But grateful. For you.” He shifted in his seat like the praise made him uncomfortable. “I’m going to ask you questions now,” I said. “You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t come armed with questions. Honestly, I’m starting to feel like the weapons are unnecessary.” This. This was what I needed to chase away some of the fog. Bickering with Ransom.

The corner of his mouth turned up. “I told you to stay quiet today.” “I couldn’t help myself. He made me mad.” “Gods save the men who make you mad.” He shook his head, and then a chuckle came from his throat. It preceded a smile. A real smile, wide and white. My heart skipped. It was a smile to chase away that sullen fog. A smile to brighten a miserable day.

Except I was frozen in place, eyes glued to that book on the table. It had flipped over when Ransom had tossed it, showing the other side. There was an intricate etching on the cover. A winged emblem. The same emblem on the pendant I wore around my neck.

It might take me an entire lifetime to satiate my need for Ransom. It sounded like a good way to spend a life.

But I will not bend to your every whim. I will not humiliate myself because you deem me insignificant. If you wanted me to stay quiet, then you

If I was going to die, I didn’t want my last sight to be rows of teeth, so I stayed locked on the Guardian. He might be a jackass, but at least he was handsome.

I guess you’ll just have to be careful not to bite her.” What in the six shades was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I shut the fuck up?

I love you.” “Yes, you do. Don’t forget.” “Never.” “Neither will I.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “I will find you. Here, or in the shades.

My heart lurched. He was too stubborn, too much of a monster himself, to die. He hadn’t pestered me enough to die. Not today.

Every secret I exposed would lead me to freedom. The freedom of choice. So I could decide where I wanted to go. Where I wanted to live. Who I could become.

By this cruel twist of fate, I was married to Zavier while this man haunted my dreams.

I needed him to say something mean. To strike a nerve. To bruise my heart. I needed him to hurt me so thoroughly, I’d never forgive him.

I wanted to jump. I wanted to dive into that ocean blue. I wanted to be unshackled from everyone’s expectations for just one godsforsaken moment.

Are you angry, Sparrow? Use that rage. Fucking. Fight.

Gods, I hated gray.

What if I jumped?

Was that one of the Guardian’s powers? Could he read minds? Well, if he could read mine… Go away. Please and thank you.

I hate you.” The lie came off my tongue, past my teeth, and for once, it sounded convincing. “Yes, you do.” Ransom tucked a curl behind my ear. Then left me alone.

I hate you Yes you do. Don't forget Never

I saw you in Roslo. On the cliffside.

You might earn my name one day. But make no mistake, Cross. I will never trust you.

His gaze turned molten silver, and while I’d suspected that the colors shifted with his moods,

I’d learned a long time ago to live without his affection. His love. But damn it, no matter how hard I tried, I wanted his trust. His confidence.

For every hug that I’d been denied, I always tried to give Mae two.

I loathed the monotony of lessons and lectures. I wasn’t meant to rule or lead. Politics were boring and regal parties overrated. I was not a queen.

It was both endearing and perplexing that he seemed to know me so well already. Because I desperately wanted to know him

This was what I’d spent months and months training for. Not for someone else to come to my rescue. To rescue myself.

Though the idea of wine

Except he wouldn’t hurt me. Without a shadow of a doubt, I knew the Guardian wouldn’t hurt me. Yes, he’d tease and scold and ridicule me until I wanted to strangle him to death. But he wouldn’t hurt me.

A man I’d mostly forgotten. A man wearing not the emblem of the Turan wolf but instead a symbol I’d seen my entire life. A crossbow woven with leaves and stalks of wheat. The symbol on every flag in Quentis. Banner.

There should have been a monster’s lifeless body in the courtyard. There should have been a winged beast with my sword in its chest. Instead, I’d pulled my sword from this woman’s body. A woman with red hair, the spiraling curls a mix of orange and strawberry and copper. Odessa’s hair.

What do we do?” “We?” “Yes.” I was part of this now. This country. I glanced at Evie. This family. Whether they wanted me or not. “We kill the monsters. We kill them all. Every last one.” Him. He meant to kill the monsters. Then himself. He smirked, his arrogant mask falling into place. “Just think of how happy your father will be when I’m dead. You can even tell him you killed me, just like he asked. My queen the assassin.

Yet those emerald green eyes would linger in my mind for hours. Emerald meant he was amused. Intrigued. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever seen him actually happy, but green was the color of his gaze when he wasn’t pissed off. They changed to varying shades of hazel when he was serious or focused or annoyed. And then there was the silver of his rage. I shouldn’t be able to read his eyes. I should have been concentrating on Zavier’s instead. Yet my husband had made himself scarce, spending most of his time with Evie.

The katana has been the weapon of the samurai since time immemorial. Consider the inner meaning. Our blade is honed only on a single edge. Why? It is because with the dull edge against our flesh, the katana becomes our shield. This cannot happen with a two-edged sword, One day, in the midst of a melee, you may owe your life to the dull edge rather than the sharp one. Let this contrast remind you that attack and defense are one.

Who would I become if I wasn't at the mercy of men?

Jocelyn’s mother. She kept waving. She never stopped. Her arms had to be tired, but she kept waving to her daughter. I might be the woman wearing the crown, but Jocelyn was the one with the riches, wasn’t she?

For most beasts, your only hope is to inflict a wound. Go for the throat. Slice a leg. Gouge an eye. Anything to slow it down so you can run and hide. If you’re fighting a man, go for the kill.

I might be the woman wearing the crown, but Jocelyn was the one with the riches, wasn’t she?

I’m going to regret this.” “Probably.” I backed away for the door, about to duck inside before he could change his mind. “Odessa, wait.” It wasn’t his order that made me stop. It was my name. I was always Cross or Sparrow or my queen. But rarely Odessa. I’d never loved my name more. “Thank you. For saving those children.” He put both hands over his heart and bowed. Then he slipped into his treehouse, closing the door. And my rope ladder? It stayed attached. All night long.

Why was I never the first choice? Why was I always the consolation prize? With Father. With Margot. With my tutors. And now with Zavier.

His exhale was so deep that it seemed to come all the way from his toes. A breath he’d been holding for months. “I saw you in Roslo. On the cliffside.

The High Priest lifted off the floor and floated at the Guardian’s side.

Except when I reached the walkway on the second floor, my feet stopped. The Guardian stood outside my door, casually leaning against the wall. His eyes were emerald green. His hair was damp at the ends and in need of a trim. His clothes were clean, and if he’d found any trouble, he’d washed it away. Along with his beard. His face was clean-shaven, and I’d never seen such a chiseled jaw, the corners as sharp as my knives. Gods, he looked gorgeous. With or without the beard, I didn’t care. He was here, and he was safe. He might be the Guardian, but that didn’t stop me from worrying. “Hi.” My voice, damn it, was too breathy. He pushed off the building, walking closer as he tossed a sheathed sword my way. I went to catch it, but it slipped out of my fingers and clattered at my feet. “Oops.” He cast his eyes skyward. “Oda, save me.” “Well, I didn’t know you were going to throw it at me.” I picked it up, letting my hair cover the blush of my cheeks. “What is this for?” “My queen demanded a sword.

He nodded. “Ransom. My name is Ransom.

I wasn’t meant to rule or lead. Politics were boring and regal parties overrated. I was not a queen. The crown on my head began to itch.

She is not yours to have.” Fury crackled off Banner’s frame, his body practically vibrating. “She is mine.

Not all monsters are born from the gods, my queen. Some of us were made.

Since Zavier seemed to hold no interest in my body or consummating this marriage, it would be perfectly safe between my breasts.

A monster both beautiful and deadly.

I wanted to be unshackled from everyone’s expectations for just one godsforsaken moment.

I closed my eyes, feeling the salt water spray on my face. I tilted my head to the sky, the warmth of the sun on my cheeks, and I filled my lungs with the wind. My adventure.

Was I ready to train with a man who could break my neck with a snap of his fingers or slice me in half with one flick of that sword? No. Definitely not ready. I want a sword. What the fuck was I thinking? If I died in this makeshift training area today, it would be my own damn fault.

Soft lips. Straight, white teeth. Sparkling eyes. That smile was breathtaking.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe the door to your cage has always been unlocked, Sparrow? And all you had to do

Odessa, wait.” It wasn’t his order that made me stop. It was my name. I was always Cross or Sparrow or my queen. But rarely Odessa.

Damn, that voice. Rugged and low, a murmur in my ear that made my insides liquefy.

There was only one way for me to break free. Knowledge. Every secret I exposed would lead me to freedom. The freedom of choice. So I could decide where I wanted to go. Where I wanted to live. Who I could become.

His eyes flashed from hazel to green. Did that mean I was amusing him again? At the moment, I think I’d prefer his fury. “No need to be shy, my queen.

I gave him a flat look. “Just incredibly uninterested in your sex life.” “Noted.” He smirked. It had been a while since I’d gotten the smirk.

It was the best kiss of my life. I could still feel the heat of his lips, taste him on my tongue. Damn him. He’d ruined me. Entirely. I hoped that wherever he was at the moment, he was miserable, too.

Zavier had warned me months ago, on the deck of the Cutter, that this kingdom was dangerous, but nothing he could have said would have prepared me for this reality. Turah was perilous. Majestic. Horrifying. Stirring. It was every emotion, good and bad, woven into a landscape that had stolen my heart.

My choice is you. I was his choice. Above all else.

To show that bitch who the real monster in Calandra was.

The Guardian came to a stop in the center of the circle. “You have no chance at outrunning an opponent, either monster or man. You’re too short and slow.” “Thanks,” I deadpanned. “And I was certain I wouldn’t earn any compliments today.” “Praise is for the bedroom, Cross. Not the training ring.

But what if I was tired of being kept? What if I didn’t want to rely on a man to be my rescuer?

Of course. Silly me for thinking we were all in the dark. Nope, just me. I was being taken to Turah and ordered to steal their secrets. I’d been married off to a prince and forced to sign an ancient, magical treaty in my blood. I’d done everything required of a princess in my station with barely an objection.

My queen demanded a sword.

And I was certain I wouldn’t earn any compliments today.” “Praise is for the bedroom, Cross. Not the training ring.

should have let that marroweel kill me. I am not one of your warriors to lead. I am not your wife to command. So no, we do not have an understanding.

stench of my breath and the stink of my body.

Not once in my life had I been jealous of Mae. She was Father’s favored daughter. When the time had come for him to choose the Sparrow, it was no shock he’d picked Mae. And she was Margot’s pride and joy. She had a mother while I had a ghost. Still, I’d never envied her, not once. Until now.

I am loyal to my people. Does it matter who they believe I am? A prince or a guardian? I strive to keep them safe. From the monsters with claws. And the monsters with crowns.

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts. 2My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself where she places her young by Your altars, O LORD of Hosts, my King and my God. 4How blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You. Selah 5Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6As they pass through the Valley of Baca,a they make it a place of springs; even the autumn rain covers it with pools.b 7They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion. 8O LORD God of Hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah 9Behold our shield, O God, and look with favor on the face of Your anointed. 10For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity. 12O LORD of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.[c] Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Ransom hissed, pressing against my hand as he ripped the shirt from my torso. There was a slight sound of tearing seams before it plopped on the floor. I’d liked that shirt. But not enough to keep it on.

I love you.” “Yes, you do. Don’t forget.” “Never.

You were hogging the bed.” I closed my book, setting it beside Faze on my lap. “Has anyone ever told you that you sleep like a starfish?

The day Ramsey had come to Treow to destroy the library, I’d watched from behind a tree. I’d stayed hidden. With Cathlin. Was she Ransom and Evie’s mother?

It was like there’d always been this empty space, a hole, and I’d been waiting all this time to fill it with a name. Ransom. I couldn’t imagine it being anything else.

That kiss knocked the wind from my lungs. Banner and Brielle.

when the time had come for him to choose the Sparrow and he’d picked her instead of me, even though I was his eldest daughter, he hadn’t explained that, either.

I spat. “Only fools and liars burn books and people’s homes.

You have one month,” Ramsey told him. “Do not make me come and find you again.

He was the crown prince. Ramsey’s son. There was a reason Tillia didn’t bow to Zavier. Didn’t call him by a title. It wasn’t Zavier’s to claim.

She’s not my daughter, Odessa,” Ransom said, and the breath I’d been holding rushed past my lips. “She’s my sister.

I wasn’t always late. Usually, but not always. Half the time, no one even noticed.

He broke my heart, but I still love him. I always will.

So what was so wrong with me that no one trusted me? Or was it really a lack of trust? Maybe the heart of the issue was faith. No one believed in me. No one had trust that I was capable.

I want a sword,” I blurted. The Guardian, predictable as ever, let out a dry laugh. “Would you know what to do with a sword?” Besides dream about burying it into his gut? No, not really.

His answer was to lean in so close I caught his scent. It was masculine and spicy, like leather and citrus. It was an ocean breeze and fresh earth and heavy rain. It was as chaotic as his eye color.

Love had its way of building us up. And bringing us down.

The pants had enough structure that they’d hold their shape, yet enough give to make movement easy.

She had a mother while I had a ghost.

In a way, he looked a bit like Zavier.

Lionwicks were excellent climbers. I took another step away from the rail, my foot landing too loud. “Shh.” I whirled toward the whisper. Toward the man standing outside the treehouse beside mine. The Guardian.

That bariwolf was never the beginning.” His voice cracked. “It was me. I started Lyssa.

You have always been my queen.

He hadn’t pestered me enough to die. Not today.

The blade was still at my throat, but it was that stare, it was the way I couldn’t look away from his own soft lips that was the real danger here.

If you’re not going to send him here, I guess I’ll have to find his tent myself.” “Feel free to wander into mine, Princess.” He leaned in closer. “Zavier likes to share.

Her.” The Guardian’s eyes flicked in my direction, and the whole room followed his gaze. To me. “Prince Zavier will marry her,” he declared. “Tonight. As the bride prize for killing your marroweels.

Before my mother’s death, Margot had been her lady’s maid,

There was something sleek and delicate about the marroweel’s face. A monster both beautiful and deadly. Yet there was something sad in those lifeless eyes. Maybe that was me simply projecting my own heartache.

It was written that the old gods, Ama and Oda, created Calandra’s animals as gifts to humans. As companions to share in this realm. The Mother and Father had been proud of their beautiful creations. They’d showered them with praise and glory. But that pride enraged the gods’ children, and in a fit of jealousy, the new gods—the Six—made animals of their own. The Six crafted predators in the image of Calandra’s animals, though their variations were far more beautiful. Far more powerful. Far more deadly. They birthed monsters to serve as a reminder to humans and animals alike that we were fragile and insignificant.

As I emptied my jar of hair dye out the bedroom window.

She was so young but older than her years. She’d learned lessons she shouldn’t have had to yet. To hide. To pretend. To lie. Those were lessons for adults, not children.

Or what if Father hadn’t told me the truth? What if he’d played on my sympathies? What if he’d leveraged my curiosity about the migrations, knowing I’d do anything for our people? What if I was doing all of this out of blind faith?

Just think of how happy your father will be when I’m dead. You can even tell him you killed me, just like he asked. My queen the assassin.

My molars ground together, nearly cracking, but I managed to keep quiet. Nothing would come from my protest. No one in this room gave a damn about my opinion. My fate was not my own, and my future would be determined by these men.

What are you doing?” the Guardian asked. “That’s a monster.” “Does it have to be?

I decided to set you free.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe the door to your cage has always been unlocked, Sparrow? And all you had to do was push it open?

Why was I never the first choice? Why was I always the consolation prize?

A wife shouldn’t feel relieved that her husband is sleeping with her lady’s maid.

I was more capable than my family expected. I was more than I’d let myself believe. There was a girl inside me who’d once found the courage to jump off a cliffside. That girl had been stifled and smothered. Hidden except for those stolen moments of bravery.

I’d spent my whole life living by the sea. The crash of waves had been in the background my entire life. The rustling of tree leaves wasn’t the same. It was too quiet, its rhythm too random. It felt as if my heartbeat had changed. My ears were too empty.

I fought the urge to stick out my tongue.

The Guardian came to a stop in the center of the circle. “You have no chance at outrunning an opponent, either monster or man. You’re too short and slow.” “Thanks,” I deadpanned. “And I was certain I wouldn’t earn any compliments today.” “Praise is for the bedroom, Cross. Not the training ring.” The image of him in a darkened room, shirtless, whispering praise into my ear, popped into my head before I could stop it.

Not once in my life had I let myself dream of those possibilities. Not once had I been given the luxury of dreams. If I could be anything in this realm, who would I become? I wanted to find out. So I’d leave Treow today. I’d find the road to Allesaria. I’d find out what was happening in Turah with these sick monsters and burning books. And in doing so, maybe I’d set myself free. No more bride prize, and no more Sparrows. Would I fail? Probably. But maybe, just maybe, I’d find a way. For myself. And for the next princess who wanted a choice. I was more capable than my family expected. I was more than I’d let myself believe. There was a girl inside me who’d once found the courage to jump off a cliffside. That girl had been stifled and smothered. Hidden except for those stolen moments of bravery. It was time to let her stretch her wings and fly.

Don’t you have anyone else to bother?” I seethed. “Not today.” The corner of his mouth turned up as the flap to my tent flew open and the woman inside stepped out. “Princess.” She waved me inside. “Your tent is ready.” “Thank you.” I gave her a smile, then flicked the end of my braid, letting it smack the Guardian in the face. His laugh followed me inside the tent.

I wasn’t sure who moved first. One moment, my heels were on the ground. The next, a hundred butterflies took flight in my belly, lifting me off my toes, reaching for him as he crushed his mouth to mine.

Forgive me, my queen. Please.” Ransom didn’t give me the chance to respond before his mouth brushed across mine. He kissed the tip of my nose. He nipped at my bottom lip. Then he sealed his mouth over mine, his tongue darting out for a taste.

The Six crafted predators in the image of Calandra’s animals, though their variations were far more beautiful. Far more powerful. Far more deadly. They birthed monsters to serve as a reminder to humans and animals alike that we were fragile and insignificant.

I hadn’t seen him since he leaped overboard days ago.

If—when—I betrayed his people, that sword of his would find its way through my lying throat.

The Shield of Sparrows treaty stipulates a daughter of the king’s choosing. As I am the only king in this room, the choice is mine.” Father pointed to Mae. “You will wed Mae. She is the Sparrow.

Thank you for saving my life.” Someday, if I had the chance, I’d repay that favor by taking his.

Thanks,” I deadpanned. “And I was certain I wouldn’t earn any compliments today.” “Praise is for the bedroom, Cross. Not the training ring.” The image

Evangeline crashed into his chest. “Papa!” Um… What?

What other stories are out there? What if some are true? What if we’ve burned too many books?

Being a spy was hard.

I am not long for this realm, Odessa. And when I’m gone, you will be free. Your tie to me will be broken. Your life can be of your choosing.

No one in this room gave a damn about my opinion. My fate was not my own, and my future would be determined by these men.

He thought at first that it had come from another animal. That a disease had morphed over time, rotting its host. Possibly a fenek. He said Lyssa felt the same as the blood of someone poisoned with fenek tusk powder. But it was different

It would be yet another lie, and at some point, there'd be no coming back. Like swimming through the ocean too far from shore. To many lies, and they'd drown us all.

I do not want her involved in court life," he said. Fair. As a woman who'd been married off without her choice and forced to sign a magical treaty, I definitely couldn't recommend princess.

The only thing that earned me a second look was the crown some Turan soldier had stolen from my treehouse in Treow. It wasn't that he'd chosen Jocelyn. It was that he hadn't chosen me. Why was I never the first choice? Why was I always the consolation price? With father. With Margot. With my tutors. And now with Zavier. What was wrong with me that I wasn't enough? Hot tears spilled down my cheeks, and I swiped them away, breathing through the sting in my nose. It wasn't the first time I was overlooked. It wouldn't be the last. So when would it stop hurting? When would I stop expecting anything different?

You are not a pawn, Odessa. Not to me. You are the Sparrow. You are my wife. You are the future queen of Turah.

He went first, and when I looked up, I had the perfect view of his perfect ass.

The sound of his voice, haunting and beautiful, followed me into my dreams.

Thanks,” I deadpanned. “And I was certain I wouldn’t earn any compliments today.” “Praise is for the bedroom, Cross. Not the training ring.

My nostrils flared as he continued to push me around, toyed with me like I was a plaything to amuse him on a stormy day.

A slow grin stretched across his mouth. “There’s my queen.

Are you all right, my queen?” It was the gentlest I’d ever heard his voice. Low and smooth like silk.

His eyes were that vivid emerald green. He was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.

You asked for my name,” he said. “You told me I had to earn it.” He nodded. “Ransom. My name is Ransom.

damn it, I wasn’t going to lose my clothes, too. I was a woman who liked dresses, even if they were gray. Those pants could rot.

I should have stayed in the water earlier. I should have let the currents sweep me into the depths of the Marixmore and let the monsters of those ocean waters claim my flesh. I should have kept swimming.

Ha.” I pumped a fist as my smile bloomed. Was it stupid to celebrate? Yes. Was I going to do it anyway? Absolutely.

Who? It wasn’t my business who he spent his nights with. Who he invited into his bed. Especially considering I was married. But the sinking feeling in my chest made it hard to breathe. It shouldn’t bother me. I didn’t care. Not. At. All.

Yes.” This wasn’t the first time Brielle had found me with a stack of books. Granted, usually I was sneaking in a pile of sexy novels that I’d bought at the docks without Margot’s knowledge. “I’ll bring you dinner.

How many questions can I expect on this ride?” “It’s anyone’s guess.” I smiled as I stepped off the last rung and made my way to Freya.

Stop asking questions, Ransom, and kiss your wife.