Nightbane

What a thing, to be known.

“I love you, Oro.” She closed her eyes tightly. Felt tears sweep down. She took Grim’s hand. “But I love him too.”

And, because of his flair, he knew it was true.

“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.”

What a thing, to be known.

Don’t speak about my people when you don’t know the first thing about your own. Locked in a room with the glass painted over . . .” Grim bared his teeth at her.

Heat nearly set the room aflame.

At that, ice swept across the isle. It rippled in every direction and hardened beneath Isla’s feet.

She only got a glimpse of his surprise before he tugged the blindfold down over her eyes again. His hand did not leave her face. His thumb slid down her temple, and it sent shivers through her body. He sighed and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “When all this is over, I’ll gild you an entire castle. Is that sufficient?”

“That’s a little excessive.”

Another sigh.

“I like your eyes too,” he offered, studying her face, as if wanting to make her smile again. He quickly returned his attention to her hair. “They’re my favorite color.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “My eyes happen to be your favorite color?”

She needed to strike first.

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.