Extraits

“Whoa, whoa.” Ridoc walks toward them. “We can’t kill potential allies, even if they suck.”

A whole community built on knowledge and peace? Yes, please.

“I would like to try an Unnbrish horse,” Andarna muses.

“No,” Tairn and I answer simultaneously.

Andarna sighs down the bond. “One day I’m going to stop asking nicely.”

“Don’t mind them.” Ridoc’s tone sings. “They’re back to doing…whatever it is they do when they ignore everyone around them and pretend they’re the only people in existence.”

He unbuttons the top flap of his rucksack and pulls it back slowly, revealing an inch of an emerald-studded hilt that steals my breath. It looks too much like the dagger to be a coincidence. My heart stutters. That can’t be. He can’t. I won’t let him. “No.” I grab hold of Xaden’s hand, preventing him from showing the rest of it. “If that’s what I think it is, then absolutely not.” “Vi…” He shakes his head, searching my eyes, and I know I’m not the only one longing for the bond that usually makes these moments easy for us. “It might be the only way to forge an alliance and save the prick.”

"You ready to join in, Second Squad ?" Garrick asks, crooking his fingers directly at Imogen.

"You don't want anything to do with these." She lifts her hands.

"Why don't you put them on me and we'll see ?" A corner of his mouth tilts and a dimple pops in his cheek.

"Oh gods, just stop flirting and fuck already," Ridoc says.

Every head slowly turns in his direction.

"I said that out loud, didn't i ?" he asks me in a hushed whisper.

“I’m Xaden Riorson, the Duke of Tyrrendor.” Xaden inclines his head. “He’s probably expecting me.”

Blue Sash blinks, then looks in my direction. “And you are?”

Well, shit. My mouth opens—

“My consort,” Xaden replies casually. “Violet Sorrengail.”

What the actual fuck? My jaw snaps shut so hard my teeth click. I want our bond back and I want it back right now. He can’t just announce things like that without at least a discussion.

“Are congratulations or commiserations in order?” Tairn lifts his head.

“Shut up.”

“Can you feel it?”

“It’s slower,” I whisper.

“There’s no magic here.” He tugs me against him. “No power. No lure. No taunting reminder that I can save everyone if I just reach for it and take what’s offered. It’s only…peace.”

For the first time since fetching the luminary, I seriously debate Tecarus’s offer.

A group of creatures darts beneath us in the water, jumping into the air in a series of graceful leaps that almost make up for the flurry of people yelling and running back into their homes as we fly over.

“I wonder what they taste—” Andarna starts.

“No.” My protest catches me by surprise. “They’re dolphinum, and they’re just too pretty to be your snack.” Even prettier than the drawings I’ve seen.

“You’re going soft.” Andarna snorts.

"A kiss isn't enough. It never is with us. [...] You are the only person in the world with the power to strip me of every ounce of my control, and the only person i can't fathom losing that control with. And yet here i am, unable to keep three fucking feet away from you"