A Court of Thorns and Roses

“Because,” he went on, his eyes locked with mine, “I didn’t want you to fight alone. Or die alone.”

let the sounds of the snow crunching underfoot drive out my father’s words as I followed the beast to the night-shrouded woods.

His eyes locked on mine, wide and wild, and his nostrils flared. Shock—pure shock flashed across his features at whatever he saw on my face, and he stumbled back a step. Actually stumbled

“Love won’t feed a hungry belly,”

a promise was law; a promise was currency; a promise was your bond

“My father once told me that I should let my sisters imagine a better life—a better world. And I told him that there was no such thing.” I ran my thumb over his mouth, marveling, and shook my head. “I never understood—because I couldn’t … couldn’t believe that it was even possible.” I swallowed, lower

Everything I love has always had a tendency to be taken from me

I didn’t know who I danced with or what they looked like, only that I had become the music and the fire and the night

He smiled at me still, broadly and without restraint or hesitation. Isaac had never smiled at me like that. Isaac had never made my breath catch, just a little bit.

The feeling was startling enough that I walked out, grasping the crumpled paper in my pocket as if doing so could somehow keep that answering smile from tugging on my lips.

“That I’m not alone.”

I didn’t lock my bedroom door that night.