The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air Book 1)

If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.

“Time to change partners,” a voice says, and I look to see that it’s the worst person possible: Cardan. “Oh,” he says to Locke. “Did I steal your line?”

When I allow myself to truly think on it, I cannot fault Locke for choosing her. I am violent. I’ve been poisoning myself for weeks. I am a killer and a liar and a spy.

“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It’s disgusting, and I can’t stop.”

Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It’s disgusting, and I can’t stop.”

There’s always something left to lose.

You really do want me,” I say, close enough to feel the warmth of his breath as it hitches. “And you hate it.” I change the angle of the knife, turning it so it’s against his neck. He doesn’t look nearly as alarmed by that as I might expect.

Not nearly as alarmed as when I bring my mouth to his.

A dead woman living. A child born from nothing.”

I do not understand why he likes me, but it is exciting to be liked.

I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not, but I guess I’ll take it.