Page 31 of Of Kings and Thieves

“My family is dead because of you!” I shouted, shoving his chest. My rage did little to warm the cold truth—I was to blame, no one else. But right then I needed someone else at fault.

“Samara.” Col grasped my wrists, voice low and soothing. “Blame me if you want, I’ll bear that weight for you. But don’t blame yourself. This wasn’t your fault.”

I struggled against his grip, hating the tenderness in his eyes. “I was supposed to keep them safe! Don’t you see?” My voice cracked. “I failed them...”

The fight left me as quickly as it came. My legs buckled, but Col caught me before I fell. He lowered us both to the ground, cradling me close again.

I don’t know how long we stayed there, or how long I cried, but Col did not move. In a break between the anguish, I looked up at him. His dark hair was tied back from his face. Concern and care lined his eyes, and something more—a devotion that shook me.

“You don’t have to stay,” I whispered, throat raw.

Col’s arms tightened around me. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. I bowed my head against his chest. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Hush.” His hand stroked my hair. “You deserve so much more than life’s given you.”

“Do you think The Harrow knew I was with you and targeted my family?” I asked with a shaky breath.

“Unlikely. Killian confirmed Deviants attacked your village, though.” He spoke quietly, but his voice was rough with anger. “The Harrow won’t stop until all half-breeds are dead. Your family was always a target, like you, but you know that.”

“And your family…” Realization struck me—The Harrow had taken from Col too. He knew this loss, this rage, this pain. “He killed your parents too. I’m sorry.”

I looked up at him. Sadness flickered in Col’s eyes, there and gone. He nodded. “Yes. And now he’s taken your family. I wish I could change that for you.” His jaw tightened. “The bastard will pay for his crimes. I swear to you, Samara, we’ll see him bleed.”

His promise resonated within me, soothing the raw ache in my soul. Your fate lies in other lands, Killian had said. I reached up, brushing Col’s cheek. His face was wet—he had wept for my loss. The thought brought fresh tears to my eyes.

“What happens now?” I asked.

“The Harrow will regret the day he crossed us.”

“We... us.”

A ghost of a smile touched Col’s lips. Yes, my little siren. Always us, if that’s what you want. He touched his forehead to mine. “You will have your justice. I swear it.”

I corrected him. “Our justice.”

“Yes.”

The Harrow deserved to suffer for his sins. He had tried to end my bloodline, but instead, he had bound me even tighter to Col. We would have vengeance. For my family, and for the family Col had lost. The Harrow’s end was coming, heralded by a song of iron and ravens.

My thoughts startled me, and I pulled back. Col frowned, having caught some of them through our bond.

“My road leads to The Harrow now,” I said, “and whatever end that brings.”

Col’s eyes searched mine. “Will you come with me to Iron Deep, then? I still don’t know what will happen there.”

To go with him meant embracing the unknown, walking headlong into danger and likely destruction. But hadn’t I already faced the worst fate? What did I have left to fear?

My gaze traced the lines of Col’s face—the slope of his nose, the curve of his lips, eyes that reflected the colors of the forest, and I knew the answer to my question. Some roads we must walk, for good or ill. And my road led to this man’s side. I knew that now more than ever.

The only thing left to fear was losing him.

“Yes,” I said simply. “I’ll go with you.”

Col kissed my forehead. “Then we’ll face the days ahead together.”

As we left the precipice and walked toward Magnus and Killian, a thought came to me. I glanced at Col, clearing my sore throat. I want to ask you something, I said through our bond.

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