The Never List

“Darling. I’m doing my best to stay out of your mind and give you privacy, but I can’t help hearing what you’re basically shouting at me. What will it take for you to believe me when I tell you I want every piece of you? Even the ones you’ve kept hidden from us?”

“Say yes to me now. Tell me yes, Rylee. Tell me yes right this second, because the moment you step foot in my territory, I’m going to claim you so many times you won’t be able to explore my city for at least a week.”

“Of course, it’s hard to see anyone as a queen when the last ones we had were goddesses. But there’s something about you that is lacking where the others weren’t. Some of the other potentials—the heirs of dukes for certain—had more of that regalness I believe our kingdom needs.”

“I felt your incredible power the second I stepped into your mind. You know how I feel.”

“Jax treats me like the biggest mistake of his life. What are we going to do if he truly does hate me and rejects me?”

“No potential has ever made it longer than a month. The past six left the second they could. Took their elevated-social-status prize and ran in the opposite direction. Vying to be the future queen of Lumathyst is no small feat.”

“I told you that first day, kitten. You’re mine. No matter what.”

“The only reason they have any wealth is because those beneath them dig it out for them at the expense of their backs.”

“I belong to Jax, your son. He chose me. Just as I belong to Kal. I belong to the Legends of Chaos, and they will be the only ones laying claim to me.”

“Legends live together, and we die together.”

“How ironic. That the Nightmare turns out to be a fucking coward.”

“Darling. You know I can’t stand it when you’re upset. Tell me what I can do to make it up to you. Would you like me to let you win next time—”

“I want to punish you for lying. I want to cut the truth out of you. I want to fuck you so hard and so long, you won’t be able to think about anyone outside the Legends. I want to take turns with them, lighting you up in ways you’ve never even dared to imagine.”

“If your mothers hadn’t written the rules of the Choosing, I would simply audition girls until I found one who could actually tolerate the lot of you. Lumathyst may be strong, but you Legends are making a mockery of our royal line.”

“When I fuck you, Rylee Gray, it will be in a place where you can scream my name.”

“I don’t give this out lightly, darling. You are the most important thing to me now. My mate—if not official, then in my heart.”

“It is your fault. You could tamp down your powers when all four of you are together with the potential.”

“Make her come, Axl. I want to watch her unravel in your hands.”

“I gave this to you because of your heart. Because of the way you were with my people and your hopes for the future of Lumathyst. I gave this to you because you made me laugh while challenging everything I’ve ever believed and made me desperate for you even while I’m right beside you. That’s love. It has nothing to do with where you’re from or what power runs through your veins.”

“If that’s my punishment for being bad, you’re not giving me much incentive to behave.”

“The minute I heard your voice, the minute I sensed your emotions, you felt like mine.”

“You know what I’ll become if I have any more power. I’ll use you up. Break you down until you’re a shell of the woman before me. Just like he did to my mother. Or I’ll do worse. If you’re mine and something happens to you, someone threatens you…I’ll burn the whole fucking world down and laugh the ash out of my lungs.”

“If I win, you’ll let me and Kal take you right here on this beach. And the last thing I want is you being quiet.”

“I want you, Rylee. I want you alive and happy and with me. I don’t need more power. I need you.”

“Now we’re even. You left me tense and aching last night after that kiss—”

“I had to choose you. I needed to choose you. There was no stopping it. And the second the words came out of my mouth, I knew I’d damned us.”

“My city isn’t perfect. I don’t believe any city is. There are good people here with good intentions, and there are people here with bad intentions, too. When those intentions get bad enough to merit the Legends’ attention… We meet them with the full force of our powers.”

“You know I love to watch. Show me how good you can fuck my friends.”

“I told him Jax would carve him to pieces for touching me. I reminded him Kal nearly ripped off an enforcer’s arm for merely touching me roughly. I assumed you two would do the same if they took me without my permission.”

“I’ve been thinking about how your lips would look wrapped around me since the Choosing. But you’ve exceeded every fantasy I could’ve possibly had. That deserves a reward.”

“You are a liar. Every time I’m around you. Your lies hum against me. Constant. Buzzing. Butterfly.”

“If she’s the one, then she’s a threat. Despite Baydel’s insistence that he wants us to unlock our powers to keep the offerings to our mothers strong. Why does he see Rylee as a threat and not the others?”

“That’s right. I almost forgot. You’re the big bad Nightmare.”

“I know I’m a handful. Know I’m a cocky bastard who likes to push the limits, not to mention the weight of obligation that comes with being a Legend. If that’s too much, then—”

“Something about this time is different. It’s like all the Choosings before this were just stepping stones guiding us to her.”

“I don’t pretend to assume why the kings are the way they are, but I can imagine that they like their thrones, their power, maybe even enough to view you all as a threat. But then again, maybe I’ve read too many royal fantasy novels.”

“You dragged me up here after an intense territorial display. You called me your mate, Jax. But just now, you put a mountain of space between us because you know what will happen if you keep touching me.”

“Rylee. I’m not like my friends. You should run while you still can.”

“I could unravel you in front of all these people. You wouldn’t even realize you’re on the ship anymore.”

“Truth be told, I’m tempted to steal you a night early. Damn the rules. You wearing that dress has become a new weakness I didn’t realize I had.”

“You’ve each had her for longer. I get her needy little pussy first.”

“I want to watch these two ruin her before you and I put her back together.”

“I love the idea of letting her choose. In the end, that’s what we’ll need her to do anyway. Choose us.”

“Tell me to stop and I will. You know I don’t care about the invitation, the Choosing contract. We do this on your terms. Always.”

“I love you. Fucking love the way you can take us. All of us.”

“I would keep you forever if I could, darling. But I must share you.”

“Haven’t you ever heard of the Nightmare’s playroom?”

“You’re strong. Courageous and bold. Worrying about the unknown is the most natural thing any of us can do.”

“They’re the ones who shouldn’t be crossing lines. They have no business testing you like that. It’ll never happen again. I promise. You’re safe with me. You know that, right?”

“We’ve been on a crash course since you found me in the library. I loved you then. I didn’t know it, but I do now.”

“She’s more than ready, Pierce. Fuck her hard enough for me to feel you.”

“I’m the Nightmare, Rylee. The son of the vilest bastard who’s ever lived. I’m not good like the other Legends.”

“That mouth. I bet it gets you into all kinds of trouble.”

“ I want to ruin it. I want to ruin you.”

“If it’s yours, if it’s the Legends’ fight, then it’s mine.”