K.F. Breene

A Kingdom of Ruin

Anna Stewart

“I love you despite your best efforts to push me away,” I said softly. “And I’ll continue loving you forever. So take as much time as you need to be comfortable with who you are and who you’ve become. I’ll be waiting right beside you. I’ve chosen my place. It wasn’t our dragons’ bond, and it wasn’t the curse—

 chose you. And I’ll continue choosing you. Forever.”

“Remember what you said to me when you were in my room?” 

I went back to slowly tracing the scale scars down his back. He shuddered in physical pleasure mixed with internal pain. It was the opposite of what I’d experienced in the dungeons, but no less damaging. 

“You said, ‘I see you, Finley. I see all of you, and I am in rapture.’ I fell in love with you in that moment. I didn’t know it at the time, but I know it now. And then you kept chiseling away at my heart with your letters and your actions until I was lost to you. Until you ruined me, just like you’d promised. Only it wasn’t in the way you promised. You only ruined me for other men. Because 

. I see the scars you wear—and those you hide. I see your temper and rage…and your loyalty and love. I see your power and strength, and your kindness and tenderness. I see it all.”

We struggled to get closer. To get deeper. To meet each other in this place of fear and uncertainty and fuse ourselves together so that we didn’t have to endure it alone ever again.

I turned my head until my lips were right near his ear and whispered, “I love you.”

She was my forever, and I wanted it to start as soon as possible.

She was my true mate in heart, body, and soul. And it didn’t matter that I stood in a kingdom of ruin. She would always fight to be with me—and then fight at my side. 

She was my princess. One day she’d be my queen.

I couldn’t do anything but stare, locked in time like my castle, struck dumb by her majestic beauty and glittering rage. 

She was the most stunning dragon I’d ever seen, and she took my breath away.

She flung the body and let out the largest, most triumphant, most vicious roar I’d ever heard. She’d finally been let out of her dark cage, and she was about to go fucking crazy.

When enough of us were through, we banked and turned to face the castle. I didn’t need a map to know where to find it. From the first time I was taken there, it had been stored in my heart, along with the rest of the kingdom. Along with the rest of my home.

“Men often think they know what’s best for women, when in reality they rarely even know what’s best for themselves.

“It sounds like you’ve had a hard life,” Ami finally said as she glided over to collect the herbs I was cutting. 

“I’m still alive. It’s worth the struggle to save those I love.”

“You know, when I first got here, I was so sure I could get out— that no prison could hold me,” I whispered, coming to the next intersection and pointing. Hadriel paused for a moment, scanning the walls. After a moment, he nodded. “Turns out… nope. If not for you guys, I’m not sure I ever would’ve gotten free.” 

He snorted. “Calia said something incredibly similar. It’s a lesson in the strength of teamwork and, for me, a lesson in the strength of teams that span the species divide. As I heard it, the dragons, wolves, and faeries have all tried to escape… They faltered because they only cooperated with each other the barest amount. It took someone to bring them all together. It took 

“With the help of my amazing butler, brother, and whip-toting lady’s maid…” 

“Well, heroes never do it alone, my darling. They just claim they do. Remember that for a drunken storytelling situation.”

Truer words have never been spoken. 😂😂😂

“Tough as balls.” Vemar shook his fist as he grinned at Hannon and me. “Both of them.” 

“Balls, my ass,” Lucille replied. “Balls are the most fragile things I’ve ever heard of. A small slap is the end of the world to you fuckers.”

You belong to me. No one and nothing else can have you. Nothing will take you from me

It was hard to save someone who didn’t want to save themself.

I had my family now. I had my friends. Together we could do this. Together we could make miracles.

You are my heart, little dragon. Guard yourself well, because in so doing, you guard the most precious part of me.

“Lotta good that’ll do us in here,” someone murmured. 

“Where there is everlass, there is hope.” I stood when I was finished and walked to the next cell, finding four plants huddled in the shadows near the back. “Because where there is everlass, there is life.” Heart in my throat, I went from cell to cell. Finally, in one, I felt my chest tighten and my hope flower. “And sometimes”— I bent toward the crowded plant—“ There is death.”

Nyfain’s dragon swelled in pride, which was a pretty solid tip-off that I’d gone too far.

Nyfain had felt another alpha try to pull rank with his mate, and he was losing his fucking mind.

“She’s a dragon,” Govam said. “They aren’t right in the head. They think danger is a challenge. They like facing it.” 

Not entirely accurate, but it made me sound like a badass, so sure, why not.

, I said to the invisible audience, clutching Govam with all my strength. 

No shit, huh? You don’t think I just suddenly went batshit crazy?

Suddenly? No. You’ve always been batshit crazy, or you wouldn’t speak to an imaginary audience…

“So pretty, even disheveled as you are. I wouldn’t mind using you as a pet myself. One mighty dragon on my leash, and his mate at my beck and call.” A ghost of a smile crossed his lips, and my dragon thrashed in my hold, wanting to break free and crush some bones. “As soon as we can get that stench off you, it will be so. I promise. You will beg for my cock. I’ll let your dragon prince watch as you do so… right before I kill you. It’ll finally break him. I know it will.” 

“Hmm. What an offer,” I said, winking. “Very tempting. I’ll need to pass, though. I’m partial to dragon-sized cocks. I don’t beg for appetizers.”

 looked like. And he didn’t know how to rise from the ashes. I’d make sure he never did. 

Because I would be the bitch that burned down his whole world.

Andrea Rodriguez

This was a little disappointing considering how much I loved the second book. My expectations were high and normally that’s my first mistake, but I really thought this author would come through for us?? 

There was a lot I wish she’d done differently, but most importantly (to me) we needed a lot more of Nyfain and a much better version than the one she gave us. 

I’m still obviously gonna read the 4th, but I’m hoping we get more of book 2 type stuff and not so much whatever this was.

Kacy Rulison

Once again K.F. Breene does a fantastic job. I am a HUGE fan of these books. Now off to start the next one immediately after finishing #3 because I just can't wait. 

Love the development of characters and addition of multiple POV for certain chapters.

Michal Stone

BEST BOOK IN THE SERIES 
A lot less sex than the first two, and it also made sex a little more important, which I like (so the sex seemed meaningful which made it more fun). Not that I’m super into all that stuff anyway, but just as an update. 
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Absolutely in love. 
I’m so furious that the fourth one isn’t out yet.

Ann Sabu

Nefrian or whatever his name is needed to get his head shoved out of his ass like come on. Finley fucking slayed the whole book.

Chrissie Smith

"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” – Og Mandino"

First thoughts: 
- I still love Finley and her dragon’s inner monologue. The way they rag on one another is always  entertaining. She is determined, brave, and incredibly strong, even in the toughest of times. The way she holds onto hope is inspiring. 

- I missed Nyfain, due to where the last book left of we don’t get as much of his moodiness which is sad. 

- We do get a little Hadriel and Leala POV which was a nice surprise. They are hilarious supporting characters who prove that they’re more than a mediocre butler and a lady’s maid. 

- Also, what the heck is Hannon’s deal…I’m most curious about Him and his shifter abilities!

Overall this book was a little slower than the last two books but I think that was in large part due to Finely being in a dungeon for most of the book. There was still action, a little 🔥, and a lot of new characters, who kept me questioning who to Finley could trust. 

Book 4, A Queen of Ruin, will be out in May and I can’t wait to pick up where that cliff hanger left off…a lot is about to go down.  

A Kingdom of Ruin

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