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June 11 - June 18, 2024
Angry glares transformed into heated stares, arguments transformed into laughs, and that spark between us turned into searing flames. Our hate for each other faded, replaced by something far deadlier and far sweeter.
So, no; Samkiel was who I was, who I would forever be, and Liam died with whatever part of Dianna’s heart fractured that night.
“You counted?” “I count every second you’re gone.”
“When I burn this world to embers, and you paint me as the villain, remember, I really did try to be good … once.”
My heart ached. I was so afraid I would never see her laugh or smile again. I had not realized how deeply my feelings for her had grown over the months we spent together. How utterly attached I had become to my fiery temptress.
She wasn’t dangerous. She wasn’t deadly or a threat to us. I knew it in my soul. She was Dianna—my Dianna.
“I always thought of myself as a monster, and I suppose now it’s true. You have no idea what I’ve done, all I will do. I used to hate that part of me. I didn’t realize how freeing it would be to just not care and fully embrace it.”
“I saw it when she first stepped out of the forest, a flicker in her eyes, as if a part of her tried to crawl to the surface for you. I thought Gabby was the last tether, but you are. You are her only link to whatever mortality she has left.
No matter what happens, what I dictate, you have my back, correct?” “You never have to ask. Never.”
Because there are no boundaries I will not cross if it means keeping her safe, especially after everything you all have taken from her. It is the highest law not to touch anyone in my court or what I consider mine. That act alone is punishable by death—and she is mine. It will be your end.”
“I am not fond of others touching what’s mine.”
Me, the Ig’Morruthen, and you, Samkiel, the World Ender. Two creatures destined to spill each other’s blood until the cosmos bled.”
“I am a creature born of chaos, born to destroy you.” She lifted her blade, pointing it at me. “You are the protector of all twelve realms and every dimension in between. Shall we be what we were always destined to be, lover?”
I could bend my shape, transform into terrible beasts, and breathe fire. I had super strength, but I wasn’t that strong when it came to him and my feelings. Not by a long shot.
One moment, I felt as if we couldn’t stand the sight of each other, and the next…” I glanced at the cup in my hand as if it would give me answers. “The next, I couldn’t stand the thought of being away from her.”
You were always the catalyst for worlds to burn.”
“I didn’t have to tell Dianna anything at first. She saw me—all of me. Just as I have seen her. She is strong and selfless. I’ve seen her run headfirst into danger for those she cares for without a single thought for herself. She’s funny and smart and beautiful, so beautiful. She’s a fighter, a warrior stronger than any I’ve ever trained. Above all, she is a woman who had no choice in the life thrust upon her. Dianna survived against all odds for Gabby, and Kaden ripped her away. Dianna is not a monster. She never was. She loves, cares, and feels, and right now, all she feels is grief, pain,
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I have learned from watching so many that grief comes in waves and patterns. It flows, ebbs, and returns, claiming its way through the chest, the heart, and the brain. It seeks what they bury, aching for release from emotions pushed down far too deep.
I could spot her in a crowd of millions.”
We swore that no matter what happened, we would try to bring her back, because if Samkiel loved her, she was also ours.
“I needed to see.” “See what? Pure, blinding rage?” Imogen asked. I lifted off of her and stood, offering her my hand. “If she is still my girl.”
It was a deadly, powerful dance of two beings destined to destroy each other since the beginning of it all.
We can do this dance until this world burns and the next takes its place, but I will still choose you.”
“Do it.” I angled the tip of her blade above my heart. “If you are truly gone, I refuse to live in a world without you, so you’ll have to angle it farther to the right. That’s where a god’s heart lies, and mine already belongs to you, so do with it what you will.”
Neverra looked at me, love shining from her eyes, and I nodded at her. Neverra was my only peace; if we died here, at least we’d die together. I had found her again, and that was all I ever wanted. She smiled at me and raised her weapon. My amata knew my heart, and I was never alone. “I love you,” I whispered. “And I you,” she responded, the words filled with everything we didn’t have to say.
Samkiel wanted an equal, and by the old gods, they had delivered.
She was our queen now. If Samkiel chose her, we would gladly follow her through every realm and back.
“Friends don’t abandon friends,” Neverra said, a small smile softening her face. “And you definitely need new ones.”
“You’re a fool if you think I would be happy in a world where you did not exist.”
When Vincent told me what was happening, I knew I would rip Onuna to pieces for you. If Kaden had taken you, I would have turned mountains to sand to find you. I’ve reduced worlds to desolate wastes before, and I’d do it again for you.”
It’s yours, if you wish it.” “A whole beach?” I shook my head. “You’d give me a whole beach?” “The world, if you wish.”
I have seen the best of you, Dianna, and now I have seen the worst. I am not leaving. You do not scare me.”
The second I touch you, once I take you completely, there will be no other. I will not share you. There will be no other lovers. I am not Kaden. I will demand you and only you. Do you understand? You mean too much to me. If we do this, you are mine, and I will not share you.”
“You are very special to me. No one feels like you. No one else can ruin me so completely. I know without a doubt that if I had an amata, even if they were alive today, I’d still choose you. It will always be you, Dianna.”
“Destiny be damned?” “You are better than any destiny.”
You led me out of my darkness, Dianna. Now let me lead you, or I can follow you into the dark, but there is no me without you. Not anymore. Do you understand?”
“Who? Your amata?”
The words shattered my very soul. I had one. It was Dianna. It had always been Dianna. Every thought, every feeling I had for her since the day I met her, why she touched every part of me, why I couldn’t stop thinking about her… Everything fell into place as if I had found a key to a puzzle, and everything finally made sense. It was deeper than love in mortal terms. Dianna was part of my soul.
“I-I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I met you. Being with you, I finally felt what I wanted and had searched forever for. You woke me up and gave me reason. You made me feel like I was enough. I never felt like the World Ender with you. I never felt less. You are what I’ve been searching for my entire life. You, Dianna, had my heart long before I ever touched yours.”
