The Throne of Broken Gods (Gods & Monsters, #2)

by Amber V. Nicole

“When I burn this world to embers, and you paint me as the villain, remember, I really did try to be good… once.”

“You have taken someone from me with your actions—someone very precious to me. And now you have helped a lunatic corrupt her already damaged heart, shattering it into a million pieces. They are pieces I will pick up and

fix, but what you have done is unforgivable. I plan to make you suffer for that transgression. Death would be a kindness, and you deserve none.”

Years of war had steeled my stomach to gruesome atrocities, but seeing her so casually holding the head of Ethan’s wife in her palm had my gut twisting.

My body pulsed, the power inside me rushing to the surface. It wasn’t in lust, but in fear of her, my body preparing to act, to protect. Power swirled around her, her magic so much more than when we first met.

It burned, true death taking what had once been Ethan’s wife.

No matter what, Dianna stole the very breath from my lungs without even trying. I was a fool to have denied what I had felt for her. A complete and utter fool. I could never lie about that again, nor did I plan on it, and right now, regardless of the bloodshed, one simple truth rang true. I missed her so godsdamn much.

She is still the girl who likes flowers and pretty gifts from overbearing god kings. She is sweet, kind, funny, and loves with her entire being. That’s why she is like this. She’s hurt. She’s in pain. If you love her, truly love her, don’t give up. True love is worth it. It’s worth fighting for. Remember that.”

Of course, Logan knew. He knew me better than most and was the closest thing I would ever have to a brother.

The tips of my nails pierced his skin, his entire body going rigid. I tipped my head, my voice dropping an octave as the Ig’Morruthen in me crawled to the surface. “Now, scream for Daddy.”

With a brutal twist, I ripped his head off and tossed it to the center of the room, the thud echoing in the room. “I am curious,” I said as I turned around, shaking the blood from my hands. A dozen wolves snapped their teeth at me, their snarls a chorus of death as they slowly approached. “How many wolves does it take to make a fur coat?”

She allowed him to carve her from the inside out to save the very sister she lost. You see blood, death, and anger, but not the pain I see.

I lunged up. Dianna let out a startled squeak and withdrew the blade. My hands cupped her face, taking advantage of her parted lips to slam my mouth over hers.

“You can’t hurt me anymore with words, Dianna. I know the heart that still beats beneath your breast. I’ve held it. You might as well surrender now because you cannot scare me away. You never could.”

It was a soft, quick goodbye kiss to the man who, regardless of everything, kept trying to save me. “Maybe in another life,” I whispered before pulling away.

Dianna saw me for who I am, not a ruler or king. She made me feel normal, and then she left me. Abandoned me like it meant nothing.”

My eyes narrowed into slits, and I shoved Logan into the river. I watched with satisfaction as he hit the water and went under, but I sighed when I could still see the blue glow beneath the current. When he surfaced, he looked up at me and flipped me off. For the first time in months, I smiled.

“You first.”

“You can’t do everything alone.”

I want you to laugh again, to love, to have fun. I want you to live, truly live.

Finally, everything I had been holding, everything I had kept inside, came pouring out.

I have lived a thousand years as someone’s weapon, someone’s thing. Everyone wants something from me, and the only person in the whole world who didn’t is dead!”

One day I want you to smile again, really smile. I want to help you heal as you helped me.”

reached out and placed my hand in his, finally ready to at least try. For him, I would try.

No matter how mean I was, how cruel, vile, and hateful, Samkiel saw me, and he cared.

“Can we stay here until the sun sets?” I asked. “Of course,” he said, resting his cheek against my hair.

This was it, the feeling I had wanted, needed, and searched for. Family.

I felt tears prick my eyes. “Destiny be damned?” “You are better than any destiny.”