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

by Amber V. Nicole

In the beginning, Chaos created us in pairs or more. The mark is a tether that pulls you back to each other. Once connected, it is beyond bliss, beyond ecstasy. Even the hard parts are no longer hard. The days become brighter. Everything is better because they exist,

She had asked me once if I had an amata. I’d told her then how unkind the universe was, how cruel it could be. But, hearing her down there, knowing what had changed between us, I knew I was wrong.

The universe was not cruel. It was brutal.

“I do apologize for what is about to transpire, but please know it must happen this way. I see no other option.”

“Forgive me, god king, it is in her best interest, I assure you.”

I was what he made me, and I needed to remind them all of it.

“Do you ever tire of pretending you don’t want each other?”

“A thousand plus worlds he has seen, yet when he dreams, he dreams of you.”

“Why are you doing this?” “She must choose for herself without intervention, or her purpose will not be pure.” “What does that mean?” “Let her choose, god king.”

“The war was because of me, Logan. No matter what you or they say, it was because of me. This world celebrates survival because ours fell, and it fell because of me. Enemies older than I gather forces for another war because of me.”

If Dianna dies, I quit. I’m tired, Logan. Let someone else rule. Let Vincent or the council have it. I’m done. It is not as if I was a good king, to begin with.”

“How could you do that to him? After everything he is risking for you, doing for you! Do you even realize how much he cares for you? You know what he has lost, and you want to add to that pain?”

the story of Gathrriel and Vvive?”

“Seek revenge for the sister that was not even of your blood.”

“I think you’re in desperate need of new friends if you think we would ever leave you behind.”

So we would wait for her decision. What we wouldn’t do was leave her. She had been abandoned and betrayed too many times in her life. Neverra squeezed my hand in agreement. Either we all left, or we all died.

“Your judgment of me and my intentions are not misguided, but the chemical imbalance in your brain when it comes to her overrides your logic, god king. Anyone in this room can feel the waves of power wafting off of you, begging to claim what’s yours. She is an integral element for what is to come, as are you. I am merely a vessel from the ones far older and far larger than you.”

We all stood frozen, everyone in the room shocked. Samkiel, although he risked his life for us, was never affectionate. He didn’t say the words ‘I love you’ to anyone. He hadn’t truly hugged anyone since his mom died.

“That sounds stupid,” I scoffed. “I don’t even know where to take us.” “Yes, you do.” Neverra met my gaze. “Think of the one place you would feel safe. Where we all would be safe.” Logan nodded, and I got the impression they were having a secret conversation. “Think of home.”

“Well, you know what they say. Home is where the heart is, and you kindly ripped mine out.”

“I would have followed you anywhere, Dianna. All you had to do was ask. Instead, you used me. You used every single bit of knowledge you had on me to hurt me, my family, and my friends. You threw things I confided to you back at me without a moment’s thought. I have been stabbed, tortured, and nearly decapitated. All in service to my home and kingdom. But nothing has hurt me as you have. Nothing.”

You’ve been doing anything you can to keep moving because you know the second you stop, you’ll feel all of it. So you lash out and attack because anger is better than grief.

P.S. Because I know you, be nicer to Liam.

You are the only one able to reach her now.”

“I told you love has power, but I never said it was good.”

You are not used to anyone caring for you without wishing for something in return.”

“I don’t want an apology. I only told you because I want you to stay close to the ones who feel like sunshine, Dianna.”

A prison is a prison, no matter how beautiful, Samkiel.”

“You left me here for six days, Samkiel!” I nearly shouted. Shock flashed across his face as if he had no idea. “Six days?” “Yes, you self-righteous dick!” I jerked my wrist, trying to pull away from him, but he held me with ease. “You said you would come back, yet you abandon me again?”

Trust that I will protect you, every part, and I will do everything I can to keep you from being hurt as long as I exist. I promise.”

“And I’m sure you still have a mate. They’re probably just sealed behind the realms or something.”

Logan stepped back, his expression hard. “I am surprised Dianna let you live after what you did.” “You care about her.” “She is my queen.” “What?” The word left my lips on a gasp. “If Samkiel so chooses, she will be.

“Okay, so we share psychic dreams now, too? Add that to our list of weird.”

“I already showered. You’re the one who got home late.”

“Okay.” I sighed. “So just be careful and don’t rush. I understand if it takes a while. Just don’t overdo it and promise to come back to me.” “Promise.” He twirled a strand of my hair between his fingers.

“Do not blame him. There are reasons he cannot control that part of him.”

It’s everyone else I’m worried about. I reacted so quickly earlier, and I know if anyone ever hurt him, family or not, I would rip them to pieces and sleep like a baby afterward.

“I’m sorry I left,” I said. His thumb stilled against my cheek. “I promise to stay if things get bad. I won’t leave you ever again.”

“There are always more monsters to face.”

“Okay.” I nodded once, my nose brushing his. “But if you don’t come back, I’ll have to destroy the world or do something drastic, and who is going to clean up that mess?” He laughed before kissing me softly, his thumb caressing my face. “And you say you are not sweet.”

“Yes, yes, everyone is upset because I found someone I want to spend my life with. I grow tired of hearing it.”

“Unless something was locked away with them. Something an old god wanted to hide. To forget.”

“Unir had three children long before you, god king.”

The universe takes its debts very seriously. You cannot gain that much without balancing the scales.”

“Who? Your amata?” My heart stopped. “My what?” “Your amata. You know, this beautiful being,” she said, gesturing toward the facade of Dianna she wore. “You know, I really thought The Order killed her as an infant, but here we are. Kind of funny, huh? She’s definitely your type, though.” My entire world shifted.

If Samkiel had true immortality, then there had to be a way to break the spell. His blood closed the realms, and the blood of his mate will open them.

You broke me completely, Kaden. Every chance you got, you broke me. Samkiel healed me.” I didn’t cower beneath his angry stare. “That’s. Love.”

“The words of Ezalan, of course. I always wondered why more gods didn’t use it and turn those pesky feelings off.”

Fear squirmed through me, but I said it. “That I love him.”

“I’ve had help. I met Samkiel’s dad and mom. They’re pretty cool, actually.” “You met Unir?” I gaped at her.