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

by Amber V. Nicole

“I told you before I would show you eight ways to make you forget that hideous friend word. Tease me again, and I shall show you twelve, and after your little display, we’ll start in the bathroom,”

Even covered in sweat, he was so damn handsome it was sickening.

“Don’t you ever get tired of flirting?” I snapped. “With you? Never. You are fun to play with, Dianna.”

He was the epitome of male beauty, from his broad shoulders to his tapered waist. I mean, even his legs were sexy. What the fuck was wrong with me? This was a bad idea. Maybe I should walk in front of him.

“What if he doesn’t like me?” Samkiel continued to run his hand along the beast’s flank. “Only a fool would not.”

I knew Samkiel brought me peace. I could spend hours just in his presence and never feel the need to break the silence.

“They need you. I don’t.” That was the last thing I’d said to him. My traitorous heart twisted. What a lie.

I think he’s just staying away because you’re so mean.”

Sunshine. Like Samkiel.

and what Samkiel was to me. Sunshine.

All it would have taken was a single portal, and she would have been gone! I would never see her again.”

“You made it abundantly clear you did not wish for me to be around, Dianna. Again.”

“How dare I? How dare you! You are not innocent in this. Do not pretend that my feelings were ever one-sided. You were there with me every step of the way through Onuna and every godsdamn place you dragged me. What about me? You may be replaceable to Kaden and his ilk, but you are not to me.”

“I was just tired of staying in this stupid palace waiting for you to come back.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It was not anger that I felt. It was fear.”

“Yes, fear because when I learned of where you were and what was happening, I realized there is no limit to what I am willing to do for you. The old gods spoke of how powerful we all are and how our emotions can override the critical part of our brains. We trained religiously to ensure the realms, the people, come before all else. We cannot be selfish, but I fear that with you, it is not something I can control. When Vincent told me what was happening, I knew I would rip Onuna to pieces for you. If Kaden had taken you, I would turn mountains to sand to find you. I’ve reduced worlds to desolate wastes before, and I’d do it again for you.”

“I thought he had tried to take you again, and I wasn’t there. I am not used to th...

“Let me guess. You slept with his girlfriend?” “Husband, actually.

“Would you like me to?” “Yes,” I said without hesitation. “Then I will.”

My Ig’Morruthen.

“There is nothing in my system from Dianna that I’d wish to remove. The thought of just being a simple fuck to her makes me wish to get disemboweled repeatedly. That would hurt less.”

I do not think I could fully have her and not wish for forever.”

“You are my only priority.”

“You are nothing like him.”

“Others do not know you as I do.”

“My apologies. Perhaps that was too much. It’s easy for me to talk to you.” He forced one of those devilishly handsome smiles. “It always has been.”

“Well, I suppose I wouldn’t wish it any other way.”

“Your smile, Dianna, is only one of the most beautiful things about you.”

Beautiful. It was such a stupid word and one I had heard plenty of times before. Yet he said it, and I damn near melted.

His smile was bright, making him impossibly more gorgeous, and a part of me ached.

“Only the really pretty ones.”

I looked up into his devastatingly beautiful face. He focused on me, the heat of his power winding around us, touching me with soft feathery caresses. I had missed this so much, missed him.

“I see you. Every single part. I see the part of you that you are trying to bury along with her.”

“No!” he snapped. “Gods, Dianna, why is it so hard for you to believe that someone just genuinely cares about you?”

I do want something from you. I want you to be happy, healthy, and alive. I want the best for you because gods know you deserve it after every fucking thing you’ve been through. One day I want you to smile again, really smile. I want to help you heal as you helped me.”

“No one was there for me after I lost my father, my world. Not until you. I don’t want you to go through this alone. It won’t be easy, and there will be days you will feel like you don’t want to get out of bed, but I want to be there for you. Every day if you will let me.”

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.”

I realized Samkiel wasn’t just a light to me but an anchor, a shield. And he had been for a while now.

A truth whispered toward me, knowing without a doubt that with him, I’d never be lost again. I reached out and placed my hand in his, finally ready to at least try.

For him, I wo...

“You’d give me a whole beach?” “The world, if you wish.”

“I would hate for it to mess up your hair.”

“Do you want to get in?” I nodded toward the ocean. “With me?”

Samkiel was beautiful.

He was a work of art and way too perfect to be true. To find someone as beautiful on the outside as he was on the inside was indescribable.

“I would have,” he whispered. “I would have.”

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

“To be loved by the great Dianna would be a gift beyond imagining. Anyone to receive your love and be claimed by you would be lucky.”

“I’d be a liar if I said I did not still have feelings for the woman who ripped her heart out to save me, her sister, and the world. The one who will risk everything for someone she cares about without ever thinking of herself. The one who likes loud music and overly sweetened treats and shares everything with me. The woman who ties promises to her small finger. The one who pretends she hates happy movies because she doesn’t think she can ever have her own happy ending. The woman who wields and breathes fire on a whim and loves flowers even when she tries to deny it. I have seen the best of you, Dianna, and now I have seen the worst. I am not leaving. You do not scare me.”