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

by Amber V. Nicole

“Years of love have been forgot, In the hatred of a minute.” ― Edgar Allan Poe, “To M⁠—”

I stared at the empty night sky, watching her dark wings beat across the sky, her sleek form disappearing into the roiling clouds. Away from me. “You promised,” I whispered as the sirens continued to wail.

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.

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

Mer-Ka was my birth name. Ain was Gabby’s, and Eoria was the home where we knew peace so long ago.

“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.”

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.”

“If you wanted me on my knees, Dianna, all you had to do was ask. You know that.”

“I think this act you portray will only suffocate you. Burying feelings hurts no one but yourself. You will drown in the tide you are trying to subdue, slowly and painfully. You will end up truly numb. That will be a grand mistake and not only just for you.”

We can do this dance until this world burns and the next takes its place, but I will still choose you.”

Samkiel wanted an equal, and by the old gods, they had delivered. Neverra caught my eye, sharing every thought I had through our bond, and nodded in agreement. She was our queen now. If Samkiel chose her, we would gladly follow her through every realm and back.

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. “We won’t abandon you, Dianna,” Neverra said gently. “We are not them.”

“You’re a fool if you think I would be happy in a world where you did not exist.”

“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.”

I have seen the best of you, Dianna, and now I have seen the worst. I am not leaving. You do not scare me.”

“I need you to understand what you’re doing. What you are asking for. I know what I said before about you using me, but I lied. 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.”

“Hold on. She’s coming.”