The Dawn of the Cursed Queen (Gods & Monsters, #3)

by Amber V. Nicole

“Dianna.” His face held nothing but pain and anger. “Your soul, Dianna. You gave up your soul for me. I would never ask such a thing. You have given up so much for others. I would never ask you to shred yet another part of yourself. Never. I want you alive and well and happy, even if I am not.”

I am selfish and cruel, and gods above, I am evil if I need to be for you. I would do anything for what you gave me, for what you showed me, and even the thought of losing it, losing you, makes me sick with terror. So yeah, I’m sorry I kept it from you, but I couldn’t lose you again!”

“Do you know what it feels like to have your soul cleaved in two? To have it ripped from you? That’s what it felt like when you died in my arms. Pure, blinding pain that I don’t think this world or the next has a word for. So don’t stand there scolding me like a fucking child. You are not my father. I killed him to get to you, and I still wasn’t in time. I would burn the world for you, Samkiel, and I would happily hand over my soul so that you may live. I would do it all again if it meant you existed.”

I will not have half of you. I will not love only half of you. Sharing your body with me is not enough,” he said, and I swore my heart broke. “It may have been to others in your past, but it’s not enough for me.”

It’s also why I kept Gabby’s body. I never got to bury my siblings, and I knew if Dianna was coming to kill me, at least she could have her sister back.

Then you laughed, and I thought you were the most beautiful woman in the entire world.”

I patted Miska’s back once before pushing her back a little. “Okay, enough of that.”

I’m cackling

I wondered how long it would take Dianna to forgive me for leaving before she let me attempt that maneuver.

She’d given up the very fabric of her being for me. I would never be worthy of her, of that kind of love, but I would be a godsdamn liar if I said I wouldn’t try to be.

I dug in my pocket and pulled out the stone, placing it on the table between us. Killium’s eyes widened.

She drives me absolutely insane. Sometimes in a wonderful way, other times she’s downright maddening.”

“This is how it is done on Onuna, yes? They get down on one knee and confess their undying love.” Worry creased his brow. “Am I doing this wrong?”

I had spent eons surviving alone, being brutal in a brutal world. He required a pure, safe love, and all I could offer was a vengeful inferno of it. Nothing soft or delicate, my love cut, but I refused to make him bleed for me any longer.

I knew I’d burn oceans to mist, skies to dust, and worlds to rubble to keep him near. Love was too dull of a word for what I felt for him and one I hated to say.

I would rather fight every day with you than be without you.”

He looked at me as if I had grown horns. “Yes. If we cannot share the mark, I want the next best option. I want everyone who encounters us to know who we belong to. I want something that can protect you when I cannot. I thought I’d made my intentions very clear?”

“My life is forever in your debt, Queen of Rashearim.” My heart thudded. “I’m not—” “You will be,” Samkiel cut off my denial, walking past us both.

“I would burn the world for you,” I whispered, meaning every godsdamn word.

“I want you to make this your new home . . . I want you to make this our new home. Fill it with laughter and joy like only you can. I want to fight with you here, love with you here, and fill it with our family. Only you can give me this, Dianna. I can give you the house, but only you can make it our home.”

“My apologies. I have seen this outcome in so many variations, but this one is my favorite. You look . . .” He paused, meeting my gaze, and I could have sworn the fate had tears in his eyes. “Like you have found your home.”

“I can tell you with a hundred percent accuracy that there is no vision I have ever seen where he changes his mind about you.”

You’re the closest thing I have to a father figure in that I-kidnapped-you-from-another-realm type way. You have been here guiding me, even on my worst days. So, Roccurem, would you walk me down the aisle?”

He leaned down and whispered, “I’d sell the world to see it every day.”

“So, how do you feel about being called my husband?” His face lit up. “So much better. I never have to hear you call me your friend again.”

I was just scared of what you’d say, of what it would mean. I wanted to pretend we were still this epic destined love, even if I’d ruined it.”

“Dianna.” His voice was a warning. “I am not this strong.”

“Technically, you’re not a worm. Ryphors are ancient beasts and much more intelligent than a worm.” “It’s a fucking worm, Sami, and I hate you.”

I’d have you with or without a crown. As long as I have you.”

The air ripped at us, and despite my anger and hate, I curled my damaged wings around him, cocooning us both.

Her hands stayed on mine, and she looked at me as if I were something worth looking at, but she did not know me, not truly. She did not know the evil deeds I had done in the name of vengeance because our father had wished Isaiah and me dead. Yet a touch or smile from her and that hollow aching pit inside me hurt a bit less.

“I don’t like the idea of us splitting up. It never works in our favor.”

No shit

I did not make Oblivion. I was Oblivion.

“Death of one.” “So it is true, then?” “For now.”

“You know as well as I that he hated that name. He always preferred Gathrriel.”

“Her soul is in Samkiel?” “What is left of it. Two beings in one. It seems Samkiel was strong enough to bear it,” Death said and sipped his

She forfeited the mark for the power to split her soul, and then she tied it to his life. Dianna resurrected Samkiel. As much as I hated being bested, it was both terrifying and intriguing to witness something that has only happened once before. The love she has for him is a power.”

Athos did not hesitate. “We are The Eye.”