More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
I wanted to protect her. I wanted to be her shield and her sword.
I had a new life purpose, and it was attainable. Everyone would pay. Brutally. Just like my mates, I had no mercy. They wouldn’t stand a chance against us.
She didn’t kill for power; she’d killed for revenge. She wasn’t a pampered despot; she was an abused woman on the run. We’d never been so wrong about someone.
I would make it up to her by guarding her with my life. I vowed it to the sun god. Then I would kill Lothaire because willful negligence was no excuse. He was at fault. He would suffer by my hand. Arabella had been mutilated. It changed everything.
“I’m not a queen.” I smiled. “I’m a dictator.”
“It’s only one more challenge. One more contest and you’ve survived.” He breathed harshly. “What’s been done to you is”—his voice cracked—“so fucked up. But we just have to play their game a little longer. And I promise you, once we’re free, we’ll hunt down the gods to get retribution, if that’s what you want.”
“I loved you when you were a pretty boy. I loved you as a breathtaking woman, and I love you right now, my little wounded warrior. I will always love you.”
“You have committed a heinous crime against those you love.”
It wasn’t my job to judge her; it was my job to love her. Period.
“Welcome to the Consciousness. We’ve been waiting for you. You are more righteous than we thought. Your service begins. Now.”
Mother had wanted to make me in her image and ensure I never achieved what she couldn’t.
“I think she’s our Revered.” Orion cleared his throat. “And I’m the other Protector.” Skin smacked against the desk, then the floor. Our Ignis had passed out.
“Today I will announce the players in this war. Tomorrow they will lead armies.” Her voice rose. “Today I will name their roles. Tomorrow they will stand in front of our civilization and protect us from this threat. Today they pick up the mantle of leadership. Tomorrow, they bleed to defend us all.”
“You can’t run from us, sweetheart,” Orion whispered. “We need to take care of you. Let us help heal you. Our souls are forcing us to stay together so we can fix what we’ve broken.”
My soul’s taste in men was officially a form of self-harm.
War wasn’t coming. It was here. The blood was in the water.
