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

by Amber V. Nicole

Apparently, her maker, Kabitch—sorry, my pen slipped—Kaden had a plan far grander than any of us suspected, and none of us knew it wasn’t him at the helm.

If I must die a fiery death at her hands… I just hope I go with my Xavi.

“The World Ender had a lover and not just a fling like in his past. They say she is a beast made of flame and hate, and she followed you lot back. His beast. The female Ig’Morruthen.” Dianna. He meant Dianna.

Samkiel was a light. He promised peace and change, and I had helped snuff it out. A part of me hoped I burned in Iassulyn for eternity for it. Another part of me knew Dianna would hunt me, hunt us all like she did for her sister. I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t welcome it.

Nismera clasped her hands, cocking her head toward Elianna. “What was spelled for me once more?” Elianna looked as if she wished to be anywhere but here as she folded her hands. “Umm, come get me,” Elianna cleared her throat, looking around the room, “bitch.”

“I have a blade,” I said, and Isaiah sat up straighter. “It has runes engraved on the sides. Think the words of Ezalan, but more. I could erase all her memories and replace them. She would want only to serve you, I swear it. Dianna is a weapon I crafted, and a damn good one. She slaughtered Tobias and Alistair with ease. We need her.” I need her, but I did not say that aloud.

How ironic was I? The boy who was so afraid of monsters in the dark that I became the very thing I feared.

Love to us was deadly, powerful, and, above all, something we would rip to pieces to keep. “Being around Dianna was the first time I truly felt anything besides anger or hate or bloodlust. For us?” My eyes held his. “Love is a terrible, cruel thing.”

If he was the sun, by the old gods, she was the moon. Powerful, dark, and overbearing at times. She never left him, nor he her, as if they danced around each other for eternity.

Perhaps it was truly a funny thing not to realize how broken or damaged you were until someone came along and picked up every single fractured piece and showed you how just being you was enough.

“You’re cute when you’re homicidal.”

did not get it. I am it. Oblivion is not something anyone can take from me.”

“I’d destroy several worlds if it meant keeping you safe. You have no idea the limits I’d go for you.”