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

by Amber V. Nicole

“Move.” Vincent’s voice was gruff and filled with anger, as if I were the one that made us stop. The generals towering over us may buy his act, but I saw the crack in the armor he hid behind so well. Vincent was afraid.

Good. He should be. Litte bitch

Laughter and hollering sped down the long, wide corridor, reminding me of the family I had condemned. I moved toward it, my chest clenching.

YEAH WHY????

I swallowed, trepidation burning in my throat. He was so callous, so joyful for what I did, and I felt grimier than sludge upon a boot. I reminded myself that I had no choice. He did not know my will was Nismera’s will.

WHat do you mean RAT!! You had a choice you always did.

I swallowed the growing lump in my throat. I was happy to see him. Happy to be off of blasted Onuna, but another aching pit ate at my gut. One thing I could not, or had not, forgotten. “You’re a monster,” she said, sneering at me and pulling at the restraints. “I halted plans for you, searched for that damned book, hoping there was another way that I could keep you.” My hand slid across her jaw as she pulled away from me in disgust. “I love you.”

Good i hope youre sad

time. Samkiel was dead. No one would be left in any of these realms for her, no one but me.

You thought bitch

“Cameron is in the low levels still.” I folded my arms as I leaned back, at least attempting to pay attention. “The pit fights?” Isaiah asked. I nodded. “He needs to work out his new powers, and he’s not fucking them out so that leaves fighting and feeding.” Isaiah scoffed. “Thrash.”

Im so upset about cameron still

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.”

SLahyyyy

“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.”

Kaden NO!!! Ill actually be pissed

Dianna nodded, but the smile she forced was anything but a happy one. I did not tell her I remembered telling her I loved her or that she did not say it back. That part I kept to myself, fear a heavy, dreadful thing that told me no matter what we did or shared, she did not love me.

I HATE a miscommunication trope. How havent yall said this yet??????? Dianna y god TELL HIM WHAT HAPPENED

“Well, since I’m such an all-powerful badass like you said,” she winked at me, and I snorted before she went on, “borrow some of my power. Maybe I can help you heal.” She relaxed and straightened her back, a small smirk on her lovely lips. “And then we fight until the sun sets. You really suck with a sword now.”

Oh yeah wait is his hand still gone?

“Especially since I’ve been slipping a tiny bit of poison into your food every day for the last few weeks. In your drinks, too, even the water you bathed in. It was such a small amount that even your blood drinker did not detect it. It will work on her, too, since you share so much.”

Okay bitch

“I was kind of worried you’d catch on at first.” She plucked a small needle from her hair and slowly rose from her chair. “The extract in these zeile seeds can knock out even the strongest beasts. It attacks the blood slowly, hindering the healing process before targeting the nerves. Objects that weren’t heavy before suddenly are. It can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even a fever. Given your history, I needed to be sneaky about it, and I needed time for them to arrive. They have been so busy in the realms, you know. Securing our one true king’s power.”

Fuck so does she know its samkiel??

Secure in my invisibility, I allowed my eyes to linger on him a fraction longer. His long, dark hair spilled down his back, but he’d pulled it off his face on one side and woven it into a warrior braid.

Okay obvi she has a crush and is jealous but also i enjoy her shes cool

“But, Sami baby, there is nothing weak about you. I think we are both used to doing everything alone, even taking care of ourselves. So help feels strange.

Heardddd

“I know. It’s just that I love him, Reggie. Like real stupid, mushy love, and now I am afraid I won’t get to tell him.” I wiped my chin on my sleeve. “He didn’t even remember dying in the tunnel or what we said… I’m just⁠—”

How have we not learned this lesson yes... HELLO????

Eyes the color of the warmest gold narrowed into slits and glared at me. “You have the blood of Ro’Vikiin in you. All beasts speak Beast.” “Ro’Vikiin? Kaden?” Her massive head tilted, the twin feathers atop it rising as if they were ears. “I do not know that name.” I shook my head. “Okay, moving on. You know Samkiel? Do you know where he is?”

Moving on??? Noo answer tht!!!

I — It looked as if he had scratched out whatever else he was going to say before simply signing it. Be careful. Yours always, Sami

Yall got to QUIT THIS

Kaden growled and stalked toward his brother. My body jerked as if I wanted to rush forward and protect Isaiah. Wait, no. That was impossible. I hadn’t moved on my own or felt on my own in weeks. No, that was wrong. It had been months. It had to be months, right?

Okay i dont like this

“Probably off to see a witch, Veruka.”

Is this the sister?

I sighed and flipped through another book as if the answers I needed would be in there. My mind wandered once again to that damned brute of a celestial and what he’d said the other night, and I sighed, the sting still present. I had no friends here, and I was a fool even to consider there could be anything between us. A fool to wish

Okay camilla i want you to be happy but i need Vincent to die soooo

“There is nothing to apologize for. It would only make me a liar. I did what Nismera asked from the beginning. I always will.” Pain flared in his eyes. “I belong to Nismera. She is who I want, who I have to want. The only one.”

YOU MAKE ME SICK!!! ROTTTTTTT

smudge on the back wall. I hadn’t realized I’d moved until my fingers rubbed across the dark spot. My heart thumped once, twice, with a loud, thunderous beat as my eyes burned. I didn’t smell anyone else here, just her and the lingering smell of smoke from that burned spot. I wondered if she had taken her anger out over something, or was she just broken without Samkiel?

Sooo who was tht cause i thought it was cam

Ig’Morruthen. Isaiah. He could control blood. I glanced down, flexing my hand. It explained why I didn’t bleed out when he took my hand back on the remains of Rashearim.

So he does have his hand?? Did it grow back... Why didnt we explain this

“Use your words, akrai.” “I missed you, Sami. Every bit of me missed you.”

Okay but like time for you two to talk about your actual feelings

didn’t realize I had been so quiet. I didn’t want him to know how it felt with him gone, how empty I felt as if a part of me was missing. It was something I had never felt before, not for anyone, not even Gabby. Nor did I want to ruin this moment by telling him about the bloodshed I’d caused, either. So, I did what I normally did. Pulling back, I purposely tightened around him, redirecting and distracting. “That I need to learn to breathe again.”

Youre making me mad

His eyes didn’t soften at my words. “What else am I missing, Dianna?” You died. It was on the tip of my tongue. It was right there. If I told him, it would make sense to him why I’d asked Reggie and not him, why I felt so empty when it came to feeding, and why, above all, I had been so overprotective. I could tell him, and then I’d have to tell him everything. It would ruin his hope for The Hand. I would have to tell him I had given up the one thing he wanted most of all, traded it for his life, and a part of me was terrified. It meant I’d have to tell him my one true fear and why touching him reassured me so damn much. Why, I desperately needed to know that I was wrong and that he still wanted and cared for me. What if I’d given up our mark, and we weren’t mates anymore? What if I had saved his life but, in turn, ruined mine? “Nothing.” I shook my head, and he stared at me. “Nothing.” He leaned back a fraction, gazing at me, and I thought he knew just how terrible I was at lying. I thought he knew it all, but my stress died the second he held his hand toward me, his pinky finger extended. “Pinky swear.” “Pinky swear?” I repeated. “Yes, it’s the law and an unbreakable promise, as you said before. I will only believe you if you do.” I couldn’t stop the grin or the god-awful feeling I had when I hooked his finger with mine and lied and lied and lied. I was a cruel, awful bitch. And I loved him.

Hey maybe communicate??

“What are you doing?” I asked, my breath catching. “Taking your mind off things.”

Yall plz take a break and COMMUNICATE!!!

She pulled away, and her form grew taller than mine as she again donned the commander’s armor and appearance. One last look, and she ducked her head out of the cell and left. I watched until her form disappeared around the corner, and more inmates flooded in, heading toward their cells. I returned to my cot and tucked the maps away before settling in. It wasn’t until lights-out and a hush fell across the prison that I knew Dianna had lied to me.

So call her on it. Like plz guys i cant stand this

licked over the bite marks I left on his throat, cleaning the remaining blood, and for once, I didn’t feel that aching yawning pit in my chest. I was fully and thoroughly satiated.

Is this the payment?

man. It was just that I hadn’t been kissed in a very, very long time, and I missed it. My mind drifted to a certain tall, broody celestial, and I quickly extinguished that thought.

HEARDDDDDD

“Don’t worry, we won’t be here long.” Nismera dropped her hand, offering me a coy smile. It did nothing for me, and it hadn’t in a very long time. I remembered those days back on Rashearim, and how I’d hung on every word she spoke, every move she made. I thought I loved her then, and she loved me, but like a flower unattended, that love wilted. I saw the signs too late, promising myself to her in an unbreakable bond, and now I was stuck. Until death.

Ah i see

He tipped his head back and laughed as the line moved forward. I was happy to get him a family, a new one, even if a part of me was doing it out of guilt.

????

“Nismera made this.” He nodded and knelt before me. “Strong enough to kill a fate, which is what I was here for, but your death will bring me so much joy.”

Theres just no redeeming you dawg

I jabbed the blade further into him, his eyes flickering cobalt blue, then dull as he grasped it, blood coating his lips. “This is for Samkiel, for Logan and Neverra, and Imogen. For Xavier, for Cameron, and everyone else you’ve ever hurt, you traitorous bastard,” I snarled, fire erupting in my palm. I slammed my hand against his face, smirking as my flames danced over his skin and slid beneath his armor.

For real i hope hes dead. BYEEEEEEE

Hilma wiped her hands along the curves of her dress before picking up the piece again. She grabbed her brush and dipped it in the sap. The medallion was so close to being done. It was a dark gray X-shaped stone, and we only had a few large pieces and a few tiny remaining.

Okay maybe hes not dead but the bind to Nesmera is broken

A gentle, calloused finger touched my chin, lifting my gaze to his. No secret emotion hung in his eyes, no lingering doubt or question, just pure, raw… love.

Can you guys just sy it youre pissing me off!!

I wondered if he’d felt the peace of death when he died, even for a second. Had he felt the rupture when I’d begged death to steal that from him? Would he hate me when he knew what I’d done? Would he leave? I knew in my heart that I could have never done that to Gabby, even though her being here would bring me so much happiness and comfort. I could never strip her of the peace she so desperately deserved. Even if I could have her with me, I wouldn’t. But for Samkiel? In a heartbeat. I’d burn worlds, erase empires, and turn stars to ash if I had

The reason this is so annoying is its contradicting. He literally thought he resurrected you... Hes ljterally saying youre not evil and youre like im evil. God youre annoying rn

“I love you.” It was a whisper, a plea, and the gods’ honest truth. His face crumpled, and he took a step back from me.

Because why are you saying it now??? Thats manipulative!!

“What is it with her?” I said a bit too firmly. “Why do you hate her so much? I used to think it was a weird crush. I mean, I know she’s gorgeous⁠—” Vincent let out a bitter laugh. “That is the furthest from the truth.” “Okay, so what is the truth? You share a bed with Nismera, who is far worse than Dianna, yet you hear her name and…”

Yeah girl im wondering too

“Your funeral, buddy,” he tossed over his shoulder, and my lips pressed into a thin line, knowing his funeral was a hundred and twelve days from now. He would die in an attempted robbery.

Lmao okah Reggie

“Yes, because you hurt me.” His voice raised a fraction. “You hurt me, Dianna. I needed time to think, not because I planned on leaving you. I needed time to process and make this for you,” Samkiel said, holding out the ring again. “Well, I don’t want it.” I spun from him and stormed out of the crumbling building, away from our crumbling future.

Shut up DIANNA!!!!

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, dropping my hand. “So what do you say? My adopted father died with my adopted mom when Rashearim fell, and my real father sent me away, then was mind tortured and tried to kill me. So, do you want to be my stand-in daddy?” “Never repeat those words.” He rubbed his brow before dipping his head slightly. “But, yes. It would be my honor to escort you, Dianna.”

I kinda love him

I should have known. Why did I ever think I could change him? He wouldn’t even change for his chosen family. I was nothing to him, to no one. My magic must have started to leak because Kaden dropped his hand to mine, interlacing our fingers. He took the brunt of my magic. He didn’t react to the burn, but his touch grounded me. It was such a simple gesture, a kind one, and kindness was something I did not expect from Kaden. Maybe he was right. I knew nothing of him and Isaiah.

Plz do not redempt him. Killll all of them!!!

My chest hurt as my reality crashed down on me. I did not want to be in this castle of a prison with a demon of a ruler who pretended to be kind. I did not want to feel for a man who had betrayed all he claimed to love and now treated me as a passing distraction. I did not want to dance and fake a relationship with my arch-nemesis.

Yes girl youre in a trance!! Snap out of it!!

This time, I wouldn’t let him retreat back into that persona he wore so well. I wouldn’t let him hide behind his fear of Nismera and her retribution, going back to pretending he cared for nothing and no one. “Me,” I whispered. “You have me.”

He doesnt deserve you!!!!

My lashes lowered, shuttering my expression, hiding my confusion. That’s what this was. My words had hit some part he’d buried damn deep, and it had raged forward. I sighed and swallowed back my tears and sorrow. Maybe I was never meant for a happily ever after, but I could stand by this broken man. I would stand by him because it was already too late for me.

stand up Camilla!!!! No no no he sucks! Dont be with a broken mannnnnn

“You hated Dianna so much, but she was willing to die for those she loved. She may have teeth and claws and be every bit of the monster, you believe, but she at least has a heart. You…” Cameron shook his head. “I’m just surprised I didn’t see how heartless you were before.”

Get him!!!

A small snort left Samkiel’s nose, and he leaned back. His hands tapped lightly against the assorted scrolls strewn across the desk. The moon hung behind him, the crescent shape listening in as we plotted.

I think dianna will be captured by Kaden but because of being soulless or her bond with Samkiel his plan wont work and shell be a spy

“But I never asked, Dianna, and now we’re married. It was selfish.” “Not in the least. I’m a smart girl, and I knew what this came with. I’d have you with or without a crown. As long as I have you.”

You guys are whiney sometimes and its annoying

My hand was around his throat before he stopped speaking. I lifted him and tried to speak, but my body decided that wasn’t necessary, and a cool, tingly feeling washed through every muscle and nerve. My legs wobbled, and he laughed, clamping an enormous hand around my wrist. I sank to the ground, my limbs giving out.

probably good information to give her samkiel