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

by Amber V. Nicole

He did not know my will was Nismera’s will.

But why

serve my king now, as she wishes. Nothing in the world has the power to rival Nismera now,” I repeated. Tedar leaned forward, drawing attention to a large, chipped tusk as he smirked. “Not from what I heard.”

“Even if I participated and won, she would never let me leave. Her claws are too deep, my prince.”

Unir and Samkiel were nothing but dust, and neither Isaiah nor I could match her power. No living being could.

Why or how does she "possess" the most power

Her smile was anything but sweet or kind. It never was. Sometimes, I wondered exactly what Unir made her from. I always assumed a cold, dying star. That’s what she felt like, even with every soft word or mild joke. She was empty. The only emotion she displayed that was not manufactured for effect was rage, and it swirled ceaselessly behind her eyes.

“I wish you would not argue against me in meetings, Kaden. They are not used to my voice being spoken over, and you’re not a flunky that I would need or would ever wish to correct.”

“My apologies, king.” The last word I enunciated with a smirk. “Why do you insist on that title?” “Because it was one all aspired to have. Why change it now?” Nismera shrugged. “Besides, I love watching the lords curl their lips when they hear it. Since I have a pussy, they prefer queen, but we all know in our world the title of king holds more power.”

“I technically missed you more,” Isaiah added, cutting a glance toward Nismera. “She’s been quite busy, and I’ve asked every day since that damn portal sealed when you were coming back. I even have the place marked where it closed because it was the last place I saw you.”

Something inside my chest flickered. It was as if a small light was switched on in a dark, dusty room. It was so strange to hear that someone missed me. Especially after how long I’d been gone and remembering those I surrounded myself with.

The last form of affection I’d received had been years and years ago with Dianna. Emotions now felt weird, to say the least. They made me unc...

All acts of caring or kindness could be yanked away, evaporating like mist on the wind. I was locked in Yejedin for so long that perhaps the part of me that belie...

“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.”

The light slowly dimmed, his skin returning to the smooth brown hue.

but I meant every single word I said.

Extremely Oversaid

honest smile curving my lips because I meant it.

(annoyed groan) We get it... You mean everything you say.

"I do not. I know your selflessness well, but I worry nonetheless."

I clicked my tongue and smirked. "A fate with a heart. Who w...

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.

Aw not true

My fingers twisted in the edge of my dress as I shook my head. “No, the boys here hate me, too. No one liked my mother. She questioned our queen too much, which got us kicked out in the first place. But when she died, I had nowhere else to go, so I came back.”

Who is her mother & how did she die

Nismera covered her mouth with her hands and turned toward Vincent.

tried to sit up and immediately regretted it. I fell back, but my head didn’t hit the hard seat beneath me. Instead, I felt a large hand catch me, and I was staring into speckled lilac eyes the same color as his skin. When his lips pulled back, I saw the tips of fangs. Realization hit me, and even without seeing his pointed ears and long tail, I knew what he was. Elvian.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he lodged a small piece of bark between my teeth and forced me to chew. After I swallowed, his hand clamped over my mouth. My hand gripped his wrist, and he hissed before whatever he gave me set in. My eyes clouded, sleep filling my head, and for once, my stomach didn’t roll with nausea.

I grunted in response and pressed my hand over the pendant around my neck. It was the only thing I had of her here.

“You know, they tried to take that necklace off you. Three guards attempted it, and it cut their hands. They laughed, saying it was damn near unbreakable.”

My hand instinctively raised to the side of my head as he watched me, his tail flicking.

Tail? I thought he was an elf

I needed more information, and I needed to reach her as well. I lifted the necklace, peering closely at the pictures of us inside. A small smile curved my lips, a small bright spot in this damned day.

“What’s down there?” Nismera smiled, playing coy. “It’s where I keep my fates. Nothing exciting. Now, come on.” I turned with her even if a part of me knew she was lying.

I knew where she kept her fates, and it damned well wasn’t in the room I saw her leaving the other day.

“What makes you think I won’t have you detained for this?” A smile curved her full lips. “Because something tells me your dear sister didn’t want you to see this, either.” Checkmate.

I stood up and turned toward her. “And the blood currently spinning inside is of my brothers.” “What?” “She has Isaiah’s and Samkiel’s. I can smell it.” I took a shuddering breath. “She must have collected Samkiel’s when she killed him, but Isaiah’s?”

“Kaden.” “What?” I snapped, turning toward her. She stood there with an empty vial in her hand. “I think all she’s missing is yours.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll just put away the banner I was making where I tell everyone what we found.” She tried to pull away from me and failed. My lip curled as I turned her to face me. “Camilla, I will⁠—”

“I know, I know, threats, dismemberment. I’ve worked for you for eons, Kaden. But you need to watch after yourself. Nismera is doing something far more malicious than⁠—” Her words died as I slammed my lips over hers. Her body froze, and I felt magic swirl beneath her lips, ready to rip me to pieces.

“Mera,” I said, turning to see her and her guards. Vincent was at her side, looking at Camilla with bewilderment,

Vincent has it badddddd

“My name is Orym. I’m an ex-commander of Nismera’s Thirty-sixth Legion.”

“What of you? How does one become an ex-commander? Defection usually means death.” His smile lost its shine. “I told you before. It’s always about a woman.” “You lost someone.”

That warmth spread, and my mouth moved, only the truth spilling from my lips. “I’ve never loved or been so consumed by another, nor will I ever again.” “Very well.”

Hilma watched, half-asleep.

Who is that

When they first brought me this project, I’d said no, and a guard had twisted my wrist until it snapped as Nismera watched.

No one cared, not even Vincent. He just stood by, but… I did find a pack of ice in my room later when I got out of the bath. He never confessed to it, but I knew Kaden wouldn’t have left it.

Orym said he wanted to help his sister. A part of me felt that and could relate to him, but another darker part of me didn’t care. I trusted no one anymore, and no matter what he said, my instincts told me Samkiel was in danger.

He took a deep breath as I settled back in his lap. “We can figure the rest out together, but we will do it together, all right? No more secrets.” No more secrets, as if I weren't hiding the largest one. I was truly the worst of the worst, yet I smiled back at him, digging myself into an even deeper hole. Unable to rip that one truth from my throat. “Or secret alliances,” I added. He only smiled. “Or secret alliances without discussing it first.”

Samkiel was quiet for a second. “Having fun and having a distraction or three are very different things. I have distractions, Logan. Never forget that. I do not have fun.”

She sipped her drink, grinning at me over the rim. “I don’t sleep with him because of the power or to gain favors. I do it because I like sex, and I need information. Trust me, my loyalties are not to this place, just like yours aren’t.”

Oh shit shes o's sister!

He picked up the ax again. “All right.” I pushed off the wall in a huff. “Okay, are you going back to one-word answers again, or are you going to tell me what’s wrong? Besides being in this sweaty underground death trap.” Silence. “Sami.”

I wonder what he knows shes lying about

“I know there is a lot going on right now, but when are you going to tell me?” My heart dropped. “Tell you what?” No, there’s no way he knows. My heart thudded, a cold wave of terror slithering down my back.

“Don’t play coy. You think I don’t notice everything about you? As if I don’t pay attention. I noticed in Jade City but waited for you to say something, but you didn’t. I know a lot has changed since Onuna, since the remains of Rashearim, but I thought you’d tell me.”

I didn’t say anything. A part of me was confused about exactly what he knew, the other hating myself for having told so many lies that I couldn’t tell which one he meant. My eyes bore into his. He had no idea how right he was. So much had changed. So much about me had changed. And then it hit me. Every time he looked at me these last few weeks, he wasn’t just stealing longing glances. No, he was...

“I know you haven’t been eating the food here, not that it’s the best, but I also don’t remember you eating while we were in Jade City,” he said. “So my next question is, how many did you feed on there?”

Oh. Pfffft