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

by Amber V. Nicole

Xavier, Imogen, and I were stationed on the remains of Rashearim, completely unaware that Samkiel had not only come back but was working with our archnemesis, the Ig’Morruthen—see hot girlfriend above.

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.

Faced with the reality that Vincent, a man I considered my damn blood, had been working with Kaden, sent my world spinning again.

Yeah, you heard me right. Papa Unir was not just getting hot and sweaty and making one kid. No, no, he had three. Three hell-bent children set on making Samkiel and all of us pay dearly for his crimes.

Not only did we lose, but we lost our home again. I still have nightmares of watching the remains of Rashearim burn, of seeing Samkiel beaten and bound on the floor. Now, his power spills across the sky, the last remnants of him. Nismera reigns over the realms, and we are all trapped beneath her rule

I know Dianna is still out there. I know she will want retribution for Samkiel’s death, and a part of me hopes she burns this whole fucking thing to the ground. If I must die a fiery death at her hands… I just hope I go with my Xavi.

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

Vincent was afraid.

afraid of goinginto the palace

My eyes roamed, looking for a distraction and catching on the intricate shell sitting on the carved dresser. My head tilted. “You kept this?” “Yes, it’s yours or what’s left of the first piece of armor I gave you. I told you I have missed you, pet,” Nismera purred from behind me, the floral scent of bommsberries coating her skin.

The High Guard of the legion, Hectur, will be demoted. He was merely keeping your spot occupied while you dismantled Samkiel and The Hand, anyway.” The Hand. The way she said it made it sound like a curse. Guilt ate at my gut, causing it to roll, and I swallowed my apprehension. “It will cause an uproar, I am sure.”

Nismera was king of all twelve realms now and wanted to make sure everyone knew

“Gods, no. There are only six High Guards now, including her brothers, so less responsibility for me. You and your legion will always go first into battle now.” My brows lifted. “Battle? I don’t think so. I think we will just follow orders.”

“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.

“Why will you not let me help you?” I glanced toward the door as if I could see her watching me, waiting. “Vincent.” His voice snapped me out of the trance I had fallen into.

“Even if I participated and won, she would never let me leave. Her claws are too deep, my prince.” His eyes shifted, the silver glow similar to Unir’s and Nismera’s. “You let me worry about her. Just come, try, and meet the others. There is no harm in that.”

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.

“I hope their prison remains locked for eons.” Nismera’s hand whipped out faster than light, severing his head from his body. Blood coated her front and splattered her face. She blinked rapidly, chasing away the overwhelming anger that filled her expression. Their prison? The question rattled around in my thoughts but died as the severed head rolled toward me over the stone floor.

hmmmm

“You’ve been so quiet since your return, Brother. I thought you’d be far happier to see me.” 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.”

oh shit

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

but Nismera had ruled The Order since The Gods War. She had put her people in place, securing their seats one by one without being caught until only her sept held power. She was a master strategist who had taught me well.

Imogen was the only member of The Hand left here. Nismera had the others shipped off and sold to the highest bidder for battles or gods-knew-what. Imogen stood stiffly near one of the orc generals, staring straight ahead. Nivene was his name.

“He’s so puny.” Isaiah sighed next to me. “It couldn’t have been pleasurable.” I glanced at Isaiah. He studied Jiraiya with a predator’s intent before glancing at Imogen again. “Why do you care?” “Call it curiosity.” He shrugged.

worried about imgoens sex life ??? oh isaiah

“Says the one who turned and fucked Samkiel’s mate.” My nostrils flared, which only garnered a grin from him. If I could punch him without pissing off Nismera, I would.

“Cameron is in the low levels still.” I folded my arms as I leaned back, at least attempting to pay attention.

“Good luck telling her that.” “Cameron is the only other one I made like her in a thousand years. I’ve tried. I just end up with beasts.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, along with the hint of amusement and the tiny flame of pride at just what she could still accomplish. 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.”

“One can go insane with grief to the point of not existing, or they can rage and burn worlds, and it seems she has chosen the latter.” Nismera prattled on. “This is why I wanted her dead the second he was, or better yet, dead long before. Do you see the problem, Kaden? Your wishes to keep her will likely result in an uprising.”

“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.”

why is isaiah adorable

“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.”

I coughed a laugh as he kneeled and grabbed me by my hair, ripping my head back. “Maybe I will start with the dark-haired one. What was his name? Xavier?” I was on my feet in the next second. Gasps overtook cheers as I rammed the jagged talons that replaced my nails through his chin. Pure hate oozed from his eyes, followed by blistering pain. I hoisted him up, my hand driving a fraction deeper, spearing through the fleshy tissue of his tongue. He glared at me and gripped my wrist with two hands while the others flailed, trying to fight me off. “I think you talk too much.” Fangs replaced my teeth, and I brought him closer. “Let me help you with that.” His pulse quickened, and his heartbeat was erratic. Blinding hunger

“You want me to be your little bitch? Fuck you. You turned me, left me to deal with the insatiable hunger, and above all, you let your bitch sister take Xavi.” Isaiah growled and stepped closer. Kaden raised his hand. “Stop your whining. You’ve been fed, and Xavi is not yours to keep. If you wished that, maybe you should have acted sooner.”

“You’re helping me find Dianna, little hunter. It isn’t a debate or question.” “So let me get this right. You killed her sister, gutted her mate to actual death, and now you want to find her to what? Make her love you again?” It was my turn to grin. “And you make quips about who I love.” Isaiah sighed. “I told you it was a stupid idea.” “Shut up,” Kaden snapped at him, and Isaiah only rolled his eyes. “You are actually fucking insane, Kaden.” I shook my head. “I didn’t believe it, but you really think that finding her will help you? You know she hates you just like everyone else?”

Sometimes, I didn’t know where I ended and he began, but I didn’t feel like wondering about it any longer. All I knew was the world faded away when we were together, and I would burn anyone and anything to ashes to keep it.

“Roccurem,” Samkiel said, but it was not the playful tone I heard mere seconds ago. Now, he was agitated. “Knocking is a pleasantry I’d like you to adopt.” I snickered as Samkiel shifted in the tub, trying to hide me behind his massive frame.

"Let it be known that I do not fear your wretched king. Know and tell all, I will hunt every being who wears her colors or screams her name in praise. I will feast on you and your loved ones, making you watch as I do it. Nismera will be a footnote in history, and all who follow her will die screaming."

"Like you once were?" My head tilted toward him. Reggie did not falter. "And I betrayed her for you." He did. He had when he helped me get to Samkiel and then in the tunnels. "I know. That's why you're still breathing," I said and moved to the balcony, stepping over the scattered food and broken plates.

"This family you found and grew to love, you truly believe they are gone and will do nothing?" No. I didn't. I felt… I sucked in a breath, trying to calm not only my nerves but my anger. "Don't do that!" I snapped back. "Do what?" he countered. "Act as if you don't know I killed Azrael because he couldn't be saved."

He loved them deeply. Maybe I was keeping him away from that pain. He had shielded me from such. How could I say I cared about him and not try to protect him, even if it made me seem heartless? I also knew the one harrowing truth that would make even Samkiel hate me if he knew of it.

A harsh laugh left me as I knelt. "Oh, I say, yeah, babe. So we had a mark. It only formed when you died, and I threatened the universe to get you back. It was there for a while, then disappeared, and fate and I have no idea what that means. Oh, by the way, did I mention you died?" I glared at Reggie as I stood up, making my way back inside to the trash.

"Resurrection is forbidden for a reason. It has not been performed for any reason. Even the strongest, most deadly necromancer can only revive tissue, not the soul. Who knows what it has done to you and him? What if it is not permanent? If he is not permanent?" "Don't," I said, unable to keep the growl from my voice. I wouldn't even allow myself to think about the possibility of that.

"My visions are sporadic. Some come in waves or fragments, but they are all broken." Dread clenched my gut, goosebumps flecking my skin. "What?"

"Perhaps I have just been in your presence for far too long." "If I'm your role model, you're definitely fucked." My chuckle made even fate's lips twitch.

"And nothing has changed. It's still that man sitting on that throne made of bones. All I see before I wake up is him beckoning me to him and then nothing." "Do you remember what he looks like? Perhaps a ruler of the Otherworld senses your power? Maybe he wishes for an alliance." I shivered, running my hands over my arms. "I don't know. All I remember is walking through the darkest part of the world. There's no noise, not even a breeze. It looks like a monstrous graveyard.

“Flame, your majesty.” “Fire? That’s… old.” “Old?” I raised a brow. She ignored my question, shooting a glance at the woman fluttering about near the fruits, something unspoken passing between them.

hmmmm

“I am not jealous. That would assume Roccurem is better than me, which he isn’t.” She barked a small laugh. “There’s that cocky god we all adore.” I rolled my shoulders. “I’m mildly annoyed at best.” “Okay.” She snorted. “Whatever you say.”

“They say you are a terrifying beast,” I whispered, and an edge of red ringed her deep brown irises. “That you can shape to any form and feed on the very lifeblood that keeps us all breathing.” “Do they?” A corner of her full lips tipped up, and she leaned in closer. “Flattery will get you everywhere, princess.”

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.

It turned from me and focused on him, latching onto the jar closest to him. The sound it made had my skin crawling. I stepped closer to him. “Does it think we are poisoned?” “No, I believe it senses power as well. Most creatures above a certain rank or order can.”

oh shit