The Wrath of the Fallen (Gods & Monsters, #4)

by Amber V. Nicole

For in a war between gods, no one wins.”

I considered changing forms, especially since I had to wrap my damn tail around me to avoid squishing anyone, but I was a bitch who loved dramatics.

"If I ever give you children and you speak to me or them that way, I'll cut your cock off, fry it, and feed it to you." Samkiel coughed around his hand at my very vulgar threat. "Is everything all right?" Lord Iver asked, turning fully to us as his wife and young child left. "Yes," Samkiel said, his leg brushing mine. "I'd kiss the ground you walk on if you gave me such a gift." "You already do. Do something else."

"I don't find quips or innuendos about my wife humorous, Iver, and if you make crude comments about her again, I will no longer concern myself with being your ally. I will have your head, and then I will have your city."

"My apologies to you, Your Highness," Iver said, and I didn't detect a hint of sarcasm. "Don't apologize to me," Samkiel said, his lethally calm tone at odds with the powerful storm building outside. "Apologize to her."

My marriage to Dianna was not arranged. I married her because I love her. Whether she be Ig'Morruthen, god, celestial, or mortal, my love and devotion to her would not change. So, no, it is not for power. And might I remind you, my sister and her rebellion destroyed Rashearim," Samkiel said. "She and other traitorous gods who wished for Unir's throne, not my wife."

“Dianna is not these realms’ enemy, but if their mistreatment of her continues, I shall be.”

“Give me your pain as you give me your love,” he said, placing my hand against his chest. “Let me carry it as you do, so you’ll never be alone with it.”

“I wish for control again.” “Control me then. Whatever you wish.” His thumb traced my cheek. “I am only ever yours to command.”

“Burn me alive if you must. I’d gladly die by your kiss.”

“On your knees,” I said, licking at the swell of his bottom lip. “Kneel for me as I have for you.” “For eternity if you wish it.”

Having the World Ender on his knees, feasting between my legs like a starving man, filled the void that having my power stripped from me had created.

“That’s my girl,” he groaned. “Whatever you need, take it from me.”

“Please don’t stab me in the balls,” he whispered. I winked at him, twirling my dagger. “I’d never hurt my most prized possessions.”

He picked up his glass and smirked at me before tapping my nose. “A terror like you, but not as constant.”

“Fuck me, akrai.” He moaned. “Fuck me like you hate me.”

“You’re so jealous at times. It truly pisses me off,” he said, pulling me against him. “But it also makes me crazy for you.”

“How many more ways can I show you I belong to you and only you? How many words do you need? Ask and I will provide.”

“Shall I tell you that if the ancients asked me of love, I’d merely have to whisper your name?” Another finger joined the first, and when he curved them, my back pressed against the wall as I became lost to pure hot rapture. “You own me, complete me, and if you think you’re jealous,”

“Say my name,” he demanded. His fingers curved just right, and I almost screamed. “Please akrai. Free me from this torment.”

Dianna was fighting, and gods, I loved her even more. My reckless, beautiful woman feared none and fought brutally for my safety, just as I would hers.

“You, like so many others before, underestimate just how strong my Dianna is. It will be your undoing.”

“What do you think your enemies will say when they discover the great and powerful World Ender likes to cuddle?” His laugh rumbled in his chest, and I felt it where he was pressed against my back. “Take it to your grave.”

“In life or death, I am yours.” He smiled, gripping my pinky and placing a kiss on our conjoined fingers.

“He overpowered me in every way, and if I’d fought back, I would have hurt you. I’d never allow that. I will never raise my hand to you in such a way, no matter the circumstance. When it comes to you, I’ll always choose you, no matter the consequences. The world can burn, and the realms can fall to destruction. If there is ever a choice between the two, I need you to know that neither the crown nor the throne means anything to me. None of it would matter without you. It’s always you. You are my priority. I may be a god, but you are the altar at which I worship.”

“I know we joked about it before, but I’d want that with you. A family, if you so wish it. Anything you want, Dianna, merely ask, and I’ll carve the universe into atoms to make it so.”

“I have lived an entirely long time, seen realms rise and fall, but I think I’ve always been a ghost. Never really there, I just moved through life waiting for something that would make me feel alive, make it all worth it. I wasn’t living without you, akrai, and I wouldn’t choose to remain without you.”

“You are about…” I paused, counting how long it had been since she crashed into my life. “A year and six months too late for that. I decided a long time ago I would rip the world apart for you, alive or dead. You only need to be threatened for me to start feeling murderous. So, in short, you shouldn’t have made me love you.”

“Make? You make it sound like I forced you.” “You did. I had no choice. You’re an evil, evil woman.” I shrugged. “I was merely a victim.”

“You’re right.” “Can I get that in writing?” “No.” She scowled playfully.

“Come with me, my queen of flame and ruin.”

When he placed a kiss on my knee, I realized he wasn’t just trying to arouse me. He was worshiping me, every part of my body, as if touching it, kissing it, made it real.

“Do you really think anyone has the power to take me from you? I like to stroke many things on you but not your ego, so trust me when I say there is no force as powerful in these realms or the next as you, my love.”

“I will protect all of you with my life.”

You, Dianna, are queen of not only Rashearim, but soon these realms, too. You bow to no one, understood?”

“Only my wife would stand up for me in a realm surrounded by enemies. You mad woman, my love for you knows no bounds.”

“Dianna owns my heart and my cock. You can have neither, and if you attempt to touch me again, I’ll stop worrying about a peace treaty with you. Now, get dressed. You’re insulting me and embarrassing yourself.”

“You’ve grown mean,” she sneered. “My wife is meaner. She’d scorch your flesh from your bones for your indiscretions,” I said, my tone ensuring she knew I meant every word. I leaned closer and whispered, “And I’d gladly let her.”

“And how do you plan to do that?” Dianna all but sneered. “Ask nicely? The only way it seems she would even entertain that prospect is if your cock is in her mouth, and then I’d kill you both, so it would be a moot point.” I sighed, and it was my turn to roll my eyes. “I’m not putting my cock in anyone’s mouth but yours, so stop.”

“Do you need to claim me?” I whispered against her lips. “Will that douse your ire?”

“I love you.” I pulled back, my lips only a breath from hers. “Only you. Until there is nothing left of me, and even then, my soul will still know yours.”

“My beautiful, beautiful, akrai.” My fingers brushed beneath her chin, tilting her face to mine. “There is nothing wrong with you or how you love. It is a gift I treasure more than a kingdom or a crown. So if you’re a fool, then I am as well. There’s no limit to what I’d do to protect you or your heart.”

The rightful queen had returned to these realms and, with her reign, they would either kneel or they would burn. Gods above and below, I fucking loved that woman.

I’d love her until my bones were ash. When my soul left this realm, and if Death was so kind as to allow us to start over, I’d find her in every life after and love her still.

“Like I have told you countless times before, I am still here. I shall always remain by your side, in life and death. I am yours until eternity ends.”

“If you’re about to argue with me, I have already lost, and you can have anything you wish.” I laughed. “That’s all it takes? Me being topless?” He looked as if I were insane and nodded. “I am but a weak man for you, akrai.”

She was not a monster. She was a dream, and I’d be a nightmare for her.

“Baby, you’re bleeding,” I said, my hand touching where he held his side. He groaned as he forced a half smile. “Sometimes that happens when you fight with swords.” “Ass.”