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

by Amber V. Nicole

“I thought I heard a fucking hurricane, but it was just you two having sex?”

“Think of the children, Dianna,” Cameron scoffed before pointing to himself. “And the sexless.”

“There are far worse things within and past our stars than Death.”

“You’re going to kill a ghost? Okay.” Cameron shrugged. “I’d expect no less, honestly.

“You two are insane. But that is probably why we are family.”

There were no limits to what I would do or give up for him. I’d be the monster they feared, and I’d relish in it.

I don’t know what we enjoyed more, fucking or fucking each other’s faces. Maybe both. Definitely both.

I was the master of my own making, my own fate. No one would ever use me again.

“That was the hottest sex we’ve ever had,” I panted. “Literally. The entire floor and part of your desk are burned.”

“Music is one thing that transcends the stars. You can find it in every culture, upon every tongue. Even the dead that make up my kingdom sing a tune.”

“You are cruel,” I spat. “Says one of the cruelest creatures who has ever lived,” Death snarled back,

“You are so fractured, and nothing helped, did it? Nothing fixed what ached and bled in your soul, not until…”

And the jewel was really big and shiny, and I liked staring at it, and if he chipped it, I’d chip him.

“Then trust me when I say I am the only scary thing you have to worry about, and I will protect my family with everything I have.” I held out my hand. “Pinky promise.”

“Everything around you is a weapon. There are no rules for survival. You fight dirty and do whatever is necessary so that you walk away. We are not only surrounded by monsters but also seasoned, battleworn warriors. Warriors are trained to follow a code. That is a weakness that can be used against them because we are not bound by honor.”

Love seemed like such a simple word for what I felt. I’d give my last breath if it meant he existed. Dying for him would be easy. I remade myself for him, gave my life, and burned away my celestial blood until only the Ig’Morruthen beneath my skin lived. Love? No, it had been more than love for a while now. My only regret in all of it was that I feared he would never know.

No one, immortal or not, wishes to be alone forever. No matter what they say.”

“Look around the room. There are those dancing because they love that music has returned. Others are cuddling because they love one another and need to touch. Even the forest outside sings for its love of the night. Wars have begun and ended because of love. I’ve seen warriors fall on blades in its name. It makes immortality less dull and brings meaning to those who visit the veil sooner than us. It makes life sweet and gives us something to long for, hope for, to hold on to, and if you’re lucky enough, something that won’t fade.”

“Time itself cannot touch it. Death cannot separate it. It is the most powerful force in the world, far outweighing any crown or throne. Immeasurable. Inescapable. All-consuming. It is past want or need. Its only wish is to consume those who share it. Why wouldn’t one wish for it? Everything loves something, even the cruelest among us. I think it would be the definition of tragedy never to feel love at all.”

“Honestly,” Cameron said, his voice cracked and raw, “this isn’t the strangest thing I’ve walked in on the two of you doing.”

All are equal in the kingdom of the dead.”

“It’s better to die by what you think is right than to live under a lie.”

I was what she called the bad man. I was the villain in everyone’s story, and when I died in truth, that would be my legacy.

Her smile was so unkind and uncaring that I wondered if evil had always lived beneath it.

I know where your anger comes from and why it burns so hot. You love aggressively and angrily sometimes, but you still love.

Their eyes caught on the chains still hanging from my wrists and dangling toward the ground. “It was a very kinky conversation between friends, but here we are.”

“You save her every day and more than you will ever know.”

We were all shaped by our experiences, but at some point, we had to decide what it made us, what kind of sharp instrument it turned us into. Perhaps true strength lies in the moments when the world tosses us into the fire and we emerge unscathed. Anger and hate came easily, but kindness after the world tried to break you was a mark of true strength.

They may be monsters, but they were at least the monsters that I knew.

I may be a god, but you are the altar at which I worship.”

God bless Samkiel

Anything you want, Dianna, merely ask, and I’ll carve the universe into atoms to make it so.”

“They whisper your name like a curse through these realms, Ayla.

“Words mean nothing when you don’t respect those who toss them.

“You and I both know not all monsters need horns nor fangs to be one, Ayla. Some manage perfectly without.”

“Go on,” Samkiel said, his voice thick and heavy, cutting through the room like a blade. “Threaten my wife and brothers again.”

I'm more turned on about the brothers' mention tbh

Dianna did not need a blade. She was a weapon made of pretty flesh.

“If I have to choose between the world and my brother, it will be you.”

Awwwwww Kaden big broooooo <3

If I were being honest with myself, I had loved her for a thousand years and would love her far longer.

Her body was already healing, but I didn’t want to cause her more pain. I had done enough of that to last both of our lifetimes ten times over.

Isaiah made a rude gesture in his direction, which Cameron returned. I swore that if they weren’t mortal enemies and Isaiah a complete and utter psychopath, they would probably be best friends.

Love will not save you. It makes you irrational, stupid, and above all, easy to manipulate,”

At my core, I was simple and without subtlety, nothing more than a berserker, and never more so than when he was threatened.

“What is it you want out of this? We both know you don’t do anything without gaining something in return. So, if this is your master plan, what do you gain?” Kaden didn’t hesitate as he said, “You alive.”

“Are these silk?” I asked her, craning my neck to look at the ties. “Yes, do you like them?” She all but beamed as she practically rode Samkiel in front of me.

“It’s Dianna, actually.” I smiled back. “Or, please don’t burn me alive, depending on who you ask.”

He answers to one queen, and you are not it.”

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.

Dianna does that. She shows up, and gods above and below, she refuses to leave, to give up. She is light, Samkiel. I know you felt it too, because I did. When I met her, it was as if she chased every gods damn demon I had, and I fell. Hard.

That’s exactly what I felt. Dianna crashed into my life and saved me in more ways than one. She woke me up and made me care again. Made me love.

His head tilted slightly. “Look, I know we’ve been friends forever, but I just don’t see you like that, buddy. I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re the whole package. I’m just⁠—”

Cam being Cam