Kingdom of the Cursed (Kingdom of the Wicked, #2)

by Kerri Maniscalco

On an unusually chilly summer eve, amidst a howling storm, twins arrived. It was not the start of an enchanted fairy tale, however. Those who’d been watching, waiting, recognized it for the omen it was. One would forfeit her mortal life, the other would sell her soul. Coven elders argued the hows and whys, but all agreed on one fact: the twins marked the start of dark days. Now, as one turned to fury and eyed the devil’s throne, and the other lay heartless, surrounded by death, others whispered of a new prophecy—one that damned both witches and demons alike.

“From this day forward, a curse will sweep through this land. You will forget all but your hate. Love, kindness, every good thing in your world will cease. One day that will change. When you know true happiness, I vow to take whatever you love, too.”

His penetrating gaze was already trained on me. That same cold look on his face. I wanted to claw out his heart and stomp on it to get some hint of an emotion. Anything would be better than the icy indifference he now wore so well. He’d turned on me the second it suited his needs. He was a selfish creature. Just like Nonna had warned. And I’d been a fool to believe otherwise.

My pulse ticked faster the longer our gazes remained locked in battle. His hold on me tightened slightly, and it was only then that I realized I was clasping his hand in a white-knuckled grip. I dropped it and stepped away.

“It’s the place stars fear to enter,” he whispered near my ear, his warm breath a severe contrast against the frosty air. I shuddered. “But never the devil. Darkness is seduced by him. As is fear.”

“Take me to see Pride. I’m tired of your company.” The ground rumbled below us. “Your pride didn’t appear in that bone circle the night you spilled blood and summoned me. It was your wrath. Your fury.”

I gave him a dazzling smile, letting myself imagine how good it would feel when I finally destroyed him. His expression shuttered and he inclined his head—as if reading my every thought and emotion and silently vowed to do the same. In this hatred we were united.

“Turn around.” “Try not to look too thrilled, or I might think you like me.” “Count your blessings. My liking you would be a dangerous thing.” I snorted. “Why? Would you ruin me for all other demon princes?” “Something close.”

I liked his arm on my body, the weight and feel and scent of him curled around me like a python. I wanted him to claim me, almost as much as I wanted him to be mine. The instant that thought came, he stopped breathing steadily.

“While your current illusion sounds wildly interesting,” Wrath’s silky voice came from across the small enclosure, “you might want to put your clothes on. The temperature is well below freezing now.”

LMFAOOO NO FUCKING WAY

“That wasn’t real… any of it?” “One thing I can promise,” his voice was deep and sensual in the dark, “is you won’t ever doubt it’s real when I touch you.”

Screamingggg

I dreamed of a vicious, violent murder. And a beautiful woman with starlight eyes, screaming a curse of vengeance into the darkest of nights. Most disturbing of all, it felt as if I knew her. And her curse had been directed at me.

“I was under the impression you weren’t interested in kissing someone you hate,” he said coolly. “Am I to believe you’d be all right bedding them now?”

“Let me clear up any confusion. You’re very enjoyable to look at. And on some occasions where logic fails I may desire you, but I’ll never love you. Enjoy last night’s illusion—a fantasy is all it was and all it will ever be.” He gave me a mocking smile as he replaced his crown. “We’ll see about that.”

“You said you wouldn’t.” “Wouldn’t what?”

“Take care of me. You said you wouldn’t…”

From somewhere far away, I could have sworn he whispered, “I lied.”

“Why are you even still here? I thought you’d leave the second you gained your freedom. Have you not tormented me enough? Or is your duty not completely fulfilled until my marriage is consummated? If that’s what you’re waiting for, I’m sure Pride will invite you into the room to bear witness, ensuring I lay back and take it like a good little queen.” If hatred could be captured with one look, he’d mastered it.

looked down at my inked arm. I’d thought the matching tattoos would vanish when I’d cast a spell of un-making to end the betrothal that same night. They didn’t. Despite the broken magic, they kept growing like seeds that had been planted and tended.

Perhaps I should be worried about you panting at my bedroom door before the feast.” “We do wear wolf masks, but there will be no panting from me. Unless you ask nicely.”

Wrath leaned in and skimmed his knuckles over my neck, his voice as soft as his touch. Whatever magic fueled his summoning Mark instantly calmed me. “Ready?”

Wrath leaned in, his lips almost brushing the shell of my ear and I felt him smile. His voice was low enough so only I heard him. “One word and I’ll send them away.” Temptation flared. “Do I appear that nervous?” “I’m fairly confident what I’m sensing has nothing to do with nerves.”

“I am even more interested in where this may lead, my lady. You forget what sin I rule over. I am rather fond of a bit of knife-play.”

“You are not his intended, Emilia.” The world beneath me tilted. Wrath’s gaze was steady enough to keep both my knees and the realm from quaking. “You are mine.”

“Yes. I am to be your husband.” “My husband. You, not Pride.”

I wore no diadem or tiara, but Wrath had dressed me in his signature black and gold. It was his way of showing this court where I truly belonged. At his side.

“If we decide to consummate our marriage, it will not be in my brother’s home, for mere moments. You deserve better than that.”

“It takes enormous strength to acknowledge your limits, Emilia.” His hand trailed from my temple to my chin, then gently lifted it so I looked at him. “A true leader delegates. Just as you’re doing now. Never doubt your courage. I certainly don’t.”

“Did it feel as it did in the Crescent Shallows?” “Almost. It felt incredible, for a mere moment. Then I awoke.” “Before you climaxed?” “I… believe so.” “Allow me the honor of making that up to you now.” He didn’t move right away, and I realized he was

In one swift motion Wrath stood, bringing us both to our feet. I spun around, staring at him. He was wholly unreadable. “Training? That’s how you’d describe what just happened?” “You asked for seduction. I obliged.” He bent at the waist, offering a polite bow. “Now that you know what you enjoy, you may find the same pleasure at your own hand. Good night.”

“What I may be searching for is none of your concern.” “Everything in this castle is my concern. You, especially.” “I do not press or pry into your plans. I expect the same courtesy.” “Even if I’ve come to offer assistance?” “After our last ‘lesson,’ I was under the impression you wished for me to take matters into my own hands from now on. Quite literally.”

YUUUUUUP

“Call it selfish. But I do not want there to be any outside forces driving you into my arms.” He tilted my face up, his lips hovering above mine. “When you decide to come to my bedchamber, I want you to know whose sheets you’re climbing between. I want you to call out my name.”

“Emilia.” He turned a sluggish gaze on me, eyes flashing with fury. And betrayal. The temperature plummeted around us, then returned to normal as he battled an invisible foe fiercely before slowly slumping back. The mighty demon of war was no longer a threat.

NOOOOO

“In some mortal religions, apples are said to be the forbidden fruit.” Wrath paused for less than a heartbeat, but I’d been paying close attention. He did not lift his attention from his mission.

I SWEAR

“I don’t know how you’ve fooled humanity for so long, but it’s as Envy said. You are the most skilled liar of all. Samael.”

I am such an idiot. She literally called him that jokingly in book 1.

Wrath was the devil. The evil feared the world over.

No wonder the mortal world confused the two princes so easily—Pride and Wrath certainly shared a lot of similarities.

“You came here, believing you’d be Queen of the Wicked. That is all true. If you choose to complete our marriage bond, you will be not simply my queen, but the queen.”

Maybe—unlike what Nonna claimed about our amulets hiding us from the devil—my cornicello, his wings, had actually been used to keep my power in check, not his. And if that were true, then perhaps Wrath took my amulet not only for his benefit but for mine.