The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1)

by Carissa Broadbent

The king did not know then that his greatest love would also be his ruination—nor that either would come in the form of a tiny, helpless human child.

I loved it—really, truly loved it—when they underestimated me.

Vampires were the children of the goddess of death. So it was a bit funny to me that they feared it just as much as humans did.

At least in this, we were the same. At least we’re all fucking cowards in the end.

“You’re sweet,” she said. “Prickly, but sweet. In an acidic sort of way. Like… like a pineapple.” Despite myself, the corner of my mouth twisted. “A pineapple?” What a ridiculous word. Knowing her, she probably made it up.

“Don’t skewer yourself with that stick up your ass,”

Yet as I grew older, I learned that being ruthless was not the same thing as being fearless.

Vampires killed their parents for power, then crippled their own children to keep them from doing the same.

Death isn’t frightening when weighed against an insignificant existence.”

You were supposed to leave. You were supposed to leave, you stupid, stubborn old bitch.

Do you really think you’ll survive another night here? It’s almost dawn now, but after that? Your scent is all over the Moon Palace right now. I could smell you even from the east tower. And let me tell you, you smell fucking delicious. You need to stop that bleeding, fast.”

“What in the seven fucking hells is wrong with you?”

He smiled. It was the sort of smile that no doubt loosened undergarments and opened throats all over Obitraes.

Raihn’s rust-red eyes crinkled with amusement. “It’s satisfying to shock you, princess.”

“I have no regrets. I’d throw you out that window again.” “Oh, I know, princess. I know.”

But all living creatures desire. Is that weakness?

“Look, you are many things, princess. But a good actress is not one of them. Now let’s go. We’re losing moonlight.”

“Impressive,” I said. “Thank you. I’ve had plenty of practice drinking terrible alcohol.” “Not that.” I gestured broadly to him, up and down. “That.” His eyebrow twitched. “I’ve had a lot of practice on my physique, too. I didn’t think you’d noticed.” I scoffed, then leaned closer. “You are a very good actor, is what I mean.

“You alright?” I asked. “Define ‘alright.’” “Alive.” He scoffed. “Glad you have such high standards.”

“What’s that?” “Nothing. A little cut.” “What happened, Oraya?”

Because he looked at me in sheer awe—like I was the most incredible thing he had ever seen. Like I was a fucking goddess.

“You might destroy me anyway.” I saw it here, in this moment. Want. Desire.

“That wasn’t how I’d imagined making you come for the first time,” he remarked.

His eyes sparkled with amusement. “You’re grinning like a little child.” I scowled, and he chuckled. “Oh, never mind. There she is.”

“Careful, princess,” he said at last, his voice rough. “Someone might think you’re actually nice.”

My hips rolled—I couldn’t help it, not with the rigid length of his desire right there—and Raihn let out a serrated hiss against my throat.

“That face. There she is.” “Fuck you,” I managed. “You wish I would.”

“Sleep,” he said. “Let yourself recover.” Sleep. Sleep sounded good. Not as good as sex. But good.

“You are the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen, Oraya.”

“Where did this come from?” “What does it matter?” “It matters. Him?”

First blood, then sex. Maybe I was more vampire than I thought, after all.

“We’ll probably die tomorrow,” I said. “Show me something worth living for.”

“Don’t tell me it’s time to go.” “We have a few more hours.” He stretched. “Wonderful. Not ready for death just yet. Maybe after I watch you come one more time I will be.”

“So don’t you fucking dare stop fighting, princess. It would break my damned heart.”

“It has been a pleasure, princess,” he said. I watched his lips curl. Mother, those perfect lips. I thought about kissing him one last time. Thought about winding my arms around his neck and never letting go. Dragging him back to bed and refusing to leave. At least we’d die happy when Nyaxia struck us down. I did none of those things. I didn’t know how Raihn could possibly call me brave. I was a fucking coward.

I wanted it to all be a lie. But it was not a lie. In this moment I recognized, with unmistakable clarity, that Raihn was in love with me.