More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“He claimed to have seen a tiny serpent-like creature housed within an apple.” “He was murdered for observation of a worm?”
“Any god or devil foolish enough to lay claim to you will suffer my unforgiving wrath. You are mine, Farryn. Mine. There is no compromise, no bargain that could possibly change what has already been decided. Understand?”
“Don’t try to fight me, Farryn. I will devour every one of your senses until all you know is my voice and my touch.”
“There is a belief that reality is what we choose to see, even if it doesn’t seem real to the rest of the world. Even if all of this is a lie, it doesn’t matter. If ever your eyes should deceive you, though, and you’re scared of not knowing what is real and what isn’t, speak the words and I will bring you back.”
“Given my voracious appetite when it comes to you, Miss Ravenshaw, I’d advise against touching me that way.” His voice carried a husky rasp of desperation. “Unless you’d prefer this pretty dress of yours in shreds on the floor.”
“You are the only creature in all five realms who will ever bring me to my knees.”
With a huff that I took as disapproval, she sat back and crossed her fingers in her lap. “Yes. Said he had to look into acquiring new staff. Strange, he usually has me take care of that for him.” He didn’t want to risk that the murderer he bought to babysit his pregnant girlfriend would decide to kill you on the ride back.
Watching the guard reluctantly unshackle her from the wall, I chuckled. “I’ve a feeling she’d sever your nuts, if you went anywhere near her.” “It’s true,” she said. “I actually have a collection of demon nuts. Wanna see it?”
“Oh, God.” “Say His name again, and I will fuck it out of your vocabulary.”
Cupping my jaw, he tipped my head back to meet his fiery, dauntless gaze. “I will tell you this. Nothing would stop me from diving into that flame alongside you. Whatever fate awaited you would be mine.”
“Undoubtedly so. I intend to meet with the Noxerians, to see if I can offer a trade.” “It’d have to be a damn enticing one.” “Perhaps an Elysiumerian angel?” Vaszhago’s lips stretched to a grin. “I don’t know why I ever tried to kill you. Seems we would’ve gotten along swimmingly.”
Soreth’s gaze followed the path of the blade, and on a gasp, he jumped back when he caught sight of what had tried to attack him. “What in the unholy scriptures was that abomination!” “There are times when the Lord grants acceptance of the word fuck, and I’m certain this is one of them.” I slid my blade from the creature’s throat, and it fell into a pile of white flesh onto the cave floor. “I believe you’re right. What in the fuck was that?”
“Sounds like a good plan.” “’Kay. Let’s get this bitch over with. I drank about a gallon of water before bed, and I’m going to have to piss soon. Not sure I trust the bathrooms here.”
“You are not alone. I will come for you in the darkness. And I will bring you back into the light.”
“You’ve killed us all. Every realm will suffer.” I turned to find Bishop Venable stumbling out from the other side of the armoire, his hand cupping his bloody groin. “You cannot defeat Letifer.” “Don’t you ever just fucking die?”
“There is only one way out of this labyrinth, and by the Holy Father, I swear that, if you do not destroy this heart, we will all perish.” “Good thing I don’t believe in your god,”
The old woman’s smile widened even more. “It seems I miscalculated your love for this woman and your loyalty to the heavens. After all, what kind of hero hands the key to the barren world over to a witch?” “The kind who does not choose anyone else over the woman he loves.” On a dark chuckle, she backed herself away from me, straight into the flames.
“I would kill him again, if I could. Over and over. When I heard your screams …” He shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck, torment and pain darkening his gaze. “There is no corner of Hell I wouldn’t cross for you. No severity of pain I wouldn’t suffer. But when he hurt you …” His brow flickered, jaw clenched with anger. “I realized just how weak and vulnerable I could be.”
Yet, through tears, I smiled. “I love you.” He cupped my face, stroking his thumb over my cheekbone, his expression wary. “Whatever wretched and vile thing lives beneath this flesh and these bones belongs to you. I am yours eternally. And you are mine.”
“In my language, we call it amreloc. It happens with the joining of souls. You are now mine. Officially.” “I’m claimed?” I shook my head. “I thought you had to do that in public?” “I claim you the way I want to claim you. And anyone who doubts it can fuck off.”
“See, I’d given up hunting souls a long time ago, but when I found out what you did to Catriona, well, I decided to come out of retirement for one last hurrah.” “Who? Who told you this?” “Her name is Farryn Ravenshaw.” From the holster at his hip, he pulled a vicious-looking dagger, with curled serrated edges undoubtedly designed for tearing away flesh. “So when I’ve had my fill of your screams and decide to run this blade through you one last time, to send you into Voltusz, it’s her you can thank for it.”
“Personally, I think they should make you king, or something.” “I’d be a horrible, selfish king.” He ran his hand across my thigh, and my muscles clenched, primed and titillated by his touch. “Ignoring all my responsibilities to keep my queen happy.” “Your queen is happier than she’s ever been.” “And so shall it be for eternity.” Cupping my cheek, he leaned forward and kissed me. “Eternity.”
My definition of love had evolved into a multifaceted enigma, with endless planes sharp enough to cut me open, but strong enough to heal. From the heights of ecstasy to the abysmal depths of crushing pain, it was the most exquisite dichotomy. The only thing in the world which had the power to transcend time and death. And how fortunate I was to have found it twice: In life and the after.
