The Book of Azrael (Gods & Monsters, #1)

by Amber V. Nicole

“I am not comfortable being out in public. I detest large crowds and would much rather be by myself.

“Want me to set them on fire?”

HAHHAHAHAA

They’re not staring because they know you as an ancient warrior king, or for the battles you’ve fought or the ones you’ve lost. That’s all in your head. They’re staring because they think you’re gorgeous.”

“Yeah, you know. Attractive, good-looking, desirable.” That seemed to click in his godly brain, because the corner of his mouth twitched. “Especially when you smile.”

His eyes bored into mine a fraction of a second too long. “Pity. I wouldn’t share.”

“If I had the choice, and I had to choose, I would want an equal. A partner in every aspect of my life, like what my father and mother shared.”

“I will not let him have you.”

I paid for Gabby’s life and freedom with blood. You and I both know that I’m covered in it.”

“I know I am not a good person.” She paused and let out a short, humorless laugh. “Gods, I’m not a person at all anymore. I know my fate, and it’s one I deserve, but Gabby is innocent. She always has been. I may have been the strong one who stole so we could eat, the one who fought so we could live, but she held me together. Her only fault is that she loves me. Even when I was at my worst and lowest, she never stopped loving me. She deserves to be happy. I’ve chained her to this life for too long. So, promise me. If something goes wrong and I don’t make it, promise me you will keep her safe. Please. Just promise me.”

She was silently pleading, desperately begging me to keep her sister safe. I decided then and there that this woman should never beg. I understood she cared for her sister, but who cared for her? At that moment, she seemed so innocent. She was not the vicious, fire-wielding beast I had first met. She was just a girl who had been born into chaos. Kaden had backed her into a corner, her choices taken until she had reformed herself into a weapon. She had become what she needed to be to protect the only person who still saw good in her.

Not able to bear the sight of her so alone in the dark, I reached out and took her hand the same way she had done mine during my night terrors. It had comforted me, and I wanted to do the same for her.

“I promise to make sure Gabby is safe. I also promise that he will never lay a hand on you again. If he even tries to take you away, I promise I’ll make him regret ever being born.”

PAK HEM

“You know way too much of me.

“You’re sweet when you’re homicidal.”

I didn’t remember how long we talked, but somewhere amidst her laughter and smiles, I decided I would rip the world apart for her.

“You already consume my every waking thought. Must you consume my dreams as well?”

I had a more intimate connection with him than I’d had with any man I’d slept with.

“You do not do that to me.”

He is so jelly

You seem to be the only one I can stand to be around.”

I smiled and held out my pinkie, and he grasped it with his. The act was so pure, yet it sent a small bolt of electricity to my very core.

“It is not about possession.” His brows furrowed as he looked down at me. “I worry about you.”

Time passed, yet it had no meaning when I was with him—and that terrified me.

Oh. My. God.

Don’t be the one to make her fall if you have no intention of catching her.”

“I am sorry for how I acted and have been acting. There is too much happening at the moment with me, and I am letting things bother me. I allowed people who mean nothing to get to me. You have helped me tremendously since we first started. I truly do appreciate it, and you. I am sorry.”

Dianna, you are already dangerous. Now let’s make you lethal.”

The point is that Dianna does not deserve to be spoken to like that or treated as just a conquest. She is not an object for you and Kaden to haggle over. So, no, I do not like you, nor will I pretend to be your friend. The only reason I have not killed you yet is that I promised Dianna I would be on my best behavior. Even if she hates me at the moment, I will not go back on my word.”

I have always been a weapon for my throne, my kingdom, and my family. The Gods War started because of me. My world is gone because of me. How is there any room left in me to love?”

“Don’t you know? Love is the purest form of destruction there is.”

It explained so much. Why Dianna was the way she was. Why she would never give up on those she held close to her. She’d been a fighter from the very beginning. Incredible. She was incredible.

Because I have every part of you memorized.

“Please, don’t feed his ego. It’s already big enough.”

Liam kissed goddesses, not monsters.

I couldn’t kiss him, but for a completely different reason. I knew it would end me, and I would be lost. There was a part of me so hungry and desperate for his touch that I didn’t dare acknowledge it.

I had fallen for someone who had no intention of catching me.

“You’re so weak. You had to bind me to beat me. Some man.”

He would die screaming for what he’d done to her.

“Not her! We need her!”

You mean you need her???

For a moment, I, slayer of beasts, destroyer of worlds, feared her.

I knew nothing of love, but I knew I wanted her, needed her, and dreamed of her. It was the most inappropriate and irresponsible thing I could ever want for myself. I just wanted to feel, and a single touch from her set my body alight. I wanted her hands on every part of me, and I wanted it more than I had ever wanted anything. It was the most selfish desire in the world, but I wanted her more than a crown, more than a throne, more than air.

“He plans to rip everyone to pieces to get back what is his. You understand that?”

For Dianna, I could do anything.

Dianna was worth it, and I would risk it all for her.

“You told me to go to bed, so that’s what I am doing.”

Death would be a kindness once I was finished with him.

“You came for me,”

“Hey, look at me. You would have to be an ignorant fool not to think you are anything but extraordinary, Dianna.”

I may not have the words to do justice to her or what I was feeling, but I knew if she would let me, I would happily spend a millennium trying.

A part of my soul had been waiting for this woman, and one kiss from her had undone me.

A voice I couldn’t ignore quietly insisted that she was what I had been missing. It’s her. It’s her. It’s her.

“Because I could not lie there, close to you, and not wish to be inside you.”