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

by Amber V. Nicole

“Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath.”

How many years had it been since I’d shut myself away? I had lost count.

It was a world filled with life—and yet I felt nothing. I felt so disconnected from everything.

I do not know who I am anymore.”

I felt nothing. I hadn’t felt anything in years, and I knew what it was, knew what was happening to me. The worst part was that a part of me didn’t care.

They had not done her justice. The grainy images had not captured the extraordinariness of her.

She was captivating.

I was the World Ender.

Who had made him hot? Why was he hot now?

“Hello, lover. I missed you, too,”

“You will, or I will carry you myself.” The corner of her lips raised as she glared up at me. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Even if it was said with a growl, the sound of my name coming from him made my breath catch.

We glared at each other, another battle of wills taking place between us.

He smiled, and my breath caught at the devastating beauty of it.

I couldn’t stop myself from flexing my fingers against all that hot solid muscle.

Liam’s irritation a familiar comfort in a sea of agony.

He was gorgeous,

but Liam naked was a work of fucking art.

Liam hurting made me feel things I would rather avoid.

“Besides, I cannot lose you.”

“You are absolutely tormenting. You realize that, correct?” “I love it when you flirt with me.”

“I pinkie-promise that I will never abandon you, Your Highness.”

“Very well. Pinkie promise.” It was so strange to hear the words leave his lips that I actually smiled.

I grabbed his hands and clasped them in mine. I didn’t realize how much bigger his hands were compared to mine until I held them.

Well, if anyone could corrupt a god, it would be you.”

She was stunning. A dark goddess brought to life.

“I am sorry.”

She roused emotions in me that made me forget what she was and what she was capable of.

“Nobody knows. Just you,”

It was another reminder that being around her made me feel when nothing and no one else had been able to reach me.

“It’s okay to not be okay, Liam.”

She was my enemy, yet my enemy was the only one who seemed to understand me and the demons I fought.

“It’s okay to not be okay.”

And while we’re together, you can share your burdens with me. I promise not to judge or ridicule or make you feel less than because of them. Your burdens become my burdens.”

“There is only one bed.”

I could tell she was focused intently on me.

Her eyes softened as a smile lit up her face. I froze, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. I had never seen her truly smile—not a real one. It brightened her face, making her seem almost godlike.

I felt my lips tip in a small smile. Dianna’s eyes flicked toward them, a brief look of shock appearing in their depths.

“I am not worried about you hurting me.”

“Can I touch you?”

I felt her fingers comb through my hair. My eyes flew open, and she gave me a small, gentle smile.

and this other emotion was one I wasn’t familiar with. It was something warm and happy, but also sharp and painful.

I had lived alone with a harrowing emptiness for so long that I wasn’t sure what to do with warmth and peace.

The words could not encompass the feelings, and we shared ...

Her fingers were a repeated dance against my scalp that I soon memorized.

“Thank you, Liam.” Her fingers threaded through my hair once more. “You are welcome. I have not talked to anyone in… Well, I cannot remember the last time.” “Well, you can talk to me,

I do not remember how long it took me or if we continued to talk, but sleep came, and the nightmares did not.

“Rise and shine, Your Royal Highness,”

“Hey, sleeping beauty.”

He was the most beautiful and annoying thing I had ever seen.