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

by Amber V. Nicole

“But she is with Kaden, yes?” “No.” Liam’s voice was a threatening growl. “I am not with Kaden, nor do I belong to him.”

Then it clicked: he was pissed about me calling him my friend earlier.

“That’s eight ways now, because when we leave here, I’m going to fuck the word friend out of your vocabulary.”

Gods, he hated that word.

Why did I find her so annoying? Was it because she’d hugged Liam? Was I that possessive?

I knew it. My instincts were on high alert, telling me I had to protect Liam, but I didn’t know why.

I had never considered his death. He was larger than life, indomitable, and irreplaceable. He was their king, yet his people had made something to kill him.

“I would love to see anyone try.” I turned, staring at Geraldo. “Now, that’s a threat.”

I didn’t know why I was suddenly so protective and possessive of Liam, and I wasn’t keen on exami...

“I won’t let that happen.” My eyes met his, my words a vow.

He had said those words to me several times, and he’d always kept his promise. It was Liam—annoying, beautiful, rude Liam. He’d told me of his nightmares, his past. He’d made me stupid dresses and given me flowers. He’d saved my life and kept me from being dragged back to Kaden. He saw me—the real me—and didn’t turn away. He had healed me.

I didn’t know when it had happened, but he was mine, and I would tear anyone who so much...

“I know.”

He strode toward me, and I couldn’t help my sigh of pleasure at watching him move.

“You’d be lost without me. You can say it. You’re welcome.”

“Well, if I knew you’d carry me, I would have said something a lot sooner.”

Liam looked at my already healed hand and pressed a kiss to my palm before releasing my wrist.

I stared at him, stunned anew at his beauty, and knew I would do just about anything to see him truly happy. I didn’t know how he had made it past my guard so quickly, but there was no doubt he had roused emotions in me that I thought I would never feel.

“We did it,” he said, slamming his lips against mine.

“No, we did it, Dianna. You’re right. You have always been right. I could not have done this without you,” he said, his eyes searching mine.

I wanted to remember every day I had spent with him, even back when we hated each other. My chest tightened, tears threatening to spill because I knew this was goodbye. “You promised.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“Maybe in another life,” I whispered against his lips.

He’d saved me. He always saved me.

“And what of yours, Dianna? You always do this! You willingly try to throw yours away as if it means nothing. As if you mean nothing.”

Then there was nothing. The world went completely silent without her.

I had cradled the empty shell that was Dianna, searching for the light in her gorgeous face. No longer would she laugh at the most inappropriate times. She wouldn’t correct me over the most idiotic things.

I had grown deeply attached to her.

She’d helped me in my darkest moments, steadily pulling me from that deep-seated hatred I felt for myself.

All I’d known was that I couldn’t lose her—not without fighting for her.

I had promised, and so I’d drawn a blade and sliced my palm to pour myself into her.

She couldn’t leave me ...

I had promised her.

It had worked, but I worried what the cost would be.

“You did the unthinkable, Liam.” “I know.”

“Do you love her?”

“It’s not an Ig’Morruthen; it’s Dianna. She was mortal at one time. Have some respect.”

She had sacrificed herself for me, for the world, and I’d resurrected her without a second thought.

I was as selfish and weak as they claimed, because I hadn’t brought her back for the world, or even for her. I brought her back because I didn’t think I could exist without her.

Dianna was worth it.

and I am not worth it, Dianna.”

“I would love to see the stars from here. I want to know if it’s just as pretty as in your dreams.”

“You are safe.”

“Does her resurrection…” Liam stopped, pain spreading across his face. “Is she okay?”

“She is not an abomination,” Liam seethed.

“She is not a creature, and if you speak to her like that again, there will be no more fates left in this universe or the next.”

“As long as I am here, nothing will happen to you. I promise—and I don’t need a pinkie for it.”

“The prophecy remains. One falls, one rises, and the end begins. It was foretold and will remain. One carved from darkness, one carved from light. The world will shudder.”

“Dianna.” Liam’s voice was but a whisper. The anguish that shone behind his silver eyes made me want to tear the world apart.

“It seems the King of Gods has found a new home.”