God of Wrath (Legacy of Gods, #3)

by Rina Kent

myself to calm down and speak as neutrally as possible. “What…what are you doing, Zayn?” “Aren’t you so smart? Don’t act dumb when you know exactly what I’m doing.” He grabs my face, closes my nose, and the moment I gasp through my mouth, he pours the water into it. I splutter and choke, but he keeps pouring and pouring, until I swallow half of it, and the other half drenches my face and neck

Every molecule in my body grows lethargic. My limbs go slack, and my breathing slows to a frightening rhythm. As if I’m falling asleep. But I’m not. This is way worse. The body of a demon mounts me like in my sleep paralysis, and I groan, tears gathering in my eyes. I scream, but no sound comes out. I thrash, but my arms and legs don’t move. No. No… “Shh.” He strokes my cheek. “Be good, Cecily, and I won’t hurt you. Much. Don’t you hate how we have unfinished business? Jonah should’ve stayed and done what we agreed on that day, but he was repulsed by some vomit and let you go. I would’ve gone through with the plan, but somehow, you got out of the room first and were seen by a few people, so I was a gentleman and even stopped a taxi for you in front of the hotel.”

“Shh. Don’t bother. I put in more drugs than usual. Special treatment for a special girl.” He pulls the other strap down. “Let’s see if your cunt is special. Actually, since you’re facedown, I’ll start with your arse.” Tears cascade down my cheeks. I might not be able to move, but I feel every touch of his hand over my back. I feel the repulsion mounting in my throat, threatening to explode in my mouth. I’m going to throw up. I’m going to⁠—

liquid spills on my back, and the sounds of gurgles echo in the air. At first, I think they’re mine. I think I’m choking on my spit or vomit, but then the weight disappears from my back. It falls to the floor in front of me with a thud. I catch a glimpse of a convulsing body, a pool of blood beneath him, and those god-awful haunting gurgles keep filling my ears.

“Cecily…fuck. Cecily! Can you hear me?” A broken moan leaves my throat the moment I see his face, all hard, dark, and murderous. I try to open my lips to say something, but they won’t move. And neither do my hands or limbs. I’m still paralyzed, at someone else’s mercy, but I don’t feel threatened. If anything, I’m finally safe. I’ve never felt as safe in my life as I do in these arms. Slowly, too slowly, I close my eyes, letting a tear escape down the side of my face. Safe. “Cecily!” Safe. I. Am. Safe.

sure Jonah pays. Zayn, too, when they catch him. But they won’t. I might have been drugged, but I know what that gurgling sound I heard meant and that the liquid that covered my back was blood. Jeremy killed him. No doubt about it. He sliced his throat open, left him spasming

prison, I thought I would feel disgusted that he killed someone. I’m not. Not in the slightest.

“I was going to say that he didn’t matter at that moment. In fact, that’s when I realized my crush on him was shallow. I never chose him over you, Jeremy. And except for that foolish mistake at the initiation, I never helped him. You can choose to believe me or not, but I’ve regretted spying for him every day since. I thought we were at a point in our relationship where we didn’t keep secrets from each other, which is why I told you about that incident when I could’ve chosen not to. I wanted to start with a clean slate with you, tell you everything, and do whatever it would take to gain your trust. I was wrong. While I didn’t expect you to forgive me immediately, I didn’t expect you to disrespect me and ridicule my feelings.” He slowly closes his eyes, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was in pain. But that’s only me projecting my feelings and principles onto an unfeeling man. I’m crying again, tears streaming down my cheeks and blurring my vision until he becomes distorted lines and shadows. When he opens his eyes again, they’re clearer and almost remorseful. “I’m sorry. I was in pain thinking you’d never choose me, and I took it out on you.” “If you trusted me even a little, you’d know I’d never do that to you. But you chose to stomp on my feelings, on the confession it took me so much courage to make. I told you I loved you, but you chose your anger and trust issues over me.”

“I would never do that. I’d hurt myself before hurting you.” “You already did, Jeremy! Maybe not physically, but you pierced my heart open with your rejection. And I can’t do this anymore. I can’t forgive you when I’m scared of what you’ll do to my feelings at the slightest hint of trouble or if you see Lan near me again. You know, when I was lying on the floor, feeling the nightmare restart all over again, my heart was heavy with the pain you inflicted. I can’t live in fear for the rest of my life, Jeremy. I just can’t.” His face hardens with each of my words as if he can feel them instead of hearing them. “If you’re suggesting I let you go, I won’t.” “You’ll have to, or I will hate you.” I pull my hands from his. “Smoke.” His eyes taper and deep pain covers his features. “Cecily…” “Goodbye, Jeremy.”

tears in my eyes and resolve tightening my heart. I won’t allow anyone to hurt me again. Not even the man I’m sure is the love of my life.

“What if I don’t love you anymore?” “Then I’ll make you love me again.” “Prick,” she whispered, then fell asleep

I just want to have her because I simply can’t imagine life without her.

able to hurt me.” “I won’t hurt you, Cecily.” I tug her away so that I’m staring at her tear-streaked face. “You’re the fire to my icy heart, and while I loathed that at the beginning, I soon came to the realization that I can’t survive without that fire. My feelings for you are nowhere near conventional. They’re neither proportional nor measurable, and that heart you melted and the emotions you provoked belong to you. I’d rather be smashed and broken to pieces with you than be whole without you. I’d rather remain a beast for you than become a man who has to survive

there’s surely a solution.” “You’d love a man with a few months to live?” “I wouldn’t have any other man.” More tears. More sniffles. I grab her face and kiss her mouth deeply, and she grabs on to me as she welcomes me home. Her body falls into mine, and everything in her melts. I kiss her for all the times I couldn’t kiss her. I kiss her until we’re breathing each other in. When I pull back, I whisper against her mouth, “I’m not dying, Lisichka” She blinks a few times. “But Ilya said⁠—” “He lied to make us get back together.” “What about the plane? Aren’t you going to a private clinic in Switzerland?” “I’m flying home to visit my parents, then I was planning to come back.” Her cheeks turn a deep shade of red as she steps back. “Oh.” Before she can escape, I grab her by an arm around her waist. “Are you taking back everything you said now that I’m not dying?” She meets my eyes and shakes her head. “I meant every word.” “Really?” “Really. I’ve wanted to talk to you for some time, but every time I get close, I get scared and retreat. I’m glad Ilya gave me this push, even if he is a damn liar.” “Me, too.” I kiss the top of her head. “Want to come home with me? My parents have wanted to meet you for some time.” “They…they have?” I nod. She grins and tucks a stray silver strand behind her ear. “I would love to.” My lips find hers again, and she squeals as I pick her up and carry her in my arms. Cecily Knight is officially mine. Now. In the future. Forever.

“I love you, Jeremy,” I murmur. “Am I the only one you love?” “Only you.” I touch his cheek, melting when he leans into my touch. “Do you love me?” “I’m fucking crazy about you, Lisichka. I love you more than words can express.”

“Please don’t hate yourself.” I stroke her hand. “Jeremy understands.” A soft light covers her features. “He does?” I nod frantically.

Looks like I found myself a new family. And it’s all thanks to the man I love. The beast I can’t live without.

chance for a redo.” “Oh, Jeremy.” She strokes my jaw. “I’m lucky to have you.” “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m the one who’s lucky to have you, Lisichka.” One day, and I mean soon, I’m going to make this woman my wife. My partner. My everything. She’ll be my always, and I’ll be hers. Forever.