Page 182 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“Woah, what was that?” I asked.

He nodded to our hands and our rings resting side by side. “It’s the magic settling into them now that mine is on. It’s pretty potent but should stabilize in a few weeks.”

I turned my hand, placing my palm against his so our rings connected. Another shiver rippled through my body. It was involuntary and quick, making my belly clench.

He smiled down at me, his eyes flaring with silver light. “Intense, right?”

“Very,” I said breathlessly.

Intense wasn’t the right word. It was more so a pressure that enveloped me like a warm blanket, encompassing me in safety and security as if I had been freezing before, and now he was wrapped around me. He was my missing piece, and he was finally where he belonged, utterly and completely with me. I finally understood why mates went insane, why they raged, and why they broke when they lost it. If it felt like this, then absence was beyond pain, beyond agony. I thought I was a rage-filled, damned beast before, but if someone took this from me, I’d make the leader of evil look like a saint. My eyes locked on to his as if I finally learned to breathe once more, and I wondered if it would feel even better during sex.

“It might.”

My face went slack, and I pulled my hand back. “No fucking way. Did you just read my mind?”

“Another perk of the magic.”

My eyes went wide, not with fear, but with a pulse of excitement. “How?”

Samkiel shrugged and glanced at his ring. “It’s a spell crafted into the stone. Jaski, Killium’s wife, can imbue objects with power. She was one of several pupils under Kryella, and she was able to wield arcane magic. It was quite a feat. I was very lucky she survived these years, but also why I smelled as I did when I returned. She and Killium have been hiding in some very unsafe places to stay out of Nismera’s reach. Their magic makes them both valuable targets. My evil sister would love nothing more than to claim them, so they are in hiding.”

My smile did not falter. They had done so much for me . . . for us. “You had her make them to mimic the mark?”

“As close as I could, yes.” He nodded. “We still cannot share powers, unfortunately. That will forever be out of our reach without the true marks, but there are a few perks.”

I stepped closer and took his hand in mine again, that shiver forming once more. He hadn’t left because I’d hurt him. No, he left because, without the mark in this vast world, he’d never be able to truly keep me safe if we got separated again. He wanted the next best thing.

“I am sorry for lying to you. Truly, I am.” I held his gaze. “You can feel that, right? With these?”

His eyes searched my face before he nodded slowly. “I feel your sadness, but I did not need the rings to know that.” His thumb passed over my ring. “I did not mean what I said back then. I do trust you more than anyone. I was just hurt. My entire family has lied and kept things from me. I . . . you . . . I just wanted you to be different.”

My hand cupped his face. “I swear that was the last epic secret I have. The only one. I just didn’t want to hurt you again. In the end, I hurt you the most. I was just scared of what you’d say, of what it would mean. I wanted to pretend we were still this epic destined love, even if I’d ruined it.”

His face softened as he placed a kiss on my palm. “You didn’t ruin anything. Mark or not, you are all I see, all I want. Destiny be damned, right?”

“Destiny be damned.”

I grasped his hands and wrapped them around me, placing them on my lower back. I twined my arms around his neck and pressed my breasts against his chest.

“You still want me?”

He bit at his bottom lip and lifted one brow. “Yes, why else would I marry you?”

My laugh turned to a squeal as he lifted me into his arms and strode toward the stairs.

SAMKIEL PLACED ME ON MY FEET OUTSIDE OUR BEDROOM DOOR AND stepped in front of me. His grin was mischievous as he took my hand and opened the door.

“Why are you being so cryptic? I’ve already seen the . . .”

My words died as he led me in. Flickering lights and flowers were arranged on every surface, and a spicy floral scent hung heavy in the air. The thick curtains were pulled away from the large windows, moonlight illuminating the gorgeous landscape outside. The bed had been made up with fresh linens and blankets, both pulled back invitingly.

“Wow,” I gasped, taking it all in. “When did you do this?”

“During the ceremony.”

My brows shot up. Not only was Samkiel there, but he was also decorating the room above. I knew he could multitask, but that was . . . impressive.

He tossed me an impish grin over his shoulder. “I’ve been told I’m pretty impressive before.”

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