Page 240 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

I snorted at the last part, his breath tickling the hairs on top of my head. But I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he meant it. He was my sword, my shield, my heart, and my home.

“I’m sorry I don’t tell you I love you more often.” His hand paused the idle stroke down my back, and he pulled back to look at me. His brows furrowed as if he had not expected me to say that, but I went on. “I do love you. It is the only thing I know with absolute certainty in this crazy new world. Everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been through, I love it all. I was scared tonight.”

Samkiel raised up on his elbow as if preparing to battle even my own fears. “Dianna.”

“No, I was scared I wouldn’t be able to tell you. You are the love of my life, Samkiel. You are it for me, and I don’t always have the pretty words to tell you, but I can show you every single day.”

Another flash of lightning lit up the room, and I swore his eyes shimmered with unshed tears. He smiled softly. “Every day, huh?”

I nodded.

“Well, that will be a very long time, considering we have eternity.”

My head reared back even as my heart swelled. “Eternity? I don’t know if I agreed to that.”

His lips formed a half-smile, and he pointed to my ring. “You kind of did. Now, not even death will separate us. That’s what was in our vows. You said it.”

“I did?” I joked. “I was distracted. Can we change them? Is it too late?” I cringed. “I don’t know. Maybe we should rethink everything I just sa—”

He grabbed me and rolled, forcing me against the bed. I squealed and then laughed as his hands found that sensitive spot just beneath my ribs. His lips slanted over mine, and warmth seeped through my skin and into my bones. My words had built upon our bond, forging something stronger between us, brighter than fire and harder than steel.

Samkiel pulled back and gazed down at me, brushing a few strands of my hair from my face. “The love of your life, huh? I’ve never heard that before.”

“Is that why you’re grinning like a fool?”

His smile brightened. “Perhaps. I may need to hear that more.”

I fake scoffed as we settled back into bed. “How often?”

“Hmm, maybe every single day?”

“Absolutely not.”

He shrugged. “Okay, once or twice. Here and there.”

I fake-flopped back on the bed in mock disgust. “You’re pushing it. You are so needy.”

He placed a kiss on my forehead and then my cheek. His hand cupped the curve of my jaw, his thumb flicking my bottom lip. “I have no idea how I’ve survived this long without you.”

“Me either.”

He chuckled and brushed his lips along mine. “Go to sleep.”

I smiled and placed a chaste kiss on his lips before turning over and pushing back into him. His massive body curled around mine protectively, and his arms tucked me in close as I settled. “I don’t show it a lot, right? Because if people start thinking I’m nice . . .”

His laugh rumbled through the room, the sound chasing away the darkness.

ONE HUNDRED AND THREE

ROCCUREM

It fascinated me that the two neighboring planets were so close to this one, their massive forms ghostly shadows hiding behind the veil of night. You would think that after seeing a thousand-plus worlds, I would be accustomed to all the wonders the universe had to offer, but it pleased me to know I could still be surprised. A bird made of night coasted through the window and landed on the table behind me. Nails tapped on the polished wood before silence fell.

“I witnessed it once, the future and how peace could be attained. Dianna is a flame that will spark a revolution,” I said, lifting the teacup to my lips.

“And?” asked the bird of night, the room growing a fraction colder.

“And now all I see is destruction and ruin. The laughter has faded, screams taking its place. I see fire to the West, a wasteland of the East, and . . . what changed?”

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