Page 243 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

Finally, Death leaned back, interlacing his fingers. “You think that threat she made in those tunnels was an idle one? You witnessed what she did on Onuna over a sister who was not even blood. Now, imagine what she would do for her mate, the one created for her. She would have no tether, no moral compass, no love. So do not look at me that way. If I truly wanted the end of the world, I would have fought her there for the God King. Nismera will leave the realms desolate if she gets her way and succeeds with the Great Return. So I did what I must. Dianna, as you all call her, was meant to rule. Do you think she was meant to be Ig’Morruthen? He, a living corpse? No, Nismera interfered. She spread lies and deception through the House of Unir, and it worked. She gathered and honed her power for eons, and now we must interfere. I do not wish to witness another War of Wars.”

The air grew thicker. “It will not matter once Samkiel finds out about her fate. That is what he will focus on, the war be damned. She is all he sees. He loves her, truly loves her.”

“How bothersome.” Death tapped his fingers once more. “You are no better. You care for the child. You always have. We’ve seen it. You have a father’s love for her. It’s immoral. You are above emotions.”

“Ah, merciless Death, who cares for nothing and no one.” The corner of my lip raised. “In my long existence, it is nice to find something worth protecting.”

Death did not falter or move, but something shifted across those hollow, dead eyes.

I crossed one leg over the other. “You know I will not keep this from her. She has been betrayed enough in her long life.”

The darkness in the room seemed to quiver in irritation before settling near his frame.

“Just as you are aware that I collect a little part of everyone who passes through my gates, yes?” He picked up his cup and drained the last of his tea before setting it back down. “Dianna was kind enough to send me Alistair.”

Realization slapped the air from the room.

“You would not dare.”

“I would dare.” Death rose, adjusting the bullet-riddled jacket he wore. “So, kinsman, you will not remember this, but know I do want the new world, and I will help you attain it. That I can promise you.”

Darkness swelled and then faded. I shivered, cold seeping across the room. I sat up straighter, blinking as I glanced toward the window. Had I left it open? The candles flickered atop the nearby mantle, and music filled the air. I shook my head, rubbing at my temples. Ever since Nismera’s light burned, my visions had been scattered and incoherent. I was becoming increasingly afraid she had damaged me on a level so deep I may not recover.

A knock sounded at the door before it slowly cracked open.

“Reggie?” Miska called, her voice a whisper as she stepped into the room. She must have been working late in the greenery Samkiel had made for her. It wasn’t anything like what Jade City had, but she was making it her own. Her nightshirt was littered with small bits of herbs. Miska loved all the clothes Dianna had asked Samkiel to make for her. She had never been allowed her own personal attire before.

“Yes, Miska?”

“Who were you talking to?”

I glanced around the room, wondering if I had missed something. “No one. I haven’t spoken to anyone but you tonight. I must have mumbled a vision. My apologies.”

She shrugged one shoulder. “It’s fine, it happens. Do you want to try the new tonic I made? I think I got the ingredients right this time.”

“Why are you up so late working? It’s well past midnight.”

“I couldn’t sleep. It’s freezing in here, and it keeps storming, so I figured, why not work?”

A smile formed on my lips as I rose. “Well then, let us try your new tonic, shall we?”

I never said anything about her failed attempts. Miska worked hard, trying to remember what she had learned and what her mother had taught her. She was already such a powerful healer, yet she had only just begun.

“Perfect.” She waved her hands in the air in pure excitement. “I’m trying to target the pain receptors associated with burns for Cameron. His back is pretty bad, but Dianna said he’d heal once he got his feeding better under control because godly burns are worse, especially in his Ig’Morruthen form, and . . .” Her voice stopped as her eyes caught on something behind me. “Why is your tea frozen? Did you leave a window open?”

I frowned, perplexed. “Perhaps. I’m not sure.”

ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR

KADEN

My soul screamed as bone and tissue became muscles, followed by skin to cover it all. My fingers curled into soft soil as I pushed myself up. Sharp, blistering pain radiated from my spine, skipping along newly regrown nerves. I screamed as my body put itself back together, every cell burning with agony. I rested on my hands and knees, panting, taking in as much air as possible.

He had killed me.

Samkiel had killed me.

Everything came back as consciousness took form. He’d stood there, exhaling anger, hate, and rage with every breath as he held that blackened death blade. His eyes burned as Father’s had, and the hair along my arms had prickled. I had timed it right, timed my movements, but he was too quick, too fast. I hadn’t even seen him move, and I hadn’t felt the blade. There had only been a brief pinch and then absolute nothingness, no pain, no fear, just absolute and complete nothingness. I did not even exist anymore.

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