Page 146 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

My head tipped back on a laugh. “No, you didn’t! Did you?”

Samkiel nodded. “I still do. I blamed it on my hyper-awareness and my need to protect you. All of which stemmed from my feelings for you. It seems I’m still like that, if not worse.”

“Definitely worse.” I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “But I think you’re perfect.”

He smiled smugly. “I know.”

My free hand whipped out, popping him playfully on the shoulder, and he laughed. Sparks flew into the water, and the fish swam a tad faster before looping back.

“So yes, that was our first date. I count it since it was the first time I had fun. I never had fun growing up on Rashearim, but then I met you, and well . . . you’re fun.”

Something sparked behind his eyes at that word, as if he had been searching for that for a while.

I smiled back. “Well, I am glad I can entertain you, my king.”

He clicked his teeth, closing his eyes briefly before smirking at me. “Don’t do that. I do not plan for our date to end just yet.”

The laugh that left my lips had a few other couples looking toward us before I covered my mouth. “Okay, fine, that’s our first.” I nodded. “And ice skating is our second.”

“Oh, yes. That one is definitely my favorite.”

I lifted one brow. “Oh, because of how many times you fell on the ice?”

“Definitely.” He cast a glance at me that was pure heat, and I knew he meant what happened after the ice skating.

The sparks between us burned brighter. The light illuminated Samkiel’s tanned skin and dazzling smile, casting shadows across the planes of his arms and shoulders. I was completely enraptured by him. Against all odds and despite what the universe had taken from me, here he was, caring for me. He had pulled me back from the harrowing edge of despair more than once, and here he was again, offering me a slice of peace once more, and gods, I fell all over again.

Unable to verbalize everything I was feeling, I just said, “You give me the best memories.”

“Good,” he said with a smile before leaning over and placing a kiss on my lips.

The sparks between us fizzled as he kissed me again. Lazy, slow, and perfect. I could get drunk off his kisses and the different varieties he showered me with. I’d never memorize them all, but I hoped we had eternity for me to try. My hand cupped his face before sliding back to run my fingers through the short hair at the nape of his neck. The lake grew dark as everyone’s sparklers went out one by one. His hand splayed across my back as he deepened the kiss, our boat rocking at the movement.

No force in this world or the next could pull us apart. I knew that more than ever in that moment.

It wasn’t until the lake went silent, the forest with it, that we heard the screams.

FIFTY-SEVEN

DIANNA

The sky was gleaming a thick orange by the time we made it back to the pier. Samkiel jumped out first and then reached down to lift me from the boat. We raced toward the city, crackling flames spreading from one tavern to the next as people flooded the streets.

“Nismera?” I asked.

Samkiel shook his head, his face grim. “No, they are screaming about monsters.”

Splintered pieces of wood burst into the air. We darted forward while everyone scrambled past us in the opposite direction. One building split, then another further down, a massive beast charging through them like they were made of paper.

“How many monsters are there?” I asked. A familiar aching screech resonated through the air, and I knew it wasn’t many but one. One giant, creepy, crawling bug. “The murrak.”

Samkiel slipped his rings on his fingers, his eyes burning silver. His armor flowed over his skin, covering him from head to toe.

“Sami,” I placed my hand on his arm, “what if she shows?”

He didn’t even glance at me. “It’s heading toward the lower part of town where the families are. Sleeping families.”

“Children,” I finished for him.

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