Page 160 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

Both of them perked up at my words.

“There is?” Jaski beamed. “Tell us everything.”

“I will, but first.” I dug in my pocket and pulled out the stone, placing it on the table between us. Killium’s eyes widened. I knew as soon as he saw it, he’d know what it was. Jaski let out a low whistle, her hand running across the bristles on Killium’s shoulder.

“Gods, Samkiel, you traveled very far for that.”

I nodded. “That and one other thing.”

Killium laughed and slammed his drink back. He grabbed the bottle and refilled my glass before pouring more of the sluggish fluid into his cup. I rubbed my hand over my face and sighed before telling him where I had been, what had been going on, why I was back, and of her.

“I’ll need a few things added. I need a very sturdy weapon.”

“This is wonderful.” Jaski clapped her hands and leaned forward. “Have no fear. We can do just that. I’ll need to stabilize it first.”

“I can’t believe it,” Killium said. “The last time you rushed to me in a fuss, you needed a pregnancy test for a maiden. You couldn’t even remember her name, and now you show me this.”

I lifted a brow and took a deep gulp of my drink. It eased my nerves, my muscles, everything. I sighed and placed the glass down.

“Yeah, that was a long time ago, and I was very, very young. A lot has changed. Plus, you helped tremendously. I got the procedure done shortly after. The Hand did, too.”

The room grew silent.

“I’ll do what I can. For you both.” Jaski stood and picked up the stone before walking out of the room.

Killium filled his glass, his face turning grim. “I’m sorry about that. I heard what happened to them. How Nismera sold them all to the most ruthless.”

Killium slid the bottle toward me, and I poured myself another. “I plan to retrieve them, but there is something I need to do first. It’s imperative.”

“I’ll do it. It’s been a while since I made any, honestly. These realms require a different form of magic.”

I nodded and tipped my glass toward him before taking a sip.

Killium leaned back, the glasses atop his head glimmering under the kitchen light. “So she is the one?”

“My one and only,” I said, finishing my drink and setting my glass down. I met his gaze.

“I hear the mark works wonders for those lucky enough to have it,” Killium said. “I’m sorry you never received it, but this is good news.”

I nodded, spinning the glass on the table. I couldn’t tell him Dianna was my amata. Then he’d ask about the mark and why it wasn’t there. I couldn’t tell him what she gave up so I could live no matter how much I trusted him. Dianna’s life and safety would always be my top priority, and if Killium ever threatened her, I’d slay him.

“Yes, a very good thing indeed.” I glanced up at him. “You know me well. I grew up knowing my amata was dead, and I wanted no one like that ever. Then she showed up and dropped a building on me as if it were nothing. I think it started then. Definitely not lust or love, but intrigue nonetheless. Maybe it was my ego, but no one had ever challenged me as she did.”

He chuckled behind his glass. “That’s what you need.”

My brows flicked up in agreement. “We didn’t get along at first, but we were forced to work together. So I spent time with her every day, and whatever intrigue I felt for her grew like an ember until it burned me from the inside out. She is so fierce and brave and courageous. She knew who I was, knew the stories, and didn’t care. Her loyalty knows no bounds, and she risked everything for her sister. Only a fool would not love a person that astounding. She drives me absolutely insane. Sometimes in a wonderful way, other times she’s downright maddening.”

Killium reared back, laughing. “That, my boy, is love.” He took another gulp of his drink. “I’d love to meet the being who finally tamed the great Samkiel.”

“One day, everyone will know who she is,” I said, the corner of my lips quirking. “Speaking of great love, how have you and Jaski been?”

Killium cleared his throat, the guards behind me shuffling. “We almost didn’t make it past the Clearing.”

“Clearing?” I asked.

Killium nodded and reached for that bottle once more. “It’s what we called it when Nismera first took over. She went from world to world, eliminating all who followed you. Clearing the world of you, some said. If they did not bend to her will, she wiped them out. Hundreds turned to ash with that damned light. She knew about me and my tinkerings.”

Tinkerings. He said it so casually, as if he hadn’t helped the gods craft some deadly things. Killium was an elemental, and the power he bore beneath his skin to shape and wield the elements was unparalleled. Put him and Azrael together, and we could supply all the realms ten times over. It was just a shame their ideals did not match. Killium built weapons for peace, Azrael for the highest bidder.

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