Page 181 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“You did?” he asked. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You were so sad the next morning. I just didn’t want to give you false hope, but I did see it. We will get them back, Sami.” My hand tightened on his arm. “I swear it.”

“We will.” His lips brushed my forehead as he spun me around. “Just dance with me tonight. We can talk about battle plans and schemes tomorrow.”

“Okay.” I grinned, and to chase away the dark clouds that had formed in his eyes, I said, “So, how do you feel about being called my husband?”

His face lit up. “So much better. I never have to hear you call me your friend again.”

I threw my head back and laughed. When I looked at him, he was just staring at me, dumbstruck.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he whispered roughly. “I just love you.”

My smile slowly faded. He gave me those words so freely, and I knew he wanted nothing in return. There was no mission I had to complete. No artifact I had to return. No person I had to kill or maim. I didn’t have to jump through hoops for affection from him or beg for attention. I never thought I would receive those words, so instead, I shut my heart down, grew claws and fangs, and loved myself. Samkiel gave them freely and wholeheartedly.

“I love you, Samkiel, and I don’t need a soul to feel that.”

His hand was a heavy weight on my lower back as we swayed, his fingers caressing the sensitive skin. It was every godsdamn magical moment I could only dream of, except this was real. I squeezed his shoulder and rested my head against his chest. One beat, then two, and even with the dazzling music, his heartbeat was my favorite song.

SEVENTY-THREE

DIANNA

Samkiel stood near the portal he’d opened, speaking to Orym, the small office waiting on the other side.

“Do you see this?” Miska asked, picking up a yellow-stemmed flower. “Humberry. I can make this into a salve that will heal my sore feet.”

I snorted and tore my eyes away from Samkiel to look at her. “Well, I’m sure that will be effective sometimes.”

She nodded before collecting more little flowers and petals to stuff into a small brown satchel.

“She is quite peculiar, yes?” Reggie asked, coming to my side.

“Indeed,” I said. “But she may be right. Foot cream may come in handy depending on what is to come.”

“She is important for what’s to come.” Reggie smiled. “And there are more like her you haven’t found yet.”

My brows furrowed. “Are you back to creepy messages again?”

Reggie shook his head, his hand going to his temple. “Did I say something?”

“Do you not remember?” I took a step forward, but Samkiel’s voice had me turning away.

“Roccurem.” Samkiel nodded toward the portal, where Miska showed Orym what she found as they stepped through.

Reggie placed his hand on my shoulder. “It was a lovely service.”

I watched him walk away, concern niggling at me. I knew I’d heard him correctly, but I had no idea what he’d meant. His eyes didn’t go white as they usually did when he saw the future, but he didn’t seem to remember what he said. The portal closed behind them, worry coiling in my gut. Something was wrong.

Samkiel took the steps two at a time, his light touch on my arm bringing me back to reality. “Are you okay?”

I shook my head and smiled up at him. “Yes.” I would figure out what was going on with Reggie another day. Today belonged to Samkiel and me.

“Can you believe it?” I said, leaning against him and holding my hand out, wiggling the finger with my wedding ring. “We’re married.”

He held his hand out next to mine, the thick silver band he wore gleaming back at me. I pulled his hand to me, looking closer at the stripe of crushed stone that ran down the middle of the ring, circling his whole finger. A shiver ran through me, my whole body reacting as his ring touched mine.

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