I scoffed. “Oh, that is such a fucking load of shit. That’s not love.”
Isaiah frowned as his jaw healed, his busted lip following.
“You know nothing of it, do you?” I asked in brutal honesty, no longer yelling or screaming.
Isaiah, for once, said nothing as he avoided my gaze, which told me more than enough.
“Then allow me to enlighten you,Brother,” I said. “Love means you would never bend to someone else’s will if it meant hurting the person you claim to care about, physical, emotional, or mental. It’s not an ultimatum or pain. You don’t hurt the ones you love. You protect them with everything you have, everything you are. Love is the unthinkable measures you’d go to for them, regardless of the consequences. If he truly loved her, as you say, he would have told Nismera to fuck off. He would have chosen her over orders, the world, and gods, probably even over you. I know because I would. So, hear me when I say, if she’s not returned to me within the hour, Nismera’s war is the last thing you or these realms will ever have to worry about. I’ll end everything. There won’t even be a pebble left in this universe for you to stand on.”
Isaiah looked as if I had slapped him with some horrific truth. His throat bobbed, and I could tell that he had heard the words and believed them. “I don’t know how time works there, but I swear she’ll be back. They both will. If you’re so desperate to check on her, talk to her through your fucking bond.”
He tossed my rings at my feet, my wedding band gleaming on the dark, dead forest floor. He said nothing else, just turned away and began to wipe at his clothes, brushing away the dirt from our brawl. I fell to my knees and scrabbled for my wedding band. Regardless of the weapons the others produced, that one was my most sacred. As soon as it slid along my finger, I felt her. Like a calm, warm flame engulfing me, chasing away any cold.
“Akrai.”
Warmth blasted into me as if in excitement.
“Sami, baby,”she answered.“You’re okay?”
“I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you. Are you hurt?”
The momentary silence was torture.“No, but I am with a Prince of the Otherworld.”
I was on my feet in seconds.“I’m coming to you.”
“Wait,”she said, her words clipped.“I’ll let you hear everything, but I want to see if we can get information before you rush to my side and we start another war. I need you to trust me.”
I took a shuddering breath.“I trust you, I do, but if he touches you, threatens you, war will be their last concern.”
I felt her smile through our bond before voices flooded in. I went still and listened.
51
DIANNA
Samkiel’s voice flooded my mind, and a shudder of relief rippled through me. It was like I had been drowning, and I was gulping that first breath of air. Confidence filled me once more. Not because I couldn’t stand on my own, but because, for once, in a world where I was surrounded by monsters, I had, and would always have, someone who had my back. Together, we were unstoppable.
“Which Prince are you speaking to?”
“Eryx.”
Silence fell, but I felt that lethal calm he always dipped into.
“What is it?”I asked.
“He’s powerful and old. Be cautious.”
“I will.”
Kaden bowed, dipping his head toward Eryx. “I was unaware Icnima abdicated her throne. My apologies once more.”
Shock fluttered across my gut, strong enough that Samkiel assumed I was in danger.
“What is it?”
“Kaden is … bowing.”
“The Princes of the Otherworld are formidable, but I’d never bow, and you will not either. In these realms, it signifies subjugation. Rulers do not bow to rulers, kings to kings. You, Dianna, are queen of not only Rashearim, but soon these realms, too. You bow to no one, understood?”
