Samkiel cleared his throat and shot Cameron a warning look before folding his hands. “She comes from the southern region. It is tropical and made up of floating islands, much like Jade City. It makes sense she’d wish to rule the sky she grew up in.”
I nodded slowly, still leaning away from him, my opinion on this turn of events clear. “Huh. So, what? Your engaging in post-sex conversations helped her conquer the sky? Riveting.”
Samkiel’s shoulders slumped, clearly knowing he was not winning this. “Dianna.”
“Samkiel,” I mocked, my tone a little too harsh and critical. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to wrap my head around this ex of yours. She’s in league with your sister and learned how to build massive warships because you helped her when you guys used to …” I looked at Cameron. “What was it?”
He lowered the mug just a bit and said, “Hate sex.”
Samkiel glowered at Cameron, but he ignored him.
“That’s right, hate sex,” I said. “With the queen of what again, Cameron?”
“Trugarum.”
Samkiel looked at Cameron, ready to leap across the table and throttle him. Cameron only shrugged and glanced toward me as if to say I’m more scared of her than you.
“So, from what I’m gathering, not only did she not die in the rebellion, but she has teamed up with your psychotic sister and built weapons that can make our eyes bleed from the sound, all because you decided, hey let’s talk about weapons of mass destruction after penetration.”
“I didn’t think it was something that would actually occur.” Samkiel looked at me, his expression shifting to pleading discomfort. “She’s not that bright.”
“Well, she’s something.”
“No, she’s not.”
I growled, unmoved, and asked, “Then why did your heart speed up when you saw her?”
Cameron choked on his drink.
“What?” Samkiel said.
“I felt it, so don’t lie,” I said. “Miss her or something?”
“No.” He looked at me like I had slapped him. “If anything, it was a surprise and fear, since her warships incapacitated us both. Are you being serious right now?”
“All roads lead to one,” Reggie said suddenly. We all turned to look at him, but he just stared back, blinking at us as if he hadn’t just spoken.
“What?”
Cameron patted him on his back. “Oh, thank fuck. I was wondering when you would start your crazy ramblings again.”
Reggie looked at me, then Samkiel, and back. “Did I?”
I smiled softly at him. “Yes, and actually, thank you for the distraction.”
“All roads lead to one?” Samkiel asked. “What does it mean, Reggie?”
Reggie shook his head. “I-I don’t remember.”
“Maybe it means that all your past lovers lead to Dianna so that you guys can stop this small argument that means nothing, because … Okay, I’ll shut up,” Cameron said before absently scratching at the back of his head.
I knew I sounded bitter, but that was because I was. I was a jealous, possessive, mean bitch when it came to him. Of course, Samkiel had others before me. I knew that, and I’d had others before him. What we had was different. He’d claimed me in every way, made me the ring I currently wore on my finger, and we’d shared vows binding us together forever. Yet as he talked, all I thought about was roasting her like a fucking holiday dinner.
Maybe I was just sour because she was powerful, hot, and had a giant army. I also realized how possessive I was. He was mine. I barely wanted people to even look at him too long, much less hear about past conquests that resulted in an entire airborne arsenal.
If I were honest, I knew I was being irrational. I had nothing to be jealous of. Samkiel’s devotion and loyalty were beyond contestation, and I was the last person fit to judge his past. Milani and the armada were just feathers on a larger bird that I was more than ready to roast. I was tired. He was tired. We all were. We had searched the realms for any sign of Kaden, Isaiah, and Miska, but we’d come up empty-handed. Every time I thought about what could be happening to Miska, surrounded by enemies, terror became a breathing, living thing inside of me, gnawing at every thought. On top of all of that, now we had this armada to worry about.
“My main concern right now is finding Miska and then sending Kaden and Isaiah to their graves,” I said, the wooden legs of my chair scraping on the stone floor as I stood.
