Page 20 of Damned and Broken Gods (Labyrinth of Gods #2)

I See You, Queen

ARAZ

L eela’s mouth parts, soft breath teasing the air as it evens out. She’s serene and vulnerable in sleep, but I’ve seen the fire at her core. The flame of rage burning in the depths of her beautiful eyes, and I can’t unsee it.

I want to damn her for ruining my chances of a speedy release from my prison, but I can’t deny the pride that burgeons in my chest at the memory of her standing up to the Asura bastard.

The strength in her spine. Her grip, biting and sure. She would not have backed down if not urged to do so by Chandra. Warmth blooms in my chest as the possibility of being by her side a little longer takes root.

Leela is soft, but she is not weak. There is a quiet strength inside her.

Justice runs in her veins.

Honor rides her every breath.

Leela is a queen who needs no crown, and yet…she deserves one.

But her heart will betray her.

Her empathy will undo her.

And now those weaknesses have been exposed, the Asura will use them against her.

But if I can teach her to?—

What am I thinking? I’m lying with the enemy, contemplating protecting the very crown that I’ll have to wage war against one day.

A dull ache lances through my chest, and my throat pinches as I imagine us on opposite sides of a battlefield.

Knots form in my belly.

To be forced to strike her down…

But not if I can make her see my truth. Not if I take her with me. To be by my side. Mine…

I reach out to touch her, fingers lingering in the air above her cheek. Mine…

I curl my fingers into my palm and breathe. These intense, all-consuming feelings…This desire to crawl into her skin and become one with her…

It’s the bond.

I must not lose sight of that.

Of my mission.

Of my goal.

I must not let Leela be my downfall.