His face was beet red. He kept Istral tucked into his side, but shifted his feet like he was uncomfortable.
As soon as we were close enough to hear their voices, we understood why.
“…no more important task for the queen than the bearing of an heir,” one of the men said.
“No more pleasurable duty for the king, either,” his colleague interjected. The others guffawed, but Gall’s ears turned a deep shade of pink.
Istral, accustomed to our frank discussions of the breeding of animals, wasn’t quite as red as Gall. But she squirmed at the looks from the men, and I wanted nothing more than to yank her out from under Gall’s arm, and disappear with her, to hell with the consequences. Melek didn’t have to restrain me this time. I knew he was right that we were allsafer—including these two—if we could get them out of the palace without any Nephilim knowing. Even if it only gave us an hour’s head start, it was an hour more to divert the enemy from our path.
So, with gritted teeth, and vowing the death of these men to God, I waited, and leaned into my mate’s side, as well.
“Are you certain of your way, Sire? I’d be happy to offer some advice if you’re—”
“Don’t listen to him, Your Majesty. Not unless you like them screaming in pain, rather than pleasure. Althok isn’t renowned for hisgentletouch.”
Althok growled, and the two exchanged barbs, while Gall looked nervous until Lucifer stepped in. I never believed I’d be grateful for the Prince of Darkness’s intervention, and I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. But, it was true that I breathed easier when he slipped smoothly between Gall and the two Advisors, urging the others to leave thecouplealone.
“The king is already known for his prowess. The queen is blessed to have him,” the slimy asshole said in a voice as smoothas butter. “Let us turn our attention to preparations. The queen needs to prepare to take her King. Your Majesty,” he purred. “I took pleasure selecting garments for precisely this time. They’re hanging in the wardrobe.”
My skin prickled as Lucifer bowed to my sister, taking her hand and drawing her away from Gall, his eyes aglow with lascivious delight.
Istral’s brows pinched together, and her forehead lined, as he tugged her out of Gall’s grip, and I instinctively swayed towards her, but Melek held me close.
As Lucifer led Istral to the wardrobe at the side of the room, Gall spluttered and clawed a hand through his hair. “If Izzy—I mean, my Queen—is changing, you all have to go!” he said abruptly.
To a man, the Advisors looked to Lucifer to see if they were required to obey the order. My hackles rose as well as my indignity, on behalf of my sister and her mate. But Lucifer was clearly irritated by their delay as well. He snarled, and they jumped to bow to Gall, then hurriedly bowed to Istral as well, before making their collective way to the door.
I watched them all scuttle out like the preying insects they were, and my heart rose. Finally,finallyI would have Istral alone and—
But no.
When the others had left the chamber, pulling the door closed with a thunk behind them, I couldn’t release my power that would reveal Melek and I, because Lucifer remained.
“There, you see?” the bastard said to Gall with a smile that curled around that smooth voice. “You’ll finally have that time alone you’ve both been wishing for. My lady, Istral, please take a look at the garments we’ve provided here. Gall, perhaps we should speak quietly for a moment?”
Istral pulled her hand from Lucifer’s and did as she was told, opening the wardrobe to look. I knew my sister had expected dresses by the way she froze when her inexperienced eyes landed on the scraps of lace hanging in the dark depths of that huge wardrobe.
Gall’s eyes widened when he saw them, and his already red face turned almost purple.
He looked at his grandfather and spluttered. “She’s not getting dressed likethatuntil we’re alone!”
My heart squeezed for poor Gall. No matter what atrocities he’d had a hand in, it appeared that Melek was right, that he’d moved slowly with Istral, and remained protective of her. It was a balm to my heart—and a niggling condemnation of my mistrust of him.
Lucifer, unperturbed, waved a hand as if to shoo off the sentiment. “Of course not. I only want to make certain you’re clear about the purpose of these days. You’ll be left alone, except for any food or drink you request from the servants—but this isn’t the time to sleep, or play games, Gall. You understand? You are to be the sire of a nation—and most importantly, the Bloodkeeper. I am very particular about to whom I offer my seed. The responsibility to carry that line is now yours. You understand this, correct?”
“Yes, Grandfather,” Gall said meekly.
“Very good,” Lucifer purred. “Because I’ll remind you, until your line is guaranteed to continue, you are not fulfilling the role of king. You will not continue to be provided theprotectionof the crown forever, without an heir.”
Gall hurriedly assured him that he would do his best, casting nervous glances over Lucifer’s shoulder to Istral, who held onto the door of the wardrobe with one, white-knuckled hand.
Both of them were terrified of him.
Suddenly, those moments in which Gall had seemed so cold and imperious, looked different.
‘I think you were right,’I sent to Melek.‘He pleases him to keep him happy. Out of fear.’
‘Did you really believe Gall, of all people, would enjoy dark power?’
