I squirmed.‘I wouldn’t have expected it. But when he killed that man on stage he seemed so… enthralled by the power.’
Melek’s hand tightened on mine.‘He is enthralled by approval. He can be misled by it—you’ve seen that. But that kind of evil doesn’t seed in his heart. I knew there had to be something else driving it. I just pray he can break free of the fear. Until he does, he’ll stay submissive.’
I nodded, but turned my attention back to the Fallen, and his grip on poor Gall. If I hadn’t known that stabbing Lucifer would have no effect on his ability to continue breathing, I would have slit him on the spot. Through the bond, I felt the vengeful rage pulsing in Melek, too.
The only good thing to note was that Lucifer seemed unaware of us walking the shadows—unless his ignorance was faked? A ploy?
Help us, God. Evil is sentient, and powerful, and so manipulative. Help us fight.
Lucifer took Gall by the shoulder and steered him towards the door—presumably because he was going to leave the chamber that way. It was another oddity in his behavior. Sometimes he seemed tied to the corporeal, yet others he blinked in and out of existence like light on moving water.
On the other side of the room, Istral watched Lucifer lead Gall away, dropping his voice to speak privately, and I saw the twitch in her hands that meant she fought the urge to go after them. For her to resist the urge to be close to Gall, her fear of Lucifer had to be intense.
Unless Gall didn’t feel as secure for her as he had. I prayed that wasn’t the case, but couldn’t see how she could witness some of the things he’d done andnotbe afraid.
Still holding my hand so I could keep us both invisible in the shadows, Melek shifted to my other side, watching Lucifer with a dark gaze that would have made my blood run cold if it was directed at me.
But then I paid attention to what the fucker was saying, and I forgot everything else.
“…this isn’t the time to let your manners get in the way, Gall. You have a responsibility to fulfill—and what did I say about a king’s responsibilities?”
“They’re more important than anyone else’s,” Gall replied quickly, but hesitantly.
I frowned. What was—
“Exactly. So let me make myself clear, Son. She is your queen, and her offspring will carrymyblood. These days are set aside purely for the making of an heir. The heir that will rule the world, just as you do. But he isyoursto create. And he is the single most important task you have ever undertaken. You donottake no for an answer.”
Gall stiffened, and Isawhis fear of disapproval battle with his conscience.
“I’m not going to rape her,” Gall said finally, but with enough fear in his tone that I almost went for him.
“Gall—”
“She’s the balance.”
Lucifer hesitated, which made me blink. Then he frowned. “Explain,” he ordered.
Gall’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “You said… you said that it doesn’t matter the bad you do, as long as you do more good, right? She’s my good. I’ll do the good things for her. Then she’shappy and she’s a good queen. She’s the balance to the bad things, like you said.”
There wasn’t a hint of reaction on Lucifer’s face, but IknewGall had surprised him.
How the fuck didanyonesurprise Lucifer? I wanted to cheer.
To add surprise to my shock, when he allowed himself a response, Lucifer tipped his head and looked at Gallthoughtfully.“That is acceptable, I suppose—but to ensure thatbothour needs are met, I would give you a piece of advice, Gall. If you don’t want to take what isn’t offered, then you need to become adept at persuasion.”
Gall’s eyes turned sad. “I’m not good at that.”
My heart broke all over again, and I knew Istral felt his grief even if she didn’t hear the words, because in the corner of my eye, I caught her twitch again, swaying forward like she’d go to him.
But Lucifer ignored her. “That’s why I’m here to help.”
I wanted to shout when Lucifer reached for Gall, cupping a hand to his neck and leaning in, whispering words in a strange language I couldn’t catch.
Gall frowned first as if he were confused—but then his eyes brightened.
Moments later, he blushed again—but as his eyes glazed, he smiled goofily.
And when Lucifer released him, he blinked like he’d been deep in thought and was suddenly reminded of the present moment.
