I pinched the bridge of my nose. Tobias wasNathaniel’smanservant. A submissive wolf with a core of steel when it came to ensuring his people got enough rest and sleep. However, he didn’t discriminate with his fussing. After ensuring his people were settled, he’d turned his attention on my demons, declaring they needed just as much care as the wolves.
I sighed again, well aware that Bael wasn’t joking. But I would worry about a potential war with the wolves over their butler later.
Lilith smiled at me, but the smile disappeared when she glanced down at the papers in her hand.
“We have a reply from Elathan.”
I tensed. “And?”
“He declines to be involved in your war. But you can trust that he will treat any of your remaining people fairly once you fall to Lucifer, and Elathan takes your territory.”
My skin tightened. “Elathan has always been a short-sighted, power-hungry sycophant.”
“Our spies say he is shoring up his defenses across California in case we come calling. He knows very well that we couldmakehis people join ours.”
“It would spread our resources too thin. And compelling people to fight just means you risk being stabbed in the back. We will see what he has to say when I take back my throne.”
While I’d hoped the demon would see reason and join us, I hadn’t truly believed it would happen. Still, his people could have made a difference on the battlefield.
“Anything else?”
“Odax has been seen attempting to sneak into our territory. We’ve been watching him to see what he does. Our sentries are waiting for your orders.”
“Kill him,” I ordered. “And return his body to Lucifer’s territory.” I smiled. “Make it public.”
Lilith nodded, and I leaned back in my chair as she walked out.
Odax was responsible for thousands of deaths. And yet he’d become sloppy over the years—as proven by the fact that my people had seen him sneaking around in my territory. His death would be no true loss to Lucifer, but it would enrage him just the same.
My hands fisted at the thought of an enraged Lucifer near my little witch. But I could practically hear her voice in my ear, hear her urging me to trust her. If there was one thing I knew about my witchling, it was that she was stronger than anyone suspected.
Still, my heart ached, and for the first time, I wished I was a werewolf. Wished I could howl my loss and sorrow to the world.
5
DANICA
“Your royal highness?”
I jolted in my seat, meeting Yusilin’s gaze in the mirror. “Please call me Danica.”
She chewed on her lower lip, her eyes sliding away from mine. “Of course… Danica.”
I frowned. “Is something wrong?”
Yusilin shook her head, but she still refused to meet my eyes. She turned to collect the jewels I would wear to the ball tonight, and I watched her.
Truthfully, I didn’t want to go to the ball. My head ached, and I felt weak, exhausted. But grandfather had insisted, and the last thing I wanted to do was to let him down.
Yusilin brought a case to me, holding it open.
“They’re beautiful.”
The jewels were pure, unrelieved black, matching the gown I wore. But they sparkled so intently, I almost felt the need to shield my eyes.
Yusilin fastened the necklace around my throat, and the heavy gems fell almost to the low cut of my gown. She gestured for me to hold up my hand.
“You should probably remove that bracelet,” she whispered. “You know how your grandfather hates it.”
