It took me a moment, but then I understood. My mouth fell open. “You think Samael could be worse thanLucifer?”
He shook his head at me as if I was a young, naïve child. “I know that if my throne had been stolen, my family slaughtered, my palace invaded, and my people subjugated? My rage would be infinite. And then, after all that, if my bondmate had been taken?” The ghost of a smile curled his lips. “You’re expecting logic where there may not be any left.”
Desperation clawed at me, but I fought to keep my voice even. “What is it that you want?”
“If your plans fail, if Lucifer learns of the betrayal, and our collusion, I want what Samael has.”
I frowned. “I’m not sure I’m following.”
“An escape hatch for his people. I want territory in your realm.”
I swallowed. Nacheran’s eyes were grave. He wanted me to have more skin in the game. I blew out a breath.
“Samael rules most of the demons in our realm. His territory is… vast. There are other countries, continents. But you and your people would need to obey the laws of the land. No hunting humans. And you would need to answer to Samael.”
My voice hitched on that last word, and this time, his smile was genuine. “You believe me unable to bow to your mate if my people were to flee to your realm.”
I opened my mouth, and he shook his head at me. “If you fail, my people will die. We will play by your rules in order to have a safe haven. And if you somehow manage to take the throne back? All of us will bow to Samael’s will.”
I chewed on my lower lip. “So that’s a yes?”
It felt unreal. All of this started because I had to make a deal with a demon. Now? The demons were making deals with me.
“Yes. We will go to war with you, your royal highness. I greatly hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Please call me Danica.”
He shook his head, and I left it alone.
“Good doing business with you.”
I made my way back to my room, where Pischiel was waiting. He glanced up as I opened my door, watching as I took the ring out of my mouth.
“You’ll need to use the ring,” he told me. “It’s suspicious enough that I’m going for a late-night stroll near the stables. If anyone learns that you’ve been there…”
He shuddered, and I took a deep, steadying breath. “Maybe you shouldn’t come.”
A roll of his eyes and he was standing in front of me. The demon could move fast when he wanted. “We’ll have to walk,” he murmured. “It will draw less attention.”
* * *
DANICA
Half an hour later, I was gingerly picking my way through the forest, attempting not to make too much noise. From the annoyed look Pischiel shot in my direction, I wasn’t being successful. I flipped him off, but it was less satisfying knowing he couldn’t see it.
He wasn’t being so icy to me tonight. I didn’t fool myself into thinking he’d forgotten our argument, but we were both aware that this little jaunt was far more important.
“I haven’t been here since I was young. Lucifer brought me to see the wyverns, but he warned me that they were bonded to him by blood. He’s safe from their rage, but no one else is.”
“Bonded how?”
“He feeds the females his blood while they’re pregnant.”
“Lovely.”
Pischiel was more tense than I’d ever seen him as the building came into view.
“This can’t be it.” It looked like a large wooden shack. A shack the size of a football field, but a shack the same. There was no way those flimsy wooden walls could hold creatures who were rumored to be almost as deadly as their dragon cousins, even though they were much smaller.
