He smiled, eyes still closed. “I like my way better. You have a week to prove yourself.”
I stood, and Carmine cracked open an eye. “Do we have a deal, my queen?”
This was a better deal than I could have hoped for. But it came with an enormous price tag. “We have a deal, Carmine. I’ll prove myself, and when you uphold your end of the deal, then I’ll uphold the rest of my deal. There will be no intention ritual until Tempest is released from your dungeon.”
My rebellion didn’t bother him.
“A deal then,” he murmured, closing his eyes again.
I wanted out of this monster’s company. I strode for the door, and of course he wasn’t done having the last word. That would be too much to ask.
“Make your preparations, Syera,” said the demon king from where he lazed on the couch. “The times of you leaving this fortress will soon come to a close.”
18
I strode down the halls after training with Carmine’s army. Upholding my end of the bargain had started immediately, and I’d spent the last hour pummeling crimsons with my magus power. Carmine had made his presence known toward the end to remind me Tiers was tomorrow.
How kind of him.
“Mate-Intended, a moment.”
I glanced at the purple, then the blue next to her. “My designers. You’re late.”
They both curtsied and dropped their gazes to the floor.
The skin between Tewewh’s purple scales paled. “Our apologies, Mate-Intended. We attempted to find you several times yesterday.”
“You wouldn’t have found me.” I held out my hand. “Are they ready?”
“Y-yes,” said Tewewh, passing a folder over.
I kept walking and glanced back when they didn’t follow. “Follow me.”
I led them to one of the smaller lounges in Carmine’s personal chambers. I gestured to the table, then sat in the largest chair.
My frown deepened as I flicked through the first ten pages. The designs were beautiful, andcrimson, and not at all what I’d asked for.
I leaned back in the chair and gazed at them. “What orders did the king give you after we spoke?”
“Orders?” squeaked Tewewh.
I imagined that Gratia had told Carmine, and then Carmine ordered Tewewh and Yiti to design dresses to his liking.
“These are not what I asked for. What orders did he give you?”
“W-we hoped y-you would like them. We have no orders from the king, Mate-Intended,” Tewewh stared at the table.
Lie.But an understandable one. They were caught between the future queen and the demon king. That was a tricky one to navigate.
Unfortunately, they’d chosen the losing side.
Yiti rose and rounded the table to collect the book. Her stumps didn’t make the task easy, and the book tumbled to the floor, opening to the pages at the back.
My lips curved, and I swooped to pick up the book.
“I am clumsy, Mate-Intended,” Yiti spoke for the first time. Her voice was not atalltimid.
I snorted and glanced up at her. “Sure you are.”
