“Bullshit!” I hissed in English. “Yes, you can be savage but you can also be kind. You feel love like any other race. You have desires and dreams. You are not the demons humans believe you to be. And I know you love your people. I've seen it. Now, I'm asking you to show that love toallof your subjects.”
“That's just it, Amara,” Lucifer said wearily. “They refuse to be my subjects.”
“We gave you our fealty,” Braxis argued. “But that wasn't good enough for you. You took our people and tried to make them into the citizens you want us to be. You've shown us time and time again that you don't accept who we are. You lift your nose and stare down at us as if we're filth when it's you who won't allow us to crawl out of the mud!”
Lucifer frowned.
“Isn't it time for this to stop?” I asked Lucifer gently. “You have a chance to show all of Reaksar that they are your people too. Show some kindness and maybe the people who you see as savage, will not behave so savagely anymore. What will it cost you? You have the upper hand. You have the power on Hell. If they betray you as you believe they will, you can go back to treating them as you are.”
“Amara, he tried to kill you. Braxis Fengoth masterminded the plot that I executed Lady Sennavin for. Then he abducted you and tried to force himself on you. Now, he's taken you again but you sit here arguing on his behalf. Why?”
“I'm not innocent in all of this either. And neither are you, Lucifer. Executing Lady Sennavin only made things worse. Perhaps it's time to try a different approach.”
“What is it exactly that you want me to do, Amara?”
“I want you to start by offering the Reaksarians a trade agreement for all of the technology that Hell possesses,” I said firmly.
“I can't—”
“You outnumber them twenty to one,” I cut him off. “And they are Bleiten. Do you really think that blasters will make that much of a difference?”
“Then I want them to accept my dukes,” he said stubbornly.
“Your dukes aren't Reaksarian,” I argued. “They won't understand the culture and that is important to the Reaksarians. It's integral to their comfort.”
“What culture?” Lucifer huffed.
“When I was first taken to Reaksar, I was brought to Braxis. He was seated on a throne and behind it, was a pile of skulls,” I said. “Do you know why those skulls were there?”
Lucifer scowled from me to Braxis and back. Braxis went still.
“For intimidation, I imagine,” Lucifer finally answered.
“No, it's not about but respect,” I explained. “They're the skulls of every Fengoth who has passed away. They're kept behind the throne as a way to respect their dead and remind their chief that he would not be sitting on that throne if it weren't for the support of all of his people, both past and present.”
“How do you know that?” Lucifer whispered.
“I told you, I listened.” I smiled softly at him. “As is often the case with the Reaksarians, what seems savage is actually honorable.”
Braxis made a soft sound and I looked over at him. His eyes were full of admiration and gratitude.
“Your daughter is a perceptive woman,” Braxis continued to stare at me as he spoke to Lucifer.
Lucifer stared at Braxis pensively. “It appears that you have listened to her as well.”
“She is worth listening to.” Braxis shifted his gaze to Lucifer.
“You've abducted my daughter, the Princess of Hell, for a second time, Braxis Fengoth.”
“I have,” Braxis agreed. “I did it for my men. I want to bring them home.”
“So, it had nothing to do with you wanting her in your bed?” Lucifer lifted a brow.
“Oh, it did.” Braxis grinned unabashedly. “But then she started talking.”
Lucifer laughed. “Amara has a way with words, does she not?”
“Words are important to her,” Braxis agreed. “And colors,” he glanced at me. “I may not have her ability but I see her colors now and they are magnificent.”
