He cuts me a look as he takes another drink. “I’ve known him for thousands of years.”
“So you’re saying you’d win a game of Mr and Mrs?”
He sighs. The long suffering kind. “I’m trying to say, I don’t dislike you either.”
“Huh.”
“What?”
“I’m not sure that’s any better given that what you are saying is you don’t care either way.”
He rubs a hand down his face. “You gave your life for him. If there was ever someone who could be his queen, it would be you.”
I lean back and study him. “You’re alright too, War.”
16
Chapter Sixteen
Archan
My darkest desires are lit within her stars.
We enter the next room, and instead of stretched flesh bulging with overindulgence, these people are so thin, they look like they’d snap under my gaze. Hungry eyes track our movements as they stuff their mouths with food of all kinds; the starvation they feel will be endless and unyielding. I’ll give Lucifer his due, he knows how to administer cruel and unusual punishment.
Henry alternates between begging to be released and cursing us. Lucifer reaches the back of the room. He kicks a door open and flings Henry in before slamming it closed and spinning to face me.
“What do you think it is?” Lucifer asks, folding his arms and leaning back against the wall.
“A curse placed by The Duchess will never be simple. She won’t have done it out of spite; she has a plan for Natia, one that likely involves her death.”
“We need to figure out what The Duchess wants. That will give us an insight into what she’s cursed Natia with.”
I run a hand through my hair. “Nathan might have answers.”
Lucifer pushes off the wall and begins picking his way through the condemned souls. “Let’s hope so. I can’t go through that again, and I’m not the one in love with her.” He side eyes me. “You’ve lost your heart to a worthy woman. She makes everyone around her want to be a better person. She inspires a longing in me I thought lost.”
I grab his arm, holding him in place. He stares at my hand, arching his brow. “She is mine,” I state.
He turns to face me. “I have bedded many women over the years, none have captured my interest beyond the physical in a long time. You have at your side a passionate, magnificent woman with an infectious moral compass. I don’t want Natia other than for the friendship she provides, for the warmth her soul leaks into those in her orbit. I love her as a sister, Archan. I am not a threat to you.”
I drop his arm. “Good.”
His eyes harden. “But if you hurt her, I will avenge her like a sibling. The wrath of Hell will arrive at your door. I know you love her, but you have ruled with an iron fist for so long I worry you have forgotten how to give her what she deserves.”
He pushes open the door to the throne room. “And what is that?” I ask.
“To be worshipped like a queen.”
I cast my gaze to the dais and halt next to Lucifer. Our mouths fall open.What in the actual fuck?
My legs pick up speed until I’m standing in front of the throne.
“It’s too big,” Natia grumbles, pushing the heavy metal back to stop it from sliding down her forehead.
“It’s perfect,” Zac says from his position tucked in on the throne right next to her. They giggle like children taking another drink of the almost empty bottles.
“What are you both doing?” I ask.
