Lake’s silver wolf ears lifted in interest before he responded in that same beautiful cadence.
I blinked away the sudden stinging in my eyes. It was like the lullaby he sang when I couldn’t sleep.
“What happened to your people?” Fane asked as he tended to the hearth, adding another log to the fire.
“They were conquered,” Varys answered. “King Gregor of Haran invaded our land with an army of ten thousand strong and slaughtered countless demi-humans. All so he could possess a specific mineral in our soil. He then saw yet another resource. Our people. And he enslaved them.”
Lake expelled a breath. “My father spoke to me of this. We were free once. Had our own kingdom. Greed took that from us.”
“I’ve heard stories about it.” Callum helped himself to more mashed potatoes. “It’s what led to one of the first wars between Bremloc and Haran. Bremloc sailed over and tried to free the demi-humans from Haran control. Our army prevailed and many came back with them.”
“Think of what you speak, lad,” Varys told him. “And ask yourself why Bremloc truly intervened in that conflict.”
“The resources,” Briar said with a knowing look.
Oh, how my disappointment in the realm of men grew and grew. “So, the army swept in acting as saviors, when the real goal was to claim the territory? That makes Bremloc no different than Haran.”
Varys nodded. “One of the minerals is used to forge strong blades.” He looked at the knights. “Yourblades. The metal is lightweight, yet incredibly durable.”
Callum paused in his chewing, while Maddox looked at Lake.
The injustice of it all weighed on my heart. Was everyone selfish and full of greed? Just like Thorin’s speech fromThe Hobbit: the world would be a better place if people valued home above gold.
“Seems the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” I said, heart aching at the sadness in Lake’s eyes. “King Silas is just as horrible. Sending mercenaries after me, not to mention all the capture attempts on Prince Sawyer with the intent to force King Eidolon to bow to his demands, which I’m assuming, was moreresources or money or something else freaking dumb. The whole kingdom of Haran needs a time-out.”
“The quest for power makes monsters of many men,” Varys said. “Over the centuries, Haran has clashed with not only Bremloc and my homeland but other realms as well. Fighting over resources and territory.”
It further explained King Silas’ determination to capturemetoo. I was another tool in making him all-powerful.
“How old is King Silas anyway?” I asked, doing a rough mental calculation. “He wanted my dad to marry one of his daughters before I was born, so he’s old enough to be my grandpa. He should stop his pursuit of power or whatever and just enjoy life, you know? Take up golfing or something.”
“Golfing?” Callum asked.
“You hit a little white ball into a hole with a metal club. People find it relaxing.”
“Hitting a little ball into a hole,” he repeated, confusion growing. “Is relaxing?”
“Don’t think too hard on it, rabbit.” Rowan smirked over at him. “Your head might pop off.”
“I’ll popyourhead off, snake.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“Much like your face,” Callum shot back.
Lord Onyx watched them with intrigue. Did he find them amusing too? Hard to tell given his forever irritating, but highly skilled, ability to mask his emotions. His ruby red eyes shifted back to me.
Warm flutters swarmed my rib cage and fanned lower to my belly, as though the tiny Evans running my body had taken up tap dancing and were doing a coffee-fueled jig. Hopefully one wouldn’t twist an ankle.
Fortunately, Nina and Cyan entered the room and cleared our plates, providing a nice distraction from that damn demonlord and his intense eye-fucking. Both female demons smiled at me and patted my head before leaving again.
“Time for dessert, I think.” I stood from my chair, eager to escape the room and take some much-needed breaths away from a certain demon lord.
“You made us dessert?” Quincy asked with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. My silly knights acted like I hadn’t baked for them in years.
“Yep. Fane helped too.”
“I had no part in the making of that atrocity,” Fane responded with a scowl. His eyes, however, crinkled as he looked at me. “The praise belongs to you and you alone.”
