Asmodeus snickered at him asking a mortal for her opinion. But Caspian shrugged and glared at Asmodeus, curling his lip in disdain.
She chewed her food and swallowed. She dabbed her lips delicately with a handkerchief before replying, “I’m afraid I don’t know enough about the issue to weigh in.”
A non-answer.
Caspian snapped, “There’s a newly Fallen angel named Raziel. He is deeply upset that when he Fell, he wasn’t gifted any legions. He has no tie to the power he seeks and no reason for us to give it to him. He is trying to amass followers.” He paused. “Raziel is saying the low-level demons don’t have to live with the hierarchies as they are, and he seeks to destabilize them. His goal is not just our lands. He wants to open the portals and flood these lands with demons and force humans to kneel to us.”
He looked at her, convinced this would interest her sufficiently to give one of her rare, opinionated replies.
She paused, appearing to consider her words carefully. “I would trust that the men, who are more learned in war and government than I am, would ensure there are plans in place so that all can end well for me and humanity never has to deal with such a horrible thing.”
He itched to wipe that false smile off her face. The polite mask she wore grated against his nerves, like nails against stone.
Instead, he tilted his head. “Indeed, we couldn’t let something happen to such an elegant and beautiful lady.”
The corners of her eyes twitched like she was trying not to roll them. He took the hit to his pride and smirked. Whether she liked it or not, they would have their night together soon.
Leaning forward, he said, “If the Seven Hells fall, and this usurper is victorious, he might go after your realm next. The mortal realms are very much a part of this.”
She folded her hands in her lap and fixed her eyes on him. “I do not see why this Fallen angel would have any interest in our lands. Surely if he’s banished to the Seven Hells, he is trapped in the Underworld. If your lands do not fall, which I don’t see how they would, then it will never be our problem.”
She set down her napkin and rose gracefully from her chair, smoothing her skirts with practiced precision. She stood with such impeccable posture that Caspian was reminded she had been groomed from childhood to become the perfect noblewoman, nearly a princess in rank. She lifted her chin and looked down her nose at the lot of them with ease.
Just a spoiled noblewoman who cared for nothing but herself. Elizabeth gave a slow, simpering smile—a false smile—and paused on the threshold, waiting to be dismissed.
His hands tensed at his side, and he snarled, “I’m glad to know you have such faith in us. I hope this war never reaches your realm.”
She continued to smile pleasantly, and it irked him to no end.
Speaking through gritted teeth, he said, “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Elizabeth.”
“Thank you, Caspian. You as well.” Elizabeth curtseyed and left the hall.
He stared, transfixed at her behind, as she walked away. The little minx had refused half the dresses he had bought for her, insisting on wearing more modest attire.
After she had initially refused a gown by stating to Fiza that it was too revealing for her taste, he had enjoyed irking her further by sending her the most lewd gowns he could find: tiny slips of fabric, hardly suitable for formal wear, and picturing her scandalized face when she saw them. The thought of her hopping mad amused him to no end, even if itwasa waste of gold.
It was worth reminding her that she was nothing—that he could force her to wear whatever he liked, if he really wanted to. He could throw out every single gown in her chambers except those that ill-befitted a lady, if he so chose. Her comfort was now at his discretion.
He drained his goblet and told Mammond he wouldn’t be able to go hunting tonight. In response to Mammond’s questioning look, he simply murmured he had other prey in mind. Mammond chortled and waved him off with a roguish wink.
His prey didn’t know he was there though, and he spent the night watching her from a window near the library.
Elizabeth sat in a leather armchair by the window, curled up with yet another book.
His legs cramped from staying crouched for so long, with only the top half of his face visible above the window ledge so that even if she looked up, she wouldn’t see him watching her.
Caspian stared at her, as if every turn of a page might reveal one of her secrets.
She did nothing of interest, however, and retired to bed at a perfectly reasonable hour.
***
The next morning, Caspian followed her again. He woke up at an ungodly hour with the sun just starting to rise and flew around the castle to peer in her window. He was surprised to see she was already gone.
He searched the castle for her and caught a whiff of her honey and lavender scent near the entrance to the castle grounds.
Caspian saw motion in the stables and perched atop the stone wall like a gargoyle, hiding just out of sight. His knees barked uncomfortably as he waited.
