“Oh, but I did,” Sitri replied. “I’ve taken his help before, and I’d take it again in a heartbeat. We’ve already dug our graves, Edith. You’d best pick up a shovel if you want to hold your post.”
They stared each other down, baring fangs, their animosity on full display. Sabrina saw it, too. She stood, and I rose a moment later, putting myself between Edith and Sitri. Both demons refocused on me.
“Zaleos has given me no reason to distrust him. As Duchess, this decision is mine to make, and I say we see it through.” It wasn’t the whole truth, but that didn’t matter. Only Sitri, Oberon, and Apollo would sense my lie.
Edith stood, stalking towards me, her heels clicking against the floor with every step she took. Sabrina pressed in close at my side, standing firm as Edith encroached.
“Most newly crowned nobles don’t preserve their predecessor’s court,” Edith hissed. “They imprison us, slaughter us, and for good reason. I look forward to seeing what makes you think you can keep us in line if this is how you lead, Duchess…Lillia.”
A thinly veiled threat, one meant to get under my skin—and it worked, too. Burning frustration set in, forcing me to stuff it down.
I’d need to respond carefully. Allowing Edith to speak out of turn would expose a weakness, one I didn’t care to show. I opened my mouth to retort, but before I got the chance, Sabrina laid her hand on my shoulder and shook her head.
“As fascinating as this conversation is,” she interjected, her smile tight, “I must get these staples out today. The lot of you aren’t helping. Accept Lillia’s mercy, grant her your support, and kindly clear out of the way so I can work.”
I held Edith’s stare for a moment longer. Without another word, she turned and left the room. One by one, the other demons cleared out until only Sitri and Sabrina remained. I blinked, taking in the authority Sabrina had wielded, dismissing not only my court but Sitri’s as well.
“Thank you,” I offered as I slumped back into a chair, the gash on my stomach already protesting my increased activity. “And thank you again for treating my wounds. I know it wasn’t pretty.”
“Of course. You’ve done us all a favor. It may be a while before she understands that, but in time, she will. Edith is a military leader. She heads the combat engineers and worked closely with Vapula. She developed a taste for him that no one else shared. Once it no longer serves her, she’ll come around.”
“I really hope you’re right.”
Even though I wanted to, I couldn’t quite believe it. Edith’s bold defiance, her sharp tongue, and subtle aggression… she reminded me more of the late Duke than I’d like to admit.
“Blended courts are difficult, darling,” Sitri said with a sigh. “This is a tricky maneuver you’re trying to pull off. You may change your mind whenever you wish, and I will help you shed blood if necessary.”
“I know, but I’m not ready for that, not now. We need her knowledge, her prestige. This will take effort. I owe it to Edith to put that effort in before we consider drastic measures.”
If Sitri had taught me anything, time was a luxury, one I couldn’t afford. I’d have to watch Edith—both for signs of dissent, and to gauge how much influence I held with my inherited court.
And today, she’d made it clear I didn’t have any sway over them at all.
