“Very well, then. Your training starts today. The search is already on, and time runs short.”
My heartbeat quickened. I was getting my way, much to Sitri’s dismay. It was too soon to know whether we were making a strategic move or a terrible mistake.
“The two of us will go together, only once a useful lead comes in,” he said, “and only if I’m confident in your abilities. Otherwise, I shall face Mara alone. I’m not risking you or Apollo, and we must conserve the forces we can.”
“Good.” Bronwen stood and gave a leisurely stretch. “Now that your little lovers’ quarrel is settled, I have more important matters todiscuss. It appears that breakfast is running late. I have yet to be served.”
She turned to leave, not even bothering to return her chair to its place. “Mara is gone, and Apollo has his hands full. Who will it be that feeds me?”
“I’ll cook,” I offered, if for no other reason than to get away from Bronwen for a few blissful minutes.
Sitri nodded. “Then let us get to work. It’s going to be a long day and a longer week. We all need our strength.”
With that, we parted ways and set about our tasks.
I knew the way to the kitchen. I’d walked the path daily since I’d come under the Prince’s wing. At first, its attached dining hall felt like an interrogation room. Now I recognized it as a place where Sitri’s ragtag band of demon warriors put aside their differences, if only for an hour a day.
In the wake of Mara’s attack, a shadow had settled over the would-be sanctuary. I’d only gone there twice in the days following my near-destruction at the demoness’ hands. Both times, it had been at Apollo’s insistence.
This time, I came alone.
As I opened the tall wooden door, the scene of that night flooded back to me. Once spattered with blood and broken glass, the table had been cleaned. The knives had been returned to their drawers. All was pristine and empty. Still, I couldn’t shake the memory of fingers wrapped around my neck and a blade against my chest. I shook my head, resolving not to linger any longer than was necessary.
I lit the stove and set on a pot filled with the same bitter oils I’d once detested. It would take time for the fire to warm the cast-iron hearth. I used it to prepare a slew of different mushrooms and a fistful of dried meats. Once the oil started to simmer, I tossed the food in to cook. I turned around, and my blood ran cold.
There was a shadow slinking by the door.
My whole body tensed, ready for the incoming attack. It took me a moment too long to realize that it was Sitri. I sighed and brought my hand to my chest.
“Don’t scare me like that,” I warned.
The Prince raised his hands.“Easy, Lillia, you look like you were planning to rip my head off.”
“If I hadn’t recognized you, I just might have. Weren’t you going to find Apollo?”
Sitri sauntered into the room, aloof as always. He leaned against a cabinet, where he overlooked the stove.“We spoke. He’s sending out more parties. Now it’s you I need to talk to, darling.”
“What is it, then?” I glared at the demon Prince, returning to my pot and stirring it. He didn’t meet my eyes.
“I was thinking… Are you certain you want to train for combat?”
“Of course I am,” I answered in a heartbeat. “I’m tired of you running off into danger, leaving me alone and helpless. I can’t be a liability forever. I need this training if I’m going to stand by your side.”
“I don’t like putting my family at risk. You are family too now, Lillia, and the idea of losing you terrifies me.”
The sincerity in his voice gave me pause, worried me more than any playful threat.
“I have to learn, Sitri. I’m not safe anywhere in Hell. Even in your home, Mara nearly butchered me. You can’t protect me alone. Sooner or later, I need to be able to fight for myself.”
“I know. That doesn’t make it any easier, though,” Sitri murmured.
The Prince stalked towards me, darkness in his eyes, closing the distance between us. He leaned in for a kiss, and our lips collided with the force of clashing stars. I didn’t even think as my lips parted and his tongue swept into my mouth. Sitri’s arms coiled around me, pulled me to his chest, giving me goosebumps. I let him in, welcomed him in, desperate to get more of him.
As suddenly as he had embraced me, Sitri released me and took a step back. Left me gasping for air. He didn’t smile—he simply licked my lingering traces from his lips, never quite meeting my eyes, unable to fully look away.
Then, he turned to leave.
“That smells like it’s almost done,” he said with a half-hearted wave. “I shall go fetch Bronwen. Best to feed her before her temper gets any worse.”
And before I responded, he was gone.
