“Look what you’ve done,” Sitri said, his tone light. “Now you have encouraged her. I shall never hear the end of this.”
My laughter came easily. I let it rumble through me. “You think that’s encouragement? You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Apollo chuckled and sent a gentle, playful punch to my shoulder. “You aren’t afraid to give him shit. I like that. You’ll make a fine right hand, Lillia. When it’s your turn to lead, I expect you to double down on that attitude.”
As the meaning behind his words sank in, my smile faded. “You don’t think you’re going to survive this.”
“I’d be a fool if I thought I would,” Apollo said with a shrug. “We have a plan. If I don’t play my part, a new Prince takes the crown, and I would face a fate worse than annihilation.”
“You two are okay with that?” I turned to Bronwen and Sitri.
It was the Prince who answered. “War is a tricky thing, darling. We are attempting a dangerous maneuver, and the odds are stacked against us. One misstep and Vapula will have the three of us slaughtered, leaving you to your fate in his hands.”
“I had the first and last say in this plan. Before Sitri even heard the news, I’d already made my peace with it.” Apollo gave me a pained glance as he took a second helping of mushrooms. “Fifty years in Hell have taught me there are some things worth fighting for. This is one of them. I’m prepared to go down with this ship.”
I looked to Sitri, whose smirk no longer reached his eyes. Surely he had the same thoughts running through his mind that I did; Apollo was not the captain, and Sitri would not be facing annihilation on the battlefield. His place as Prince sidelined him. As his fingers began to tap restlessly against the table, his desires on full display, I understood how badly he wanted to protect Apollo, protect all of us.
Something his title robbed him of his ability to act on.
“Unbearably sappy, the lot of you.” Bronwen drained the last of the wine from her glass, and it clattered as she half-dropped it onto the table. “The storehouse has been prepared, and the streets are being cleared as we speak. You know where to go, Prince Sitri?”
Their eyes met, and for a long moment, no one spoke.
“I do,” he said, never breaking Bronwen’s stare.
“Good. And I expect that youwillgo? As soon as you’ve finished ruining the mood, that is?”
Sitri’s smile faded. “Are you accusing me of conspiracy, Bronwen?”
“I’m holding you to your word. Your heart is weak, bleeding. It’s my job to ensure it doesn’t make you do anything stupid.”
“And what would you know about weakness?” he retorted. “You are here to pay your debts. My mercy comes with strings. I have not forgotten what you allowed to transpire.”
Bronwen threw a glare at the Prince. Sitri gritted his teeth.
“I didn’t allow it. I participated in it. She gave me little say in the matter.” Bronwen waved her hand in dismissal. “You want to think you’re so far above us, some kind of merciful arbiter, but you’re not. You’re a monster, Sitri—a monster like I am, a monster likeshewas. Get off your high horse, or I will drag you to the ground.”
Apollo stiffened, pulled away from the table. Sitri growled, low and savage, as a new desire crept in; a hunger for violence I couldn’t let him act on.
I stood, pushing my chair back, and all heads turned towards me. “Enough. We’re going.Now.”
Silence. No one dared to move or speak—not until Sitri wordlessly rose and stalked towards the exit.
At that, Bronwen laughed, never once turning to me. “Haagenti will be disappointed in you. Your pet’s not very well trained, is she?”
He paused in the doorway.
“Lillia isn’t a pet to be trained,” Sitri snarled without facing her. “Let the President think whatever she wants. I am the Prince of Lust and Lies. This ismykingdom, Bronwen—not hers. Insult me all you like, but insult Lillia further, and Haagenti’s disappointment will be the least of your concerns.”
I blinked, and he was gone, his footfalls echoing down the hallway. Silverware clinked. When I turned my head, Bronwen had resumed her feast without even a glance in Sitri’s direction. Apollo looked at me over his shoulder and gave a gentle smile.
“Go on,” he said. “He’d never admit it, but he needs you right now. I can manage on my own. And if I don’t see you again, Lillia? It’s been an honor.”
I did my best to return his smile. “Likewise. Be careful out there, Apollo.”
Then, I chased after Sitri’s fading footsteps, following him deeper into the manor.
By the time I caught up with him, the Prince had made his way into one of the empty guest rooms. He sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped, jaw tight, eyes turned towards the floor. He didn’t even react when I entered.
