Amari looked between the two of us, his face unreadable. Whatever he was, he was good at hiding his emotions.
“I’ve decided to move in.” He straightened his shirt.
A flash of something dark crossed Amari’s eyes. It was only there for a second, but he definitely showed a reaction to Val’s proclamation.
“This isn’t your home. It’s mine, and it’s always been mine.” I held my chin high. “My guards will not have it.”
Nico tensed beside me—I didn’t actually have guards. I used to, but that was so long ago, and I had only seen two of them in the castle. In fact, I was surprised more of thecouncil members weren’t trying to commandeer the place with Lilith gone and me defenseless.
Perhaps my brother’s reappearance held enough of a threat.
“And where are these guards?” Val could clearly still read me like a book. “Please tell me you haven’t elected to have a squirrel as a guard. I thought you were smarter than that, Samara.” He could probably smell the lies coming from me.
“Reve gave me his seat on the council.” I crossed my arms, trying to look tougher than I felt. “He’s the king.”
“But here’s the thing, Princess. Reve isn’t the king. No coronation ceremony, no king.” He started walking down the hall with Amari matching his stride.
I looked at Nico, who seemed to be at a loss, just as I was. The last thing we needed was all the demon factions getting into a war over the crown. Wars had been started over less important things.
What was Reve thinking, leaving the council to figure things out on their own? That’s why there was a king. Not just any king, but a dream demon. The only demon who could control rogue demons who tried to become tyrannical.
We marched down the hall after Val and Amari. I didn’t know what Val was up to, but he was a vampire, one of the most cunning demons in existence. They craved control, power, and most certainly blood.
They were heading toward my bedroom. What the fuck was he doing?
Val had always had a strong personality. He didn’t let things go easily and was strong-willed. It was why I liked him in the first place, but he was being a dick.
He stopped at the door across from mine. “I think we’ll take this room.” He flung open the door and looked inside. “Did no one ever clean this place?”
Amari walked in ahead of Val. “All clear.”
Val stepped inside after him, his shoulders squared with that unmistakable vampire confidence as he surveyed what would become their new domain. I caught myself staring at the way they moved in silent coordination, as if they’d done this a thousand times before.
Sleeping with his guard was a stupid idea. Even I knew that much. It created complications and divided attention. Val had always been reckless with his choices, but this seemed unwise for someone as calculating as him.
I filed this observation away, another potential weakness in Val’s armor that might prove useful if things continued to deteriorate. Not that I wanted to exploit it, but knowledge was its own kind of power, and right now I needed every advantage I could get.
I went to stand in the doorway and took in the guest room. It had seen better days and had a thick layer of dust, as if it hadn’t been touched in centuries.
Why had this room sat untouched, yet mine been squeaky clean? I needed to talk to the staff.
Val turned and came back to the door. He was even more attractive than he had been before. Instead of a clean-shaven face, stubble lined his jaw, chin, and upper lip.
He took another step toward me and slowly raised his hand. I cocked an eyebrow, but then he grabbed the edge of the door and slammed it shut in my face.
CHAPTER FIVE
SAMARA
Long Ago
Istood next to Reve, fiddling with my hands in a restless tangle of fingers that would have earned me a swift correction had my mother been closer. I’d been reminded countless times through pinched expressions that it wasn’t the most ladylike thing to do, but my mother was across the room, engaged in conversation with someone far more important than her fidgeting daughter.
The brief freedom from her scrutiny was a small mercy I wouldn’t waste. Beside me, Reve maintained that perfect stillness he’d mastered years ago, his composure making my nervous movements even more conspicuous.
Earlier in the day, my father had told me he’d found me a husband. He said it over coffee, as if it were nothing. I’d nearly choked on my eggs.
I knew the drill of being a princess. I had no choice or freedom. Still, there was a part of me that had hoped myfather would allow me to pick my match. Instead, I was a pawn in his political game.
