Page 17 of Their Demon

Chapter 7

Aiden

Going was Nicholas’s idea, but it had been mine to keep it a secret from Keir—for our safety’s sake.

I reminded my twin of that as we walked along the cobblestone to the palace doors. “Last chance to change your mind, brother, because if we do this, Keircannotfind out. He would kill us.” I grabbed his arm, halting us at the top of the steps just before the giant black steel doors.

Our childhood home was anything but homey. The castle was ancient and cold. A steel gate surrounded the stone structure. The windows had bars over them, keeping everyone out—or in. There was nothing inviting about the place.

“I know, but we have to do this. For Lillian. We owe it to her to explore every option and give her every chance to succeed at those trials. She deserves our best.” Nicholas looked down to the ground, his shoulders slumped. “I can’t lose he—”

“We won’t. Don’t go there. We have to stay positive for her too. Who knows what horrible thoughts already weigh her down. We can’t add to that.” I refused to let the horrific thoughts of something happening to our girl cloud my head.

Nicholas nodded. “You’re right.”

“I usually am,” I joked, shouldering him and knocking him off balance.

He rolled his eyes before saying, “It’s all so crazy. I never expected to find someone… someone so…”

“Dude, spit it out,” I laughed, though I already had a good idea of where he was going.

“Shut up,” he said as he shoved me back. “I didn’t think I could fall so hard for someone.”

I nodded, knowing we were on the same page.

“She’s amazing,” he continued. “Everything I didn’t know I needed, and she loves usboth. Who knew?” He shook his head in disbelief.

“Who knew it would be a human girl to tie us down? Together?” I teased.

“She’s something else.” He looked like a lovesick puppy, but I couldn’t blame him.

“That’s for sure.” I stood before the palace doors next to my brother, wondering what the future looked like for us. We’d each given Lilly our essence a couple of days ago and were still getting used to the intense feelings that flowed between us and our human offering.

“So we are really doing this?” I asked him, giving him—well, both of us, really, one last chance to change our minds and return home.

My twin let out the deepest breath I’d ever heard before saying, “We are.”

We shoved the front doors, opening them with a loud creak. The bells sounded, notifying anyone inside that the doors had been opened. Six guards lined each side, each one giving us, their twin princes, a head nod as we walked past.

I studied the red and black swirled rug that lined the hall, mentally preparing myself for what we were about to attempt.I’d avoided this place like the plague since the day we’d left to live with Keir, only returning a handful of times to see our mother, but even that hadn’t occurred in decades.

The closer we got to the end of the hall, the louder my heart pounded against my ribs. I shouldn’t have felt so antsy. I was of royal blood, here to get answers for our girl and the predicament she’d found herself in. Simple as that.

“Boys,” a familiar, high-pitched voice greeted us. Our mother stood at the end of the hall, clearly surprised to see us. She was dressed to the nines, looking beautiful in a dress in different shades of blue, jewels cascading down the fabric to pool at the hem. Her hair was down. I couldn’t help but notice that she did look different. Smaller, perhaps? Paler? “To what do I owe the pleasure of my sweet boys surprising me with a visit?”

“We have some questions for you,” Nicholas answered before I could, not bothering to greet her.

I guess we were cutting straight to the chase. Good.

“Oh.” She sounded a little caught off guard by his shortness with her. “Uh, sure.” She blinked and smiled, her queen mask sliding back into place. “Shall we go to the common room to speak?”

“No,” we answered in unison.

I sealed my lips, content to let my twin speak for us. Lilly coming into our lives had been good for him. He’d been taking more initiative and was speaking up, especially when it came to our girl.

“We’d prefer somewhere more… private,” Nicholas said more quietly than before. “It’s a bit personal for others’ ears.”

She nodded, looking at him curiously, then beckoned us to follow her, leading us to one of the palace’s offices down the hall.

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