“Yes, I am aware of that fact.” I smoothed a hand over my face. I needed her for reasons that had nothing to do withbiology or companionship. Things that would probably make her hightail it out of there and run away from me.
Before I’d met her, it was easy to pretend that those things weren’t as important as tying her to me and obtaining the throne. Now that I had, however…
“It’s more complicated than that.” Because I wanted those things. Wanted her towantme, too. Even if love was never in the picture, it couldn’t be. A demon like me didn’t deserve that.
“Of course.”
I waved my hand, thoughts swirling through my head. “Leave me. I’d like to be alone.”
I needed to slip back into my role. The part I’d been playing my whole damn life. The broody asshole demon prince I knew so well. Some days, I hated him. Other days, I just hated myself.
Talon nodded, giving me a small bow before leaving me to my own thoughts.
How would I convinceher? Could I dare to ask her to uproot her entire life?
If I went back and asked her to come with me, would she say yes?
Part of me didn’t want to find out.
Because I didn’t know how that answer would be anything other thanno.
“Father.” I stood in front of his ornate chaise, watching as two courtesans fanned him and another fed him grapes. A glass of demon wine swirled in his hand as he took a sip of the glittering liquid. He didn’t acknowledge my presence, too busy ogling the demon girls in the skimpy outfits he’d forced them to dress in.
Ugh.Disgusting. Once, I’d thought he loved my mother. That he cared for me, too. But age had shown me the truth. My father had never loved anyone like he loved himself—and his crown.
The twisting horns that protruded from his forehead were an ever-present reminder of who he was. No one spoke his name. Sometimes I wondered if it had long since faded from memory. For hundreds of years, it was never uttered within these walls. It was alwaysMy KingorMajesty,and I hated the way his lips would curl up at the words.
My father was large in stature—taller than any human, especially in his demon form.
Once, he had been called handsome. While age hadn’t decayed his features, they’d been warped from years of hate, distrust, and abuse. He was a shell of the ruler he’d once been, a remnant of the past that felt archaic, holding onto power instead of letting a new age usher through.
Myage.
“You summoned me?” I began, uncomfortable with this display. He’d grown too comfortable as of late, and if I had to watch him take advantage of one of the palace staff—or a female who was all too eager to please herKing—one more time, I thought I might hurl.
I couldn’t let that show. Couldn’t let him see my weakness.Pathetic.
“Zain.” His eyes tracked lazily over to me as he crushed another grape with his tongue. “Where is your brother?”
“On a mission.”
I was glad that Damien and I hadn’t inherited most of his traits. We shared his dark-as-night hair, and I had the golden eyes that signified demon royalty, but I was proud to be my mother’s son. That I had retained even an ounce of her goodness. Even if I couldn’t show it.
Both my half-brother and I had gained our abilities—his shapeshifting and my, well,everything—from our mothers. The shadows were the only part that had come from him—a fact he knew all too well.
He didn’t need to know the truth of our current situation. What I’d sent him to do. The less my father knew of Damien’s potential woman—and of mine—the better. Not until I could protect her fully.
Until she was safe—protected by the crown on her head and my guards.
“Hmm.” Father didn't sound pleased with me, and I couldn’t blame him. I wasn’t pleased withmyself. “When will he return?”
I grit my teeth. “He isn’t your lackey, Father. He doesn’t serve you.” Not anymore.
As the crown prince, I’d put a stop to that. Claiming that I needed him to do my bidding was the best way to keep my brother away from our asshole of a father.
Almost three hundred years, and I still didn’t feel like I’d done enough for him.
A scowl transformed his face, and I did my best to stand tall—not to cower in front of him like I knew he wanted. I’d had enough years to grow used to this.