Page 83 of Tortured Royals

Walking over to a chair, Dad grabs his shirt and shrugs it on, doing up the buttons. “You know what it is.”

“What? Witch’s Burn?” I say, remembering the explanation he’d given me before my time in the Perstalian ruins. Manydemons died after the great war with the witches, due to the exposure to the chemical weapons, but now I’m struggling to believe it. “I don’t remember any of the tomes saying anything about the Witch’s Burn sickness creating those black marks. Tell me the truth. I felt the power from the vault the moment I entered the castle. This is because of that power, isn’t it?”

A slow breath rushes from Dad’s nose, and he braces his hands on the chair like it’s an effort to keep himself standing. His gaze runs over my body, noting the golden tattoos, then he turns his attention to my mates, assessing each of them like he’s weighing up their worth. His lips twitch. “I am glad you’ve bonded with your mates, daughter. Now you may yet survive what’s to come. I can only hope your training was enough.”

“Training?” I think of all the things Dad’s put me through since I was young. The countless challenges where I had to fight for my survival. “You’re not making any sense. Why won’t you answer my questions? A witch possessed Ivar and killed him. The witches are coming for whatever you took from them and hid in that vault.” I pause, licking my dry lips. “Ivar said it’s a sentient being trapped in there.”

Dad flinches.

“We need to know what we’re up against,” I tell him. “Or the witches are going to come for it. If it’s what’s making you sick, let me deal with it.”

Sadness clouds Dad’s eyes. “You don’t understand,” he says. “I?—”

The doors slam open and General Josek bursts into the room. “Your highness,” the demon shouts, but his fierce expression calms when he sees me, changing to one of disdain. “Forgive me,” he says to the king. “When I saw the guards down, I thought you were in peril.”

“Actually, that’s a good point,” I say, holding up a finger and whirling on Dad. “Didn’t I say to organize more protection because there’s talk of an assassination.”

“Ivar’s spy has been captured and dealt with.”

Okay, well that’s good news.“But two guards?” I barrel on. “What were you thinking?”

Dad sighs. “Why are you here, General Josek? Has there been news?”

The general’s expression becomes grave. “Nothing from the other realms, but there’s movement in the city, and there’s been at least two witch sightings not far from the castle. Both of the bitches got away before our soldiers could get to them, but I don’t think it will be long now.”

Dad straightens, letting go of the chair, and pain flashes on his face, though he does his best to hide it. He speaks to the general, but his gaze remains fixed on me. “Summon the war council, general. Something tells me we’re about to have company.”

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

~ Princess Blake ~

We enter the war room after Dad, and Nate whistles as he scans the ancient maps and weaponry attached to the walls. His gaze fixes on a massive mace with wicked spikes around the head of the weapon.“Reckon that would do some damage.”

“That was my grandmother’s favorite,”I reply via our mental connection.“Touch it, and Dad will likely cut your hand off.”

“Yeesh, I was only admirin’”Nate says.

In the center of the room, a dozen demon generals and advisors stand rigidly around a large circular table. They slam their fists to their chests and bow their heads as King Dalton passes, and Dad takes his place at the other end of the table. I stand beside him, and my mates follow my lead. With five mates, the area is crowded, and we’re all practically standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

Dante smiles at General Drazar who stands beside him. “Do me a favor and move over a touch will you?”

General Drazar’s nostrils flare, and his tail flicks showing his displeasure. “What is the Coilan clan leader doing here? Shouldn’t he be busy with his clan?”

“Or off burying his cock in someone, you mean,” General Kaldoth laughs from across the table.

“Well, I do appreciate your concern, general. Indeed, I would much rather be pleasuring my bonded mate, theprincess,” Dante replies smoothly.

The generals pale, and all eyes are glued to me and my mates.

“Enjoying yourself?”I say in my head to Dante.

His dark chuckle sounds in my mind.“Quite so.”

Alaric moves to Dante’s side, squaring up his shoulders and shoving General Drazar over to give himself more room.

The general glares at my assassin, but he shuffles a little to the right, accommodating him.

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