Page 73 of House of Demons and Bones

He commanded every eyeball on the field, completely upstaging the demon queen. Even she craned her neck to stare at us, her gaze landing on me. Yep, I was the girl riding the dragon. A legit dragon rider! And I’d bet on my stolen treasure that Tyson wouldn’t let anyone else up here.

I’m not a horse. You’re the only one who’ll ever get on my back, mate,Tyson said.

Sy pouted at that exclusion; even she didn’t make the cut.

My triumph over Queen Lilith evaporated as I took in the carnage below. My heart clenched at the sight of our fallen warriors who’d never rise again, their bodies scattered among the Shrieker remains. Something else hit me hard as I watched the horned demons swarm the battlefield. The five houses had always distrusted demons for good reason, but today they’d been the ones to save the day under their queen’s command. Now our realm owed her.

My stomach twisted. Deals with demons always came with a brutal price tag. I felt Killian’s growl rumble through Tyson. We’d won the battle, but I wouldn’t exactly call this a victory.

I knew with chilling certainty that my father would come in the flesh soon, just as he’d threatened. Ruin had scored valuable intel today. He’d seen how the princes and I operated, witnessed Killian’s death light, my dark flame, and his dragon in action. He knew our strengths and weaknesses now, and I’d bet those demon weapons weren’t news to him either.

When he returned, he’d come prepared. And he’d bring an army big enough to wipe every supernatural off the map.

My mouth tasted like ashes thinking about what the future would bring.

Everyone’s watching you on the dragon,Sy said.Sit straight and tits up.

We should get down and join the others,Killian told his dragon.You’ve had your moment. Now don’t milk it and ruin everything.

Tyson snorted, clearly not ready to give up his spotlight.

Think you’re the smartest one here?Killian said.The best move is to enter the scene late and leave early. Keep them wanting more, talking about you because they didn’t get their fill.

Tyson blinked, mulling that over before turning to get my take.

We can hit the skies again after we handle some business,I said.

The dragon dove. I leapt off his back the second he touched down. Lightning exploded, and Killian surged forth. Where the dragon had perched now stood the chaos prince, just as intimidating as his beast form, with starlight and darkness swirling around him.

The bell tolled from the depths of Shades Academy, announcing that reinforcements from all the kingdoms had finally shown up. What a joke. But hey, they were left with the cleanup job outside the Veil.

Queen Lilith glided toward Killian, shining like a star, even though she was fallen.

“Will you celebrate with me tonight in my house, beloved?” Her voice was musical, nothing like my husky growl. I was never the cultured, civilized type, and I wasn’t ashamed.

We’re beautiful savages,Sy said with pride.

“I need to talk to you about something important,” the queen pressed.

Rage surged in me, clouding my vision. Sy urged me to sink our claws into the queen’s back as she tried to stake her claim on Killian.

“Tonight doesn’t work for me,” he replied, his face blank as stone, not even glancing my way. “The heirs and I need to plan a masquerade ball.”

The rest of the heirs had reached us by then, momentarily looking confused.

“Oh, right, that.” Cade caught on quickly and grinned. “We were planning a party before those damn Shriekers paid us a visit. We’re hosting it in Trailblazer Courtyard tomorrow night. Everyone’s invited.”

“Time to officially welcome the sixth house to Shades Academy.” Killian nodded at Queen Lilith. “Your house earned that honor today defending Mist of Cinder.”

He turned and strode toward the Veil without another word to her. I sidled up next to him. The rest of the princes fell in line behind us while the queen watched us go.

18

Barbie

Killian, the rest of the heirs, Bea, and I trekked to the leyline in the Valley of Mist. I’d insisted on bringing Bea as I trusted her with my life, and it was time to let her in on my secrets. After the battle, we’d all hit our houses to clean up before regrouping to sketch out a plan. Better to figure shit out before our kings and queens summoned us to their courts.

My eyes caught on the mist ahead. It felt like another lifetime when Rowan and I had our “date” here. Everything had flipped so fast. Now Sy was Rowan’s mate, and I belonged to Killian.

---