Page 19 of The Devil's Trials
“To the new king of hell,” he says, lifting his glass, and everyone else follows suit while I opt for taking a drink instead.
“Have you thought about your trials?” Jude asks.
“No. I was more concerned with securing my council. Now that I have, I can focus on the trials.”
She nods. “They’ve always been tailored to the demon facing them, meaning they’ll be specific to you and not the same as what your mother would have experienced.”
I shrug. “That’s just as well. She never spoke of them to me.”
“Each trial will force you to face a potential weakness. Something you’re likely to deal with as the reigning monarch so the royal guard can see how you’d handle yourself.”
“So they’re going to be observing the trials as they happen?”
“Not necessarily,” Greer chimes in. When I arch a questioning brow at her, she continues, “They’ll be able to tap into your subconscious while you’re asleep andseethe trial once you’ve completed it. From there, they will determine if you are successful.”
“Seems kinda lazy of them,” Francesca comments, picking at a hangnail on her thumb.
Blake snorts. “Bingo. Alas, we have to play by their rules.” His gaze finds mine across the coffee table separating us. “Your council’s main job is to support you. We can’t participate in the trials, but we can help you prepare outside of them.”
“And celebrate when you pass them,” Jude offers with a smile.
I return the smile briefly. “So, how exactly do I prepare when the trials can happen any time and place at the royal guard’s whim?”
Greer leans back into the couch cushions, snagging my attention. “I recall your mother’s trials. She did little to prepare, aside from maintaining her strength by feeding regularly and training with members of her council. You’ll need to tap into your demonic nature and allow it to guide you from here on out. I understand that’s new for you, having beenplagued by that pesky humanity for two and a half decades, but it’s for your own good. For your survival, really.”
I nod curtly. She doesn’t say anything I disagree with.
“Are you prepared to leave your human girlfriend in the past?” Francesca asks.
My eyes narrow at her. “I have.”
“Really?” she pushes.
“Watch it,” I warn, shifting at the flare of possessiveness heating my gut. I know she’s pressing intentionally.
It’s no secret that the demons around me are wary of Camille jeopardizing my ability to ascend the throne. But I don’t see the need to explain the shattered soulmate connection—it’s gone, making it a nonissue where my council is concerned.
I’m not sure how known the history of soulmate bonds is in our world—among a human and a demon at that—and I won’t let myself explore it further. It doesn’t matter. The bond is gone.
“Okay,” Blake cuts into my trailing thoughts, turning his gaze to me. “I think we should plan for you to feed daily. Keep you at your strongest.”
“Fine,” I offer mildly, despite the prickle of excitement along the back of my neck.
The power that comes from feeding on human fear can feel like a drug hit. I never used to feed for pleasure, just necessity, but now…the thought of it makes me nearly salivate.
“I can train with you,” Francesca offers. “I’ve taken up pilates and boxing over the last few years. I’m probably your best option.”
Declan laughs. “Cocky much?”
She shrugs. “Think you can do better? I’d be more than happy to show you my skills if having your ass handed to you sounds like fun.”
“I’d pay to see that,” Roman adds with a grin.
Declan holds his hands up in surrender, shaking his head. “All yours.”
“Excellent,” Francesca says, turning her attention to me. “I’m ready to start whenever you are, Your Majesty.”
“That stops now,” I tell her, glancing around the room. “That goes for all of you. Whatever happens in the next six weeks before the winter solstice—”
