Page 122 of The Demon's Discovery
Seir’s joyful expression dropped. “Oh. I didn’t realize. I’m so sorry.” Seir patted his shoulder again, then stepped back.
“Don’t be. He was happy with his choice. Though circumstances being what they are, I think perhaps he maybe would have lingered a bit longer had he known what my cousin was truly up to. Have you all come to take Libelle home?”
“She’s my wife,” I asserted. “My mate.”
“I see.” Ris’s gaze drifted over me again. I was certain he was measuring my worthiness.
Seir gestured at us both, proudly proclaiming, “Ris, these are my brothers. Vassago and Rylan. That lovely lady is Rylan’s wife, Calla. And you know Magnus, it seems.”
His smile was genuine as he stepped forward to shake my hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m truly sorry about all this, my cousin has wrought trouble across many realms it seems.”
“Is Rowan here?” Magnus asked.
“I don’t know. I told Libelle the same. As much as it pains me, I don’t think so.” His eyes grazed us all again, our wings, the magic that flowed around Rylan, my mist. “What are you?”
Seir grinned wide and pointed, starting with me and ending with himself. “Demon, demon, witch, gargoyle, demon.”
Ris’s eyebrow raised. “I see.” He turned toward the palace. “My cousin has always maintained a small but strong force of private soldiers. But I have no idea how he might have things organized given he’s had the run of the place for nearly a hundred years.”
Seir rubbed his hands together. “We’re not afraid of a good fight, are we brothers?”
“What is his name?” I asked. “He’s wronged me for the last time, though we’ve had several altercations. I want to know who I’m going to kill.”
Ris smiled. “I’m afraid there’s a line forming for that honor. His name is Vos Quille.” Ris pulled a blade from his belt. “This belongs to Libelle.” He turned it over in the moonlight. “It’s a lovely blade. Worked terribly well on our guard in the dungeon. But she dropped it when Vos snatched her up. I only just managed to get away… I failed her again.” He frowned and looked my way. My heart clenched, realizing what he was saying.
Her hands had been bloodied.
I felt an odd disappointment that I’d missed it; regret that I hadn’t been there to comfort her through the range of emotions that inevitably had come after. Rage bubbled under my skin, andI fought to channel it where it truly belonged, thankful my curse was gone so I could direct it properly. While Ris might carry some responsibility for whatever happened in and after they were out of the dungeon, this was all the red-haired man’s fault, and I finally had a name to direct my anger to.
Seir was the first one to smile and head boldly across the yard. My brother was nothing if not enthusiastic. “Shall we go give it back to her then?”
Ris ledus into the palace through a stone door hidden behind a trellis and years of overgrown vines. I felt like my heart was lodged in my throat, the insistent beat showed me I was getting ever closer to Greta. My only wish was that it was more of a comfort and less of a distraction.
The passage he took us through between the walls emptied out into a wide corridor. Ris insisted on leading the way as we navigated toward the ballroom Belmont had indicated. We had yet to see the bird on the inside of the building, but he was clever. Just having seen him was a hopeful sign.
Applause echoed down the hall, and we increased our pace. There was only one guard outside the ballroom doors, and once he regained his composure, he bowed to Ris.
“Majesty,” he muttered.
“Where are Vos’s soldiers?” Ris asked.
The guard shook his head. “Inside. Most are… gone. Any suspected disloyalty is managed with ruthless efficiency.”
“How many?” Rylan asked.
“Eight. Plus, the people his guests brought. But there are only six families representing today. The wedding was put together rather in haste.”
“Wedding.” I heard the word and my body moved automatically toward the doors. Magnus’s firm grip stalled my motion, but a growl snarled out of my throat. “She is mywife.”
“Then his claim will not stand,” Rylan reminded me calmly.
“Any mages?” Ris asked.
“No, not except for His Majes—I mean, the false king, my lord.”
“Thank you, Deni.” Ris bowed his head.
“Sire,” he inhaled. “You have my sword as well.”
