Page 127 of The Demon's Discovery
It was equal parts fascinating and horrifying to watch, and I worried that I’d done something terrible having this blade forged.
Vassago materialized fully next to me, his hand reaching out to squeeze mine before dropping away.
Vos had started to hiss and pant in earnest, black tendrils already spreading across his chest, crawling up his face.
Ris rose to his full height above his cousin. “You’ll never cause another moment of havoc on my kingdom, Vos Quille. May your name forever be shamed.”
Vassago reached out, and I gave him my blade. “Look away, Dragonfly.”
I didn’t.
I watched as my husband removed my captor’s head from his body with the Dark blade. It rolled off to the side, a silent scream frozen upon it as the rest of his body was dismembered efficiently, the pieces scattered across the room.
The hateful ring Vos had given me as Otto Feiser finally withdrew from my skin and fell off, nothing more than a useless piece of metal as it rolled along the floor of the ballroom to fall over at his side. I rubbed the reddened skin where it had been, relieved that it was finally gone.
Vassago came back to my side and ran his hands along my shoulders, his face leaned into my hair. “I’m sorry,” he apologized again. “You did so well, Little Dragonfly. But you should not have had to do any of this. Forgive me.”
The new demon came over, one hand out in introduction. It was such an odd gesture given the circumstances, but he was so genuine it was hard not to go along.
“Hello. I’m Seir.”
“Hello. Greta. Or Libelle. Either is fine.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” He grinned and loped off again, helping to pile up the bodies of the fallen nobles who had been loyal to Vos.
Chapter 49
Greta
Rylan helped dispose of all the bodies in a shockingly efficient manner, his high intensity electrical magic making short work of everything it touched. Calla and I opened the windows to let in some fresh air, and Belmont flew out, cawing and knocking, but returned to pace on a sill.
“Thank you, friend. You did very well,” Ris said, offering a small bow of thanks. Belmont examined us both with concern, chatting the whole time.
“Was he the one that took your eye?” I asked, gesturing to where the final guard had fallen by my own hand. Belmont cawed, the sound brutal, and he did that strange nod again. “I’m glad you had a chance to return the favor,” I said, feeling strangely empty.
I glanced over at where scorch marks were all that remained of Vos. “Did you find the necklace?” I asked. “Bea’s version,” I clarified.
Vassago frowned. “There was no necklace.”
“He was wearing it earlier.” I had no idea how long ago that might have been. “When he first brought me here. But he left me alone in that room for a long time, there’s no telling where he went.”
“Where’s yours, Dragonfly?”
I pulled it from the little pocket where I’d kept it hidden and re-clasped it around my neck. “It got warm when I was making the elixir. It’s done that several times.”
“Something to discuss with Ophelia, perhaps?” He took my hand and led me across the room.
“I could use a drink,” Magnus sighed, stretching out his wings one final time before shifting back into his human form.
“Come, friends,” Ris said, looking over the mess the fight had left behind. “The kitchens have always been well stocked. Hopefully some of my father’s favorite vintage has been spared.”
We followed Ris through the palace toward the kitchens, several members of staff gasping and pressing themselves against walls with their heads bowed as we passed.
The kitchen operated as usual, the staff fawning over Ris as he strode directly into the pantries, searching for what he wanted.
“Please, go sit! We’ll bring you something, your majesty! It’s so wonderful to see you again!” The head chef was a portly man with a wild mustache, well-trained enough not to mention that all of us were covered in blood and gore. “Is he…?”
“Dead,” Seir supplied helpfully. “Vos Quille is very, very dead.”
