Page 78 of Wicked Savior
The food arrives.
Evren turns to Valerian and Fallon. “That was quite an impressive collection of warriors you brought to the meeting with the angels. I’m guessing you’re not just a dragon shifter or an elf?”
With my arm on the back of her chair, I idly play with the strands of her hair while she bombards my family with a slew of questions. Daire looks at me with a raised eyebrow, silently asking why I didn’t tell her about them, but I smile. This is the best way to get to know Evren. And it makes her happy. When Daire sees the unspoken answer in my eyes, he laughs and raises his glass in a toast.
Epilogue
LUCIFER
Vargas is waiting for me in my office, bag packed and lying on the ground beside him. As is his usual habit, he’s pacing in front of my desk. The fluid way he moves and carries himself tells others more about his lethalness than the face he wears, but it’s still startling to see the face of a Fae and know it’s him. The Light Fae guard uniform doesn’t help, either.
Cormal felt the best disguise for Vargas would be to enter into the Light Fae palace as a guard, and I agreed. With very little effort, Cormal had a captain of the Light Fae army put Vargas on the roster and assign him as Solandis’ personal guard. I scoff. And people worry about me. At least I operate in the open. Cormal’s the devil in the shadows who will slit your throat for leaning against his wall.
I wonder if Solandis will be able to tell it’s Vargas. I hope so. He needs her, and she needs him, but right now, Meri needs them both.
I clasp his forearm with mine. “If you run into any danger or need anything, send word via our private channel. The fewer people who know where you are, the better. Be careful. The Fae are vicious. Unlike demons, they hide behind pretty words and glamours. And don’t get too cozy at the Light Fae court. Half demon or whole, I don’t give a fuck. You’re my second-in-command and critical to the future of the Underworld. Hear me?”
His voice is gruff when he replies. “Don’t worry. I know the Fae better than they know themselves. Thank you for understanding.” He bends down and grabs his bag. “Take care of Evren. Give her some fighting lessons. She needs more than just a dagger.”
“I will. Go,” I order him, hiding the smile that threatens to take over.
I’m still sitting there when Cormal strides in an hour later. “Thank you for adding my name to the side gate. It’s a hell of a lot easier to get to your office.” He motions to the decanter on my desk, and I wave a hand.
Pouring a large splash, he sits down and eyes the large knife in my hand. “Did Vargas leave yet?”
“Dressed in his shiny gold Light Fae guard uniform, he left about an hour ago,” I confirm. I flip the knife over and point the tip at Cormal. “Don’t ever negotiate with any of my men for access to this palace. This is my domain, and you will not dip the smallest toe into it without my permission. Understood?”
He jerks his chin in response.
“Good. Now tell me, what do you think Meri’s chances are of getting and keeping the Light Fae crown?” I ask, wondering if this is going to pull us into another war. Probably wouldn’t be a bad thing. We have a reputation to keep up. Plus, it keeps the army sharp and ready for battle.
A worried look settles on his face. “My sources say they’re prepared to give her the crown, but no one believes they will allow her to keep it. Meri has the power to hold on to her reign, but I doubt she’ll realize it until it’s too late.”
“I know you’ll keep a close eye on things. Let me know if we can help,” I tell him.
He stands up and downs the last of the bourbon in his glass. “I will. Also, I’ve used the torque.” Sliding a glove onto his hand, he reaches into the air beside his head and pulls the torque out. With one last look of longing, he lays it on the desk and leaves.
I stare at the torque, then wave a hand to put it into my secret vault. It will come in handy one day, when the end times are near. Until then, it will remain hidden.
