Page 8 of The Dark Rises
Her face is drawn, and her hand hovers protectively over the slight bump of her stomach. Tension sits in the tightness of hershoulders and lines in her neck, and her eyes shine with both gratitude and guilt.
I refuse to accept the guilt. “Because unlike Nyssa or Leandra, family means more to me than power,” I state firmly, tucking a stray blond hair behind her ear. “Besides, Madoc doesn’t think it was meant to be mine permanently. He thinks I was chosen as a temporary guardian of it.”
A small line appears between her brows. “Why would he say such a thing?”
“It’s his best guess since I never received the connection I was supposed to get,” I explain, revealing his theory. “How are you feeling? Is the baby okay?”
She sniffs. “You’re more like me than Nyssa.” Her hand rubs across the slight bump. “We’re doing good. He or she has been kicking up a storm, but the activity is reassuring.” She doesn’t say the words, but the stress of potentially losing the baby took a toll on her. Walking over to a nearby chair, she curls up in the plump cushions.
I swallow the lump in my throat and smile at her. “Good. We need more fighters in this family.” I slide a glance at Vargas. “What are your plans?”
He walks over and sits on the arm of the chair, then takes Solandis’ hand. “We’re staying here until after the baby is born. It’s safer for Solandis. The fight for the crown will be brutal, and it’s best if she stays hidden.”
I didn’t even think about that, but I guess we eliminated two of the top contenders, and with Solandis here, essentially removed a third from the board. I nod and tell them what I told the crown.
“Madoc says the light Fae crown was imbued with wisdom and foresight. I’m hoping it finds the best candidate to lead the light Fae.”
“Madoc seems to know a lot about the light Fae and our crown,” Solandis murmurs with a hint of worry in her eyes. “Are you sure about him?”
“Honestly, I’m not a hundred percent sure,” I admit with a sigh. “He’s saved my life several times, though. Right now, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I also know Cormal is keeping a close eye on him.”
Lorn wasn’t who I thought him to be. What if Madoc isn’t either? But the last thing I want is for her to worry.
Her eyes full of relief, Solandis darts a glance at Vargas. “Lorn told me Nyssa placed a spell over the people to remove their memories of him and his sister because they knew she had a hand in murdering our father. They only came back once she was gone, hoping they might be able to snag the crown for themselves if it rejected you. When it didn’t, their plans changed.”
That’s why Cormal couldn’t find much information about them until he started digging into the past. “They must have been overjoyed when Leandra showed up to tell them about my dark Fae heritage.” My voice is full of bitterness.
“It would have come out sooner or later,” Solandis states with a wave of her hand. “What are you going to do now?”
“We’re going hunting,” I grimly inform her. “Leandra’s days are numbered. It’s time to finish her once and for all.”
CHAPTER FOUR
CORMAL
Kavi glares at me from across the desk, his massive muscles stuffed into the desk chair, and his ebony skin gleaming in the artificial sun shining in from the fake window behind my desk.
“Do you know how many disputes I’ve had to settle this morning? Three. And I’ve only been here an hour. I’m ready to kill a few demons just to get some peace.” One large beefy hand spears through his black curly hair in frustration.
I laugh. Chaos demons aren’t known for their patience. I’m surprised he hasn’t killed at least one. “Leadership sucks. Everyone thinks it’s great, but in reality, it’s full of petty squabbles and greedy demons.” He gets up so I can sit in my chair. “What’s the latest in The Underworld?”
His black eyes gleam with knowledge. “Callyx dropped by yesterday. Flashed me a picture of a symbol. Asked if I’d seen any monsters lately.”
My neck tingles. One monster is a coincidence but two are rare. “Let Lucifer know I added to his collection in The Below.” Pure satisfaction runs through me at the thought of Lorn suffering in that hellhole… forever.
Kavi gives me an incredulous look. “He knows, and he’s not happy.”
Inwardly, I cringe, but my face is blank as I nod. “I’ll stop by and smooth his feathers.” It’s not as if Lucifer doesn’t know I have access to most places. After all, he’s banned me from entering his palace via any means except the front door like I’m some run-of-the-mill demon.
Kavi stands, his almost eight foot height towering over everything, and rolls his thick neck. “Anything else?”
“Take a day or two off. I’ll leave instructions for your return,” I order him.
Once he’s gone, I contemplate the look on Madoc’s face when he smelled the sex in the room. He feels something for Meri. Hopefully, it’s just lust, but the bastard is an enigma, and I don’t like it. I’d send Kavi to track him, but he’d likely get caught. Madoc’s sharp and would sniff him out in a second. Maybe we could tag him. From his reaction in the elevator, I’m guessing he isn’t tech savvy.
I slide open the drawer of my desk and pull out a couple of trackers. Dropping them in my pocket, I finish my paperwork, then head out. First stop: Lucifer’s. Better for me to go to him than have him track me down. Bastard has a temper.
When I arrive at the palace, I wave at the guards standing at the front door and walk in. Evren, Lucifer’s better half, is in his office when I enter. A tall, fierce red-head and the perfect foil for Lucifer’s angelic blond appearance.
