Page 99 of The Demon Court

“Obviously not.”

“She got a letter from the Tower requesting her presence urgently. Considering the way she was ordering everyone around, I assumed you had given her permission to go.”

“Go?” Why would she leave? Was she that upset about all that had happened between them?

No, he wouldn’t stand for it. She would not return to that tower on her own where they had made her feel like less than a person. He remembered how she’d spoken of them, and it didn’t take much to read between the lines. They were not her real family. They’d made her feel like nothing when they should have been helping her. Guiding her. Pushing her toward what she wanted in life, rather than puppeteering her around like they had.

She’d gotten so close to something like friends here. With him and Affection. She had more here than what the Tower could offer her.

Grinding his teeth, he shook his head. “Where is she now? They couldn’t have gotten far yet.”

“I’m not sure they’ve left, but all her things have been packed. You can’t go with her, Lust. You’d have no clothes, no food, nothing to prepare you for waiting outside the Tower—”

He interrupted her. “Send a second carriage with all those items for me. I’m going with her.”

“Why?” Lara asked as he swept past her. “What is it about this one that matters so much?”

He didn’t have the answer to that, and it scared him. But being scared wasn’t that bad. Not as bad as it could be, at least.

Lust didn’t respond. Instead, he raced through the halls, blasting past servants who shouted while asking if something was wrong. Nothing was wrong. Not yet, at least. He had to find her in the courtyard before she left. He was certain he would, and then everything would be fine.

Lust was breathing hard by the time he slammed the doors to the castle against the walls and rushed down the main steps. Of course the carriage was moving already, but the driver quickly reined the horses the moment he saw Lust.

It gave him all the opportunity he needed. Clattering down the steps, certain that Lara would do what he asked even though she might not wish to, he opened the door to the carriage and slid inside.

Selene had pressed herself back against the seat, a hand against her heart and eyes held wide as she stared at him. She was breathing hard, too. Had she been rushing to get out of here before he could find her?

Unlikely. She wasn’t that sneaky.

He gave her what he hoped was a disarming grin and said, “Miss me?”

She blinked at him a few times, almost as though she didn’t know how to reply. That was surprising in itself. The woman always had some kind of response for him, no matter what ridiculous thing came out of his mouth.

When she didn’t reply, he took the time to get control over his breathing. Lust slammed his fist onto the top of the carriage, and off they went. They rolled quietly down the cobblestone streets of the castle toward the city beyond.

“What are you doing?” she finally asked.

“Coming with you. The Tower is no place to go alone. I think we both know that.” And making sure she wasn’t running, of course. He didn’t want her to run without at least giving this a chance.

Because... What if they were both avoiding something amazing?

She didn’t look like she wanted something amazing to happen. She glared at him, plotting his murder, perhaps. But then she said, “You weren’t invited.”

“No, I don’t suppose I would be. No one at the Tower is very fond of me, in case you hadn’t noticed.” He leaned back, spreading his legs wide to get comfortable. She was forced to place her legs between his, and the way her eyes narrowed upon him only made him preen. “But I didn’t want you traveling alone. That’s rather dangerous, don’t you think?”

“Isn’t this kingdom the safest in all the seven kingdoms?”

“Indeed.” His chest puffed a bit with pride. “Even safer than Wrath’s, and that’s saying something.”

Selene leaned forward and sniffed. “Are you drunk?”

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?” He held up his fingers, pinching them just slightly. “Only a little. Anyway, why are you going to the Tower?”

“Because I was summoned.”

“And why were you summoned?”

“Minerva did not deign to give me a reason why.” She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I assume it has something to do with you.”

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