Me.
The legitimacy of marrying the royal heir to another court, thereby making him a king. And when the succubi of the Ardent Court refused to bend a knee to a male ruler—instead, looking to their princess for leadership—he’d set his wolves on them.
My chest grew heavy as I wondered how many of my fellow succubi remained. Were Hana, Tavila, and I the only ones left?
“I see. I’m sorry to hear that, Prince Morningstar. I had hoped that our meeting would have gone much differently.”
Lucifer didn’t know it yet, but I did. His fate had been sealed by his actions and his flippancy. He wouldn’t be leaving here alive.
If he left here at all.
You fool.
As if he heard my unspoken admonishment, Lucifer’s gaze swung to me. An eyebrow raised as he appraised me, followed by a gleam of interest kindling in his eyes.
He didn’t tear them away from my face as he slowly bowed, watching me the entire time.
My blood ran cold at the heat in his gaze.
“It is an honor, Queen Lilith. The stories of your beauty weren’t exaggerated in the slightest… if anything, they didn’t capture the truth.”
I curled my hands in my lap, fingers trembling. If only this presumptuous Fallen demon had looked the other way and left me alone…
But Asmodeus smiled.
Prince Morningstar had sealed my fate as well.
“My lady?”
I jumped a mile, Hana reaching out to make sure I didn’t go tumbling over the balcony railing.
“Holy shit, Hana! You scared me to death!”
“I called your name, but it seems you were lost in thought.”
More like memory, but I didn’t want to admit that it had been about Lucifer. I felt guilty enough about my feelings for him putting Hana in danger already. No need to rub salt in that wound.
Instead, I just smiled and nodded.
“It’s time for supper, my lady. I’ve been sent to bring you down.”
“I’m guessing if Asshole sent you, opting to skip dinner isn’t an option.”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Do I have to dress in scraps again?”
“He gave no orders regarding your clothing, so I don’t believe so.”
“Thank goodness for small miracles, I guess. If I have to suffer through another evening beside him, at least I’ll be fully clothed.” I just hoped he would, too. I’d had more than my fill of him and Tavila the day before.
Fingers crossed she wasn’t eating cock for dinner tonight.
Hana held the door for me as I left the room, falling into step beside me as we made our way to the grand hall.
“Hana?”
“Yes, my lady?”