Page 16 of The Devil's Trials

“Huh. Maybe she was.” Blake shrugs before walking to the fridge and pulling out a carton of eggs. “Or, another viable explanation, you’refucking exhausted and messed up over what happened, and reliving the attack is how you punish yourself for how it went down.”

I bite back an irritated growl and mutter, “Forget it.”

He frowns at me briefly. “You want breakfast?”

My gut is way too unsettled to eat, so I shake my head.

Blake blows out a breath and returns the egg carton to the fridge before leaning against the counter and pinning me with a serious look. “Okay, then let’s chat about your options.”

No sooner are the words out of his mouth does someone bang on the front door. My eyes narrow, immediately sensing the person on the other side is a demon.

No one is supposed to know where I am.

“Unclench, mate,” Blake says as he strides toward the door. “I told her to come.”

“What the f—”

He opens the door before the words are out of my mouth, and Francesca glides inside, barely acknowledging him as her vibrant emerald gaze finds mine. She looks the same as the last time I saw her, though it’s been years. Her tawny skin and auburn hair that falls past her breasts, which are on full display in a black bodysuit hugging her figure like a second skin.

Paired with dark navy jeans and a worn black leather jacket, I’m reminded of how confident she’s always been with her sense of style. It’s no wonder she and Blake get along so well.

I walk into the living room to meet them, and my posture doesn’t relax as Francesca approaches, stopping a few feet from me. “Francesca,” I say in a low voice. “What are you doing here?”

Her dark red lips curve into a slow smile, and she lowers her lashes as she dips her head in what I could easily mistake as a bow. “If you’d like to be formal about it, I’m here to swear my loyalty to you, my king.”

Blake snorts, and she shoots him a glare, to which he responds by pressing a fist to his mouth to stifle his laughter as he flops onto the couch.

“Francesca,” I say her name again, and she looks up at me. I’m at least a foot taller than her despite her knee-high heeled boots. “While I appreciate the sentiment, I’m not—”

Blake clears his throat, interrupting me, and I slowly turn to look at him. He lifts his brows at me, as if he’s silently—though certainly not subtly—reminding me of the time crunch I’m on to build my council before the trials start.

I’m not surprised Blake brought Francesca into the fold but I’m also not entirely thrilled about it. She wanted a royal title at one point. How can I be certain that isn’t why she’s here now?

I turn back to the demon my mother would’ve seen me marry for no reason other than power. “What did Blake tell you?”

Her eyes glimmer. “Nothing. He didn’t have to, because I understand the politics of our world, Xander. You’re going to be in charge once you pass the trials and ascend the throne, and I want a spot on your council in whatever position you see fit.”

“Give us a minute,” I say to Blake, not taking my eyes off Francesca.

“Already gone,” he mumbles as he pops up from the couch and moves at preternatural speed out of the room.

“Do you want to sit?” I offer.

Francesca nods, and we relocate to the couch.

“I’m not sure what you’ve heard about what happened,” I say in a level tone, choosing my words carefully. “But now is a pivotal time to choose who you align yourself with.”

She cocks her head to the side, her gaze never leaving mine. “What makes you think that matters to me?”

My brows lift. For as long as I’ve known Francesca, she’s been concerned with one thing—obtaining power by whatever means necessary. At one point it was by marrying me—which was ultimately never going to happen—and now it appears to be by swearing her loyalty, whatever she believes that to mean.

“Compared to many others that will attempt to sway you and garner your favor, I’m a good bet. Even Blake agrees, otherwise we both know I wouldn’t be here right now.”

I consider that and really have no argument. Still, she continues.

“We’ve known each other a long time. We grew up together. I’m more trustworthy than a lot of the demons we know.”

She’s not wrong.

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