Page 18 of The Devil's Trials

The sincerity in her tone is the reassurance I need to exhale until the tension releases from my shoulders.

Francesca tucks her hair behind her ear. “What’s your plan now that mommy dearest is out of the way?”

“Considering it wasn’t my intention to take the throne until now, I’m still figuring out the logistics.”

She nods. “Well, at least you’re not so unpopular that you have to face the trials alone, so really, things could be worse.”

A short laugh escapes my lips. “Thanks for your optimism.”

No more than an hour later, Jude and Greer walk into the house after Blake, along with Jude’s brother Roman and a male I don’t recognize. The twitch of concern in my gut eases as I remind myself that Blake wouldn’t bring anyone here we couldn’t trust.

I stand from the couch as Jude rushes over to me, her heels clicking against the hardwood. She throws her arms around my neck in a blur of movement. “King Xander,” she says in my ear, a smile clear in her pride-filled tone. “That certainly has a nice ring to it.”

I chuckle as she steps back, patting my chest as our eyes connect. Hers match the cobalt collared shirt she’s wearing, paired with subtle makeup and dark brown curls. She’s nearly a decade older than me, but we’ve always been civil. It wasn’t until I saved her from the lethal end of a hunter’s dagger that we became friendly.

Roman steps up beside his sister. “You didn’t formally request my expertise on your council, but you should know by now that Jude and I are a package deal.”

The corner of my mouth tugs up, and I offer Roman my hand. “I’m glad to have you.”

He shakes my hand, then moves aside for Greer and her partner to step forward.

My eyes shift from the petite demon to the muscular male next to her. He appears to be around her age, perhaps slightly older—I’d guess mid-forties—and dressed impeccably in black dress pants and shoes and a dark blue button up.

“Xander,” Greer murmurs in greeting. “This is Declan.”

Declan bows his head, his mop of black hair falling forward. When he straightens, his light blue eyes meet my gaze. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” he says in a deep voice.

I cut a look to Greer, who smiles faintly, tucking her long, copper curls behind her ear.

“Don’t believe a word she said,” I warn Declan in a light tone.

He chuckles. “Oh? So, you’re not an intelligent and sharp young man with immense leadership potential?”

My eyes narrow as I school my features to mask my surprise. Greer has loved giving me a hard time for as long as I can remember, though it’s always felt like it came from a place of fondness. “Hmm.”

Greer steps up beside Declan. “I know the invite to your council probably didn’t include a plus one, but I figured you could use another show of support.”

I survey the demons filling the small living room. The determination in their faces, the steady beat of their hearts. While I’m hesitant to trust anyone I’ve just met, my gut tells me I’m better off giving the new additions a chance.

Clearing my throat, I say, “I want to be clear that choosing to align yourself with me will pose challenges. There are demons who will oppose me. So long as you’re prepared to face whatever lies ahead during the ascension trials, I welcome you to my council.”

Blake pulls a pocketknife out, flicking it open. “Last chance to walk away,” he says, slicing into his palm as I hold my hand out to him to do the same.

The blood oath has been completed by every royal council since the very beginning of time. Each member of the council must offer up their own blood, mixing it with mine and connecting us.

I barely feel the blade when Blake slices into my skin before pressing his palm to mine. The moment our blood mixes, a surge of adrenaline spills into my veins like electricity. My lips part in a silent gasp at the power that surges through me as my heart thumps wildly.

It feels fucking incredible.

Blake grins at me, his own chest rising and falling faster at the shared sensations. “We’re blood brothers now, mate.”

I roll my eyes, pulling my hand free from his and holding it palm-up to keep the blood from spilling onto the floor at my feet.

Blake waves the bloodstained blade at the others. “Who’s next?”

One by one, each demon gives their blood, connecting themselves to me and securing their place on my council. After the last one, my veins are singing with power, leaving me feeling ready to take on anything.

The seven of us sit around the living room as Blake makes a production of popping open a bottle of champagne and handing us each a flute.

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