Lucifer regarded him for a moment before cutting his gaze to me. “And this witch. Is she the one who freed you?”
I straightened, holding my head high. “I am, and in exchange for returning him to you, I would like safe passage for myself and my parents to the earthly realm.”
Discord growled softly beside me, and I clamped my mouth shut. Was I out of my ever-loving mind? Why those words crossed my lips, I couldn’t say, but they were out there now. I might as well own them.
I squared my shoulders and infused my words with as much vim as I could. “A prince in exchange for three witches. It’s a fair trade.”
Lucifer’s brows shot toward his hairline, surprise morphing his features before he recovered. His hair darkened at his temples, his jaw tightening, and Discord stiffened beside me. I took two full breaths before anyone moved.
Discord jutted out his arm, wrapping his fingers around my throat before stepping so close I could feel his breath on my face as he spoke. “You will not bargain with our king. You will not speak again unless you are asked. Is that clear?”
“Crystal,” I wheezed, and he let me go.
Lucifer cut his gaze between us, and a chuckle rolled up from deep in his chest. His hair returned to blond, and he let out a full-on belly laugh. “How I have missed you.” He rose to his feet. “Join me in the dining room. We’ll feast to your return. Then, we’ll deal with your insolent witch.”
11
DISCORD
Cinder wished for her soul to be shredded into oblivion. It was the only explanation my mind could comprehend. Why else would she be so bold? No, not bold. That wasn’t the right word to describe her transgression. Stupid. Moronic. Imbecilic. She was lucky Lucifer hadn’t struck her down in that instant.
We both were.
“You seem to forget my fate is tied to yours,” I whispered as we followed a servant toward the dining room. “You’re supposed to be following my lead.”
“I might do that if you were actually leading. All you’ve done so far is grovel, put on a show, and kiss his ass. At least I’m moving the conversation forward.” She brushed her hair behind her bare shoulder and shrugged dismissively. “If you have a plan, I’m all ears.”
I blew out a sharp, irritated breath. “My plan was to test the waters. To only say as much as his mood allowed.”
“His hair was blond. You said that meant he was happy, so I went with it.”
We stopped outside the dining room doors, and as the servant opened them, I regarded Cinder. Perhaps bold was a good word for her. She’d seen an opportunity and taken it, and if she’d been speaking to anyone other than Lucifer himself, I’d have applauded her effort.
The servant gestured for us to enter, and we stepped inside. The grand table, which could easily seat thirty, was set for seven. The polished black granite gleamed beneath half a dozen candelabra made of gilded bones. Orange flames flickered in response to my magic…possibly to Cinder’s as well…casting dancing shadows onto the walls, and ornate silver goblets sat beside black chargers etched with red veins that pulsed softly. Atop the chargers sat neatly folded black napkins with Lucifer’s monogram embroidered in crimson thread.
Two harpies entered from a swinging door and tugged two chairs from beneath the table, their gazes cast downward as always when in the presence of royalty. We took our seats, and they exited the chamber, leaving me alone with the thorn in my side called Cinder.
“What’s the plan, Captain?” She started to take the napkin from her charger, but I caught her hand and shook my head. If her mouth didn’t get us both obliterated, her manners would.
“We accept Lucifer’s hospitality with grace. Do not mention your demands again until he asks, and do not, for any reason whatsoever, reveal my mark on your arm or mention our blood bond.”
“It’s not much of a plan, but okay.” She dropped her hands into her lap.
Another door opened, and four new members of the court sauntered in. I recognized Bedlam, Ruin, and Tumult immediately. They wore black suits with blood red shirts, and they’d all slicked their dark hair back in matching styles.
The woman accompanying them I had never seen before. She had silver hair, cropped short to her head, and she wore a dark blue satin pantsuit with nothing else beneath the jacket. If the seer hadn’t shown me the changes of the past centuries, I’d have been appalled at her appearance. Now, it seemed women could wear whatever they chose, even in the earthly realm.
“The mighty Discord has returned.” Bedlam pulled out a chair for the woman, tucking her in as she sat. Arrogance seeped from his pores, and he laughed before taking a seat.
“And he brought a witch instead of his brothers.” Tumult sat next to him. “What are we to think of that?”
Ruin let out a hard exhale as he took a seat. “You should have stayed across the veil.”
“This witch has a name, and you will use it.” I crossed my arms, straightening my back. “Cinder, meet Ruin, Tumult, Bedlam, and…?”
The woman tilted her head, her calculating gaze sliding over me before she focused on Cinder. Lucifer strode into the room, and the servants hurried in behind him. He positioned himself at the head of the table, and they filled our goblets with wine before placing the napkins in our laps.
As they returned to the kitchen to prepare our first course, Lucifer sipped his wine, eyeing Cinder over the rim of his goblet. A spark of possessiveness ignited in my chest. I instinctively leaned toward her and narrowed my eyes at him in warning.
