He chuckled and set down his glass. “Four hundred years of sensory deprivation, and you haven’t changed a bit.”
“But I see your court has.” I glanced at Ruin, who sat at Lucifer’s immediate right…where I should have been.
“Someone had to pick up the slack while you were out playing with witches.” Ruin leaned forward in a feeble attempt to intimidate me.
“Believe me. He and I are not playing at anything,” Cinder said.
“And she speaks for you as well.” Ruin arched a brow, and I imagined my fist erasing the amusement from his face.
Sadly, Lucifer did not tolerate physical altercations at dinner, so I squeezed Cinder’s knee beneath the table instead, hoping to remind her of our positions in this power play.
Ignoring Ruin’s jab, I turned my attention to the silver-haired woman. “I don’t believe you told me your name.”
“You’re right. I didn’t.” She sipped her wine and said no more.
Lucifer clucked his tongue. “That’s no way to speak to our fallen prince. Tell him who you are.”
She flicked her gaze to the king before inclining her chin. “My name is Seraphine Gale. I’m the most skilled hunter you will ever meet, and I am the only witch in Lucifer’s court.”
She looked at Cinder. “It will stay that way.”
“There, there, Seraphine,” Lucifer said, speaking as if the witch were a child. “Cinder isn’t here to infiltrate us. Are you dear? No, she has her own agenda, I’m afraid.”
Cinder’s silver-tongue magic flared, but I squeezed her knee once more before she could speak. Hecate had been the only witch in Lucifer’s court for centuries. Her absence and apparent replacement were concerning. The goddess had always been the calm to Lucifer’s storm.
The kitchen door swung open, interrupting the lethal conversation, and seven harpies entered, each carrying a silver-domed dish. They stood behind us, and as Lucifer nodded, they set the dishes down and removed the domes in unison, revealing a thick brown puree.
“Leek and shallot soup, seasoned with essence of gluttony and shame,” the head servant said. “Enjoy.”
“Gluttony and shame?” Cinder leaned toward me, lowering her voice. “Is it safe for me to eat here?”
“It would be unsafe if you didn’t,” I whispered.
“Bene sapiat,” Lucifer said, lifting his glass before taking a sip and setting it on the table. “Enjoy your meal.”
Cinder eyed her soup, and I could almost see the calculations forming in her mind. I picked up my spoon and dunked it into the salty liquid. Shame was an acquired taste, one I never appreciated, which Lucifer knew. Adding it to our first course was a not-so-subtle hint at my place in this realm. I took a bite, and Cinder followed my lead, her lips tightening as she swallowed.
“How do you like it?” Lucifer suppressed a smile as he watched Cinder take another bite.
She swallowed and dabbed the napkin to the corners of her mouth. “I’ve always said leeks are the most underrated vegetable. They’re my favorite.”
Good answer. Perhaps we might survive this dinner after all.
The second course consisted of skunk cabbage salad with a dressing made from the tears of the tormented. Cinder cringed when the harpy announced it, but she ate, nodding her head in false appreciation. I could only imagine the nausea she must have felt with each bite.
Seraphine wiped her mouth. “Tormented tears perfectly counter the sweetness of the cabbage. Don’t you think, sire?”
“What do you think, dear Cinder?” Lucifer asked, making Seraphine clench her jaw.
Cinder swallowed and took a large drink of wine before answering, “I’ve always liked the combination of salty and sweet. Like salted chocolate or caramel. They complement each other well.”
She smirked at Seraphine and took another bite, her gaze never straying as she chewed and swallowed. Admiration warmed my chest, and I fought my smile. I never dreamed an earthly witch could be so skilled at underworldly diplomacy.
The harpies cleared our salad plates and returned with the main course. “A prime rib cut of Stygian steer with goose foie gras and garlic butter.” They refilled our goblets and returned to the kitchen.
Cinder cut into her steak and took a bite. Surprise flashed in her eyes, and she nodded. “This is delicious.”
“Hmm.” Lucifer’s gaze grew wistful. “It was Hecate’s favorite.”
