“If it is a trap then I will take one of theother ways into and out of the seals.”
“If there are other ways then we will takeone of them, together!”
“They are much longer, all well-known, andmore dangerous. If I do not return, Morax and the others will comefor me one of those ways.”
“Am I to go one of those ways too?”
My claws extended before I drew them backinto myself with a steadying breath. “If you cannot enter thechamber then you will wait for me by it with Corson and theothers.”
“I will not stand by and simply wait for youto come back from battle and neither will the others.”
“They will if I command them to.”
“Kobal—”
“I promised I would not keep anything fromyou again. Do not make me regret telling you this.”
“But you’re still trying to order mearound.”
“No, I’m not. This is the way it must be,River. The faster we know the answer to what is going on, thebetter off we’ll all be. If I thought there was a better way, Iwoulddo it, simply so I didn’t have to leave you behind.You know that.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I do,” sheadmitted.
I took her hand, holding it in both of mineas I drew her forward. I brushed the wet hair back from her neckand kissed her nape as I settled her onto my lap. “And if you canenter the chamber, then you will be with me every step of theway.”
“I don’t like this.”
“Neither do I.”
I slid the fur away from her to drink in thesight of her beautiful body. Laying her down, I followed behind,determined to drown her apprehension and mine in nothing butpleasure until she was too tired to worry anymore.
“My heart,” she whispered before clasping mycheek in her hand and drawing me down for a kiss.
CHAPTER 27
Kobal
Stepping into the room with the carouselagain, I gazed around at the large number of demons and skelleinsgathered within. The skelleins were passing around canteens I knewwere filled with either their beer or mjéod.
Holding River’s hand, I led her across theglass of the carousel and down a set of steps toward where Corson,Bale, Verin, Shax, Morax, Magnus, and Hawk waited for us. Theystopped speaking as we approached. Slowly, all of them and thetroops standing behind them, went down to one knee.
River gave a strange stutter step as shesurveyed the crowd kneeling before us. Hawk remained standing, hishead bouncing around the others before his gaze came back to us.His eyes fell on me before he went to one knee also. River steppedforward, her hand extended as if to stop him, but I pulled her backand secured her against my side.
“We are their king and queen,” I murmured inher ear.
“We’re not even married,” she whisperedback.
“You wear my marks. That is all that isrequired in our world.”
“But Hawk—”
“Is now a demon.”
I nuzzled her temple before turning andgesturing for everyone to rise. They did so in one fluid motion. Istood and surveyed the troops gathered before me. Many of them maynot survive this, but they were willing to lay down their lives todestroy Lucifer.
I’d never thought I would think it in mylifetime, but I was tired of fighting. I’d spent my whole liferelishing the thrill of the battle, the blood drenching me, and thescreams of the dying as they echoed in my ears. Now, I wanted tospend the rest of River’s life with her and our children, living inas much peace as we would be able to find if we succeeded indestroying Lucifer.
Magnus held out his hand to stop me when Istarted to walk past him. “There is something I would like todiscuss with you.”
