Page 26 of She Who Holds My Wrath

“Ah, right. The war.” Lucifer chuckles darkly, flailing his hands around for dramatic effect. “The one you dragged to our doorstep because Korithax couldn’t settle for a regular whore like the kings before him.”

“That’s enough!” My voice cracks through the air, making Daisy flinch. “I am sick of you speaking to her this way. She is your queen, Lucifer.”

His smirk grows almost evil, his eyes glittering with malice. “Come now, she knows I’m only joking. Don’t you, little flower?”

The temperature in the room shifts. Daisy’s ocean eyes darken, the obsidian rings around them swallowing the blue whole. Heat pours from her in waves. Before I can move, fire races down her arms, licking across her palms. She unsheathes the dagger from her thigh as she pushes to her feet, and drives it into the marble table, straight between Lucifer’s fingers. The crack echoes throughout the room as her flames hiss. Every guard in the room draws their blades, the shriek of metal vibrating in my ears as I keep my eyes trained on Lucifer.

“Say that name again,” she snarls, teeth bared. “I dare you.”

Lucifer actually loses his smirk, staring at the blade buried an inch from his hand. Black blood slicks his finger where the deadly sharp edge kissed his skin.

“You can call me a whore. You can call me a piece of ass. You can call me a useless queen. But what you will not do,” Daisy leans forwards, pulling the dagger from the table and pressing its tip beneath his chin, “is use the name Korithax gave me. You would never have dared speak to me this way in front of him. Don’t think for a moment I need him to defend me. I can take you myself.”

Her voice vibrates with grief, fury, and power. I barely recognise her. This isn’t the Daisy who stumbled into Zeriavoss. Not even Dasmyrin. This is something new and old mixed together. This is something that has been forged by loss. And gods, it terrifies me. The way I see her flame licking at her skin, not at all harming Lucifer, shows the growth and control she has gained in such a miniscule amount of time. It’s incredible. It’s like she’s so angry she doesn’t even need to concentrate on the power surging from her. It just obeys. I think of Velentha. Of losing her. And I know—I would be worse. I would burn worlds and not care who burned with me, and I don’t even possess the power of fire.

Lucifer, gods damn him, grins. “Loud and clear, queenie.”

He blows her a mocking kiss. But his eyes… his eyes are different now. I think he actually sees her. Truly sees her. Not a girl draped in fine dresses and a shiny crown, forced upon a throne. But a queen with fire in her veins and grief sharp enough to cut anyone who dares try to come for her.

Daisy withdraws the dagger, flames guttering out, her eyes fading slowly back to blue. She exhales slowly, lowering herself back into her seat, but sitting straighter. Anger still radiates off her like heat from a forge, but she reins it in with steel control. Stronger than me, that’s for sure—I would’ve smacked the smirk from his lips.

Before she can speak again, the doors slam open. A gangly demon stumbles inside, skin ashen grey, horns stroked black, eyes wide with panic.

“Your Lordship,” he gasps.

Both Daisy and I wrinkle our noses in unison. “Lordship?”

Lucifer groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. “What is it, Jamixon?”

The demon bows low, voice trembling. “It’s a message for Queen Daisy.” He turns his panicked gaze to her and my hackles rise. “My Queen—the village. It has been attacked.”

My chair scrapes back so fast it falls backwards, hitting hard against the marble as I rise. “Attacked? What do you mean attacked?”

Daisy is already on her feet, striding towards Jamixon with panic crackling through her voice. “I was just there—how?”

He stammers, clearly anxious at addressing her. “A message came through. The village is in ruins. Casualties are… heavy. That’s all I know.”

I look to Lucifer. He only shrugs, as if he’s bored. Like slaughter is beneath his notice. Bastard.

“Aran.” Daisy rushes to me, gripping my shoulders tightly. Her eyes are wide and desperate. “We have to go. Now. Marta is there. Theodus—everyone. Please!”

I grit my teeth, entirely torn on the situation in front of me. “Daisy, it isn’t safe. You should return to the palace. I’ll go with the soldiers⁠—”

“No!” she cuts me off, fire sparking at her fingertips. “These are my people. I will not hide from them.”

I sigh and nod once, turning to Lucifer. “Have someone alert the palace. Tell them to send soldiers immediately.

Lucifer inclines his head, for once without sarcasm. He clasps Daisy’s hand briefly, his expression unreadable. “Be careful, little queen. You may not be my first choice, but you’re what Hell has. Don’t get yourself killed before the war even beings.” He strolls out of the room, hands in his pockets, as if none of what is happening even matters.

“Thanks… I guess?” Daisy mutters.

She turns to me, flicking her hands at me impatiently, signalling at me to hurry the hell up. I call the guards into formation. In an instant, a crescent shield of guards is formed around her, protecting her from all angles. I roll my shoulders and attempt to conjure a portal. Lucifer must have dropped the wards because it materialises almost instantly. Through the shimmering veil, a scene of pure horror stares back at us. Flames lick at the sky, smoke is everywhere. Screams fill the air. There’s nothing left of the once glorious village but ruin. The sight makes my gut clench.

Daisy doesn’t hesitate, despite her complexion paling. She steps through first—the crescent formation staying tightly around her— with her dagger drawn and a bright flame shakily igniting in her palm.

Chapter 14

DAISY