Page 86 of Fated to the Demon Lord

Vaelor shifted, stepping to place himself between me and Lanzin. “That is no guarantee. Your forces are too small to do this on your own. The mercenary army was essential for us, and we can’t trust Spiritu Malignos.”

Lanzin’s brows pulled together. He took another step, and Vaelor made the subtlest adjustment, ensuring he stayed between me and his brother. Gods, I was hopelessly infatuated with this male. Even in this small room, Vaelor couldn’t help but protect.

“What about our people?” Lanzin asked, confused. “I thought you wanted to save them? How can you negotiate their freedom if we do not give our nation Misophae?”

Vaelor shook his head and sighed as if disappointed. “I fear it is too risky. We must find another way to restore our family name and save our people.”

“There is no other way,” Lanzin snapped. He became silent, his hand clutching his pommel in contemplation. He advanced further toward Vaelor, determination etched on his face. “We are not as few as you believe. We have gathered more recruits, though I admit it still isn’t enough without the mercenary army... But I have convinced Creedan to assist in taking over Misophae.”

My stomach sank. Vaelor’s brother was working with the very demon who had enslaved his people. Whom Vaelor had been fighting against for years in order to rescue them.

Vaelor snarled, his wings filling the room. “You’d dare work with him after what he did?”

“He agreed to let bygones be bygones if we allowed him to assist us and grant him some of the glory for turning Misophae over to the Aeria court. It is the start to getting us into the court’s good graces.”

“He fucking killed our mother, my wife, my unborn child… and you just decided to let it go?” Vaelor roared.

“You brought that on yourself when you let Pixa entertain the idea of marrying a vampire. A vampire, Vaelor. If you hadn’t indulged her. If you hadn’t let her believe at first that she could flout our ways, our rules, she would be alive right now.”

Vaelor stalked forward, and Lanzin pulled the sword halfway from his belt.

“Do you think that blade will have any impact on me?” Vaelor mocked, stopping in front of his brother. “We are not attacking Misophae. Creedan can go home and fuck himself with whatever honor and glory he was hoping to obtain.”

“And if I give Creedan what he wants, couldn’t we leverage that situation? What is wrong with you, Vaelor? All these years, all these plans, and you simply give up?” A dark suspicion entered Lanzin’s eyes. “No. There is something else going on here. I know it. What is it? Does it have to do with her?”

I didn’t have to look up to feel his finger pointed toward me. Shit. Fear flowed through me, and I pulled my shoulders in, trying to appear more unobtrusive.

As if someone had thrown tinder on a dying fire, the tension in the air flared.

“She is nothing. A mere servant.” A subtle threat laced Vaelor’s words.

Lanzin moved forward again. “Brother—not only did you not send her from the room when I entered, you’ve been placing your body between me and her this entire time.”

“As I said, she’s nothing,” Vaelor growled.

Before I had the chance to respond or escape, Lanzin darted past Vaelor, grabbed me, and ripped back my hood. His head reared in shock. “A human.” He breathed in. “What kind of magic did you use to conceal your scent?”

He didn’t wait for me to answer before pinning my arms tight against my sides, and making me face Vaelor. His hand was at my throat, the nails of his claws digging into my tender flesh.

I tried to twist, but he pressed harder, not allowing me to move. His strength was ten times my own. “Come, tell me, brother. What is so special about this one?”

Vaelor lunged and punched him with such force that Lanzin fell back against the wall, releasing me. I dove away from him so fast I hit the opposite wall of the room, breathing hard, the phantom feel of his hand was still harsh on my skin.

Vaelor stood, separating me from Lanzin. “Get out.”

Lanzin wiped the trickle of blood at his swollen lip. “So that’s it. You’ll give up all those you so cared about for her. A pathetic human bitch.” He spat on the ground. “What is it, brother? Does she have you under some sort of spell? Or perhaps you think she is the one to break the curse?”

“Out. We’ll meet again once the Final Proving is finished, but we will not be attacking Misophae.”

Lanzin straightened, his eyes bright with rage and betrayal. “Well then, I’m glad I killed our people after the court dispelled you.”

I sucked in a breath. Oh gods, no.

Vaelor’s entire form froze. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I told you I did what I needed to survive. After you couldn’t keep Pixa contained and the court turned against us, I had to show my faithfulness to them. That was their price—show them that our people weren't more important to me than my loyalty to my nation. So I paid it to prove I wasn’t weak like you.”

Fury and devastation mixed on Vaelor’s face. “You… you slaughtered them?”