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“I am sorry.”
He shakes his head. “There’s nothing to apologize for. You love who you love, and no arranged marriage was ever going to change that. I can’t be angry that you care enough to go head to head with Camille.”
I smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “That will need to happen sooner rather than later, I’m afraid.”
“You’re going to ask for her help?”
“It’s important, River. The two demons that were with Nolda in Hell have sided with him. They have the edge. Luke needs all the help he can get.”
River nods. “I’m coming with you,” he says, and my head jerks back in surprise.
“You are?”
“Yes. I need out of here for a while,” he says, and I know he’s thinking about Camille.
“I’m sorry, Riv. I know that caught you off guard just as much as it did me.”
He huffs. “Probably more, considering what I shared with her right before her announcement. Funny how she never mentioned her plans then.”
I shake my head. “It wasn’t fair. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if she’s able to do that to you, her feelings for you aren’t what your feelings for her are. You deserve better.”
He clears his throat. “Yeah, well, I don’t think we have time for this,” he brushes me off, appearing wholly uncomfortable. “What’s the plan?”
“I need an audience with Camille. I’m down to twenty-five minutes.”
“Twenty-three,” Leanna calls out.
“I need to convince her to help.”
“Go to the parlor. I’ll bring her to you.”
He doesn’t say a word, practically jogging back into the ballroom.
“Let’s go,” I say to Leeanna.
I have no idea where the parlor is, but she seems to know her way around here.
She rolls her eyes. “Princess, you really need a better sense of direction,” she says, linking our arms and heading us toward the room.
Five minutes later, my mother is seated across from me, looking miffed by the lot of us.
Leanna, River, and I are on one side of the table, and she’s alone on the other.
“Does anyone care to tell me why I was whisked away from my party? A party that you already managed to ruin,” she snips at me.
I ignore her, because there’s no time. “The war in Hell has started,” I say, and she nods. “You knew?”
“I’ve been told,” she says, shrugging her shoulders like it’s no big deal.
“And you decided to carry on with this party?” I grind my teeth, trying to contain my growing anger.
“It’s not our fight, Victoria. I didn’t see it necessary to change my plans.”
“I told you how I feel for Lucifer. You should’ve told me.”
“You’re angry, Victoria,” she says, crossing her arms on the table and leaning toward me. “And I understand. I caught you off guard, but after your revelation pertaining to Satan, I had to act. You can’t truly love the devil, Victoria. It’s impossible. You’re the heir of two angels.”
“You are fallen,” I correct. “Of all people, I find it very ironic that you should condemn him so quickly. He was punished just as much as you were, and yet here you are, assuming the worst of him.”
