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“I think it has merit,” Jago says, and my eyes dart over to him. He leans casually in his chair, tapping a finger against his goblet. “I’m tired of being stuck down here. Kymaris was trying to gain freedom for us all.”
“At the expense of many human lives,” Amell points out. “She wanted to run her demons over the First Dimension like a swarming plague.”
“You won’t find anyone at this table who thinks that’s a bad thing,” Jago drawls. “We’re evil. It’s what we do.”
My stomach rolls as I think about what these creatures could do if they were ever let loose.
I expect Amell to reason with Jago, but instead, he says, “You have the power to go through the veil yourself. You’re a ravager. Why not just go wreak havoc topside as much as you want?”
“Because I want to bring everyone with me. I want us to destroy every living thing up there.”
A shudder ripples up my spine at the cold menace in Jago’s voice. Ariman smiles smugly as he leans back in his chair.
“Let’s take a vote,” Jago suggests, looking around with a smile. “All those in favor of us continuing Kymaris’s work, raise your hand.”
Jago’s arm makes it only halfway up before Amell says, in the deadliest tone I’ve ever heard, “This is not a democracy. Anyone whose arm goes up will meet the Crimson River.”
Jago’s arm falls to his lap, and he glares at Amell who stands and presses his palms on the table. “I’m only going to say this once, and if any of you disagree, you name the time and place, and we’ll battle it out for the throne. I am the sovereign ruler of the Underworld. It is my edict—not Zora’s—that we will not twist demons. It is my edict that we will not make any attempt to bring down the veil to storm the First Dimension. Anyone here with the power to rip their own door out is free to go and carry on as much destruction as desired. But I am not going to ever condone a large gateway to free everyone. Are we clear?”
Almost everyone around the table nods. Ariman and Jago don’t move a muscle, but Amell doesn’t call them out.
Instead, he resumes his seat and says, “That is all.”
Chairs scrape against the black marble floor as the fae exit. A few chat amiably as they leave. Ariman and Jago have their heads bent together in secret discussion.
The blue-tinged Dark Fae with the blond hair stays behind. Since I didn’t fill his cup before, I round the table to do so. When I reach him, he places his hand over the top and gives a slight shake of his head.
I take several steps back before heading to the side table to deposit the carafe. I then turn for the door.
“Stay,” Amell orders without even looking at me.
I don’t argue but position myself near the table and wait for further instruction.
The blue fae has a wry smile for his king. “Did you accomplish what you’d hoped?”
Amell sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah… I got exactly what I wanted.”
Understanding dawns on me. He wanted to see who would be bold enough to speak out against him.
“Jago’s a blowhard, but Ariman has power, and he’s guaranteed to have a slew of Kymaris’s supporters behind him.”
Amell nods and stands. “At least we know for sure who’s at the head of the rumors. Did you handle the issue with Deandra?”
The blue fae rises and grins. “I did, but please don’t ask me to deal with that woman again. She’s incredibly full of herself.”
Laughter brightens Amell’s face, and I almost lose my breath because he’s even more beautiful with light in his eyes. “I’m surprised you didn’t try to seduce her while you were there.”
Interesting. I look back to the other man.
His grin is boyish, making him look distinctly non-evil as well. “Who says I didn’t?”
Chuckling, Amell inclines his head. “Thank you, Truett. I owe you one.”
“Just doing my king’s bidding.” Perhaps because the mood is light and these two might be friends, Truett’s gaze lands on me. “Of course, if you felt me deserving of a reward, you could lend me your little prize for the evening.”
Amell’s smile is still pleasant, but his words are hard. “I said no one touches her but me. Not even my closest friend.”
Mischief morphs Truett’s face as he rounds the table, clapping a hand to Amell’s shoulder. “That’s not what you said. You said no one touches her. You never said that you’d be touching her until just now.”
