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“Pig,” I said.
“King,” he corrected, still smiling faintly. “An extremely contrite one who would love nothing more than to earn your forgiveness, Elara.”
I rolled my eyes, and he sighed.
“We have maybe a week before the Daemon Lords converge on us,” Carnon said, returning to a businesslike tone. “Within that time, it would be prudent for you to learn as much control as possible, and to learn something of our shared history. If the Lords press you for information, I want you to be prepared.”
“Fine,” I said, agreeing because I knew I had very little choice about it. “But I want you to start searching for my mother.”
“It’s already done,” Carnon said, taking another sip of coffee. “I sent spies last night to infiltrate the Witchlands and find her.”
“You did?” I asked, eyes going a bit wide. Last night, he seemed furious, so this was the last thing I had expected him to do. “How?”
“Court of Beasts, remember?” Carnon said, gesturing to himself. “I sent in animal spies. Mice and rats mostly. They will report to Artemis on the edge of the Bloodwood, who is keeping watch for me.”
“Oh,” I said, a little taken aback by this plan. “Thank you. Will Artemis be alright? And won’t she eat the spies?”
“Artemis will be just fine. She won’t eat my spies,” he laughed, gazing at me steadily. “And you’re welcome, Elara.”
I met his gaze, feeling heat thrumming between us. The shadow stone at my throat gave a little pulse that startled me. I hadn’t taken off Mama’s necklace, mostly to feel close to her, but also because I wasn’t sure Icould. Since Carnon had made me promise to keep it for him, and had secretly bound me in a betrothal with it, I hadn’t tried.
Carnon twisted the black ring he wore on his thumb, looking at me pensively.
“I’m still angry at you,” I said, feeling the need to remind him of this.
“I know you are,” he said gravely. “I’m doing my best to make it up to you.”
“I know,” I replied quietly. The tension between us felt too intense and real at that moment, and I looked away. “What will we do if they find her?” I asked, feeling anxiety claw its way up my throat. I itched to go hunt my mother down myself, but there was no way I could overpower my grandmother.
“Whenthey find her,” Carnon said, sipping his coffee, the intensity between us gone like it had never been there, “we will be able to plan for that. For now,” he continued, putting the cup down and leaning forward on his knees, “we have work to do.”
I nodded, taking a final slurp of coffee and standing to head toward the bathing chamber to get dressed.
“Elara,” Carnon’s lilting voice came from behind me, making me pause in my tracks.
I turned, waiting for him to finish the thought. He was studying the floor, head bowed over his clasped hands. I frowned. “What?”
He took a deep breath and looked up, pursing his lips. “Nothing. Wear something you can move in.”
Whatever had caused Carnon’s pensive mood seemed to have resolved itself by the time I was dressed. I chose a simple blouse and trousers and my now extremely well-worn boots. Carnon’s eyes flicked down my form as I emerged from the bathing chamber. “Ravishing as always, Elara,” he purred, leaning indolently in the armchair and studying me with a smirk. The look he gave me made warmth coil within me, and I frowned, certain he knew what he was doing. “Are you ready?”
“No,” I said truthfully, feeling extremely anxious about the prospect of using demon magic and also feeling irritated at Carnon for managing to look so alluring when I was actively trying to hate him. “Where are we doing this?”
Carnon stood, stretching in a way that made it clear he wanted to tempt me. I remained stone-faced, willing my pounding heart to slow as the muscles of his shoulders and chest rippled seductively. “The balcony is fine,” he said, giving the black ring on his finger another twist and gesturing toward the door for me to precede him. “I assume you won’t do too much damage on our first day.”
“I take it you haven’t figured out how to get rid of this magic then?” I asked, following Akela as he padded ahead of me to the open doorway that led to the large, veranda-like balcony adjoining Carnon’s room.
“I have not,” Carnon replied. “But, truthfully, I also haven’t looked into it.”
“What?” I asked, gaping at him as he walked past me to the far side of the space. “Why not?”
“First,” he replied, “because I haven’t really had time.” He looked back at me with a raised brow, reminding me that I was part of the reason he had been busy. “Second, because I’m hoping you’ll decide the magic is worth keeping.” I laughed out loud at this, but he shot me a hard look. “As someone who shares these gifts, Elara,” he said, “I’d caution you to reconsider. It’s powerful magic.”
“It’s demon magic,” I repeated, still scowling.
“It’s gods-blessed magic,” he corrected. “Magic that we share, and the power granted to the Demon King to protect the Darklands. The Demon King, and, apparently, you.”
“And I still don’t want it,” I replied darkly.
