I wondered how often they might fight and if they used magic or weapons or both.
Neither prince broke the other’s stare and I all but rolled my eyes as they continued to glower. Another moment and they’d undo the stays on their trousers and compare lengths.
Envy finally sat back, his gloved fingers drumming the arms of his throne. His attention slid between me and his brother, and that taunting half-smirk returned.
“Very well. If it’ll get you out of here faster, I’ll allow it.” He jerked his chin toward a silver-haired servant waiting nearby. The demon immediately stepped forward, eager to please his prince. “Show my brother and his plaything to her private quarters. If he’s not gone within a quarter of an hour, use force. My hospitality and good graces toward House Wrath only stretch so far. For every minute he stays over the time allotted, I will plot something creative to do to his precious enchantress.”
I subtly watched Wrath from the corner of my eye. This time he didn’t rise to Envy’s bait. He offered a slight incline of his head, then turned his back on his sibling. Which I quickly realized was, quite possibly, the biggest show of blatant disregard he could offer.
His action deemed Envy unworthy of his fear. I could practically hear the Prince of Envy’s molars grinding together as we walked away.
Honestly, I was surprised he hadn’t put up more of a fight. Wrath had come into another demon court and no one seemed shocked by his demands. Or their prince’s fairly swift acceptance of them. Maybe Wrath’s reputation and role as general made them wary.
He placed my hand on his arm as we made our way back out of the throne room and followed the servant up a wide, grand staircase.
Envy’s castle was mostly decorated in silvers and greens with splashes of black and white. We traveled over checkerboard tile and I smiled to myself as I took in the floor’s design. His guests were merely chess pieces moving along the finely appointed corridors, meant to invoke feelings of envy. From the many shades of green to the riches on display, all played into the sin this House was governed by.
Marble statues lined each side of the gilded corridor, but I didn’t give them more than a cursory glance. I did not want to inadvertently succumb to feelings of jealousy over the bounty of beautiful art. Wrath hadn’t adjusted the pressure of his grip, but I sensed the tension pouring off him the farther we went into his brother’s stronghold.
The next landing broke off into two wings and we were ushered to the right.
The servant stopped before a door near the end and bowed. “The lady’s suite. Her trunk is already inside. Will you be needing anything else?” Wrath shook his head. The servant exhaled and turned his attention back to me. “Ring the bell if you need anything.”
Before Wrath could scare the demon, I gave him a warm smile. “Thank you.”
The servant froze for a moment, then nodded once and quickly disappeared down the corridor we’d just come from. Wrath watched him go before turning back to me. “The staff doesn’t expect to be thanked for doing their job.”
“Everyone who’s working or providing service that’s a comfort ought to be thanked.”
Wrath looked me over, his expression inscrutable, before he swept through the chambers I’d been appointed. His attention landed on every nook, cranny, and speck of dust as if he expected some nefarious creature to spring forth and attack.
Or maybe he was put off by all of the green and silver tones.
I trailed after him, trying to keep my lips from curving upward as he peered beneath the canopy bed, then yanked back the curtains and rattled the windows. He barged into my bathing chamber, hand on the hilt of his dagger, his expression fierce. prince of Hell or personal guard. It was hard to distinguish who he was as he tended to my suite.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing as he plucked up a pitcher, shook it a little, and brought it close to his nose. I doubted Envy slipped poison into it, but Wrath was not taking any chances.
He caught my eye and turned that fierce glare on me. “Do you find me amusing?”
“At the moment? Very.”
He tossed the pitcher aside and stalked toward me, his movements slow and deliberate. Here was the predator he barely kept hidden under all the fine clothing. His civilized appearance was simply a mask, a way to hide the truth of his nature. The hunter was now on full display and his new target was set firmly in his sights.
A thrill shot through me before my smile vanished and I scrambled back. He didn’t stop his pursuit until the backs of my thighs brushed the bed. He paused then, giving me a chance to escape to the other side. But I didn’t move. I stayed where I was.
He took one more step, then halted, offering one final choice before he erased the distance. I could either sit down, or remain standing. Sitting was trouble. Standing was worse. It put us entirely too close. I held my ground.
Wrath now stood near enough that with each of my breaths, my chest brushed against his. Truth be told, I felt anything but afraid. I wet my lips and his gaze darkened.
“What about now?” He angled his face down, his mouth hovering right above mine. “Are you still amused, my lady?”
My pulse raced faster. Judging from the smoldering look in his eyes, he knew perfectly well how I was feeling at the moment. I took a steadying breath and slowly exhaled.
“If I decide to return, do I need to send a request to your House?”