Anir stepped aside as requested but didn’t leave his post beside Sursea. Wrath hadn’t given the order, and Anir’s loyalty to his king and court was unmatched. I stood next to my husband, watching Pride slowly take in the frigid cell where the First Witch was kept.
Before his arrival, Wrath had told me this was the first time the Prince of Pride had encountered his mother-in-law since his wife’s disappearance. Now, the mood in the subterranean dungeon was tense—as if a match had been lit near an open container of kerosene, an inferno of death ready to ignite at any moment.
Pride’s one request was for no one to speak of what occurred in this chamber tonight. His attention finally landed on Sursea and remained there, cold and fathomless.
Had she not still been frozen, he might have unleashed the monster I sensed prowling under his skin, scratching to get out. He had no audience, save for us and a handful of his closest guards. No courtiers to show off for. No lords or ladies to witness him indulging in a different sin. That was exactly why he’d requested silence from everyone in attendance here. Pride was going to give in to his anger, his wrath.
Pride rolled his shirtsleeves past his elbows and cocked his head to one side, his expression turning thunderous, savage, the longer he stared at the frozen witch. His hand flexed, ready to strike out if Sursea showed any signs of life. His jaw hardened as he flicked his attention to the guards still flanking the witch. They stared straight ahead, but their hands tightened on their weapons.
“Honestly, you called me here,” Pride said, annoyed as he turned to Wrath. “Are you going to let me take the prisoner or must I kiss your ass and beg?”
Wrath held his brother’s gaze for a long moment, then inclined his head. “Don’t forget your ultimate goal. Sursea will do her best to force your hand, should you thaw her.”
“Any other words of wisdom, dear brother?”
“Your pride fucked you royally before. Keep that in mind for whatever game you play next. Figure out what truly matters, and plan your attack accordingly.”
Wrath jerked his chin, dismissing both his brother and the guards waiting in the shadows. Demons wearing the colors of House Pride stepped into the cell, sharp ice picks in hand. They’d come prepared to carry away the frozen statue that was our biggest enemy. Good. Having her out of our House and under someone else’s care was a relief. If I never saw her again, it would be too soon. With any luck, they’d keep her frozen for eternity.
Wrath held his arm out to me before facing his brother. “You have two hours before the coronation begins. I don’t suggest arriving late.”
I stood before the massive floor-length mirror in my newly appointed dressing room, twisting to better admire the coronation gown the royal dressmaker had created. It was not simply a garment, but a masterpiece. Instead of paints and brushes, the dressmaker’s medium was tulle, thin gold chains, faceted onyx beads, and sparkling diamonds. It was as heavy as armor, but there was a delicateness to it that leather and chain mail could not hope to possess.
My fingers trailed over the detailed work. In the design, bits of each House of Sin were represented, plus an ode to my affinity for flowers. It was the perfect marriage of the demons and me, signaling my unbiased rule over all seven courts. Eight if everything went according to plan. I glanced to the clock on the little side table, then to the arched window. Twilight was the normal state of this realm, but the sky had darkened. Night had fully arrived.
Fauna bustled into the room, tears glistening in her eyes when she saw me. She stopped short and pressed a hand to her mouth. “You look like the goddess you are, Lady Emilia.”
I stopped fretting and pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course, my lady.” Fauna squeezed me once more before stepping back and dabbing at the corners of her eyes. “What did you need?”
I strode over to the small table covered in jewels—all options left for me to choose from for tonight—and pulled out the sealed letter I’d hidden there. “Will you deliver this to my sister?”
Fauna’s attention flew to the wax seal. A downward dagger with burning flowers. The symbol of House Vengeance. A similar tattoo marked my husband’s leg, his way of never forgetting the eighth House of Sin that had upended his world in more ways than one.
Instead of looking fearful as I’d been worrying over, Fauna’s lips quirked up on one side. It was easy to forget she was part of this House for a reason. War and battle and inspiring anger didn’t make her anxious in the least. She thrived on it. “Princes Envy, Greed, and Pride are going to have quite a surprise this evening.”
I released a nervous laugh. “Wrath, too.”
Fauna’s grin widened. “You two are well matched, indeed. His majesty is lucky to have found you again. And that you were willing to put up with him for eternity.”
“Fauna! Did you just mock your king?” I feigned shock. “If I didn’t already like you, that would have sealed our friendship.” A friendship that I realized I’d been failing spectacularly. “How are things progressing with Anir?”
She suddenly found the clock to be fascinating. “I really must be going if I’m to deliver this invitation and arrive to the coronation on time. His majesty clearly stated to not be late.”
Curiosity gnawed at me, but I didn’t press the issue. When we both had more time, I’d sit down and have a proper conversation with her and catch up. I hated that things had been so chaotic and that we hadn’t had much time to simply enjoy each other’s company. My friend looked like she needed to chat and sort through the emotions playing over her features. I vowed it would be one of my first personal orders of business as the new queen—making time for her.
“Thank you, Lady Fauna. I’ll see you at the Sin Corridor soon.”
Fauna dropped a small curtsy and hurried from the chamber, leaving me alone once more. I returned to the table full of precious stones and jewels, my attention snagging on a ring. Rose-gold vines with thorns made up the band and wove around a large lavender stone.
“I had that one made.”
I stiffened at the unexpected sound of my husband’s voice, turning to see him enter the chamber. My breath caught as I drank him in.
On his head sat a simple pale gold crown. He wore black accented in gold, as were the colors of his court, but he also had rose-gold flowers sewn onto one of his lapels. It gave the appearance of wearing a royal sash—complete with a serpent pin.
His trousers were fitted to his frame expertly, and if we didn’t have some place to be, I’d wish to show him how much I appreciated how handsome he looked in his finery.
A grin spread across his face. “Later, my love. I promise, nothing will keep me from admiring every detail of your gown. And everything beneath it.”
I gave him a coy smile. “There is nothing beneath it, my king.”
“Emilia.” He closed his eyes as if trying to banish the image and fight the urge to take me right there.
“Come on.” I threaded my arm through his. “Some ornery demon proclaimed no one was to arrive late.”
“I ought to murder that idiot.”