What a dick. He totally tried to set us up with Desmond.
Therefore, it feels super-sweet to raise my messenger bag high in my hands. “The codex in is here.”
A flicker of unease moves across the Earl’s piggish face. “Then show us the item in question.”
“With pleasure.” Lincoln pulls out the codex and raises it high. Aldred’s neck burns red. The other Earls sigh with relief. Lincoln slips the codex back into my messenger bag.
“We never doubted you had it,” says the Earl of Kamal.
Sure, you didn’t. Creep.
“What a waste of my time,” says Lucas. “I would never have come here, except Aldred asked the other major Houses to be present for an official review of the evidence.” He shoots a nasty look at Aldred. “That’s your right under thrax law. Even so, you shouldn’t abuse it.”
Aldred puffs out his chest. “Tradition can never be abused, only upheld.”
“That’s untrue and you know it.” Lincoln’s voice is deadly low, and every inch of him oozes badass. It makes me want to kiss him again. What can I say? I’m part lust demon.
A flurry of footsteps sounds in the long corridor. Torchlight flashes in every direction, blinding me.
“Stand aside!” I’d know that voice anywhere. It’s Octavia, Lincoln’s mother.
My tail does a happy dance over my shoulder. Octavia is a nasty woman, and I mean that in the best sense. This is getting good.
The Earl of Striga gasps and steps back into the shadows. You better hide, buddy. Lincoln is an only child. Saying his mother is overprotective is pretty much the biggest understatement of all time.
Both of Lincoln’s parents come into view. They’re both in full regal mode today. Octavia wears a black velvet dress with her long hair in a tight bun. Connor has on his silver battle armor. Today he reminds me of an eagle, what with his imposing presence, broad shoulders, and longish white hair.
These two aren’t playing around.
Connor marches right up to the Earl of Acca. For the first time, I notice the legion of Rixa guards that fill the corridor behind them. “What are you up to, Aldred?”
The Earl of Acca raises his chin. “Merely protecting my own House. We do know how to take care of things, you know. At one time, Acca ruled all of Antrum.”
“Right,” Connor sniffs. “And the place almost went down in flames as a result.”
The change of leadership from Acca to Rixa happened hundreds of years ago, so you’d think everyone would be cool with things by now. Didn’t happen.
Connor taps Aldred in the center of his chest. “Leave my son alone. He should be spending this time preparing for his nuptials, not dealing with your tricks.”
“And what of my House? My family?”
“They’ll be fine,” says Connor dismissively. “You won’t, though.”
I can’t begin to tell you how much I love seeing Connor stand up to Aldred. For ages, Lincoln’s father was a huge pussy when it came to the Earl of Acca. It’s beyond awesome to see him come into his own.
Octavia steps up and kisses me lightly on the cheek. “You look lovely, my dear. We’re so excited for your wedding on Sunday.” She glares at the other Earls. “Aren’t we?”
A chorus of “Yes, your Majesty” sounds through the air. I’m half surprised they don’t make kissy noises too.
Lincoln steps forward until he’s standing nose to nose with Aldred. “Desmond is dead, and so are the dyad demons. Your plans have failed. Try anything like that again, and I’ll tear you apart piece by piece, tradition be damned. Do I make myself clear?”
Aldred bows. “I don’t know of what you speak, but I shall endeavor to please.”
What a lying liar.
Lincoln sets his hand on the base of my back and guides me through the packed corridor. Everyone steps away to make room for us as we go. We’re halfway to the vault when I speak in a whisper that only Lincoln can hear.
“I don’t believe him, Lincoln.”
Lincoln’s face is stony. “The Earl?”
“Yes. He’s not done being a douchebag. He still has plans within his plans.”
“He won’t win.”
I hip-check him as we walk along. “I know. Just promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I get to be there when you kill him.”
He gives me an easy smile. “Anything for you, my sweet fiancée.”
As we head into the vault, I keep thinking one thing over and over.
I am so going to love being married.
Chapter Seven
Lincoln and I walk down a stone access passageway deep in Antrum. We’re heading toward the entrance to the Vault, the place where precious thrax information is kept, including evidence for trials. With every step, I’m careful to keep the messenger bag with the enchanted codex pressed tightly against my chest. No way am I losing that thing again.