Inferno of Darkness (Divisa Huntress #2) - J.L. Weil Page 0,69

weightless crown. Although, I suppose it doesn’t lessen the burden of the title any.”

Ashor gave her a slight tip of his head before replying. “It doesn’t, I assure you.”

She played with the gold rings on her left hand, twisting them back and forth. “Quite clever, giving her your crown, a clear symbol of your protection. You always were the quiet, sneaky one.”

Ashor slipped a hand into the pockets of his black jeans, appearing relaxed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“As you should. The courts are buzzing about you and your mate, Prince. And it seems rightly so. You’ve put yourself in a powerful position, aligning two courts of Hell,” Verena said.

At the mention of me, Ashor’s lips thinned into a straight line of displeasure. “I assure you it wasn’t planned.”

Verena arched a brow. “You don’t think your mother is capable of orchestrating such a feat? The Queen of Darkness is known not only for her ruthlessness but also her patience. She has long since coveted the position of Supreme, which as you are aware was long ago obliterated and the courts divided into five sectors, giving no sole power to any one demon.”

“As you said, I am aware. Although, to me talk of Supreme was tales told when I was a child. I did not live through the obliteration,” Ashor retorted.

“Hmm.” The queen pursed her lips. “You might not have lived through it, but I did. However, I wasn’t queen then. So tell me, Prince of Darkness, why have you come to my court if not to start a war?”

“To warn you,” the prince stated plainly.

She laughed, a forced sound. “Really? You haven’t changed your tune? Still sticking with the I’m-here-to-warn-you song? My informants tell me that you and your mother had a falling out. Would it have anything to do with my Lexi? And why you appeared on my doorstep?”

I didn’t like how she referred to me as hers. And neither did Ashor. After the little mishap in my room, the prince was touchy when it concerned me. She had poked the sleeping bear. Was it deliberate on her part?

The prince didn’t give two fucks. The bright sunny room was suddenly bathed in utter darkness; only the glow of his eyes and the queen’s was visible in the blackness. “She might have been born from your court, but make no mistake about it, your highness, Lexi is not and will never be of your court. She is mine.” His voice was frost embodied, chilly and deadly, freezing the room. Little flecks of ice coated the windows.

My eyes adjusted to the lack of light, seeing Verena press her lips more firmly together. “I see I hit a sore spot. It’s so careless of you to show your Achilles’ heel. The look isn’t good on you.” She clucked her tongue in disapproval. “But I guess it is common knowledge that you have taken a mate, which as you know, is seen to make you vulnerable among the courts. Make no mistake about it, I won’t be bullied in my own home.” Sunlight flooded back into the throne room, thawing the frosted glass. “Do I make myself clear?”

I blinked as my eyes readjusted again to the brightness.

Verena was haloed in rays of yellow light, her eyes glowing orbs of pure white, losing all traces of her usually wine-colored demon eyes. Her irises were undiluted power—queenly power. This conversation was going down the drain. Fast. Her fingers gripped the arms of her throne as she said, “If you pull a stunt like that again, threaten me in my own kingdom, you will watch as your mate begs to be taken by one of mine. There are other ways to break you, young prince. It would be wise not to test me.”

I gasped. She wouldn’t fucking dare, but as I stared at her with shock and disgust, a shudder of revulsion rolled through me. She would do exactly as she threatened, hand me over to one of her sex demons.

Through our bond, I felt murderous power flood Ashor’s veins, to the point that I could see the network of darkness climbing over his skin. If he didn’t gain control of his temper, we were going to start the war right here, right now. “As long as we understand each other, then we won’t have a problem.” I spoke up before Ashor lost his shit. My fingers intertwined with his, and I heard him exhale.

Verena huffed a laugh. “You have true power for a half-breed,”