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"As the mother of my heir. With all the respect and privileges that position entails." I step closer, needing her to understand. "My home is on Aerasak, not here. You'd never have to set foot on Galmoleth again. You'd have your own quarters, freedom to move about my properties."
Hope flickers in her eyes before she ruthlessly suppresses it. "And the other women? The ones in the dungeons?"
Of course she'd ask about them. Her first thought isn't for herself, but for those she's been protecting.
"I can't take them all," I admit. "But I could speak with the King. I'm sure with his mate, he is inclined to help release them all."
She's quiet for a long moment, weighing my words, searching for deception. I let her look her fill. I have nothing to hide from this woman who might become the mother of my child.
"Why should I trust you?" she finally asks. "How do I know this isn't just another kind of cage?"
"You don't have to trust me," I say, watching the emotions flicker across Trinity's face. "Not yet. But I'm offering you something real—a contract between us. Demons honor our agreements."
"How noble." Trinity's lips quirk up at the corner. "Especially when those agreements benefit you."
I can't help the low chuckle that escapes me. Most humans would be cowering, desperate to please. But this one meets my gaze with unflinching challenge.
"Benefits go both ways, Trinity. You get freedom, security. I'll get you out of here and set up with a new life. I get an heir."
She circles me slowly, assessing. The moonlight catches in her wavy brown hair, casting auburn highlights through the strands. Her wariness doesn't feel calculated now—just the natural caution of a survivor.
"And this heir—what happens to the child? Would they be... what? Half-demon?"
"Yes. And they would be raised as my heir, with all the privileges and responsibilities that entails."
She stops directly in front of me, close enough that I can see the slight tremor in her hands—the only visible sign of her nervousness.
"And you'd treat them well?"
I jerk back a little at that. "They would bemychild. Of course I would."
"Forgive me for asking the obvious," she shoots back. "I've seen how demons behave here. You can understand my concern."
I step closer, towering over her slight frame, but she doesn't flinch. "You'll find I don't like comparisons."
"I've gathered," she agrees, looking up at me with those sharp green eyes.
Something warm unfurls in my chest at her words, at the way she's studying me like a puzzle she's determined to solve. This isn't the reaction I expected when I formulated this plan. I thought there would be grateful tears, perhaps fearful acceptance. Not this... banter.
"Is that a yes?" I press, needing her answer.
Trinity's eyes drift to the dark horizon beyond the garden walls. "Better the demon I don't know than the ones I do, I suppose."
Her crude acceptance shouldn't please me so much. "Not exactly a ringing endorsement."
"Were you expecting poetry, Vaelrix?" She smiles, and this time it reaches her eyes. A real smile, small but genuine, and something in me loosens at the sight of it.
"You could try for slightly less backhanded," I suggest, surprised at the lightness in my own tone.
"I could, but where's the fun in that?" She crosses her arms, but her posture has relaxed. "You want honesty? Fine. Yes. I accept your offer, demon."
The agreement settles between us, weighted with consequence. I expected to feel satisfaction, perhaps triumph at securing what I came for. Instead, something dangerously close to relief floods my system, alongside another emotion I refuse to examine.
"Good," I manage, my voice rougher than intended.
Trinity tilts her head. "You seem surprised I agreed."
"Not surprised." I collect myself, schooling my features into neutrality. "Merely satisfied with the outcome."