Page 3 of Alastair

He flinched at my words. “You are so like your father. Have you not a shred of compassion, little lord?”

“Compassion is for weak men. And weak men do not win wars. Now. I suggest you don’t keep the king waiting a moment longer.”

And with that, I continued toward my chamber.

Once in bed, I listened to the wind crash against the window. The shutters were closed, but a chill found me anyway. I pulled the blanket to my chin and shut my eyes.

Before sleep claimed me, I envisioned a white-winged angel with hair like snow. I had never seen him—I’d only heard stories. But those who spoke of him said his eyes were devoid of anything but a seething hatred. Hatred for my king and anyone who followed him.

No. The male called Lazarus would not take me from my home.

I’d kill him first.

***

“I should remove your head!” my father roared. “That bastard of an angel has taken all the boys! Your son included.”

Beelzebub lowered his gaze to the stone floor beneath his boots. “I arrived too late. Lazarus acted sooner than I thought.”

“You aren’t known for your thoughts.” Father drew his sword and pressed the sharp tip beneath Beelzebub’s chin. “Why Lucifer bothers to keep you around, I will never understand. You are but a worthless, simple-minded fool.”

“Enough, Azazel.” Lucifer stepped into the throne room, his black hair long enough to brush the middle of his back. Light Bringer faintly glowed at his side. The sword was as beautiful as it was frightening. “Removing Beel’s head will not bring the children back. It is an obstacle we must overcome.”

“Forgive me, my king.” Beelzebub dropped to one knee.

“If you wish for forgiveness, you must earn it.” Lucifer’s eyes flickered like blue flames. “Stand.”

Beelzebub obeyed.

Lucifer stepped closer and slid a hand to the general’s nape, fingers curling in the back of his dark hair. He pressed a light kiss to Beelzebub’s lips.

My father growled under his breath but remained in place.

“You wish to please me?” Lucifer asked.

“Yes.” Beelzebub’s response came out like a sigh. “I do.”

Lucifer nipped at his neck. Beelzebub’s eyes closed as he softly groaned. “Then find a way to right this wrong.”

I tore my gaze from them, crinkling my nose. My father was Lucifer’s primary lover, but the king was intimate with all of his generals, apart from Caim, who shared his body only with his wife.

Lucifer was intimate with countless others too, both male and female alike. I had heard he had several sons of his own, though I hadn’t met any of them. They didn’t live with us at the castle, and he never spoke of them.

The one time I’d broached the subject, he’d simply said,“You are the only one who matters. They’re merely pawns.”

His words pleased me, as dark and selfish as it might be. I enjoyed being the only one who mattered. Father said the feeling came from the sin inside me. Pride. He also said Lucifer would discard me as soon as he no longer saw use for me. He didn’t like my insinuation that he was only jealous.

“Permission to speak, my king?” I asked.

Lucifer, still holding Beelzebub by the nape, shifted his gaze to me. “Permission granted.”

“I have a proposal. A way to retrieve the other children from the angel.”

“Go on.” Lucifer released the general’s neck and faced me.

“How do you hunt a beast? By luring it out of hiding.” I stepped forward. “Allow me to act as the bait. I will lure the angel, and once he takes me to where he’s holding the other children, I will escape with them and return here to you.”

Lucifer frowned. “You would be placing yourself in harm’s way. What if you find no way to escape? Not only would the enemy have all of you, but I would lose someone I cherish.”