Page 14

Chapter fourteen

Roisin

T he Demon King took his seat in the throne-like chair made for his colossal size. Beside him sat two larger chairs than the rest, suggesting they too were crafted for the enormous size of these demons. As it was, the ornately carved black wood chairs we were sitting in were too big, but that was the least of my concerns.

I opened my mouth to ask questions, but servers entered the room in a stream carrying never-ending plates of food. They piled them on the table as though there would be twenty people joining us.

“Are others coming?” I asked.

“No,” the Demon King said.

“So much food…”

“The plates in front of you are all vegetarian.”

I raised my head, surprised by the fact the Demon King realized Fae were vegetarians.

“You’re well versed in Fae needs.” I spooned a helping onto my plate .

“I’m well versed in everyone’s needs. It’s what demons do.”

Brandon choked on the food in his mouth.

“Problem, human?”

Brandon shook his head. “Humans believe demons are evil and they try to take our souls.”

“Humans don’t realize the truth.”

“What is the truth?”

“Do you trust this man, Princess Roisin?”

I glanced at Brandon’s profile. I hadn’t been with him long, and while he liked to test my boundaries, there was no malicious harm to Brandon. He’d trained for years to protect Fae. He’d tried protecting me as best as possible in these bizarre circumstances. There was nothing he’d done to not gain my trust except push me to acknowledge the attraction between us, and that was more of a man and woman thing.

“I do.”

“We may speak freely around him? I have a lot of sensitive knowledge to share with you.”

“You may. If he breaks my trust, then…” I trailed off, knowing I’d have to kill him. Did I have it in me to kill a human? My father and brother had killed the Trappers. Of course I had it in me to eliminate any threat to my family. “I’ll be the one to punish him.”

Brandon’s eyes widened as though he didn’t expect me to have a brutal side. He didn’t understand me at all. He saw me as the pretty virgin princess he’d charm into bed. I wasn’t na?ve even if everyone thought I was. And while I liked to paint, I too, had trained with swords and other various fighting methods. Father was determined we’d always be able to protect ourselves.

“Demons take human memories when they barter with us to portal to other realms,” Rexan said.

“What do demons want with human memories?” Brandon asked.

“They’re fuel for a better word,” Tay said.

“Sustenance,” Rexan said with a slight smile.

“That too.” Tay grinned.

“We take no one’s soul.”

“Perhaps humans can argue their soul is made from memories and feelings,” I said. “And that you’re feeding from them.”

“One could,” Rexan said, not denying my claim.

He stabbed his fork into a bloody piece of meat and ate it. I looked down at my plate.

“What does this have to do with me being family to you ? My father is from the original Fae royal lineage. My mother is from Fae on Earth.”

Rexan placed his fork on the table. “I agree. Your father’s lineage is impeccable. Your mother’s, on the other hand…”

“What about my mother?”

I sat up straighter as ice covered my hands. No one would talk ill of my mother. She was the sweetest, most caring person in our court.

“Your mother knows part of her history is steeped in Sirens.”

“No.” I gasped.

“True. ”

“Humans believe demons lie,” Brandon said. “What’s saying you’re not lying now?”

Rexan sighed. “Ask her yourself then.”

“I will.” I shoved back my chair and stood. “And how do you fit in with this?”

“She’s part Rage Demon, too.”

I fell back into the chair. “You’re saying I’m part Siren, part Rage Demon, part Fae?”

“Yes. And what a charming combination you are.” He nodded at my hands.

“I don’t believe you. Why wouldn’t Mother have told us? Father too?”

“I doubt your father knows. As for your mother, she made a deal with Saltine. You’d have to talk to those two to learn the specifics.”

“Saltine, the witch seer?”

He scoffed. “She’s more than a witch seer, young princess.”

“Are you my great grandfather then?”

“No, I’m your great, not sure how many, uncle.”

I turned to Tay. “So, you’re my great grandmother?”

Tay huffed out a laugh. “Aunty.”

“Who am I directly related to then?” I scowled.

Tay placed her hand on her brother’s arm. “Shouldn’t they be the ones to tell them?”

Rexan inclined his head, his thick hair ruffling against his horns as he did so. “You’re right, sister. I’ve already sent doves to them.”

“Doves?” Brandon asked.

Rexan and Tay ignored his question. The doves were the least of my concerns after the imploding information that kept going off inside my head. I wasn’t entirely Fae. Siren and Demon blood ran through my veins.

“How?”

They both looked at me.

“How do you know I’m related to you?”

“Rage demons sense each other. We’re more powerful than other demons. It’s why we’re the rulers of the Winter Court,” Tay said. “We sensed you the moment you stepped into our realm, and I made certain last night when I checked your blood.”

“I sense nothing.” I shook my head. At least I now comprehended why she’d made me bleed on those strange items, and she wouldn’t be doing it again.

“You’re young,” Tay said.

I’d had enough of everyone calling me young. With a calmness I didn’t have, I said, “I’d like to leave now.”

“Of course, you’ll head back and return with your mother. I understand you have siblings too. They’re welcome to return with you,” Rexan said and stood.

“I’ll take you,” Tay said.

“No,” Rexan said. “She can return the way she came here.”

“We both can,” I said, glancing at Brandon.

“The human stays,” Rexan said.

“Why?”

“Our guarantee you’ll come back,” he said.

Shite, there went our only hope to escape the Winter Court and these insane demons who thought we were related. Fae were once the guardians of Earth and humans. I’d never willingly leave a human to die in my stead. The demons were certain I’d come back for him.

But they weren’t aware of my growing feelings for him.

They were the reason I’d come back.