Page 25 of Queens

“A love match...” Rexton repeats my words, toying with them. “No, I suppose I wouldn’t say it is.”

“Then why marry?”

I can tell immediately that I’ve pushed too hard. Rexton has been teetering around the question, and his lips tighten when I come right out and ask. That’s fine. I know when to backtrack. I didn’t grow up with a needy, whiny incubus for a brother and not learn when I’ve pushed too far.

Valeria has never needed such tenderness, which is why she’s always been my favorite.

“A marriage to a shifter will secure you a lifetime supply of ucka,” I say. “That’s something to celebrate, at least.”

Rexton cracks a smile. I relax. “Not quite. Her Majesty shut all ties with the shifters after the death of her mate. I haven’t had ucka in years, which is quite a shame.”

I nod, unsure what to say. “When is the ceremony?” I eventually go with.

“At the end of the month.”

I raise a brow. “That’s soon.”

Rexton snorts. “Princess Amelia has run out of excuses to give Her Majesty. We’ve been engaged for almost seven years.”

This is my time. I run scenarios through my head, trying to find the best way to secure an invitation to the wedding. Mammon will be there, and the attention will be on her daughter. If there’s a time to kill the queen, the wedding will be it.

Guests will be busy celebrating Princess Amelia and Rexton, and even the best of her guards will be overwhelmed. Mammon will be vulnerable. I’m going to drive a knife straight into her chest, and then I’m going to slit her throat. If I have time, I’ll cut out her heart.

I don’t care what punishment the fates give me for murdering a demon queen. I’ll happily take it.

Rexton is staring at me, still openly reading my every movement. I wonder what he’s thinking.

“How does one secure an invitation to such a prestigious event?” I ask.

It’s blunt, but I suspect it’ll work. There’s nothing women love more than a man they believe is unavailable and unattainable, and Rexton is both. He undoubtedly gets his fair share of female attention, so I need to set myself apart.

I don’t have the time or patience to be coy.

I also suspect Rexton won’t bother with the effort it takes to seduce a reserved woman. Not when there’s a line of others waiting.

Rexton is silent, clearly at a loss for words. He wasn’t expecting me to ask for an invitation. That’s fine. I lean back in my chair, waiting. I’m exceptionally comfortable in silence, and I fight back a smile as I take another leisurely sip of my coffee.

This is going to work. I’m going to kill Mammon, and when I return home, I will become the Queen of Wrath. Aziel won’t be able to deny me the position when I come to him with Mammon’s heart on a silver platter.

“You’ll like my wedding gift,” I continue.

Rexton chews on his bottom lip. “And what is that?”

“Ucka.”

I don’t have the least clue how I’ll procure the shifter delicacy from within Greed, but I’m resourceful. I have a month to find a way, and that’s more than enough time. I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.

“That’s a tempting offer,” Rexton admits.

“I have several tempting offers,” I say. “Would you care to hear more?”

I pause, leaving room for Rexton’s mind to wander. I’m not against teasing him with sex, nor am I against following through. If I’m honest with myself, I quite like the thought of it. Rexton is dangerous, and I hate to admit I’ve always been attracted to that. It’s one of my few faults.

“I can’t imagine what offer would be more tempting than ucka meat,” Rexton eventually says.

I finish the remainder of my coffee. “Get me an invitation and you’ll find out.”

Chapter Eleven