Page 43 of Queens

“Thanks for the offer,” I say. I mean it, too. “But I’m going to remain here.”

A look of mild disappointment flashes across Chev’s face, but it quickly vanishes. He’s not one to dwell, and he won’t hold a grudge over my rejection. Besides, I’m sure a small part of him is relieved. Chev’s people don’t like demons on their lands—my family and me included. We make them uneasy, probably because we’re stronger than they are.

“I’d be happy to come over for dinner, though,” I say. “I’ll never turn down ucka.”

Chev smirks. “The offer wasn’t for dinner. If you want ucka, you have to stay.” He stands, his eyes darting around my office. “Consider my offer. You deserve a break, and the shifter lands would be good for you.”

“I’ll think about it,” I say. “Thank you.”

Chev nods, quietly excusing himself.

I watch him leave, my heart pounding.

Fucking Rexton.

I’m livid I didn’t recognize him for who he was. He made an absolute fool out of me, and it’s no wonder my parents are trying to keep his identity a secret. They must have figured out that I met him during my brief stay in Greed.

I haven’t shared my plans with them, but I told Aziel I was invited to the royal wedding. They must have put two and two together.

I bet they’re discussing the best way to break the news to me. They know this will fuel me, and they’re always begging me to calm down. They want me relaxed and docile, but the fire has already been lit.

Rexton won’t get the better of me. Not again.

Chapter Nineteen

CASSIA

WHAT’S TAKING HIM so long?

Maybe he’s dead.

I hope he’s dead.

That would make things significantly easier for me, which is precisely how I know Rexton is still alive. Things are never easy. Despite what Silas and Valeria claim, the fates have a personal vendetta against me. I can’t fathom what I’ve done to upset them, but they’ve been after me since childhood.

I storm down the cobblestone streets of downtown Wrath, Jassy’s heels clicking behind me.

She huffs. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

I slow, allowing her to catch up. “Yes. Take off your shoes if they’re giving you so much trouble.”

I told her after Chev’s visit yesterday that we’d be making this trip, but she ignored me. Maybe she didn’t believe me. I’ve been hiding from the public, but Chev’s visit rejuvenated me. I’m Cassia, the future Queen of Wrath. Who am I to be hiding? I have nothing to be ashamed of.

Demons shoot me sly glances as I pass by, which isn’t anything unusual. It’s not every day they see a royal strolling about, but for the first time in weeks, I keep my chin held high.

I’m not ashamed.

I’m not scared.

I’m not weak.

I am better than Rexton.

I don’t know much about the man, and it appears nobody else does, either. He was a shadow before my mother was purchased—orrescued, as my fathers prefer to say—and he disappeared from Wrath only a few years after the end of the war.

From what I’ve been able to gather, he was tasked with protecting my mother while my fathers were fighting Mammon. He gained a physical form shortly after, and when Gray took over Lust, he fucked his way through the kingdom under the guise of helping Gray settle into his new leadership role.

That’s not helpful information.