Page 35

Elias

T he Elysian King materialised with dark, swirling shadows curling around his imposing frame. He appeared almost similar to how he had last time, but now, he wore an elegant suit, and his crown almost resembled the one Ivy wore.

The dream stasis we’d been forced into had done a number on all of us, and the demons who’d infiltrated our dreams already knew too much. We weren’t about to risk Ivy’s life again. They’d known in an instant that we were her mates. They’d known they could use us against her.

And I was certain they had. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have trusted him so easily.

She wouldn’t have let his scent cling to her. Because all she smelled of now was honey and death. I could deal with her smelling like the others. They were her mates, and my wolf no longer reacted the same as he had when we first found out we were destined to be hers.

But the demon king’s eyes brightened when they landed on her. There was something about the way he stared at her that unsettled me—unsettled my beast.

Grey and the Luna Prince covered her, but Ivy brushed them aside with quiet words of assurance that she was okay—that she was safe with the demon.

I kept the others in my periphery. Kingsley stood with his hands behind his back, watching the Elysian King warily.

It was clear he’d never met the ancient male standing near our mate.

It made me wonder if it was even possible for Dante to have gotten a chance at meeting the Elysian King with Queen Greer.

That was a question I would have to hold on to for later.

Then there was Archer. He didn’t move from his seat, instead resting his elbows on his knees. Like Kingsley, he watched the demon, though I could tell he was trying to unravel something in his head. Like he was wondering if the male had ever made an appearance in one of his visions.

My stomach clenched at the thought. For Ivy’s sake, I hoped not.

I understood why she wanted to make the deal. Part of me agreed with her reasoning, could see why she had come to that conclusion, because I knew I would have done the same. And yet, I was terrified of allowing another person into the fold. What if the king hurt her? Betrayed her?

What if I couldn’t save her from him?

Nash came up beside me and crossed his arms, but he said nothing. He’d been eerily quiet about the situation. I’d expected more of a fight from him, but it worried me more that he wasn’t fighting for her.

“I want to go over the terms of your deal before you take my mate anywhere,” Grey demanded, tone even. Her team leader mask slipped into place, replacing the worried mate. I probably would have been a lot harsher with the question had I been the one to ask.

Grey, on the other hand, kept her cool and addressed him in the same way she would a council member.

“Ivy has yet to fully understand the complexity of a demon deal. We need to go over what you expect of her in the four weeks she spends here in the Elysian Palace, and what she will be getting in return. I want to ensure there are consequences if the deal is not met.”

The Elysian King toyed with the cuffs of his suit jacket as he stared down at Grey. But she didn’t fold, head held high.

Ivy glanced at the vampire warily before turning to the demon. “If they want reassurance, then that’s what you owe them.”

The demon cocked a brow, lips twisted in amusement. “Owe them?”

“Yes.” She crossed her arms, her certainty clear. “You held them captive. And they are my mates. They have every right to feel uncomfortable with the idea of me spending four weeks a year here.”

He raised a brow, clearly amused. “Would you have preferred six months? Persephone took that deal and enjoyed her time.”

I could imagine Ivy narrowing her eyes, though the brief impression I got from her end of the bond told me she was curious. Not about his offer, but by the mention of the name .

Ivy shook her head, dropping her arms. “Enough. We don’t have time for this, do we?”

The demon king chuckled under his breath. “I suppose we don’t,” he murmured. His arms went behind his back, and he straightened, somehow appearing taller. “Alright. The deal we struck. What do you wish to know, mates of the Queen?”

“Why four weeks?” Kingsley asked, moving to stand behind Ivy. “Why one for every season?”

The corners of the demon male’s lips twitched as he considered the question. “The Queen of Nyx must visit the Underworld to protect the balance,” he replied, eyes drifting over eyes. “I’m sure you’re all aware of that.”

I bristled, but I kept my mouth shut. If Ivy felt our annoyance, she didn’t show it, but she did release a calming energy down the bond. It was sweet, and it definitely had the required effect.

“The Queen must spend, at minimum, one week a year here in the Underworld. And that week is usually filled with meetings. A ball or two. And a tour to the seven Houses of Sin. But I have noticed in my many years as King, the time spent in the Underworld is growing less and less. It used to be months, then weeks, and now only seven days. It is simply not enough.” He motioned to the window, where the sky had gone from red to an inky, dark purple.

“I cannot leave. My life is forever tied to the throne of hell. To the fields. Faery can exist without a monarch. But we cannot.”

Maybe it was me, but I could tell he missed something. That this wasn’t the whole truth.

“Four weeks to keep the balance,” he finished, dropping his hand. “Four weeks to do everything that would have been done in seven days. Is it too much to ask that the Queen give her most loyal creatures more of her time?”

Immediately, I could tell through the bond that Ivy felt some sort of guilt.

More because she knew he was right. And even I could admit, it was a fair request. The demons were known as the Queen’s most loyal subjects because of the first Queen’s mate.

His devotion to her had influenced the demons, and they carried that love to this day.

Maeve turned to look at Ivy. I couldn’t read her expression, but had a feeling they were discussing things quietly. After a moment, the vampire sighed. “Is there any other reason?”

Clearly, I wasn’t the only one suspecting an ulterior motive. Maybe the Luna Prince had a good point.

If the demon was uncomfortable with the question, he didn’t show it. And he didn’t appear to be slighted by it, either. “I want to strengthen the relationship between the Queen and the Underworld. Is that a crime?”

Not unless you want something else from Ivy—something she can’t give you .

Finally, Grey shook her head. “Four weeks to strengthen ties, then. And what happens to Ivy if she does not make it?”

“And why wouldn’t she?” the demon asked, head cocked.

Ivy sighed. “So many reasons, Damon. What are the consequences?”

I wasn’t sure if I felt uncomfortable by the fact that she referred to him by a nickname, or if it was because of the ease in which she spoke to him. She was exasperated, but was it because of our situation, or because she wanted to hurry with the deal ?

“Those weeks turn into months,” he replied, amused. “And I know you won’t want to leave your island for four months out of the year.”

I clenched my jaw to stop myself from growling.

“That’s fine with me,” Ivy replied, lifting her chin in defiance. “What about rescheduling?”

My girl and her schedules. I couldn’t help but smile as my chest warmed with pride.

The demon, on the other hand, looked surprised. “Reschedule?”

“Yes.” Ivy crossed her arms. “Chances are, something is bound to come up. What if I’m, say, in labour the week before my journey here.

Should I be expected to travel with a newborn?

Or what about the children? My sisters are young, and they have milestones.

I fully intend on being there for every graduation.

To see them off at each and every school dance or cheer in the stands at their games.

I will not let them down. So yes, reschedule. I want that worked into the deal.”

Beside me, Kingsley coughed into his fist, while Archer grinned widely. Nash remained still, his expression blank, like he could care less.

I hadn’t forgotten about his words to Kingsley and Archer about Ivy.

How he hadn’t asked for a mate, and that was the last thing he wanted.

Knowing damn well that the only way Ivy would survive this battle with Dante—the only way she would be able to maintain her control over the throne—would be to complete all her mate bonds and reach full power.

I’m fine with it, Ivy said, her voice like a splash of ice water in my mind. Fuck. It was too easy to lower my blocks for her. To give her full access to my thoughts and emotions. It didn’t bother me, knowing she could sense everything. I had nothing left to hide from her .

I’m not, I replied. But we can discuss it later, Angel.

There was only warmth when she left the bond.

“I will build that into the deal,” the demon said. “It does not have to be the same four weeks every year. How does that sound?”

Ivy glanced at Maeve, then over her shoulder at me, Kingsley, and Archer. It was definitely better than the alternative. We all nodded, and as she turned back, it was obvious she hadn’t directed her concern towards Nash.

He didn’t let it show, but it was clear that the pass over hit him hard. He dropped his stare from her, jaw clenched so tight I was surprised his molars weren’t being ground to nothing.

“Are we done?” The Elysian King checked a watch that magically appeared on his wrist. “We do have the masses to appease.”

“Not yet,” Grey said. “What about your end of the deal? We’ve gone over what Ivy gives you. Her consequences. I want to know what it is you are giving her in return for this show of a wedding.”

The smile that had been playing at his lips darkened. “Fine,” he said, all amusement disappearing. “This deal will benefit us. You know that. Ivy knows it. What I will do is give myself entirely to her. That means, I will be her loyal servant. Similar to how you are.”

His red eyes danced over us, but I didn’t like how he insinuated that he could be anything like the rest of us.

When they went back to staring down at Ivy, he did not smile again.

“I will take you directly into the Old World. I am the only one strong enough who can, save for the ferryman, but his ship is away, and he will not be back until the rift reopens. Therefore, I am your only chance. Once we are there, I will be your guide. I will take you wherever the Goddess leads our Queen, and I will show you where you might find the answers to your war. Should I fail, my eternal soul will be forfeit.”

Shock shuddered through the bond from Ivy as she reared back. “What the hell does that mean?” she asked, glancing from him to Grey. “I don’t want your eternal soul. I just want your word you aren’t going to betray us because you want to get laid.”

The Elysian king chuckled, shaking his head. “There are always consequences to breaking deals, my Queen. Mine just so happens to be the most to lose.”

“Why?” Ivy asked. “You could just promise to let Elias beat you up. Or pledge to host a hundred balls here in the palace. I don’t know. But why give up your soul?”

“Because,” he said, lowering his voice, “there is no point of having a soul if our world is doomed, now is there?”