11. Facing the King

ASHER

I wasn't one to argue when the tempting little succubus was able to trigger the knot for my cock, although the timing was beginning to get highly irritating. Not only had my right hand man walked in on me after the first time it happened, but now my own father had shown up at my door. The weight of his magic washing against my home certainly undid the knot quickly, allowing us both to scramble for clothing.

I managed to send a quick text to Nico with the rest for his presence, while I retrieved a fresh suit from the walk-in closet. By the time the demon lord appeared in my living room with a tense expression, I was fully clothed and had everything removed from the bed. There was only the aroma of our recent lovemaking lingering in the air when I tugged the door shut behind me.

Nico's crimson-eyed gaze honed in on me as soon as I drifted into the room. He pressed his lips together. "Archer informed me that you slaughtered Marcillo's companion in a rage. I actually found myself concerned for the welfare of your favorite pet. Considering none of us were called to clean up a mess…I'm willing to bet she managed to calm you down." His voice was soft.

There wasn't a doubt in my mind that it was automatic when my father was involved. Although he was a paranoid bastard who had become a hermit in recent years, all of the demon lords worked with the impression that he could hear through walls — or a dozen of them. I responded with a low growl that was nothing more than confirmation.

He reached out to catch me by the arm, refusing to let me stray toward the bar to dispose of the opened bottle of wine. "I would advise your pet to remain in her room while he's here."

"She's already been informed," I countered. "Let them in before we risk his rage, Nico." I tugged free and continued moving around the immediate area to conceal both the bottle and the manilla folder that contained the information about Quinn Rossi. It was absolutely pointless if the king himself decided he wanted to uncover it anyway, but I was determined to keep it all swept under the rug for the time being.

His presence here wasn't one that I had anticipated, not with his paranoid nature. Which had led me with the belief that I would be able to figure everything out before I was forced to tell him a damn thing.

My heart pounded in my chest as I finally got everything tucked away. The gears were already spinning in my mind with why he'd come to the States after remaining within his own walls for so long. Had he heard about my entanglement with my new pet? Did he come with the belief that I couldn't handle matters over here in a timely manner? Or, was there a purpose to the visit that I had yet to know about?

In the end, none of it mattered until he admitted what had caused the visit.

"Welcome, sire." Nico's voice came from the front of the house. His tone was carefully guarded, hinting that he had offered the required bow of his upper body before he backed off to let my father's traveling companions inside first. He made no acknowledgment of them, not that they were expecting it.

They had only one purpose: protect the king from all unseen threats.

As their footsteps came in my direction, I waved a hand at the fireplace nearby. All it took was a small spark before it flared to life and danced along the stone barrier. I drew in a slow breath as the group of men emerged in the living room with Nico leading the way. My gaze shifted to the bodyguards hot on his heels. So he only brought three with him?

How many more were patrolling the manor grounds?

It took everything I had not to cave into the desire to scowl at them. I simply shifted my attention as the front door was nudged shut and a quiet tapping accompanied the final set of footsteps. Lifting my jaw, I honed in on the noise. The cane swung into sight, followed by a man who used to be a whole foot taller than me. Shock trickled into my veins when I found him coming into the room at even height, the grip on his cane tight. I quickly averted my gaze and offered a partial bow of my own. "Father. This is quite a surprise."

Salvator responded with a noise that I couldn't quite distinguish and a bow that could barely be called one. Every single movement he made was stiff. He simply shuffled on to plant himself right on the couch. "Asher, my son… It has been quite some time since we've spoken last."

His voice was rough, almost as if he had spent more time screaming rather than in silence. I pressed my lips together and suppressed the urge to question him about recent events. Until the king deemed it necessary to reveal it on his own terms, I would simply have to wonder in silence. A quick peek in Nico's direction revealed the demon lord was just as curious.

No one got far in the mafia life by asking questions.

Luca cleared his throat softly as he started pacing behind the couch while the other brute took up position on my father's right side. His brown eyes strayed toward me.

Salvatore raised his jaw. "I'm told you've been quite busy as of late. From what I hear, our kind controls more of this country than the angels do. Still…there are also rumors that the transition is not going quite as smoothly as we would like."

So he's come to me about business. Should have known the king wouldn't leave the safety of his walls unless it was to prove that what I'd done so far wasn't quite enough. I clasped my hands behind my back and remained standing while my father beckoned for Sergio to light a cigar for him. Although the demon's black eyes dug holes into me, I kept my gaze away from him. "Marcillo has begun to resist. If it's a war he wishes, then it's a war he'll have."

Sergio's lips twitched, yet he managed to keep the smirk off his face as he took a few puffs off the cigar to deem it safe. Only then did he hold it out toward my father. "Good to go, boss," he grumbled.

Salvatore chuckled softly, accepting the cigar. He made no verbal response as he took a few puffs of his own. Only when he exhaled all the collected smoke from his lungs did he finally show any signs of contentment. "You've never been one to back down, Asher. You've played your role as the prince of the Aeternus family quite well."

You've never been one to compliment me, old man. What's the catch?

"But…"

Ah… There it is.

Salvatore tilted his head slightly, those pale golden eyes honing in on me. "I've received word that you've had problems with shipments getting stolen from our Florida port. There's been no call on your part to update me."

Nico's jaw flexed slightly.

"I apologize for that, Father." I kept my voice low in a desperate attempt to keep the emotions brewing within me masked. "I'm afraid I've been quite busy with leaving bait for the angels to take."

"And did they?" The king arched an eyebrow, bringing the cigar back to his lips. "Take the bait, I mean."

"They did. They're being handled accordingly."

My father paused with the cigar centimeters from his face. He shifted his head slightly as his expression shifted into one of annoyance. "Handling it does not condemn their prince"s escape from a hotel of your choice, Asher. He's not being held responsible for his actions. If you do not show that his behavior has consequences, then more of them will join his ranks and rise up against us. We do not hold the dominant ground here, no matter how much of the territory you've taken over."

The desire to take over the conversation pulsed off Nico in waves, yet the demon lord had more self-control over himself than I did lately. He shifted his weight slightly. It was the only movement that attracted my father's attention. While my father's expression transitioned into a hint of curiosity, Nico's remained blank.

Salvatore leaned forward, resting a hand on his knee. "Word has it that Marcillo has sought out an unlikely ally. The Nephilim bastard."

I gritted my teeth until my jaw ached from the intense pressure. "I am looking into that possibility."

"How can you when this is someone that doesn't want to be found?" He released a laugh that was borderline empty. "He has been underground for several centuries, boy. As long as he maintains movements we cannot track, then you have no hope of uncovering where he is currently residing. Marcillo has the upper hand simply because he and the Nephilim share a common enemy — us."

Nico finally deemed it necessary to break his silence. "The Nephilim will not embrace an alliance with someone who saw him as nothing more than waste at the bottom of the barrel. Marcillo is more likely to turn to the other royal families than him."

Salvatore snapped his fingers, prompting Sergio to materialize a small ashtray. When the demon held it out to him, he simply tapped the cigar against the edge to drop the excess ash inside. There was a part of me that expected him to respond to Nico's outburst, except his demeanor was far too calm. "Have you spoken to your little sister as of late?"

It was a sudden change of direction where the subject was concerned. Although there was far too much about his behavior that suggested he wasn't any less paranoid, everything he did was done with a reason. This random question was no exception. I drew in a slow breath and shook my head. "No, Father, I have not. Calianna hasn't attempted to reach out to me in quite some time. Not since—"

"Not since you left Italy, yes, I know." He took a deep puff on the cigar.

Why do you ask questions that you already know the answers to? It was more frustrating than anything else, not that I ran my own corner of the empire any differently. The best way to squeeze answers out of the enemy was to simply come at them with more than they thought that you'd uncover. My thoughts briefly shifted to the partial angel still strung up in Nico's pit. I'd played the exact same game. How could I expect anything less from the man that had taught me the rules?

Pressing my lips together, I kept my gaze locked on my father. "I was under the impression that Calianna was still living at home with you until the terms could be met about her hand in marriage."

Salvatore's expression darkened. "You've always played by the rules, my boy. That's what will make a fine ruler when you take my place one day. Your sister, on the other hand, still needs to come to terms with where her role is in our world. I've tried to be patient with her. When she requested to come to America to see an old friend, I granted her a short leave. She was required to return two days ago."

Chills trickled down my spine as the core reason for my father's untimely visit finally came to light. Of course it was related to my little sister. She had never been one to fully embrace the role given to her at birth. While my path was destined for ruling over the family empire — and now three vital territories — she had always yearned for something more than the silent role embraced by the women in our world.

To be seen and not heard.

Calianna had rejected that idea from the moment she could comprehend what it meant for her. She had no desire to let Alessandro have her hand in marriage when it meant she would have to play house and keep her husband happy — while birthing him as many children as he demanded. My father might have believed he would wear her down until she finally accepted her fate, but I had known this was coming.

It was only a matter of time. Still, the timing was eerie and I found myself extremely irritable.

Salvatore eased onto the edge of the couch. He tossed his lit cigar into the glass ashtray before he rested all of his weight onto the cane. His fingers curled around the golden lion's head until its frozen snarl was masked from me. "I have heard things — good things — about you here, my son. You've laid a claim on all the vital territories first. Now I need those connections that you've made to locate your sister. Calianna must be returned to Italy before word gets out that I cannot control my own daughter. She will shame our family name with this recklessness."

I dipped my head forward slightly. "It will be done, Father." Turning my head slightly, I locked gazes with Nico long enough for the demon lord to process my unspoken request. He barely had to shift his head for me to catch his acknowledgment. As soon as he pulled away, tugging out his cell phone while he walked, I returned my attention to Salvatore. "Calianna will be found," I promised.

"I am pleased to hear that." Salvatore put most of his weight on the cane as he struggled to rise off of the couch. It took several attempts — as well as Luca rushing over to help him — before he finally got on his feet. He waved the demon away, hissing in Italian.

Luca immediately backed off.

Irritation leaked out across my father's face as he severed all eye contact. There was a hint of shame that he even needed the aide in the first place. With his nostrils flaring, he shook his head and seemed to brush the thoughts away. "This must be taken care of before the angels trigger a war. Let nothing stop you. Remove every obstacle in your path."

"Yes, Father."

Salvatore seemed pleased by my response. He started to turn away when the sound of a chain moving behind Quinn's closed door caught his attention. His pale eyes swung toward it. I knew from the way his lips thinned that he had finally noticed the slight aroma in the air. "There is something I must also speak to you about in private."

My stomach twisted into a painful knot. All I needed was that quick glance for me to realize what the next subject matter would be. It was no secret that I would bury my cock in any pussy that deemed itself worthy. I'd owned my fair amount of pets over the years, but he seemed to notice that something had changed.

With the way both of the demons accompanying him were eyeballing me, they seemed to sense it, too.

Turning on my heel, I led the way to my office tucked into the east wing of the house. Relief trickled into my veins when I noticed that neither of his guards were trailing after us. Good. This would actually be a private conversation. There was a part of me that was concerned they would try to intrude on my pet's privacy and I quickly willed some of my magic to lock her door.

Quinn wouldn't question me on this, not when I'd hurried her into the room and instructed her to remain there until my guests left. The look in her eyes revealed that's all she needed to know. As far as she was concerned, this was my world that I had been born into and she wouldn't object.

I nudged the door to my office open and eased out of the way, allowing my father to move inside first. Once he had reached the two chairs stationed across from my desk, his pale eyes strayed toward my chair. While he pondered something silently, I gritted my teeth until my jaw ached in agony. The tension didn't fade until he seemed to reject an idea and took one of the two empty chairs. I shoved the door shut.

Salvatore's eyes followed me as I eased around the desk and sat down. "You are my son, Asher. There's no need for me to beat around the bush about this. Since you are wise beyond your years, you know why I've asked to speak to you alone."

I nodded slowly, tugging the bottom drawer of my desk open. "You're curious about my new pet." My voice was soft as I retrieved the bottle of wine stashed there with two glasses. I eased one glass down on his side of the desk before I tugged the cork free and filled it halfway. Although my desire to fill it to the brim tore through me, I forced myself to give my own glass the same amount.

My father tapped on the head of his cane with his thumb. "A Bianca Gallows reached out to me a few hours ago to inform me that you'd put in a request to have old blood in storage analyzed. I'm fully aware of what you think of me, Asher. I am old and I am indeed paranoid. You would not have requested analysis of your pet's blood if you didn't believe it was required. I would like to know why it was needed."

Sucking in a deep breath, I struggled to tame my frazzled nerves. I had known putting in the request would risk alerting my father. Something like that would certainly not escape his attention, not when it was related to the original ruling family. Add in the fact that the house still smelled like sex and there was no chance I could've swept this under the rug.

If I even wanted to.

I retrieved my glass and tapped a finger against it. "I needed answers."

"About your pet." He watched me closely.

This is not a conversation I want to have with a man who hasn't been anything close to a father figure. Flexing my jaw to avoid agitating the bones any further, I nodded slowly. "Yes."

It was no secret that I was answering his questions just enough to avoid his wrath. It was just another method I had been raised with and he knew it. That didn't mean he was going to leave the matter alone. He shifted in the chair and reached out to grab his glass. "I've seen the report, Asher. There is nothing special about the girl aside from the mere fact that she had a demonic father. The man was never in her life more than impregnating her mother. So, why would you request further analysis?"

I responded with a small shrug, glass in hand and all. "She has Faxiss blood running through her veins."

Salvatore's head whipped around, his pale eyes honing in on the closed door. He sat there for several minutes while he seemed to process where his guards and my fellow demon lord were within the house. Only when he accepted their current location did he finally return his attention to me. "I was not aware Dionysis passed after spawning a living heir." His voice was soft. "Most of us didn't know he was still alive until his body was left on the street."

A part of me had anticipated a wild rage at the news that there was still a surviving member of the original royal family. I'd grown up with the stories of how they were once a high-standing bloodline within the mafia world. They demanded unfaltering loyalty. No one had the balls to cross them. How things had turned against them so badly, no one knew. All that was certain was that their numbers dwindled until only a few remained.

Then the Faxiss family was simply no more and my father was chosen to take over the throne.

"Blood doesn't lie, Father. She is Dionysis' daughter." I swirled the liquid within the glass, using it as a distraction to avoid letting my nerves take control. "The humanity within her is dying. Her demonic blood has taken dominance."

His eyes narrowed at me. "You sound very certain, my son. What proof do you have that she is converting into a full-blooded demon?"

The frustrated groan almost escaped my lips. I could easily retrieve the file stashed away in my safe, but that would require teleporting out of the office and hoping I didn't attract the attention of the others. So, I settled for the one piece of proof that didn't force my brief departure. I reached under my suit jacket and tugged the gray shirt down to expose the fresh marking on my chest.

Salvatore's eyes bulged. "The Faxiss emblem," he rasped. "So it's true. The girl is the only survivor of that massacre."

Relief tore through me as he stumbled back into his own thoughts. I had feared the tattoo wouldn't be enough to convince him. It was bad enough that Nico had stumbled upon me while I was still locked within Quinn. Hell, him spilling the news to Archer didn't help. Admitting what had happened to a man I felt no bond to was something I had no desire to do. Fortunately, I wouldn't have to.

When my father spoke again, I could almost see the echo of the man he used to be. Firm, determined — terrifying. His eyes narrowed into thin slits as he honed in on me. "I want to meet the girl."

I dipped my head forward slightly. "As you wish, but your accompanying guards will not touch her."

An eyebrow rose. "You've marked her."

"I have. The mating bond has been completed and it's only encouraged her demonic blood to continue taking dominance."

Salvator studied me for a moment in silence before he finally responded with a slow nod. "Very well. I will see to it that none of my men lay a hand on your pet, Asher. She will have the protection of our family name. However, I will warn you…if she is bold enough to betray you…that will be no more."

I rested the glass on my desk, struggling to conceal the relief pulsing through my veins. "Understood."

From a man like Salvatore Aeternus, I could ask nothing more from him. All I could do was hope that meeting Quinn Rossi would earn his approval enough for him to leave me alone in these matters. As far as he was concerned, my mind was still set on taking out the angelic prince and putting an end to the war before it started.

Failure would only occur if the bastards managed to take us both out first.

I'm coming for you, Marcillo. You and that Nephilim.

QUINN

I should have known from the moment I tumbled into Asher's world that it wasn't going to be a lifestyle that I was accustomed to. Considering that I had been bought as a personal pet at the start of it all meant I wasn't given a handwritten copy of all the rules that were expected of anyone associated with the royal family. Now I was staring down a dinner with the king himself and I found myself absolutely terrified.

My stomach churned, threatening to turn against me. There weren't any aromas in the air yet and I was already doubting that I would be able to get anything down before I made a fool out of myself. Stifling a groan, I stared down at the black dress that had been given to me. Where one of Asher's demon lords managed to find something appropriate in such a short amount of time — not to mention something that looked extremely revealing — baffled me.

Nothing else to do than get ready…

I nibbled on my lower lip and reluctantly shed my clothing. As soon as I started tugging the sleek material over my legs, I realized it was going to be a tight-fitting dress that hugged every curve I owned. My heart threatened to jump up into my throat when it barely covered my breasts enough to conceal the nipples. It certainly didn't attempt to hide Asher's family emblem tattooed onto my skin. Hell, it was going to be on full display for the demon king to see.

A whine almost escaped my lips when I turned to study myself in the mirror, which had mysteriously found its way into the guest room. Although there were still healing cigar marks littering my back, they were more faint than they'd ever been before. I tugged on my bottom lip, keeping it trapped within my teeth as I studied the faint marks. Did this have to do with my demonic blood overtaking the human side?

I jumped as a quiet knock came from the door. My frantic nerves immediately jumped into overdrive as it slipped open. I quickly turned to conceal my back as Santino's tall form was exposed.

The demon lord snickered softly, easing into the room just enough to make his presence known. "Relax, doll. I'm not here to stake a claim. No one touches the boss' property and it seems he's laid a mark on you in more ways than one." His purple eyes shifted toward the emblem.

My cheeks grew hot with embarrassment. I started to raise my hands to cover it up when a quiet "tsk" from the demon lord stilled me.

"You are now bonded to the prince himself. It would be wise not to show shame of his mark in any way or you might just risk the rage of his father." Santino cocked his head to the side and jammed his hands into the back pockets of his pants.

Anger surged through my veins. My nostrils flared as I glared at him. "I'm not ashamed."

"Salvatore isn't going to see it that way," he countered.

I curled my fingers until my nails started digging into my palms. The sudden burst of pain pulsing up my arm helped override the yearning to keep my chest concealed. I reluctantly lowered my hands. "I'm being put on display for a man that I don't know. It's intimidating enough that he's both Asher's father and the king of the demon kind. Forgive me if I'm used to wearing clothes two sizes too big, overlooked every fucking day."

The demon lord chuckled and drifted further into the room. From the way his lips were twitching, I knew that he could sense my overwhelming desire to back away with every step he advanced. He did seem impressed that I had managed to control myself before I did. It wasn't long until he stood before me and he reached out to brush my bangs away from my eyes. "I think we both know that the life of a bastard child is behind you now, doll. How you lived no longer matters because that world doesn't exist for you anymore. By accepting the bond that Asher initiated, you've embraced ours. So you might want to start acting like the demon royalty that you are."

"Y-You know," I stammered softly. My throat had gone painfully dry and that only seemed to emphasize the nausea swirling within my stomach.

Santino dragged his fingers along the side of my face until he could brush a thumb over my lips. "Hard to miss when your entire scent seems to have changed. The Faxiss family were known for their exotic aromas. Which only brings me right back to my point. You're a demon, doll, and it's time for you to start acting like it."

I drew my head back with a scowl. "How do you suggest I do that? Raise up my skirts and ride Asher's cock in front of his dad?"

The demon lord stared at me for a moment, completely taken aback by my word choice. When they finally sank in, he tossed his head back and released a laugh that echoed off the walls. "I knew I liked you from the moment he had you delivered to the club. You're feisty and vocal. But no, I wouldn't recommend that. Asher doesn't mind an audience, but he draws the line where his father is involved. I'd consider a few rounds of sex once tonight is said and done."

A familiar heat haunted my cheeks as he gestured at the dress hugging my body.

"I merely suggest that you embrace what your blood already has. You belong in the demon world. No more cowering at the feet of others." Santino returned his hands to his pants pockets and drifted backwards. "Convince Salvatore that you are loyal to Asher — willing to die for him, doll — and you stand a chance of being accepted into the family. How your blood was mixed will no longer matter in his eyes."

The moment I had locked gazes with those eerie silver eyes, I didn't think I would end up getting advice from him not even a week later. When our paths had crossed, Santino had stared at me like I was prey just waiting to be consumed. Now, he seemed genuinely eager to ensure tonight went smoothly all the way around — not just for the prince.

As his words started to sink in, I reluctantly lifted my jaw and let my hands fall beside me. All it took was a small breath before I felt my frazzled nerves starting to relax. I wouldn't be walking into this completely blind, nor would the majority of the room be against my presence there. That alone brought a comfort that I didn't realize I needed.

A pleased expression washed across the demon lord's face. "Thatta girl," he murmured. Gesturing at the small bathroom nearby, he added, "Finish getting ready. Preparation for dinner has begun, and you're expected to be at the table with Asher by the time it's finished. It wouldn't look well for you if you were late."

I responded with an irritable growl that only seemed to encourage the playful look. The way the demon had followed some vital advice with some harsh criticism left me with whiplash and all I could do was turn on my heel to heed his suggestion. I had my back against the bathroom door by the time I heard the guest room door shut softly. My eyes shifted toward the small mirror hanging from the wall.

I hadn't spent much time taking in just how much I had changed since the first time Asher had taken me, yet now I couldn't overlook it. A healthy glow graced my skin and the gray in my eyes had become even more dominant. Even the mahogany red hair dye had started to fade to reveal the natural black underneath. It didn't even seem to matter that I had attempted the brunette look in between.

My gaze dropped to the tattoo hugging my breast. Excited chills trickled down my spine with the way it seemed to peek out of the top of the dress. Seeing Asher's mark on my body was pleasing, but knowing that I had left one of my own on his skin left me on fire. I dug my nails into the wood behind me, moaning softly.

The ache in between my legs certainly didn't matter. I lusted for him even in the middle of the tensest situation of my life.

Releasing the air that I had trapped in my lungs without realizing it, I approached the mirror and started brushing my hair into submission. There hadn't been enough time for the demon lords to figure out what makeup I would actually use — not that I knew myself yet — but they'd also delivered a necklace that caressed my throat and dipped down in between my breasts.

There wasn't a doubt in my mind that the primary reason for that piece of jewelry was to further attract attention to the emblem.

I paused when the bathroom door eased open behind me and a pair of familiar golden eyes stared back at me in the mirror.

Asher came up behind me, wrapping an arm around my stomach and tugging me back against him. "Even with our evening interrupted…just seeing you in that dress makes me want to take you before dinner," he growled in my ear.

I shivered as his warm breath brushed against my skin. There was no way in hell I could miss the bulge in his pants, not with how he pressed himself firmly against my ass. It didn't matter how much material kept him from grazing my naked skin, I was already wet from his presence. "So take me," I rasped.

The prince's hand shot up, catching me around the throat to keep me pinned against him. "The king of our kind has graced my home and you're willing to be tardy for a vital dinner…just to have my cock buried inside you." He started trailing his free hand along the dress, heading south with a hunger of his own. He barely had to tug up much material before his fingers brushed against my underwear.

My legs threatened to give out beneath me. I arched my back with a moan so that I could brush against his bulge. "You're thinking about it, too."

A chuckle rumbled from his chest. "There's no point in me trying to convince you otherwise." He nudged the soft material out of his way and slid a finger over my clit. As I bucked against him, his grip tightened on my throat. "Such a naughty little pet you are…tempting me on an important evening."

Short gasps escaped my lips when he pushed a finger inside me, quickly adding in a few more before he started thrusting motions. "Fuck, yes." I tensed against him as the rapid pace was already casting a familiar, intoxicating haze over me. The fact that I was about to sit down at the same dining room table as his father didn't seem to matter as much to me while he teased my pussy. Hell, I was willing to risk going against Santino's advice if it meant I could have Asher's cock just one more time before the dinner.

"I would take you…" Asher turned his head to nip at my jaw with his fangs. "...but you have a lovely habit of making me knot inside you. Can't have that, now can we?"

I released a long whine. "A-Asher, please—"

The prince jerked me against him as he pulled his fingers free from my pussy. All it took was a gentle nudge against my jaw for me to turn my head. He ran his coated fingers along my lower lip before he started sucking them clean himself.

My pussy ached from the sudden absence of his touch. Although it hungered for his cock, his fingers had been more than enough to get me within inches of the high I craved. The fact that he'd stopped right before he cast me over left me frustrated. I pressed my lips together and glared at him. "That wasn't nice."

He smirked back at me. "Get through the dinner and earn his approval, pet…and I'll reward you."

I curled my upper lip as he pulled back, releasing me from his hold. "Fine. Got any advice I should heed?"

Asher arched an eyebrow. "It sounds like Santino has already been by to express some valuable words himself. Heed what he suggested and you'll do fine. While you might want my cock, I did come for a different reason." He reached up to seize the collar that still graced my neck. All it took was a simple touch before the material faded from existence, leaving the jewelry to dominate it. "You have no need for that anymore."

"What if I wanted to keep it?"

The edges of his lips twitched. "I'll allow it to continue gracing your body when we're away from prying eyes. For events such as tonight, I'm afraid it wouldn't give the right impression." He reached out to take my chin. "Dinner's almost ready, pet. Breathe. We'll be done with it quickly."

I managed to keep a firm grip on my frazzled nerves until the prince pulled away, and there was no more physical contact between us. The only thing I could cling to with the hope of a distraction was my pulsing pussy. I reluctantly offered a small nod to acknowledge him before I trailed out of the bathroom after him. A quick stop by the bed to slip on some black heels and we left the guest room behind.

As soon as the comfort of those four walls was no longer around me as the final desperate act of a comforting cushion, my entire body was riddled with nervous energy. It took everything I had not to duck my head down, already spotting the dining room ahead with most of the seats filled.

Salvatore had taken the usual spot at the head of the table while his two accompanying goons simply posted themselves behind him. The rest of the seats had been filled with Asher's demon lords, leaving only two left for us to take.

I gritted my teeth as the king's pale eyes swung my way and watched every move I made. My heart was pounding in my chest as a woman I didn't recognize hurried forward to tug our chairs out. Instinct warned me not to sit before Asher did, and I managed to catch myself in time. As soon as he lowered himself, I allowed my legs to bend.

Santino's gaze found its way toward me, and he offered a very subtle nod that I had managed to pass the first of many tests tonight.

"The wine you requested, sire." Another woman stopped by the table with a large green bottle. She popped the cork before she scurried back.

The familiar tingle gracing the back of my neck hinted that Santino was once again peering my way. It stunned me that he didn't have to utter a single word — or even alter his expression — for me to understand that I was already facing another test. I leaned forward to retrieve the wine glass as soon as Asher had poured some inside. There was no hesitation on my part to take a sip.

I wasn't prepared for the overwhelming airy taste that graced my tongue. The room immediately started to tilt around me, causing me to tighten my grip on the glass. For a split second, I was terrified that this bottle had been tainted and I would end up on the floor, seizing. While there were no violent constrictions of my muscles, the strange haze didn't fade.

Archer snickered softly. "Looks like she's never tasted angel blood before. Had to pop that cherry, too, boss?"

There was no resistance on my part when the prince leaned forward to tug the glass free from my hand. I managed to lower my hand onto the table while I closed my eyes for a moment, waiting for the sensation to pass.

A pleased noise came from the end of the table.

Thank god.I managed to stifle a shiver that had raced down my spine. Another test not even five minutes into the dinner. Apparently, it was a vital one in the king's eyes. The noise simply meant he was content with what he saw. I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes until a range of delicious aromas brushed against me.

An elderly woman lowered a plate in front of Salvatore while the other started delivering the rest of them. They worked in sync to get them out while respecting the hierarchy within the room.

Shock trickled into my veins when my plate was the third one lowered. It took everything I had to conceal the emotion. My demonic bloodline demanded it, sure, but I didn't expect the sudden respect that came with that revelation. I kept my hands folded in my lap, tangling my fingers to remain still until both the king and the prince had started slicing into the glazed salmon on their plates. The slight raising of the hair on the back of my neck warned the king was keeping an eye on me while I started eating on my plate.

It took everything I had to keep my hands from shaking, even though I could still feel the small movements. I refused to let myself peek in his direction, fully aware that he was waiting for any sudden signs that passing the first two tests had been pure luck. By the time I had taken my third bite, I wasn't even sure what he was looking for.

"Asher and I had quite a conversation before tonight's meal, Miss Rossi." Salvatore's voice was carefully guarded. He set down his knife to retrieve his glass, pausing long enough to take a sip. "I'm told you were brought in with an organization that has been siphoning family funds for a few months now. Is that correct?"

The air caught in my throat. My hands immediately stilled. "Yes, it is," I admitted softly.

Asher continued eating as if he had no concern about the conversation unfolding.

"What was done about the two mortals responsible for the organization's creation?" Salvatore's pale golden eyes flickered around the table.

A pleased chuckle escaped Archer. "They volunteered themselves for a few experiments Nico was developing."

"They've since been disposed of," Nico added.

Salvatore nodded slowly. His gaze returned to me. "Which now makes you the only one spared. That brings me to a question that I am sure you have been expecting since I arrived. Tell me, Miss Rossi… Are you willing to give your life to protect my son?"

"Yes." There was no hesitation on my part. It was just another test in the eyes of the king himself, but it didn't drive my quick answer. I finally turned my head to lock gazes with him, which seemed to startle him.

Salvatore straightened in his chair, clasping his hands together in front of him. "Even if that meant a bullet?"

"Yes." Again, my answer came just as quickly without resistance. I continued to gaze at him while we entered a short staredown. I didn't have the slightest clue on if this was the right move, especially since Santino seemed more interested in his fish than giving me a cue. It wasn't until the king uttered a small chuckle that the relief leaked into my veins.

"What a curious young woman you are." Salvatore retrieved his knife and continued slicing into the salmon. "My son buys you as personal entertainment from an organization that has been nothing more than a thorn in our side. A mosquito, really. Now the two of you are bonded on a deep level. You've embraced our world with open arms. All things considered, this went down as well as anything could go." He paused for a moment before he scoffed. "Now if your sister would only do the same, Asher."

Asher didn't respond. His golden eyes simply flickered toward Archer.

The demon lord was quick to offer up a response related to the topic. "We've already trimmed down the locations where Calianna might be residing, sire. All of the states along the water have been eliminated."

The noise Salvatore uttered this time was nothing more than pure annoyance. "Calianna would be a fool not to avoid the coastline… Most of those states have been claimed by Asher. She'd be back on a boat before she could have another tantrum." He gestured at Archer with his knife. "I want her on an airplane the minute you locate her. Drug her to keep her under control if you must."

The demon lord bowed his head slightly. "It will be done, sire."

My eyes swung toward Asher when quiet vibrating threatened to silence the conversation. It stunned me that the prince casually tugged the device from his suit pocket and gave it a quick peek. The moment his eyes locked on the screen, I noticed how every muscle in his body tensed. With all of his demon lords sitting in the room, I didn't have a clue as to who would be calling.

"Forgive me, Father. I must take this phone call." Asher rose from his chair and made his way toward the back porch. His steps only slowed for a moment until Salvatore acknowledged his words with a grunt. He answered the phone call in a native tongue seconds before the door swung shut behind him.

Asher was the only cushion I had when it came to keeping my nerves under control. Having him leave the room left my stomach prepared to turn on me. I set my utensils down and settled for sipping on the wine I'd been given. Letting the haze return like this wasn't on the agenda, yet it would help me bide my time until he returned.

All it took was a quick peek to realize that the prince was just as livid as he had been when he returned earlier that evening. I could feel his rage leaking through the glass, and my own panic started to rise.

Who had called? Was I supposed to leave the table and attempt to keep his rage under control?

Santino's silver eyes found their way to me. He simply offered a small shake of his head to warn that my place was still at the table. If I needed to get involved in the phone call, the prince would make it known. Until then, I had to wait.

I blew out a slow breath and resumed eating. It was agonizing to wait and see what my next move would be, but this was the world that I belonged to now. I had to play by their rules if I wanted to stay in it.