ed, ignoring that last bit. Grigory enjoyed mortal company. I preferred succubi. “When I reclaim my throne, remind me not to bring you onto my council.”
The big man covered his heart. “What? But I thought you loved me, Adrik?”
“Bring me more bourbon, and we’ll discuss it.”
“Assuming you don’t die tomorrow.”
I finished the contents of my drink and poured myself another. “You know, I’m starting to think you’re worried about me, G.”
“You’re attending the infamous Caluçon Ball. Anyone with intelligence would be worried.” He scratched the scruff dotting his square jaw. “Actually, no. Intelligent demons wouldn’t attend in the first place.”
My lips twitched. “Good thing I’m not a demon.” Not in the traditional sense, anyway. I commanded the shadows of the Underworld, the pissed-off spirits in limbo. It made me a welcome entity in this realm, but not necessarily demonic.
He grunted. “Too right.” He picked up his wine glass and swirled the bloody contents before downing it all in one go. Almost as if to remind me that he, too, wasn’t a traditional demon. Not like Lucifer’s hellhounds and minions.
I sighed, my head falling back against the padded cushion of my chair. “Necros isn’t a demon, either,” I pointed out, again thinking about my plan. “Just King of the Dead.” And archenemy to the Shadow Kingdom he’d destroyed many years ago.
My kingdom.
I ran my hand over my face and finished my second drink, not bothering to fill it again. The last thing I needed was to be hungover tomorrow.
Caluçon would fall. I just had to play my cards right, which included indulging the king in his fucked-up games. He wanted to break his queen. Fine. I’d happily help in that endeavor. But unlike all the other contenders lined up for tomorrow night, I knew the score.
Queen Valora possessed a valuable entity inside her, one I intended to steal for myself and use to destroy the King of the Dead.
“Let me come with you,” Grigory said, not for the first time. “You know I’m the better fighter between us.”
I laughed. “You beat me once and that makes you my better?”
“Twice,” he corrected. “And fuck yes. Now bow.”
“Fuck you.” The words lacked heat, as they always did. “And no, you’re staying here. The last thing I need is to piss off your mother.”
“Ugh, that woman is such a buzzkill.” He stretched out on my couch, legs crossed at the ankles, his eyes falling closed.
“I heard that,” a feminine voice said, entering without knocking.
“I know,” he replied, not bothering to glance or formally acknowledge the approaching woman.
Lux, Queen of the Noxia Kingdom.
Otherwise known as Grigory’s mother.
“Your Highness,” I greeted, nodding in respect. Most would be on the floor, bowing. But she and I had a different sort of relationship, one that had me viewing her more in a maternal manner rather than a royal one.
She had, after all, raised me as her own.
“You boys are always causing me problems,” she said, picking up the bottle of bourbon from the table. Rather than pour herself a glass, she stole a sip from the rim and shuddered. “Rubbish.”
“Liquid gold,” I corrected.
She scoffed at that. “I thought I raised you better than that, Adrik.” She cocked her head to the side in a chastising way while also grinning down at me. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”
“No,” Grigory cut in, still not looking at his mother. They both resembled night, with their dark hair and eyes, their skin as pale as the moon. Fitting for their vampire heritage, I supposed. As I possessed similar traits, it’d be easy for Lux to adopt me into the fold. However, I never called her Mother, nor did she ever ask me to.
“You’re sending my brother off to his death,” Grigory added humorously.
Jackass. “Your faith in me is heartwarming,” I deadpanned.