“I need to talk to her,” I decided out loud.
“Did I not just say that sixty seconds ago?”
“Not helping,” I drawled, shoving away from the monitors.
“Technically, I was helping; you just didn’t listen. But glad my subliminal messaging worked out.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t let anyone near my tapes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And don’t tell anyone where I’ve gone,” I added.
“Shall I also make up your bed for you? Fluff your pillows? Add some of those chocolates I know you like?”
I narrowed my gaze at him. “You’re the reason I’m in this fucking mess, dick. You just had to save the girl for your sweet star, hmm?”
Adrik snorted. “Your complaint means shit to me. We both know you want her. You’re just afraid I’ll kick your ass for it.”
“First of all, you can’t kick my ass,” I informed him. He’d tried to on multiple occasions and almost always lost. “Second of all, I’m not afraid of anything. I know you’ll try to punch me if I touch her.”
He grinned. “I totally could, and it wouldn’t be me trying to kick your ass, G. It’d be Valora.”
“And she might actually have the power to hurt me.” She was Lucifer’s daughter, after all. Power ran in her blood.
“Yep, so if you decide to touch Zaya, I suggest you make it a long-term arrangement. Because I really don’t like it when someone upsets my wife.”
“Can we focus on the bigger issue at hand, please?” I asked him. “Zaya murdered Yakariah.”
“Yes, and you were finally on your way to talk to her after moping for three days.” Adrik stood and gave me a shooing motion with his hands. “Now go before you lose your balls again.”
“My balls are just fine.”
“Prove it,” he challenged. “Go talk to Zaya.”
“Dick,” I muttered, leaving him in my suite. His quarters connected to mine, my mother choosing not to repurpose them or allow visitors to stay in those rooms. They would forever belong to Adrik. She’d raised him as her own, something I thought she’d done out of the goodness of her heart until I learned of her ties to Valora. Then it became evident that my mother had raised him to be the perfect suitor for her daughter.
Such a fucked-up and twisted game.
Then again, that was my mother’s preference.
The Underworld royal community thrived on schemes meant to test their opponents. Hence, I was living within my own rights now.
I knew deep down my mother didn’t want me to marry Napia. This was all some messed-up test, one I appeared to be failing at daily.
I growled under my breath and moved down the corridor, ignoring my guards along the way. They all bowed in reverence while staff hurriedly moved out of my way, my quick strides informing them wordlessly that I was on a mission. Disturbing me right now would not go over well, and hopefully my face gave that away.
When I reached the entrance to the dungeon, the two guards outside shared a quick look, then opened the gates.
I descended to the first level of the underground, making my way toward the holding areas.
“Sir?” Alaric stepped into my path, his eyebrows drawn down. “Is there someone you wish for me to pull for you?”
I stared down at him, having a good half a foot of height on the demon. “I want to talk to Zaya. Which cell is she in?” I’d planned to just check each one along the way, but this would be faster. Even if it did irritate me that he’d boldly moved into my path.
“Um.” He cleared his throat. “Let me check the logs.”
I frowned at him. “You need to check the logs?” We barely had any prisoners in holding. “Never mind. I’ll just look for her.” Because apparently that was the faster route. Imbeciles.