Reign Check (21 page)

Gee, lucky me. A compliment from Kieran. However, it was one that only succeeded in creeping me out.

More
beautiful?
I projected the thought toward Michael:
He’s crazy.

Michael hadn’t moved an inch from my side since we’d approached the council table. His hands were clasped behind his back. ::Yes, Kieran is clearly crazy. I think you’re equally beautiful in either human or Darkling form.::

My heart swelled at that. The council probably wouldn’t approve if I threw my arms around him and kissed him right then, would they?

Nope. They’d likely throw us both in the dungeon.

I couldn’t see myself, but I’d turned fully Darkling a couple of times before—wings and all—and I felt much the same as I had then. Stronger, more powerful … and way angrier. My fear mostly faded away, replaced by an annoyance that the council would make me do this—parade myself before them and let them judge me as though this was a demon beauty contest. It was now obvious this meeting was only to show me who really had the power in the room—them, not me, and I wasn’t supposed to forget it.

“This is it,” I said, holding my taloned hands up to either side as I turned around in a slow circle. “What you see is what you get.”

“You have your father’s wings,” Florencia said wistfully.

I shifted my weight to my other foot. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The queen’s eyes narrowed as her gaze swept over me. “How do you intend to destroy us when you still look so very human?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going to destroy you.”

There was some visible tension around her mouth. “The prophecy was very clear. The first Darkling in a thousand years—”

“Wait a minute,” I said, interrupting her, which was probably a big no-no. Taking Darkling form meant losing some, if not all, of my human fear of the council. It also brought a sense of clarity and objectivity that I didn’t normally have. “Are you
sure
I’m the first Darkling in a thousand years?”

“Of course we’re sure,” Kieran said bluntly. “There is no other.”

I thought it over. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think the prophecy says, ‘Nikki Donovan, the first Darkling in a thousand years.’ Or even, the ‘Darkling daughter of the Shadowlands’ king.’ It just said the
first
Darkling. How can you be positive it’s me?”

There was total silence in the cavernous room for a long moment.

“There has been no other Darkling child
but
you,” Queen Sephina said evenly. “If there had been, I would know.”

“Maybe or maybe not,” I challenged. “Any Darkling who feared for its life would probably try to keep its existence under wraps, given what little history I’ve heard. I don’t think a Darkling would stroll through the Underworld wearing an ‘I’m a Darkling, Ask Me How!’ T-shirt.”

Michael studied me. ::You’re right, Princess. This is a strong argument against the prophecy. But still … please be careful what you say. Don’t provoke them.::

I’ll try my best.

“It’s impossible,” Florencia interjected. “No demon, aside from your father, has visited the human world in a thousand years. The Shadowlands prevent casual travel or communication between the dark and light worlds. You’re speaking nonsense, child. You must take after your mother.”

I shot her a withering look that she reflected right back at me.

“Nobody except my father in a
thousand years
?” I asked, doing my best to sound as respectful as possible, despite the anger bristling under my skin. “With all due respect, I find that hard to believe.”

“Desmond had permission from his own father to visit the human world,” Florencia countered. “A foolish decision on the former king’s part, knowing how impulsive his son then was.”

I shook my head. “There
has
to have been some kind of communication, some contact. This city looks just like a human city. The way some demons dress is very similar to how humans dress”—I pointed over my shoulder toward the back of the room—“like Princess Kassandra’s outfit, for example. I could have bought the exact same thing last time I was at the mall. Even the way you talk—it’s all very human. To me, that means you must have had
some
contact more recently than a thousand years ago to influence things, even if it was just a little.”

“We haven’t,” Kieran said bluntly.

“Sure we have,” said the cockroach.

18

All eyes turned to Beasley.

He shrugged his buglike black shoulders. “I mean, there’s all that paperwork that needs to be filled out and submitted to King Desmond, and he takes forever to approve anyone for a trip beyond the dark worlds. He’s fastidious, I’ll give him that. But don’t deny it, Your Majesty. Scouts and servants are
often
sent to fetch samples of the human world—books, movies, food, drink, clothing—for us to study and enjoy.” He leaned back in his chair. “Besides, the Shadowlands is not the only place to find a gateway to the human world.”

This got Kieran’s full attention. “It’s not?”

“Beasley,” the queen hissed. “This is not the time to discuss this.”

“But doesn’t Prince Kieran know this already?” Beasley asked. “There are other gateways scattered throughout the Underworld and Hell. Hidden ones. It stands to reason, at one time or another, they may have been discovered by a wandering demon who could have been swept away, never to return again.”

“Tell me, Beasley, where are these hidden gateways?” Kieran asked curiously, leaning toward the bug at the end of the table.

“Let us change the subject, please,” the queen said.

“They’re
hidden
, Prince Kieran. Which means they’re not easily found. Frankly, I don’t know where they are. Not that I’d ever be interested in traveling to the human world. I don’t think they’d welcome me with open arms.”

I thought of Rhys and his ability to hide his pointed ears and wings enough to fit in. “Can’t you do a glamour to look human?”

The cockroach looked at me. “Afraid that’s not one of my talents. Besides, when you’re as gorgeous as I am, why would you ever want to look any different?”

I blinked.

Beasley laughed. “I’m kidding of course. I’m fully aware I’m hideous. I’d be there three minutes before finding myself on the wrong side of a demon-slayer’s sword.”

Good point.

I suddenly got a mental image of Melinda facing off against Beasley. She hated bugs. She was afraid of spiders. But could she kick demon butt?

It wouldn’t be a pretty sight.

Would she kill a demon who looked scary but wasn’t a threat? How did that work? I’d only just met Beasley, but so far he seemed fairly personable and helpful, despite his appearance.

I couldn’t deal with the demon council right now
and
think about Melinda. The whole thing made me feel seriously seasick.

Groden slapped his hand against the table. “I propose a rule that all secret gateways be revealed to any demon wishing to do a little interworld sightseeing. A penalty of death to all who conceal their locations!”

“Beasley,” the queen said sharply, apparently disturbed by the direction of this discussion. “You’re saying you believe there may be demons living in the human world even as we speak?”

“I’m saying it’s possible,” Beasley replied, his antennae twitching. “We know there are dragons living there already, so why not demons as well? The possibility is enough for me to lean toward Princess Nikki’s argument that the prophecy may not be about her at all.”

“It was related to me the day the Darkling would have turned sixteen and come into her powers,” Kieran said.

“Possibly a coincidence,” Beasley replied. “Besides, just look at her. She’s way too adorable to be as destructive as the prophecy says she is. Those horns could not be cuter.”

Cockroaches were now my absolute favorite insect.

Okay, I lied. They weren’t. But I’d make an exception for Beasley.

I returned my attention to the queen. I waited, holding my breath, for what she’d say next. She studied me for a full minute, her gaze moving over my Darkling form, taking in all my extra demonic accessories as if appraising me for auction value.

“Very well, you may leave us now.” She flicked her hand and I felt magic sweep over me, changing me back to human form. I staggered backward as momentary but severe pain lanced through me. Luckily, Michael caught my arm and steadied me before I fell.

The queen stood up from behind the table and approached me. I willed myself not to back away from her. She grasped my hands and kissed me on either cheek.

“Please give my regards to your father,” she said.

“Sure,” I said breathlessly.

So that’s it?
I glanced at Michael.
We’re free to go?

His expression was guarded. ::I think so.::

Queen Sephina continued to hold my hands in hers. She peered at me as if expecting me to show suddenly that my true face was even uglier than Beasley’s. Her gaze slowly moved down to my wrist.

“You have a dragon’s tear,” she said with shock.

A chair scraped against the floor as Kieran rose to his feet. “A dragon’s tear? A real one?”

I was surprised Elizabeth hadn’t told him already. She’d been well aware of the gift I received from my father.

“It’s very beautiful,” Queen Sephina said, holding my wrist tighter.

I tried not to pull away from her. “Thank you.”

“Did your father give you this?”

“He did.”

She nodded. “I’d heard he slayed a dragon when he was no more than your age. It was an accomplishment that branded him as a future king, despite his stubbornness in many things. It makes sense that he would give it to you.”

My father had been the one to kill the dragon who shed the tear I now wore on the chain around my wrist?

“Well, some fathers hunt deer,” I said, repressing a shudder. “My father hunted dragons. Same difference.”

“Hardly. Dragons are very dangerous and magical creatures. Only three dragons have been slain in recorded history, and your father is responsible for the most recent. This tear is very precious. I hope you realize and appreciate that.”

“More and more every minute.”

“You have given me much to consider here today.” She finally released me. “My daughter will see you back to the Shadowlands gateway. Good-bye.”

Without another word, she turned dismissively away from me and went back to her chair. Now that she wasn’t sitting in it, I noticed it had a gold sheen and was speckled with the same jewels she wore in her hair. Was it her throne?

::Let’s go, Princess. Wouldn’t want to outstay our welcome.::

It was an excellent idea. I turned, and Michael and I walked away from the council and toward the elevator, where Kassandra waited for us. I still felt on edge.

Did that go well?
I asked. Now that my Darkling form was gone, so was my confidence.

::I think so. They asked fewer questions than I thought they would.::

Did I do okay? I think I talked too much.

::You stood up for what you believe in. You didn’t take everything they said with your head lowered like many would. I was impressed.::

Despite the compliment, a lump formed in my throat. I’d stood up for what I believed in, but I couldn’t stand up and tell them how I felt about Shadows—how I felt about Michael in particular. I wasn’t that brave. And I couldn’t put him in danger.

So, what now?

::Now we do exactly as Queen Sephina suggested. We leave.::

Lead the way.

Kassandra grinned as we approached and got in the elevator with her. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

I was still breathing. I wasn’t currently redecorating a dungeon cell. I’d let the demon council check me out and I’d challenged the prophecy, enough to put doubt in their minds about it. It definitely could have gone worse.

I was surprised I hadn’t thought of the possibility there might be another Darkling around somewhere, either now or some time in the past millennium. It was a reassuring thought, and I allowed a small measure of relief to flow through me. Is that why Irena couldn’t see the first prophecy for herself? Because it was so vague and maybe not even about me at all?

Whatever the reason, now I could go back to my seminormal life, where all I had to deal with were faery kings and jealous demon-slaying best friends.

Still major problems, but ones I could at least deal with in the human world, not here.

“It’s so cool you have a dragon’s tear,” Kassandra said as the elevator slowly began to make its way down to the lobby. “Can I see?”

I pulled up the sleeve of my sweater—now ripped and a bit drafty in the back, thanks to my unscheduled wing appearance—and showed her the bracelet.

Her eyes widened with appreciation. “It’s gorgeous.”

“Thanks.”

“Can I have it?”

I looked at her. “What?”

“I have lots of jewelry,” she said. “I could trade you for something else. Anything you want.”

“Uh … I don’t really think so.”

She frowned as if confused by my refusal. “But I want it.”

I shrugged. “Sorry.”

Rolling the crystal between my thumb and index finger, I felt the cold weight of it. I didn’t like how the crystal had been obtained, and I didn’t like that my father was the one who slayed the dragon in the first place, but I wasn’t planning on trading it to anyone.

She twirled her hair. “In school, in dragon studies, we learned about their tears. Dragons can teleport from place to place and between worlds no problem, they always have. So it’s rumored that their one and only tear—a solid piece of their life magic—gives the wearer the ability to do the same.”

I hadn’t known that. “You think having this means I can teleport wherever I want?”

“I think so. Cool, right? I’d love to be able to do that.” Her gaze slid back down to my wrist.

::Princess, please say nothing else,:: Michael’s voice warned in my head. ::I don’t like the way she’s looking at your bracelet.::

But she can’t have it.

::Remember what Elizabeth said about Kassandra when we first arrived? What Kassandra wants, Kassandra gets.::

She’s not that bad. She’ll just have to take no for an answer for once.

Even though she was a bit of a spoiled brat, I kind of liked Kassandra. She’d been helpful and friendly and was full of information. But I was better safe than sorry. A lot of girls seemed superfriendly on the surface, but when it came to something they wanted, they were different. Kind of like Larissa. And she wasn’t even a real demon underneath it all, like Kassandra was.

The doors opened on the lobby and we got out of the elevator.

“You don’t have to leave right away,” Kassandra said, finally tearing her eyes from my bracelet. “We can hang out for a while first.”

“We really should be leaving,” Michael said.

Kassandra looked at him sharply. “I wasn’t speaking to you, Shadow.”

I flinched as I did whenever anyone treated Michael like he was a lesser being. I’d promised myself I’d be on my best behavior, but it was on the tip of my tongue to defend him.

“Kassandra,” I began. “Michael’s—”

::No, Princess. Say nothing. Let’s just leave.::

I bit my lip.

“Michael’s right,” I said instead. “I’m kind of tired, and it’s actually, like, late at night back home, so … can I take a rain check?”

Her expression soured and her eyes again darted briefly to my wrist. She couldn’t get the bracelet and she couldn’t get me to stay. It must have been a shock for someone used to getting anything they wanted. “Whatever.”

Maybe I wouldn’t be best friends with the only other demon princess I’d met, but I wouldn’t let her suddenly sullen attitude bother me. I’d met with the council, and other than finding them mostly unpleasant—although Beasley was nice enough for a six-foot-tall talking cockroach—I thought it went okay.

Now I wanted very much to go home. I looked at Michael, and he met my gaze and held it. He’d been so amazing this whole time—despite our shaky start after the “mistletoe incident.” I didn’t think I could have done this without him. I felt it deeper now than ever before—there was more between us, something superstrong that couldn’t just be pushed aside and forgotten about, no matter what the rules were or who made them.

If somebody on the demon council could push back against all the stupid rules Groden came up with, maybe he or she would change things. Make them better.