I watched as Kartania drifted off to sleep in my arms, mumbling something about an academy. My hand was a fraction of a centimeter away from her hair before I stopped myself from running my fingers through it.

I don’t want to wake her. I… also don’t know if she’d be okay with me doing this. She’s an adult now—older than I was when I died, actually.

For what must have been a few minutes, I simply sat against the wall and kept her warm. Soon, however, I realized something: I can’t stay here into the night.

Seyari was going to come tearing through here if I didn’t come back out soon. Similarly, Kartania had to have a contingency plan in place.

That said, I was not about to leave my sleeping sister down in this fort on the frozen cold floor. At the same time, I couldn’t very well carry her across half the city without some very awkward questions. It was far from evening despite the winter night having fallen already, and the city would be plenty crowded.

Do I really care about the city option? I’ve done nothing wrong and Kartania ought to say the same if she’s jostled awake.

City option it is then. First, however, I had to get both of us out of here. Carefully, I lifted Kartania up and carried her against me, mostly upright. The moment I touched my tail against the hilt of her blade, however, searing pain shot up the limb and I almost dropped my sister.

Holy magic. I can do this. I’m a big demon.

I grasped at the hilt and drew the sword up, ignoring the sizzling sound it was making. One of my free lower arms grasped it. Unfortunately, my lower hands weren’t gloved, and I spent a moment playing a very awkward shuffle in the dark to get the sword that burned me back into Kartania’s sheath without waking her or losing all feeling in whatever hand was holding it.

I succeeded, but only just: my sister shifted and mumbled before clinging tighter against me.

Starting up the steps, I picked up the lantern with my tail and put out the fires on my horn tips. The walk out was peaceful and quiet; my footfalls and Tania’s breathing were the only sounds. When I emerged, I caught a faint glimpse of Seyari’s glowing eyes from the treeline.

“It went well?” she whispered when drew close enough.

I nodded. “It did. She’s been through a lot, but she’s strong—perhaps stronger than I am.”

Seyari looked Kartania over, then up at me with soft eyes. “You sound like a mother. Her mother, actually—you two look a lot alike, though I imagine your human form would make the resemblance clearer.”

I returned her look with a sad smile. “I’m her big sister, and her only remaining immediate family. In a way, it’s my job to take on that role when I need to. Like tonight.” I started walking back down the path.

“Are you really going to walk through town with her?”

“She’s clinging onto me and clearly asleep. It’s unusual, but it should be clear I’m a relative and I’ve done nothing untoward.”

Seyari plucked the lantern from my tail. “That’s all well and good, but you might want to look human.”

I sighed and shifted back, adjusting Tania as best I could with two whole arms missing. “Right. Any idea where the others are?”

“Taava took Nelys ‘out on the town’ and Joisse I believe was keeping cooped up in her room at the inn.” My fiancée started back down the path and I followed her.

“I need to talk with Joisse when we get back, potentially before Tania wakes up.”

“About her anger?”

I nodded.

“She’s been managing it on her own hasn’t she?” Seyari asked.

Ducking under a low branch, I responded, “Mostly. I’ve been distracted, but Joisse is doing most of the work if not all of it.”

“She doesn’t realize that, then,” Sey concluded.

“I thought she knew, but I’ve also been… distracted these past few days.”

“Rightfully so, Love.”

“…Thanks.”

“For?”

“For being you, Sey.”

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“Sappy demon.” Sey’s voice was warm against the chill night air.

***

Once we entered the city proper, it was close to evening, the streets thinning out. Kartania still slept against me, though I could tell she was stirring. While I got plenty of looks, an easy smile and family resemblance helped. Though, Kartania’s armor and tabard kept many eyes on us.

Ahead of us down the house-lined avenue, a small cluster of guards in chain armor walked toward us. Their blue and white tabards bore the coat of arms of the Lord of Linthel, and they strutted with a kind if practiced precision that set them apart from city guard. After a moment, I realized the group was walking at us, not just the opposite way on the street. I tensed, and Kartania mumbled, her sleep fading faster.

“Zarenna Miller?” one of the guards asked as they drew close.

No hands on weapons—good. I glanced quickly at the street around me. Crowded—a fight here would be bad.

“That’s me,” I replied with forced calm. “Is there a problem?”

The lead guard shook his head. “Not at all, miss. Quite the contrary, in fact: King Carvalon wishes to see you—immediately.”

What? How high in the clouds was my head that I only now realized these were royal guards? The coat of arms was the same (so far as I could tell) as it was when Carvalon was just a lord, but the armor spoke of prestige the city hadn’t espoused when I was young and human.

I fished for an excuse and came up with a good one. “I… may I get my sister home first?”

The guard looked at Kartania, just in time for her to rub her eyes and yawn. The moment she opened them fully, however, a cold mask slid in place and her hand froze over her mouth. She coughed and pushed away from me.

The lead royal guard shook his head. “I’m afraid the summons is immediate. If your sister and friend wish to come, they will be permitted to wait inside the vestibule.”

I let Kartania go and she stood up with surprisingly little stumbling. “Come again?” she asked the guard.

“King Carvalon wishes to speak with Zarenna Miller immediately. I am told it is a matter of import, but am not at liberty to say more. If you would like to come with Zarenna, you may do so and wait in the vestibule out of the elements.”

Kartania’s lips drew into a thin line along with Seyari’s. Forget me, if we’re going by demeanor alone, those two could be twins!

“Is it absolutely necessary that my fiancée meets King Carvalon alone?” Seyari asked coldly, putting excessive emphasis on fiancée.

“Such are King Carvalon’s orders, miss,” the lead guard replied solemnly.

I glanced around. Several people were now staring our way. Rumors will abound regardless, and I realized with a pit forming in my stomach that I hadn’t ever learned why Kartania was in Linthel early and needed to meet me.

Backed into a figurative corner, I inhaled slowly and steeled myself as best I could. King Carvalon probably doesn’t intend to kill me. “Lead on, then.”

“Wonderful,” the lead guard bowed. He signaled and the small cluster moved to flank us and started forward.

“They’re leading and guarding, not forcing,” Kartania said quietly. “No guard in the rear means they don’t think you’ll try to run.”

“Does it mean this won’t turn into a shitshow?” Seyari asked. “Oh, and I’m Seyari, by the way. I’d bet Zarenna forgot to mention my name.”

I blushed. I was going to!

The guard closest to Seyari looked a little more closely at her, but she ignored him.

“Kartania,” my sister replied, taking Seyari’s hand to shake. “I’m certain my sister will tell me much about you in the future.”

“Of course!” Seyari forced a chuckle. “I must say we’re enjoying our time in Linthel so far.”

Kartania nodded. “That’s good to hear.”

They continued behind me, small talk helping to ease my nerves. They seem to be getting along well enough. At the same time, they avoided any sensitive topics in the presence of the royal guards.

Similarly, I kept a low profile, not even risking a peek with aura sight. He may know I’m a demon—it’s thankfully not a secret—but there’s no reason to advertise anything.

Our escort turned and we moved easily through the old city wall and into the old city. The street narrowed and began to climb. I’d never been to the Lord’s Manor before, and even this part of town was unfamiliar to me. Now a king’s palace, I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about going there.

Especially not under these circumstances.

Tension continued to mount as we drew closer, exacerbated by the newly growing silence between my sister and my fiancée. Truthfully, if they weren’t here, I’d be shaking. The attention of a king was not something I could brush aside.

Any single misstep here and all my progress could be eliminated, never mind that I actually might not be able to win if things come to a fight. Throw enough people with enchanted weapons at me, and someone was bound to get lucky. I also didn’t fancy slagging a castle full of innocents.

I stayed silent as we were led up to the castle gates, big iron things that made me feel small. Inside, we walked with our escort through a meticulously maintained garden brushed free of snow, up to a pair of large, ornate doors.

Inside, servants bowed in front of an opulent display. Why does he want to see me? And why is it sudden?

Our escort whispered about us arriving to a servant who rushed off. Seyari and Kartania were beckoned off toward a side hallway. I gave my goodbyes and a quick hug to both of them, much to Tania’s surprise.

That my sister hugged me back did much to lift my mood. Thankfully, the guards didn’t seem tense. In fact, they were all smiles or serious neutrality. Please don’t be a façade.

The last thing I wanted was to walk into the audience chamber and see Envy or Avarice there, standing behind King Carvalon like a puppet master. In my mind, the room was a dark void, if only because I had no idea what the room would actually look like.

Surely he wouldn’t be meeting me in a throne room, full of grand columns and designed to belittle and intimidate those seeking audience?

My thoughts carried me along to the final large set of doors. They were pulled inward at some command, and the guards flanking me fell away.

Inside was a massive hall lined with columns almost like an immense church nave. A throne sat upon several stair-stepped platforms at the rear center of the room. Apparently, my fear was right and King Carvalon would see me in a room like this.

I looked up at the figure on the throne.

Tall, blonde, and with a touch of experience to his youthful countenance, King Carvalon sat with a modest crown atop his head and crossed hands under his chin. Blessedly, he was alone, although I gulped as knights to the sides pulled the doors shut behind me.

What on Varra is going to happen?