Mona Lisa Awakening

Chapter Eighteen

Prince Halcyon was waiting for me in the front parlor when we returned. Chami and Tomas studied the Demon Prince warily while Rosemary and her children nodded to Halcyon respectfully. Amber and Gryphon remained with me while the others went upstairs to settle in.

I seated myself in a tailored leather wing chair across from where Halcyon lounged with casual grace on a plump leather sofa.

"We have finished questioning Mona Louisa and her men," Halcyon announced. "Miles has already been executed."

"By you?" I queried.

A brief hesitation. An acknowledging nod.

"Good," I said coldly.

"Bloodthirsty, aren't you?" Halcyon's tone was one of approval.

"Yes."

"How wonderful. I shall ensure that Miles views some of our more unusual landscapes personally," the High Prince of Hell promised.

"The other men?" I asked.

"They are to be punished. But they will live."

"And Mona Louisa?"

"She will lose her territory for her complicity and will be moved to a smaller, less important territory."

"Complicity?" I arched an arrogant brow. "She masterminded it. She should have been executed along with Miles."

"Ah, but she is a Queen, much more precious to the Council. We never execute our Queens. You are the bloodlines and matriarchs of our world," Halcyon said pragmatically. "More good news is that the Council has amended the law so that it is now forbidden to take the lives of Mixed Blood Queens."

"You and Lord Thorane must have pushed hard to pass that through," Gryphon observed acerbically.

"The Queens were the only ones opposing it," Halcyon said.

"Surprise, surprise," I said, crossing my legs. Halcyon's eyes followed the gesture, making me suddenly conscious of my body. I felt almost an invisible caress against my skin beneath my skirt that caused me to draw in a quick breath. He lifted his eyes back to mine with a small smile.

"They managed, however, to include in the condition that other Queens may take a Mixed Blood Queen's life, like any other Queen, if she threatened them personally. I would watch myself with the other Ladies. They will no doubt try to draw you to challenge them."

"Are they powerful enough to defeat me?" I asked curiously.

"Some Queens have great powers. Others have even greater treachery," Halcyon said gravely. "Do not underestimate them. They are very dangerous."

"I won't. And the law that Mixed Bloods cannot kill any Moonies?"

Halcyon's lips quirked at my quaint term for them. "An exception was made for you. Try not to kill too many of them."

I blinked my eyes lazily. "Only those who deserve it."

Halcyon threw back his head and laughed with rich appreciation.

I loved hearing him laugh so. Smiling, I went to Halcyon, bent down and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He stood, bringing his body so close to mine that we were almost in an embrace. I felt Amber and Gryphon tense behind me and ignored them.

"What was that for?" Halcyon asked softly.

"For your concern and for your help. You're a good friend."

Halcyon turned my right palm faceup and traced my pearly mole with one sharp nail. My hands remained trustingly relaxed in his grip. "Friend," he said with a half smile. "For now." He slanted a glance at Gryphon. "As I said, I can wait."

I shook my head in amused exasperation and stepped back. "You need to find yourself a nice sassy demon lady, Halcyon."

His teeth flashed startling white against the gold of his skin. "I've already found my hell-cat. None are as sassy as you. Nor as pretty."

I laughed, enjoying his flattery. "How very sweet you are."

"Sweet." Halcyon nearly strangled on the word, a pained expression on his face.

"If I can help you at any time, please come to me," I said softly.

Halcyon's smile made Gryphon shift nervously behind me. "Oh, I will. I most definitely will. That is a promise."