Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3)(19)

My eyes burned with unshed tears. For better or worse, he was my partner and had been guarding my interests. Except this decree did complicate one aspect: he’d not be able to directly assist in my investigation himself, or he’d break his oath. All my ire drained away.

“Your brothers will want your head if they discover your treacherous negotiation.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” His smile was predatory. “Nor will it be the last. You forget, their anger will only fuel my power more. I welcome their attempts at war.”

I strode over and hugged him tight. His arms automatically went around me, embracing me back, and I sighed happily. “You are one cunning, magnificent demon. And I’m pleased you’re mine. Even if I did just wish to strangle you.”

“Or incinerate me?” Wrath sounded pleased instead of worried by my show of power.

“I’m sorry if that lapse of control will cause a complication for you.”

“It won’t. And even if it did, I rather like your anger.”

Now that my fury was under control, I focused on what we’d just learned about the murder. Pieces of the story didn’t sit well with me, but I couldn’t quite determine why. “Do you know anything of Vesta’s background?”

“Only that Greed had been searching for her specifically for a few years before she came to his House. We don’t often share secrets regarding our closest counsel, so I don’t know much else.”

“Does Envy?”

Wrath expelled a slow breath, considering. “He might with his spies. But I have my own spies, and they have never uncovered why Greed wanted Vesta to command his armies.”

“That’s odd, isn’t it?”

“Depending on any hidden talents or magic she possessed, it would make sense that he’d covet that. His sin pushes him to acquire things that inspire greed, demons included.”

And yet Sloth had mentioned there were a couple of different types of blood.

“Was she a demon?”

“I have no reason to believe otherwise.” Wrath rested his chin against my head before pressing a kiss to it. “What are you thinking?”

“That perhaps she was something other than a full demon. Why else wouldn’t Greed expand on why she was so special and couldn’t be replaced? And why was there so much werewolf blood?”

“During a fight that brutal, blood would have been left by the assailants as well as the victim.”

“I understand that. But Vesta was ripped to shreds. Even if she harmed a wolf severely, she would have lost the most blood—demon blood…”

“It’s a valid point. But the potency of werewolf blood overwhelms our senses. Similar to the scent of a strong astringent. If you smell ammonia, then try to pick out any notes underneath it, the ammonia will always dominate.”

“Blood and bones. All one has to do to get away with murder is splash some werewolf blood around the scene.”

“Which is part of the reason werewolves want nothing to do with demons and vampires. They used to be hunted for that very reason.”

My lip curled in disgust. No wonder the wolves despised vampires and demons.

Putting that gruesome piece of history aside, I thought of other viable options for the case at hand. “If we spoke with Vesta’s family, perhaps we might learn information about who might want to harm her. Who she might have spent time with away from Greed, when she wasn’t training his army. If we know what she did outside of her duties, we might have a solid thread to follow.”

“I’ll see what I can find out when I sign the oath.” He ran a hand down my spine in slow, loving strokes. “Speaking of that. We’ll need to find an excuse for you to miss the blood oath later. If you sign that document, even my scheming won’t matter.”

I rested my head against his chest, thinking. “Well, they certainly know I was furious with you when we left. What if we go down to one of the gaming halls and I happen to drink one too many demonberry wines? I won’t get truly intoxicated, and if I do, you can magic it away like you did when you tested me for gluttony. I’ll make a terrible scene, and you can encourage me to go back to our rooms and sleep it off. We’ll simply have to convincingly playact in front of one of your brothers so they can vouch for us.”

Wrath drew back to look me in the eye. “If you make a scene, it will have to be debauched enough to draw attention in a gaming hall in a House of Sin. It will truly have to cause a scandal worthy of notice, and that will be extremely difficult here. Short of destroying part of the castle, or unleashing another sin, I’m not sure it’s possible. Are you up for that challenge?”

He was asking me the question, but I had the sense he was also wondering the same thing about himself. But maybe that was the key. I thought back to Greed’s receiving hall while we waited for our escorts, and a wicked idea sprang to mind. I was fairly confident I could create quite the stir. And my betrothed’s legendary temper would help to ensure that.

I didn’t have to cause a scandal; I only needed to light Wrath’s fuse.

“Go find Lust or Sloth in a gaming hall and send word to me of where you are. You can plant the seeds of giving me space to cool off, and I’ll make my grand entrance.”

“I don’t—”

“You need to trust me, Samael.” Whispering his true name made him go perfectly still. I trusted him, knowing his truth. It was time for him to return the favor. “You need to be just as affected by my performance as everyone else. If you know my plan ahead of time, it will not only ruin the surprise, but it will also make it impossible for you to lie about it. Now go.” I rolled up onto my toes and kissed him quickly before pushing him toward the door. “And please have a lady’s maid sent up at once.”