I narrowed my eyes on him. “Why haven’t you yet? How long has this been going on?”

“I’ve been dealing with the nobles,” he grumbled.

“Again, I can take care of that,” I growled. I should have smacked the shit out of that male who had dared disturb me earlier if only to slake an ounce of this irritation.

“If she doesn’t turn up in the next few days, we’ll ride to Varbad together and confront her,” Xannirin promised. “As for the nobles, I will handle them. I am their Kral, and they will continue to do as I say, or their titles will be stripped. I have no problem reminding them of who is truly in charge of this realm.”

“Aye,” I replied. While Xannirin liked to live in luxury, it had not made him soft. He was as ruthless as Kiira and me and he would do what needed to be done. I’d probably make things worse, given my temper.

He jerked his head toward the door. “Let’s eat and enjoy ourselves. We’ll worry about interrogating Kiira later.”

Nodding, I tucked the drawing into my pocket. I’d study it later and see if I could uncover some hidden meaning. Something was off about the situation with Kiira, and I needed to figure out what the fuck had changed while I’d been away.

The three of us were an unbreakable unit, bound by our asshole fathers and the propaganda we’d concocted. With Kiira’s influence, it had spread like wildfire, and with the continued push from the priestess’s platforms, we’d managed to shape society to serve our needs.

I hoped the warriors conscripted from the far-flung parts of the Demon Realm would be brainwashed enough that they wouldn’t put up a fight as they were forced to join the army.

As I settled into my seat again, I shook off the lingering worries and focused on my meal. The vegetables were finished boiling, and carefully, I tipped them onto my plate, steam rising straight to my nostrils as I inhaled their spicy scent.

Xannirin lifted a thin, dark sauce from the table, he proffered it to me. “Want some?”

I shook my head and sipped from my half-empty glass of scale. “I’ll take more of this though.”

He passed me the bottle, and I poured myself a double measure. I didn’t often allow myself the luxury of relaxing and drinking like this, but I needed to drown my thoughts out. It was my first day back, and after what I’d learned, I itched to return to the front to slaughter all those fuckers who dared think they could overrun our realm.

Xannirin strolled past me toward the kneeling premier. He selected his first plaything of the night, and without a single sound, she followed him to the maroon leather lounger and kneeled at his feet. She was pretty enough, with smooth, creamy skin that looked like whipped caramel and hair to match, secured in a long tail at the nape of her neck. But she kept her head firmly down, waiting for Xannirin to tell her exactly what to do.

She was not my type.

“You always did like unquestioning control,” I snorted, looking pointedly at her.

Xannirin merely chuckled and fed the premier a bunch of grapes. One fell away and bounced into her cleavage. She remained motionless as my cousin bent to snatch it with his teeth.

Draining the scale to the dregs, I slid the glass onto the smooth gray wood beside me and turned, surveying my options for the evening. One on the end had a curtain of hair falling over her shoulders, nearly obscuring her face from view. But the tiny waist highlighted by a bronze chain caught my eye. It connected to two sunbursts adorning her nipples, pressing against the sheer emerald fabric covering her breasts.

In one smooth motion, I cleared the lounger and strode toward the group. A few shrunk away as I approached, and I noted their positions, planning on using them next. I couldn’t blame them for their fear. I was, after all, the Halálhívó.

“You,” I growled at the emerald-clad female as I stood in front of her. The color suited her dark skin, giving her an even more exotic air. She rose, clasping her hands in front of her stomach and lifting her gaze to meet mine. Scarlet eyes stared directly into my own, cut by the barest hint of green. A hint of defiance danced in them, and she held her shoulders back and chin high, as if she thought we were somehow equal.

Exactly what I like.

I enjoyed exerting dominance, but only after I’d thoroughly earned it.

“Xannirin, where did you find this one?” I asked as I pulled her forward, far enough away from the others that I could circle her. Her figure was exquisite, with wide hips made for grabbing and breasts that would fill my large hands. Sweeping her hair back, I tilted her chin up and removed her veil, giving her face a similar once-over.

Excellent.

“It was Kiira, actually. She wanted to be a priestess. Our dear cousin thought she might be more useful in other regards after a particular admission,” Xannirin replied.

I raised a brow and faced my cousin. “And what was that?”

The smile that spread across Xannirin’s face was pure malice. “She likes to run.”

My blood boiled, and I returned my attention to the female. Cocking my head to the side, I said, “Is that true?”

She nodded, a small, mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “I am happy to serve you, Halálhívó. I do hope our game is to your liking.”

My blood heated immediately. “Xannirin, you’re spoiling me.”

A low chuckle rumbled behind me. “The balcony door is unlocked and the garden has been cleared for your entertainment.”

“You are tempting me to stay longer than necessary,” I growled, cock stirring in my pants as I swept my attention over the female again.

“Enjoy the luxuries while you can, Rokath,” Xannirin teased. A moment later, his moan tore the air.

Ignoring my cousin, I crowded the space of the female in front of me, dropping my mouth to her ear. “I’ll give you two minutes.” Stepping back, I swept my hand toward the double doors set into the far wall. “Run.”

Chasing a female reminded me of battle, making me feel alive in a way that politics never did. This pursuit would be the perfect distraction from my thoughts.

Faster than I expected, she took off, slamming the door open and disappearing into the chilly night air beyond. The force of it all blasted the two fire pits closest to the door, sending the flames dancing as I stalked through them. On the stone balcony, an array of plants waited, providing the perfect hiding spots for someone who didn’t want to be found. Walls existed there too, providing spots of privacy when Xannirin wanted to be alone. During the day, it was serene. At night, however, it was maze-like with the branches groaning as they swayed in the wind.

Stepping onto it, another gust brushed across my bare scalp and through my short-sleeved tunic and dark pants. Closing my eyes, I listened for feet slapping against stone or panted breaths. The moonlight caressed my face, and when I reopened my eyes, my vision had adjusted enough that the nuances of the balcony were visible to me.

I crept forward. A distant, sharp inhale sounded off to my right. Likely, the premier had come across some of the thorny bushes at the rear. I made my way to the spot like a wolf stalking its prey—slowly, methodically, and with as little noise as possible.

A tinkle of metal reached my ears; I was close. From between two plants, I spotted a flash of long, dark hair. I licked my lips as I watched her swerve behind one of those high walls.

Little did she know it was a dead end.

Edging along the wall, I made my way to the opposite side, bracing a hip against the balustrade and crossing my arms. She whirled around, attempting to find another exit.

“I’ll give you one more opportunity to run. The chase is my favorite part.”

With a small shriek, she startled, then whirled and raced away. I ticked off ten seconds in my head, then followed. She slipped and dodged the plants down a long, narrow row. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I did the same. A wicked thrill raced down my spine and straight to my groin. The sheer fabric blew behind her, along with her hair, ghosting against my flesh.