“As part of their surrendering terms,” said Orion, “King Nergal agreed to kill the Lilu. The Puritans hated all demons, but they really loathed the Lilu. They feared being turned on by a demon more than anything.” He stared out over the glittering sea. “And Nergal agreed because other demons hated the Lilu, too. The Lilu had a power that threatened the rest—the ability to compel others of their kind, to control their minds, to seduce them to do what they wanted. They’re also the only demons with wings. They were simply too powerful.”
I squinted in the sunlight. “And how did Mortana manage to survive?”
“By being cunning, calculating, and evil as sin. King Nergal was a dull, tedious man, and Mortana was the opposite. She was witty and captivating, and nearly everyone fell in love with her. Including the king. She made a deal with him—she would help him round up and slaughter all the Lilu, and she would get to live. He kept her in a room in the Tower of Baal, and she became known as the Seneschal.”
I wondered what she’d done to Orion. “The king was in love with her, then.”
“Yes. Like many others.” He stared at me over his coffee cup. “I confess, I marvel at the poor judgment of all those human males who rejected your beauty. Demons have better taste.”
Chapter 10
Was that a compliment? I could feel myself blushing now, but I had no idea how to respond.
“Mortana,” he went on, “demanded that the king make a blood oath. She made him pledge that the crown would always keep her safe.”
“What’s a blood oath?” I asked.
“It’s an oath sealed by mingling the blood of two people. If someone breaks a blood oath, it will result in an excruciating death based on the magic of a curse. The problem is, only the monarch made this oath. The rest of the demons in this city will probably still want to murder you for being a succubus.”
I was losing my appetite for the berries and yogurt, and starting to feel like I was in slightly over my head. It seemed there were so many ways to die here in the City of Thorns. But I’d made my choice, and like Orion had said, there was no going back now. “How much danger will I be in?”
“It would be a lot more if you weren’t with me. We will be spending a great deal of time together.” A smile played over his sensual mouth, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll need to keep you closely guarded.”
I swallowed hard. “Who is it that you want me to spy on?”
“King Cambriel.”
Oh, good. I’d be spying on a murderous king. My stomach fluttered, but this had been, after all, my idea. “Cambriel cut off his dad’s head and stuck it on a gate, right?” I paused with my spoon in midair. “You want me to get close to him?”
Steam from the coffee curled before Orion’s face. “He will be looking for a wife. If the real Mortana were here, she’d be a strong candidate. She’s the duchess of one of the wards. Some think she had a claim to the throne. I mean, she was mistress to his father. She’s also widely rumored to have killed his mother, Queen Adele, centuries ago, but I’m not sure that he holds a grudge.”
I stared at him. “Okay, slow down for a second. Mortana probably killed the king’s mother, and I’m supposed to convince him to marry me?”
Orion shrugged. “It was never proven. Just rumors. They say Mortana hoped to take the queen’s place, and one day, Queen Adele’s body was found in a vat of wine with her heart cut out.”
I frowned over my coffee. “Do you think Mortana did it?”
“Probably. That was her style. Queen Adele didn’t drink alcohol, and that irritated Mortana, so the wine was a nice touch. Anyway, water under the bridge now, I’m sure. Charm the king, flirt, get him close to you. As long as I can teach you to act like Mortana, you’ll have the chance to try to pry his secrets out of him.”
My chest felt tight. “What, exactly, are you looking for?”
“I want you to find what makes him weak.” Sunlight glinted in his pale eyes. “Because everyone has a weakness.”
It was like he’d ripped the phrase from my own thoughts.
I raised my eyebrows. “Are you telling me you want to kill the king? I thought that only an heir can kill the king. So unless Cambriel has a child who wants him dead, he can’t be killed, right?”
“Did your friend Shai tell you that?”
My throat tightened. I didn’t want to get Shai involved in this. “What are you talking about?”