Chapter 16 Seven at the Table
Lilith stood in front of her mirror while Sera finished the last button on her dress, deep emerald green that brought out her eyes and made her look more composed than she felt.
You’re going to be fine, Sera said for the third time.
You keep saying that.
Because you keep looking like you’re about to throw up, Sera stepped back, examining her work. There. You look like a proper princess. Not at all like someone who spent the night in a warrior’s bed.
Sera!
What? I’m just saying you’ve hidden the evidence well. Sera grinned, then her expression softened. Seriously, Lily. Just breathe. Be yourself. They can’t actually read your mind.
Azrael might.
Azrael is possessive and observant, not psychic. Just don’t stare at Cain the entire meal, and you’ll be fine.
I don’t stare.
You absolutely stare.
Before Lilith could argue, a knock sounded at the door. Malachi’s voice drifted through. The princes are waiting, Your Highness.
Lilith’s stomach dropped. Right. Time to face seven demon princes, one of whom she’d spent the night with, and another who thought he owned her.
Easy.
They walked through corridors that felt longer than usual, Sera keeping up a steady stream of chatter that Lilith barely heard. When they finally reached the dining hall, Malachi held the doors open with an expression that might have been sympathy.
Good luck.
The dining hall was magnificent and terrifying. Vaulted ceilings disappeared into shadow. A table long enough to seat thirty dominated the space, but only eight places were set. Chandeliers dripped with crystals that caught the strange light filtering through stained glass windows.
And at the table, all seven princes waited.
Lilith stepped inside, acutely aware of every eye turning to her.
Azrael sat at the head of the table, golden eyes locking onto her with an intensity that made her breath catch. He looked immaculate as always, black and gold, every hair in place, expression unreadable except for something hungry in his gaze.
To his right, Cain lounged in her chair, boots propped on the table despite the formal setting. She wore black leather, hair pulled back tight, and when their eyes met, her lips curved in the smallest, most private smile.
Lilith’s heart skipped.
The other brothers were arranged down both sides. Lucian’s mirror eyes reflected her nervous approach. Mammon was draped in so much gold he clinked when he moved. Beelzebub was already eating, tearing into something that might have been meat. Asmodeus watched her with hooded eyes and a knowing smirk. And Belphegor appeared to be asleep, head tilted back, but his eyes cracked open as Sera entered behind Lilith.
Good morning, Princess. Azrael’s voice was smooth, controlled. We’ve been waiting.
I wasn’t aware I was late.
You’re not. But we’re eager for your company. He gestured to the empty seat beside him. Please.
Lilith moved to the chair, hyper-aware of Cain’s gaze tracking her movement. As she sat, servants appeared from nowhere, filling glasses with wine that shimmered purple and placing dishes that smelled divine and looked vaguely threatening.
Sera moved to stand behind Lilith’s chair, and Lilith caught Belphegor watching her friend with sudden, complete attention.
So, Mammon said, leaning forward with a smile that showed too many teeth. Did you sleep well, Princess?
The question felt loaded.
Very well, thank you.
Strange. Mammon’s rings clinked as he gestured. Because the servants reported that your quarters were empty all night. We were concerned something had happened to you.
The temperature in the room dropped.
I was fine. Lilith kept her voice steady. I couldn’t sleep, so I walked in the gardens.
All night? Lucian’s mirror eyes reflected her face at her. The gardens must be very soothing.
They are.
Fascinating. Asmodeus’s smile was lazy. I walked the gardens around midnight. Didn’t see you there.
Lilith’s pulse hammered. Maybe we missed each other.
Maybe. Lucian’s voice was silk over steel. Or perhaps you were walking in different gardens. Private ones.
Cain’s fork scraped against her plate, loud in the sudden silence.
Does it matter where she was? Cain’s voice was flat. She’s here now. Can we eat without the interrogation?
I’m curious. Lucian’s gaze never left Lilith. Our dear Seraph vanishes for an entire night, and we’re not supposed to wonder?
She didn’t vanish. Azrael’s voice cut through the tension. She’s sitting right here. And her movements are none of your concern, brother.
Aren’t they? Everything about her concerns all of us. She’s why we’re here.
She has a name, Cain said, voice sharp. Use it.
Oh, I plan to use many things. Asmodeus’s smile turned wicked. Starting with her company this afternoon. I thought a tour of my kingdom might be—
No. Azrael didn’t look at him. Her schedule is full.
With what? Mammon leaned back. Are you training her to death? Because I heard about your little session. Very effective. Nearly killed her.
She’s stronger for it.
She passed out!
The brothers’ voices began overlapping, each trying to shout over the other. Lilith sat frozen in the middle, watching seven powerful beings argue about her like she wasn’t even there.
Enough! Her voice cracked across the hall like a whip.
Silence crashed down.
All seven princes stared at her.
Lilith stood, hands planted on the table, green eyes blazing. I’m sitting right here. If you want to discuss my training, my schedule, or my whereabouts, you can ask me directly instead of talking over me like I’m a possession to be managed.
Azrael’s eyes widened fractionally.
You want to know where I was last night? I was somewhere I felt safe, which is more than I can say for most places in this palace. Lilith’s voice was steady now, powered by frustration she’d been holding since she arrived. You all act like I’m here to be won like a tournament prize. But I’m a person. I have thoughts. Feelings. Opinions. And if any of you had bothered to ask instead of command, you might actually have learned something about me.
She sat back down, heart pounding, refusing to look at any of them.
Well. Belphegor’s lazy voice broke the silence. That was entertaining.
Shut up, Belphegor, three brothers said in unison.
I’m just saying, the girl has a point. He yawned. You all treat her like a trophy instead of a person. Then you wonder why she doesn’t trust you.
Since when do you care? Mammon demanded.
I don’t. Belphegor’s eyes drifted to Sera. But her friend does. And angry friends make for complicated courtships.
Sera’s cheeks flushed.
Azrael’s attention fixed on Lilith with new intensity. You’re right. His words clearly cost him. We’ve been discourteous. For that, I apologise.
The other brothers looked shocked. Azrael never apologised.
However, his voice hardened. Your safety is paramount. If we don’t know where you are, we can’t protect you. So in the future, perhaps inform someone of your whereabouts.
I’m not a child who needs to be monitored.
No. You’re a Seraph who’s being hunted by forces that would love nothing more than to find you alone and unprotected. Azrael leaned forward, like it or not, Princess, your safety concerns all of us.
Hunted? Lilith’s stomach tightened. By who?
Angels who view you as an abomination. Demons who want your power. Rebels who see you as a symbol. Azrael’s expression was grim. Take your pick. This palace is the safest place for you. But only if we know where you are.
The weight of that settled over the table.
There have been incidents, Lucian added, his mirror eyes serious for once. Small attacks on our outer territories. Nothing major yet. But they’re testing our defences and looking for weaknesses.
All the more reason for us to coordinate, Cain said, shooting a look at Azrael, instead of each of us acting independently.
I have it handled.
Do you? Because last I checked, you lost three soldiers in the most recent skirmish.
That was unavoidable.
It was sloppy!
The brothers launched into another argument, this time about military strategy and territorial defence. Lilith listened, horrified by what she was hearing. People were dying. Attacks were happening. And these seven couldn’t agree on anything long enough to mount a unified response.
How many attacks? Lilith’s question cut through the noise.
They fell silent.
How many attacks have there been since I arrived?
Seven, Belphegor said when no one else answered. Small ones. Probing. But escalating.
And you’re handling them separately? Each of you defending your own territory?
That’s how it’s always been, Mammon said.
Then you’re going to lose. Lilith met each of their eyes. Whatever is coming, it’s coordinated. Organized. And you’re fractured. Divided. Easy to pick off one by one.
We’re not weak, Azrael said coldly.
I didn’t say weak. I said divided. There’s a difference. Lilith stood again. And until you figure out how to work together instead of competing over everything, you’re vulnerable. Which means I’m vulnerable. Which means everything your father built is vulnerable.
The truth of it hung in the air.
She speaks sense. Belphegor actually sat up straighter. Annoying, but sense.
Azrael’s jaw worked. We’ll discuss this later. He stood. Right now, I require a private audience with the Princess.
Lilith’s stomach dropped.
Now? Mammon protested. We just sat down!
Now. Azrael’s tone left no room for argument. The rest of you can finish breakfast without us.
He moved around the table and offered Lilith his arm. Coming?
It wasn’t a request.
Lilith stood, ignoring his arm, and walked toward the door on her own. As she passed Cain, their eyes met for a brief second. Cain’s expression was tight with barely controlled anger, but she gave the slightest nod.
Be careful.
Behind her, Sera squeezed onto the chair Lilith had vacated, suddenly very interested in the food. And Belphegor, fully awake now, shifted so he had a better view of her.
The door closed behind Lilith and Azrael, cutting off the sounds of the brothers immediately resuming their arguments.
Lilith walked beside Azrael down the corridor, dread pooling in her stomach.
Whatever was coming, she had a feeling it wouldn’t be pleasant.