**3rd Person POV**
Delivering Regina's soul to the horns of hell had seemed like such an easy task when Aegan had mentioned it. However, it was not so easy when one tried to execute it. It did not help that Lucian always seemed to hover around her and Dagen would not let her out of his line of sight. Princess Eris was thus getting impatient but not as impatient as Aegan who made up his mind to get help outside his mother. It was for this reason he solicited Sir Derek's help. Their meeting was in his innermost chamber and it was very clear to Sir Derek that the nature of the meeting was to be discreet.
“How might I help you Prince?” inquired Sir Derek who has had enough of Prince Aegan fussing over who could be listening to what they were saying. The thing with the palace was that it was ridden with spies; they were everywhere and the only thing you could hope for was that your most secret meetings do not become gossip within the palace. Sir Derek though marvelled at how Princess Eris had managed to keep her many affairs from getting to Hades' ears. Perhaps they did and Hades had decided to turn a deaf ear to them, afraid that if he admitted one of his wives was a cheat it would reduce how his courtiers viewed him. Whatever it was, Sir Derek believed Princess Eris was the best at keeping things under wraps. Unfortunately, she had failed to teach her son how to set up a secret meeting. The fact that he had called him to the quietest place possible was a clear indication to others that they were having a sensitive meeting and thus a call for eavesdroppers.
Prince Aegan cleared his throat, then glanced about furtively for signs that anyone might be listening. He knew his mother kept people on his tail. It was his mother whom he wanted to hide this meeting from. He knew that she would not approve of what he was about to do.
“The horns of hell have placed before me a task of which I require your assistance,” said Prince Aegan.
His mother was not going to approve of the fact that he was letting Derek know of his plan to give up Regina's soul. The truth was his mother had assured him that she would deliver Regina's soul but he could not help but feel like his mother was stalling for some reason. It appeared to him that she had not made any move at all to acquire Regina's soul. He was thus growing impatient; he could not wait any further.
“How might I be of help, Your Highness?” asked Sir Derek. He watched the Prince before him with doubtful eyes. He did not think that Aegan had the potential to become Hades. He knew this because the Prince was all talk while his mother did all the work for him. He knew this because he had been here a very long time; long before Prince Aegan had even been conceived. He was not proud of it but he had been seduced by Princess Eris into arranging a private meeting between her and Hades. In a way, he had set up the stage for their marriage. He had regretted it much later but this was not the time to dwell on regrets.
“The horns of hell have requested Regina's soul and I intend to let them have it,” replied Prince Aegan. Sir Derek froze with horror. He had performed lots of horrendous tasks for Princess Eris and her son but what he was asking was just impossible.
“Regina's soul is off limits. She is Prince Lucian's mate,” returned Sir Derek. There was just no way he was going to do something as stupid as aiding Prince Aegan in retrieving Regina's soul.
“I am well aware. You will help me trap her and then you will bring her here,” said Prince Aegan. Sir Derek looked at the Prince as though he was mad. Although both princes belonged to the senior royal court, everyone knew who held more power.
“Here? That is impossible. Prince Lucian would know and it would lead to chaos,” returned Sir Derek. He wished he could talk some sense into the Prince's head but he knew from experience that Prince Aegan was not one to be reasoned with. However, if he did this for Prince Aegan it was like choosing a clear side between the two. Already, he had lost the trust of the Fae Queen but he was not willing to sever ties with her. He had not forgotten the time when he had been roaming the underworld with nowhere to go. The Fae Queen had pitied him and had brought him to this palace. It was such a long time ago and a lot had changed since then but he had to draw the line with Prince Aegan here.
“Prince Lucian will not know because I will destroy the mate bond between him and the girl,” replied Prince Aegan. Sir Derek's lips all but dropped. He could not be involved in this. If he was caught helping Prince Aegan do this, he would be thrown out of this place for sure. Of course, the possibility that Aegan might one day become Hades was a concern for Sir Derek.
“Your Highness, with all due respect, I cannot help you,” said Sir Derek.
“I should rephrase. This is not a request but an order.”
Besides the fact that his mother was taking forever in giving him Regina's soul was the fact that he wanted to ravish her body before the horns of hell took away her soul. He had wanted to savor her when she had first appeared as a maid in his quarters but he had thought then that there would be time to do so. Now the thought of having Regina for himself made him giddy with anticipation.
“Prince Aegan, it cannot be done and you must understand that.”