From the moment Kazaxon took advantage of my weakened state and attacked Duchess Audrine, I understood it would be a long while until I regained control. I had to float in the demon's consciousness and watch him choke the life out of her. Her face turned red, eyes bulging out of their sockets, her tongue pushing out past her wrinkled lips. The Evermires were the most loyal to me besides Jean himself, and they provided me with men, clothes, food and coin for my cause. They believed wholeheartedly in the idea that nobility was a responsibility given to you by God himself, so not just anyone could be king.

I never fucking cared about that. I just wanted Henry to pay for killing my family. Taking back Mercia was simply an added bonus. I think I proved myself to be a fit ruler, of course, even if my methods were unconventional, but if I was worse a tyrant than I am, the Evermires wouldn't have noticed. So for them to sit there all day and fling insults at poor Edeva was foolish. It had me barely hanging on. Kazaxon's resurgence was inevitable.

He burst forth from me, my skin turning red and his horns shooting from my forehead. He wrapped a hand around Audrine's long, scrawny neck and held her there. I did try to fight it at first. I called to Kazaxon that she wasn't worth the trouble, but he would not be swayed. And soon I didn't care. Let him kill and slaughter all those who think they are above my queen in my thoughts. Let Audrine suffer, and then let her die. I don't need the Evermires anymore, and they must learn their place.

It was only Edeva's touch that distracted us from Kaz's wrath. I smiled at the same time as he did, looking down and seeing her big purple eyes, her irresistible pout. She squeezed his arm and we were both done for.

Kaz and I scoffed at Audrine as Edeva's mercy spared her life. Maybe the old bitch will think twice before being so disrespectful to a 'commoner'. That thought had never crossed my mind before - the elite being taken down a peg by the little people below them. I didn't mind. All of Mercia should prosper, not just the nobility.

When Eva brought Kaz in to our chambers, my entire being shook. She made the decision, sure, but she was goaded in to it, wanting to placate the demon before he killed again. She didn't truly want him. I was on edge as she took her clothes off, revealing every sweet, perfect inch of her body for us. I assumed when she agreed to give herself to Kaz, he would block me; push me in to darkness as punishment. Instead I remained; getting to watch my queen, watch over her, because both Kaz and I knew if at any point in time she said no, I would tear our souls to shreds to protect her.

One would think a man having to watch someone taste his bride's pussy would drive him in to a jealous rage, but Kaz and I don't have such a dynamic. Besides, I was tasting her, too. I felt Kaz's appreciation for every drop of her, and I reflected my own back. She's perfect isn't she, I whispered in to his mind. If pure elation had a flavor, it would be this.

Kaz agreed by fucking her with his tongue, and then fucking her with his cock. He had no problem sharing this intimate moment with me. We are one, just like we always say, and Eva was completely safe with him, so as long as she enjoyed herself I was happy to come along for the ride.

And she did. At no point was she in danger of Kaz hurting her. Despite the fact that he's a demon who commanded vast legions in Hell, Eva was in control the entire time. If his grip was too tight on her hair she would whimper and shift her head, and he would uncurl his fingers. If his claws came too close to piercing her skin for her comfort, he'd move them away at her direction. I think after a while she knew this, too, and gave in to their pleasure. My demon and my wife, I was happy that they were happy.

I must kill.

Too fucking bad!

As I lie in bed with Eva in my arms, I realize I might still be a tad mad at Kaz. He snorts in my head but does not push me further. It can wait, Kaz. I brought the man who attempted to assassinate Gisela with us. He sits in Goldstone's jails right now, awaiting execution. I was going to have a public hanging to show the rebels what will happen if they try to come after Eva again, but it might be more fun to give him a sword and have him try to fight you for his freedom.

That would suffice, Kaz replies, although I would prefer you do that with your friends, the Evermires.

We can't kill everyone who looks at us the wrong way anymore. It's not what Eva would want. But don't worry, Audrine and Reginald aren't through being punished just yet.

She stirs in my arms, and I watch her open her eyes and look up at me. A smile spreads on to her full lips, though hesitant. Eva isn't sure what I think of her now, I can feel the apprehension radiating from her.

"Good morning, love."

"Alekso..." Eva's smile starts to fade and her happy expression is replaced with one of guilt. Quickly, I sit up and pull her in to my lap, propping my back against the headboard.

"Ah, my little heroine, rescuing her king from the clutches of the evil demon. Thank you for that. You know you have nothing to be ashamed of, right?"

"I'm not ashamed for what I did," she sits up and pouts a little, "I am ashamed to find I quite like your demon."

I can feel pride emanating from Kaz. Yes yes, you're quite the lady killer. "Eva, there is nothing wrong with that. We are married, and Kaz is a part of me. You'll be spending plenty more time with him I'm sure, so it's good you like him."

"But he's a demon... An enemy of God. First I fall in love with a diablarist, and now I'm taken with the demon in his head. It is all so wrong, is it not? It goes completely against my upbringing."

She doesn't sound too guilt-ridden, which is a good sign. And I try my best not to smile from ear to ear when she says she fell in love with me. Usually I'm the one who tosses the word 'love' around whenever Eva is concerned. She is a little more conservative with it.

Despite my diablerie, Mercia is full of devout Catholics. Most of the rebels are of the extremely religious variety and want me dead simply because I dallied with the devil. My own views on heaven and hell have drastically changed since I performed the Rite, but religion wasn't something for me, anyway. I knew heaven and hell existed because Kazaxon told me so, but who knows, he could be lying, too. I'll just have to see for myself when my time comes, and maybe if I'm lucky, I'll just end up a voice in Kaz's head, and my sweet Eva will be protected by him.

"You're worried you're going to burn in Hell when you die," I snicker, that last thought bringing some realization as to why she is so unsure about last night. "You have a powerful demon on your side, Eva, if you end up in the underworld, you'll be with him. who knows what will happen to me. Hopefully Kaz still likes me by then..."

If I had to choose between the two of you...

"Are you not jealous?" Eva asks, leaning up against me and resting her head underneath mine.

"No. As long as Kaz cares for you as much as I do, there is no reason to be jealous. The bond he and I share prevents that. We both want the same thing, and if you don't mind having two men to worship you like the goddess you are, then that is what matters."

"And to think, you wanted me dead for so long," Eva pouts. I take one of her hands and lightly kiss her fingertips.

"I was a fool, and I hope you can forgive me."

The smile comes back, and I swear it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Kaz agrees. Eva gives me a kiss on my cheek before slipping out of bed and stretching her arms. My eyes linger over that perfect ass of hers as she heads to the wardrobe.

"I do not want to have breakfast with lord and lady Evermire," she declares. "I know I am a guest but--"

"But you're also the queen of Mercia." I interrupt. "And if you want them out, then they will leave. I planned on doing that anyway."

"Their estate is not finished yet, though."

The grin that spreads on my face is downright devious. "I have other accommodations for them."

***

"The crypts!?" Reginald barks at Jean and me, pacing back and forth while Audrine tugs a little at the high collar of her dress. "You bring that woman in to our home, you nearly kill Audie, and now you're sending us to stay in the crypts!?"

"It's actually my home," Jean lifts a finger. "And you'll not be in the crypts proper, but the quarters of the monks who guard them."

I keep my hands folded behind my back while I watch the old man sling obscenities my way, his wife switching between rage and fear. She wants to yell at me too, but remembers what happened yesterday evening.

"We have done so much for you! So much, your majesty! You can attribute your army to us, your soldier's weapons to us, your kingdom to us! We are the wealthiest family in all of Mercia and I'll be damned if I spend my nights guarding the fucking crypts for you!"

Let's just kill them. Edeva will understand.

I clear my throat. Jean can only smile. I was so jealous of him seeing Edeva before me I nearly beat the fashion sense out of him. Audrine insulted Edeva to my face and Kazaxon attacked her. Reginald thinks he doesn't have to respect me because he funded my rebellion. Does he think money is everything?

"You know," I finally say. "The reputation I've gained among my people was not because of the money you lent me. I would kill people for looking at me the wrong way, just so I could build the undead army sleeping in the crypts behind you. Yet I am at Goldstone one night and you two won't stop insulting your queen. You think I will just let you get away with that?"

"She is no queen!" Audrine finally speaks. "She is a--"

"Yes yes, a commoner. Just like Henry the Usurper, and yet he managed to almost get Mercia out of the debt my father caused due to his drinking and gambling."

"Oh, do not go there, boy." Reginald points his finger at me. "Do not go complimenting the man who killed your family because his daughter has a nice cunt. We helped you avenge Jarrett and your brothers. You never treated us like the rest of the court because of that. What type of king lets two of his subjects insult his low born queen? A king who owed money to them!"

They do love to remind you of that, don't they?

"I don't owe you a single coin now, Reginald. I think you are the one who owes me. You owe me an apology for making me look bad in front of my wife, and you owe her an apology for making her feel unwelcome. Your choices are thus: You help guard the Legio, or you will become the Legio."

Reginald and Audrine stare at me, completely shocked. I don't see hurt in their faces like I expected. They are not looking as though a close friend has shunned them. They just look.. Indignant. These past twenty four hours have been filled with indignance. The Evermires are friends, and I was always grateful to them for their aid, but I am still king.

Fuck, even Jean calls me "your highness" and I'm his nephew.

I admit I like how they call you 'your majesty'; you should make everyone say that.

"Of course, when your actual home is finished its renovations, you are free to go back there." I snap my fingers and servants bring in some of the Evermires' personal effects; some clothes and such. I walk past them all without giving my friends a second glance. I doubt this will teach them humility, but hopefully they will think twice before disrespecting me, or my wife.

They will probably try to kill you in your sleep.

Let them try.

I so hope they do... I am itching for some violence.

Jean sets a hand on my shoulder and guides me up the stairs, noting the slight distraction of my conversation with Kaz. "Eva's pacifist nature will not be a problem with the demon, will it?"

"He would never hurt her, Jean."

"I know, I saw her stop him from killing Audie and he seemed ready to do whatever she asked. That is not what I mean, though. Sure, he won't hurt her, but what is he going to do when she decides to eliminate capital punishment? Torture? I know Kazaxon the Red cannot keep you strong on hunting bears alone."

"There is plenty of evil in the world, and plenty of people who will commit crimes and be punished for them. Eva knows this... she witnessed someone try to kill her step sister, after all."

"A wrath demon will grow bored during peacetime..."

Kaz growls in my head, a bit insulted.

Once we reach the top of the stairs, Jean and I are greeted by Bishop Lambert. He joins us as we walk across the gardens towards the palace. I pause at a large pond and see Eva admiring a vine of roses crawling up a pillar. Purple ones, like her eyes. Without thinking, I lead the two men around the pond to the other side. Eva glances up to see me and her smile surpasses the beauty of every rose on that vine.

"Hello, Eva."

"Hello, Alekso." she wraps her arms around my neck, leaning up to whisper in my ear "And hello Kazaxon."

Eva nuzzles my chest while I run my fingers through her hair. I notice Bishop Lambert stares at my hand, which is red and clawed as it pets her.

"Uhm, your highness. Your hand..."

"She knows of Kazaxon, Lambert. She likes him, too."

"And you are not frightened, my queen?" Lambert wrings his hands a little nervously. He seemed uncomfortable when we first saw him as we left the entrance to the crypts, but he seemed content to wait until my conversation with Jean was over.

"No, your excellency. I am confident I have nothing to fear from the demon, lord forgive me."

Lambert has a look of disgust for a moment before quickly distinguishing it. I know he's never been a fan of Kaz's, because the demon is reminder that despite being a man of the cloth, Lambert is enjoying the benefits of my diablerie.

"Kwenthrith is going to take me to the markets today," Eva says. "She perused them yesterday and says my presence would be very much welcomed."

"I hope you have fun, my sweet. You will take a few of the kingsguard with you."

She pouts, but doesn't argue. Her safety is of utmost importance. Just because Goldstone is loyal to me doesn't mean she can walk around the common areas with just one mage bodyguard.

"Your highness, if I may?"

I look over at Lambert. "Of course. You seem a little off, Lambert. Are you here to bring me bad news?"

"Would you accompany me to the Goldstone jails?"

Jean and I exchange a look, then I give my bride a kiss and snap my fingers at the guards a few feet away. I point to her, and they know they're meant to stay with her until I say otherwise. They follow her as she continues in the garden, while Jean and I follow Bishop Lambert.

We ride in silence to the jails near the center of the city, a few blocks down from the bazaar. I pay no mind to the sweet and spicy scents wafting through the air or the bright colors on the market fronts to lure customers in. I am a loner and being around so many people puts me out of my element. Jean is staring out the window with as much excitement as Edeva was when we arrived yesterday. I could just have him accompany Eva later today instead of the guards. She would be plenty safe enough I venture.

Then he would be alone with her!

The surge of fierce protectiveness is so strong I actually lurch forward in my seat. Fuck, I thought I was possessive before, but now with Kazaxon's emotions added to the mix it is near overwhelming. Jean and Lambert look over towards me with some concern but I hold a hand up and then point to my head, the accepted sign for "Kaz and I are talking".

We come up to the jail house and I am brought downstairs to the dark, cool cells underground. I wanted no natural light for the dressmaker, so down to the cold, wet, moldy dungeons he went. Kazaxon was near the surface now, wanting to make sure I stick to my idea for the man's execution. The jailer leads us with a torch down to a door nestled in the back hall. He pauses just before it and opens it up with a large, oily key, but I can already smell the stink of death in there.

Oh, God damn it. Damn it all to Hell with Kaz's lot.

I storm in to the room and right over to the dressmaker's limp body. His legs folded and his arms at his side, someone had slit his throat and positioned him to kneel with the proper balance so that he wouldn't fall over. The blood completely drained from his body and turned the front of his clothes red and brown.

The air around me wavers with a flood of heat. Kaz delights in my rage as I spin around, grab the guard by his helmet and push him up against the nearest wall. He gasps and drops the torch. I feel the darkness flood my senses.

"Do you know who did this?" I ask.

He shakes as much of his head as he can with it trapped inside the helmet I hold still. "N-No, your highness... The guard last night said he found him like that, and saw no one come or leave." Kaz confirms he tells the truth.

"Fuck." I let go of the guard and begin to pace. Kaz is a little frustrated he didn't get to kill the man himself, but eats up my anger nonetheless. It makes him stronger, which in turn angers me more, which feeds him more. And while that's good for me in the long run, I don't like that anyone is taking advantage of this situation.

You should kill the guard anyway.

Shut up!

"I thought perhaps I could get more information out of him this morning if I reminded him that his mortal soul was on the line for trying to kill an innocent girl," Bishop Lambert says. "I am the one who found him like this."

"This is not a fresh kill," Jean kneels before the dressmaker and tugs at the middle of his shirt. "Most of it is dry. He died last night."

I curse a few more times. "None of the other prisoners had access to him, is that correct?"

"Correct, your highness." the guard replies.

It's painfully obvious that someone who accompanied us from the castle did this. Someone wanted him dead and took this as the perfect opportunity to get rid of him. Why kill him? I was going to already; why rob me of that satisfaction?

We are good at extracting information out of people who possess it, Alekso...

Yes, of course. The man didn't divulge all of his secrets to me before because I am not the one who does all the torturing. I can kill and I can resurrect, but the good, delicious, brutal methods were Kazaxon's. I couldn't interrogate him like I wanted until Kaz and I reconciled.

Someone knew you were going to find out who he works for.

The dressmaker was kept under heavy guard during our journey from Ustria, but once transferred to the Goldstone jail, there was a short window of time to get to him.