– Dariel? Noble? – Her mother laughed. She had already taken off her earrings and was putting new ones with large black stones in her pointed earlobes. – There's a lot you don't know, my naive girl! He was never satisfied with being a prince, and he waited patiently for your father to pass away.

– But he loved me so much," she whispered, remembering how she and Daryal had played hide-and-seek in the great long corridors of the palace, and how he had taught her to ride. And how patient he had been!

– It's true. You were his favorite. – The queen took out a scarlet lipstick from a box and began to paint her dry, senile lips with it. – But he thought that when Lamar died, he would steal your power and lock me in a dungeon or simply slit my throat. Darius thought no one could read his thoughts, but I did. You know my gift for reading minds is greater than that of any other demon. It took me eighteen years to get inside his head, but when I finally did, I was terrified. I told your father, and he ordered Daryal's arrest, but his little brother simply slipped out of the palace, never to be seen again. And then came the news from Kaldwind– But I'm not surprised. Darius has always had a taste for violent fun.

– Then King Derek was right…" Sylvia pressed her palm to her lips and shook her head.

– No, he wasn't! – Varma exclaimed angrily. – He should have sent Dariel to us, not lynch us! Who was he to decide the fate of Prince Flammehav?

– No, Mother, he had every right to execute the murderer," the girl said firmly.

– You seem to have forgotten who you are, taking the side of your pathetic fiancé? – Her mother squinted her eyes. – Have you forgotten the suffering he has brought to your people? How many demons he killed and how many cities he destroyed?

– I have not forgotten, and I will never forget! – Sylvia whispered loudly.

Silence hung, as Varma began to brush her gray hair and her daughter was taken captive by her thoughts.

The truth that her favorite uncle was going to overthrow her, the rightful heir, hurt Sylvia almost physically, but she chose not to think about it, for he was dead, and she would be Queen of Men… And consort to the cruel husband of Derek Merkswerd. Someone she hated with all her heart.

– You say they're celebrating? – The Queen suddenly broke the silence, turning to her daughter. – They must have emptied our wine cellars by now?

– The wine is flowing, Mother," she replied.

– We should have put poison in it," Varma smiled wryly. – In every bottle, so that every last one of those things would die!

– Will you come with me to the throne room? – Sylvia asked again, not wanting to listen to her mother's poisonous speeches any longer.

– No.

– Whatever you say, Mother. – The princess made a deep curtsy and silently left the room.

Sylvia reluctantly returned to her fiancé, and the celebration continued into the night. Neither Varma nor Lamar showed up to support their daughter. Thankfully, Derek didn't throw her any more taunts, but neither did he allow his bride to leave for her chambers. It was only when Sylvia, exhausted and tired, was almost asleep on her throne that Derek graciously summoned two warriors and ordered them to take his bride to rest.

– Get a couple hours of sleep, my princess," he told her. He was already drunk, but he did not let the guilt cloud his judgment. – We have a long journey tomorrow.

– Thank you, my king. May I take my maids to Kaldwind? – The girl asked.

– No," Derek said.

– At least two.

– Not one. And all your vulgar dresses will stay here. I don't want a wife who dresses like a whore.