How long has it been since you’ve seen him? I asked Nero.
About two years.
That was about the time Nero and I had met.
So basically he thinks I am the reason you haven’t been to see him.
He might think that. But I’m sure he understands.
From what I’ve heard about General Silverstar, he doesn’t accept excuses when it comes to doing your duty. And I’m sure he considers it your duty to check in with him from time to time.
Leda, the man is centuries old. Two years isn’t that long for him.
I hope you’re right.
Of course I’m right. I’m always right. His mouth didn’t smile, but his words in my mind did.
“I am glad you escaped the demons unscathed,” Silverstar said as Nero walked with him into the dining room.
A few minutes later, we were all seated at the table. The kitchen staff had delivered our food, and it seemed like despite the bumpy start, this dinner would turn out all right after all.
“We missed you at Nero’s wedding, Silverstar,” Damiel said.
General Silverstar’s eyes iced over. “I was on a mission. Running a territory requires so much more of an angel’s attention than torturing prisoners, Dragonsire.”
“But surely not a well-ordered territory like yours, Silverstar. Why, it must almost run itself by now.” Damiel smile was casual and unbothered, an angel in his element.
“Hardly.”
“Is that so? Then perhaps you should ask Leda for tips. Her territory is the plains of monsters, and she seems to have them all in order. She even has time to serve as the gods’ emissary to hell.”
“Why do you want General Silverstar to hate me?” I demanded of Damiel.
“This isn’t about making my father hate you,” Cadence told me. “Actually, I think my father and my husband both rather like you. This is about the two of them fighting for the sheer fun of it.” She sighed. “All I wanted was the whole family together for a pleasant evening.”
There was a flash of magic, then Faris, the God of Heaven’s Army, was suddenly sitting at the table with us.
“Did you invite him?” I asked Cadence.
“No.”
“So, how did your meeting with the demons go?” Faris asked me very casually as he helped himself to a glass of Nectar.
“Well, they didn’t say no,” I replied. “But they also didn’t say yes.”
Faris did not look pleased. “Go on.”
“I delivered your offer, then demon soldiers chased us out of the council chamber.”
“You need to try again.”
“I was just there, and the demons are still thinking about it. Give them time.” I smiled. “Be patient.”
The King of the Gods didn’t look pleased that the Angel of Chaos was lecturing him about patience.
“My patience only extends so far, Leda,” he told me.
“Then I’m sure you appreciate this opportunity to better yourself.”
I could see the inner conflict playing out in his eyes. He was wondering if he really needed me that much. The answer, of course, was yes. He did need me. Otherwise I’d already be dead. I knew this, and Faris knew it too. Still, it was a good idea to remind him of it every so often, if only by provoking him.
“You are very bold with a god, Leda Pandora,” Silverstar observed.
“She is indeed,” Faris agreed. “And that is not wise.”
“She knows you won’t harm her. You need her.” Damiel scooped a mound of mashed potatoes onto his plate, then offered the bowl to Faris.
The god waved away the offering like it wasn’t even worth his attention. “How astute of you, Dragonsire.”
Damiel glanced at Silverstar. “Leda is Faris’s daughter, in case you hadn’t realized.”
Shock flashed in Silverstar’s eyes. Shock and annoyance. Annoyance that obviously stemmed from the fact that Damiel had known this before he had.
“It was supposed to be a secret, Damiel,” I told him.
“It’s too late for that, Leda. Scandals such as this can’t stay secret for long.”
“Careful, Damiel.” I glanced at Faris. “You’re going to embarrass my daddy.”
“I am not embarrassed,” Faris said serenely as he braided his fingers together.
I smirked at him. “How touching.”
“To be embarrassed by you would suggest that I had erred.” Faris leveled a commanding stare on me. “And I do not err. I made you for a reason, Leda.”
“Speaking of making children, just when can I expect grandchildren, Leda?” Damiel changed the subject with an easy smile.
I almost choked on my wine. I’d already refilled my glass twice since this ill-fated family dinner had begun. This really was a wine kind of day.
“I, too, would like to know the answer to that question,” said Faris. “When can I expect grandchildren?”
“Why?” I demanded. “So you can use them as weapons?”
He set his immortal hand over his dead, black heart. “You wound me, daughter.”
I rolled my eyes. “If only I could.”
“You didn’t answer my question, Leda,” Damiel said.
“And I’m not going to, Damiel.”
Faris picked up his glass and took a sip of Nectar. “I don’t know why you’re being so squeamish about this, Leda. That is, after all, the purpose of the Fever.”
“I’m declaring this conversation dead, right here and now.”
Fairs’s brows drew together. “Why?”
“Because I’m not having the sex talk with you, Faris.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s just weird,” I told him. “And you’re about a decade too late.”
“Did you speak to the demons’ council this way?” Impatience weighed on his voice.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Pretty much.”
He frowned.
“Don’t give me that face, cupcake. You are the one who gave me the job. I didn’t ask for it.”
“You will do as you’re told, child, and I’m telling you to convince the demons to ally with us.”
“You see, Pops, right now, I’m focusing on convincing them not to kill me, and I’ll work my way up from there.”
“Don’t be absurd,” replied Faris. “Your mother is on the council. She is not going to kill you.”
“Yes, she would, and so would you if it advanced your agenda.”
“But it does not advance my agenda.”
“Lucky me.”
Damiel looked at Cadence. “If it’s the council’s agreement we need, then we could put the squeeze on Asteria.”
“I’m sure she would enjoy that.”
The humor had drained from Damiel’s face. “Asteria’s way of repaying us almost did more harm than good. She still owes us. She can tell us what the demons are up to, and which way they are leaning.”
“How exactly did you two manage to earn a favor from a demon?” I asked.
“We were just in the right place at the right time,” replied Cadence.
“Must have been one hell of a time,” I said. “Deities all just want to exploit me or kill me.”