There were never a great many here to start with—the weather and lack of resources make for bad living. The Gyldens and the Naifs are the last groups to remain—were the last groups—but after the slaughter of the Gyldens twenty-some years ago, on the night Abaddon was sundered…Slaine’s kingdom contains all the remaining demons in this part of The Far Place. Kaebl shrugs. But the south still has many kingdoms and a variety of species and fauna living there.

“Can’t we leave, then?” I whisper. “Go south? Or anywhere that’s safer than here.”

Kaebl frowns, his shoulders tensing at the hint of desperation in my tone. I’ve thought about it many times. But to abandon our lands—Abaddon’s rightful territory—and give it to Slaine… He shakes his head. He will continue to build his army, grow his resources by creating more of those… creatures… and then take that army south and ravage their lands. Hundreds of innocent demons and creatures will be massacred, and while he wouldn’t necessarily succeed in the long run… I cannot allow his treachery to spread. I will not sit by and watch his evil drench the south in its filth. We must stay. We must fight.

“But… Everything is gone. Abaddon’s castle, Slaine’s castle…”

Kaebl’s gaze hardens as he stares at the rippling waves. We rebuild. But first, we take back what belongs to us. What belongs to you.

“Me?”

He nods slowly. You are Abaddon’s mate. My mate. This is as much your kingdom as it is anyone’s. And I’m going to do everything in my power to see you ruling it.

Warmth blossoms in my chest at the pride in his voice, but it’s overshadowed by the cold reality of the situation. “I don’t think I’m capable of that. Even if I wanted to, there’s no way⁠—”

You’re the strongest being in this world, Dagny Olavera. You’re the last person to realize it, but it doesn’t make it any less true. You will make an amazing queen. All you need is to learn to harness your power, and you’ll be unstoppable.

“I’ve been trying. But it… I can’t make any progress, and we’re running out of time.”

I know, his voice whispers. That’s why I’m going to help you.

“You’re going to train me?”

With Malice, yes. I think together, we’ll be able to understand your power, so that you can.

“Okay,” I whisper, knotting my fingers in my lap. “I’m willing to try anything.”

Kaebl lowers his eyes, frowning at the sight of my nervous twitch. We’ll figure it out, little one. I believe in you, in your power. Now, it’s your turn.