“However, one does not simply charge into battle against the Queen of Demons, nor sling accusations of betrayal against our king’s heir. We need to plan, and you need to take care of the female—she’s dead on her feet, her sharp tongue notwithstanding.”

“As you wish. We will speak further in the morning.”

Kesh’s large hand found her shoulder again, and when he practically herded her out of the room, she got the distinct impression he was happy to put distance between them and his father.

“And Kesh?” Kirigan’s deep baritone called after them just before the door shut in their wake.

Kesh paused, and she could have sworn she heard a muted profanity slip past his lips. “Father?”

“Make sure the Breeder does not roam around unescorted. It would be a pity if she came to any harm.”

Selma’s heart jumped into her throat at the casual threat, and she gladly followed Kesh when he steered her down several long hallways and up a winding flight of stairs.

“What the hell did he mean by that? Did he just threaten me?” she finally asked when she was absolutely certain they were out of earshot.

The demon by her side sighed. “He is… not entirely stable, and he will occasionally lash out. It was not a threat—he likely doesn’t want to accidentally hurt you if he comes across you while he’s in one of his moods, and that was just a reminder for me not to let you out of my sight.”

She glanced up at Kain’s brother, frowning. “Is it because I might remind him of your mother? My scent, I mean.”

An odd expression crossed Kesh’s features and he gave her a long look out of the corner of his eye. “He told you?”

“About how she died? Yeah. I’m… I’m sorry. You were even younger than Kain—it must have been so hard for you, too.”

Despite the horrors of the night and the near-debilitating exhaustion starting to creep up along her limbs, she felt sadness for the tragedy that had ripped this family apart—and a stab of guilt for springing the subject on him.

Kesh’s dark eyes narrowed. “He knew you before that auction, didn’t he?”

Selma bit the inside of her cheek as she remembered the first time she’d seen Kain. “Yes. He saved me. It’s a long story. I didn’t think he was going to come to my auction, but he did—to save me again.”

“So that’s why he went. When I heard my brother was going to attend a Breeder’s auction, I didn’t believe it—until I saw him march down the stairs and challenge the Prince of Demons himself. Never thought he’d bid on a mate.”

Kesh opened a wooden door, revealing a rather large bedroom with a plush carpet and antique-looking furniture.