The coven and the boyos fell all over Lucivar, who had his arms wrapped around Marian and Daemonar. Daemon they greeted with cool reserve. Except Karla, who had said, “Kiss kiss,” and then had kissed him. And Surreal, who had given Daemon a cool stare, and said, “You look like shit, Sadi.” He would have lashed out at her for that if Daemon hadn’t commented dryly that her compliments were as effusive as ever—and if she hadn’t grinned at the remark.

And Tersa, who had held her son’s face between her hands and looked into his eyes. “It will be all right, Daemon,” she had said gently. “Trust one who sees. It will be all right.”

Saetan wasn’t sure Daemon noticed the coolness, wasn’t sure he even noticed who had greeted him and who hadn’t. His eyes kept scanning the room for someone who wasn’t there—someone who wasn’t going to be there.

He was trying to think of a reasonable excuse to get Daemon away from the others when Geoffrey appeared at the door. “Your presence is requested at the Dark Throne. Draca would like to see you.”

As they filed out of the room, Saetan stepped in beside Lucivar. “Stay close to your brother,” he said quietly.

“I think it would be better—”

“Don’t think, Prince, just follow orders.”

Lucivar gave him a measuring look, then moved ahead to catch up with Daemon.

Surreal tucked her arm through his. “Lucivar’s pissed?”

“That’s one way of putting it,” Saetan replied dryly.

“If you think it will help, I could give him a good kick in the balls. Although I have a feeling that when Marian realizes what he’s pissed about, she’ll do a better job than either of us can.”

Saetan let out a groaning chuckle. “Now that will be interesting.” Then he sobered. “Daemon played the same game with you.”

“Yes, he did. But sometimes the best way to fool an enemy is to convince a friend.”

“Your mother said almost the same thing to me once—after she punched me.”

“Really?” Surreal smiled. “It must run in the family.”

He decided it was better not to ask her to clarify that.

Baffled, Daemon waited for whatever announcement Draca was going to make. Not that it mattered. He would have to slip away to Amdarh in the next few days, talk to that jeweler, Banard, about designing a wedding ring for Jaenelle. He’d gotten her some earrings there for Winsol and had liked what he’d seen of the man’s work.