Page 86 of Elysian

“Give us a moment. Wait for us in the parlor.” I smiled at Archer and Liadan. They shared a glance. I did not bother staying to explain more to them, just grabbed hold of Cassiel’s arm and yanked until he followed me down the hall to the study.

“You cannot allow your frustrating Warlord pride to cause a rift. We will work with them,” I warned, shutting the door behind us.

“Oh, will I?” His brows twitched upward.

“Yes.” I lifted my chin and approached him. “Because I said so.” I poked him right in the middle of his chest.

His fangs flashed in his wide smile. “Hmm,” he hummed. “I need no one’s help to regain what has been mine for centuries.”

“Yes, you do,” I retorted bluntly. “Unless you want to get me killed.”

He stilled, anger rippling over his features. The grinding of his teeth sounded again like gravel scraping against each other.

“I beg you, do not battle with them.” I pointedly looked at Cassiel.

He grunted and crossed his arms.

“You expect me to accept working with the mortals that caused me such strife?” He cocked his head. “I hunted these people. If I had found them beforehand, I would have slaughtered every last one.”

I wrung my hands together.

“We will have allies, and for any plan to work, we cannot do it alone. Especially because you are not . . .”

“I am aware,” he said stiffly. “I am weakened.”

“Then you should know this is in our favor.” He pressed his lips into a thin line. Those analytical eyes flicking down to my lips, then returning to my eyes.

“I will do as you command.” He leaned closer until his lips hovered over mine. “But you must do one thing for me.”

I frowned, waiting. Nerves sat in my stomach. He did not leave me wondering for long.

“Wed me.”

My mouth fell open with a gasp.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Coerced

Wed me.

I searched the serious lines of his face. There was no subterfuge in his expression.

“You cannot be serious,” I choked out. I believed the conversation had ended after I shut his suggestion down when he mentioned this before. In pure Cassiel manner, he would have his way. “I am a redblood,” I stuttered.

“It is not lost on me, my little immortal,” he murmured. “Marry me.”

I gasped, rigid and staring up at him. His features had stiffened into seriousness.

“No!” I finally blurted.

“Yes.”

“It is not allowed.”

“I will decree a new law,” he claimed.

My jaw popped from how hard I gritted it. He was much too smug for my liking.