with power and it made the fine hair on my arms stand straight up.
I sucked in a breath. I'd never seen anything quite like that before-both the disappearance of my aunt and the rage in my father's face which quickly faded now that she was gone.
My father let out a long sigh. 'I'm sorry it had to end that way.' He turned to me. 'And I'm sorry you had to witness that.'
I hugged him then. Tightly. 'Is it mean that I was hoping you weren't just going to forgive her after what she did?'
'I didn't want to lie to her, but I was desperate to get that antidote.' He sighed. 'I cared for my sister. She had me completely fooled. I still can't believe what she tried to do.'
I glanced at Michael, who stood to the side, his eyes on the ground. My father looked at him as well.
'Thank you, Michael, for your help,' my father said. 'You may leave us now.'
'Yes, Your Majesty.'
I went to Michael's side and stopped him before he took a step. 'He risked his life to help you and that's all he gets? A 'thanks for your help you can leave now'?'
My father looked confused. 'I don't understand.'
I felt mad, then. After the roller coaster of emotions I'd just been on, from scared to relieved to happy, now I was falling straight down the steep hill into mad. 'That's the problem. You don't understand.'
'It's fine, Princess,' Michael said.
'No, it's not.' I turned back to my father. 'Before, you said that he was free. That he didn't have to be a servant anymore.'
'I did say that.' My father blinked. 'And I stand by it. If you wish to leave the castle, Michael, I won't stop you.'
Michael didn't say anything for a moment. 'I have nowhere else to go.'
'You are also welcome to stay,' my father said. 'I will need help to regain my strength and to summon the rest of my servants back.'
He nodded. 'Then I'll stay. Thank you, Your Majesty.'
'But not as a servant,' I said.
They both looked at me.
'He really helped us,' I continued. 'He protected me. If it wasn't for him, Elizabeth would be picking out her new crown right now.'
'Nikki,' my father began, 'while I appreciate all that Michael has done, he is a Shadow. And Shadows are servants. That's just the way it is.'
'Doesn't have to be.'
His mouth twitched into a small grin. 'Two days with knowledge of this world and she's all ready to change the politics here. But things that have existed for millennia cannot be changed in two days.'
'But you'll make an exception for Michael,' I persisted.
His smile faded as his expression darkened. 'If I didn't know better I'd say that there was something between you.
But that would be forbidden. Humans and demons are not supposed to become romantically involved and neither are Shadows and demons.'
'We're not. . like that,' I said, my face flushing.
He looked at me sternly. 'That is good to hear.'
Is that really true? I sent the thought to Michael. What he said?
::Yes. It's forbidden for Shadows and demons-or half demons — to be together.:: So the kiss last night?::Forbidden. Very, very forbidden.:: Sounds like a play I had to read in English class, I thought.::What play is that?:: Never mind.
'So you being with my mom was forbidden,' I said after a moment, looking directly at my father. 'But you did it anyway.'
'I was young and foolish and willing to break the rules no matter the consequences.' He pulled on a black robe and tied the sash at the front. 'As you know, the consequences for me were very severe.'
Right. He'd been summoned here against his will and never allowed to leave-then told my mother had died. That was a severe consequence. But even if they hadn't gotten involved, he still would have been summoned back here. It hadn't been a direct punishment for breaking the rules. Just a nasty coincidence.
'Do you want me to tell my mother about all of this when I go home?' I asked. 'She should know the truth after so long. And maybe I could bring her here to see you.'
His face went ashy. He glanced off in the direction of the framed painting of my mother. 'No, Nikki. You can't tell her. She won't understand.'
'I didn't understand in the beginning, but I do now.'
He shook his head. 'It's best she never knows the truth and continues to think I left her all those years ago. As you said, she's moved on and found happiness. I don't want to do anything to ruin that for her.'
I wasn't sure those had been my exact words. In fact, I was sure they weren't. My mother wasn't happy. She'd searched for love for years and come up with four lousy marriages, and I was including Robert the supreme creep in that number. Maybe if she knew my father still loved her- because I knew he still did, I could see it in his eyes-that might change. 'But-' 'Please, Nikki. For me. Say nothing to her about any of this.'
I sighed. This wasn't the right time, I got that. Maybe someday, but not now. 'Okay, if you say so.'
He frowned very hard. 'I will give what you said about Michael some thought. I suppose, in the meantime, I am willing to hold true to my promise to free him from his regular servant status but allow him to stay on here at the castle as a… a paid employee. Would that be better?'
I looked at Michael. Is that okay with you? I mean, it's not perfect, but it's better than nothing.
He smiled. 'It's a start.'
I approached my father. 'Thank you.'
'Will you visit me again?' he asked.
'On a regular basis. I'm still a Darkling, after all, and I do have these powers to deal with. These potentially dangerous and destructive powers, according to several sources. And it's not like I can just talk to anyone about them.' I hesitated. 'But I don't know how to find a gateway without Michael always being there.'
He touched the crystal on my bracelet. 'Concentrate and you'll find one. This will lead the way for you. Practice will make it easier.' He placed his hand against the side of my face. 'You should probably go home now or your mother will be worried.'
I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. I'd always imagined what my father would be like-a good-for-nothing creep who'd left my mother when she was pregnant and vulnerable. But he wasn't like that at all. He was nothing I'd ever expected him to be.
He was a demon king who ruled over another dimension. Who held back the evil from the Underworld and Hell so my world would be safe from harm.
He was fairly awesome, actually.
'Please take care of yourself,' I said. 'Like, regular exercise, good diet. You need to live for a very long time.'
He laughed. 'That's right. You didn't drink the potion after all, did you? You're still my heir. If it's any consolation, demons are known to live for a very, very long time.'
'Still. An apple a day can't hurt.' 'I will keep that in mind.' He touched my shoulder. 'I'll see you again, Nikki. Soon.'
I nodded and wiped away a tear. 'Definitely.'
A little while later Michael and I left the castle and headed back toward the grassy area. I saw my discarded
