Queen of the Darkness

he saw Saetan brush the hair away from the face of an attractive Dhemlan witch. There was tenderness in that action, and affection as well. Wondering if he was reading things correctly, he moved forward as quietly as possible.
    The witch noticed him first. Looking flustered, she took a long step back and watched him tensely. But it was the flash of anger he picked up from his father that made him wary.
    Then Saetan turned, saw him, and relaxed for a moment before hurrying toward him.
    "What happened to you?" Saetan demanded. "Are you hurt?"
    "Lucivar happened to me," Daemon replied through gritted teeth.
    "Why were you and Lucivar tangling?" Saetan asked in a deceptively neutral voice that had a strong undertone of parental disapproval.
    "We weren't tangling, we were drilling. But I'm delighted that someone besides me has trouble understanding the distinction."
    The witch turned away from them and started making funny noises. When she turned back, her gold eyes were bright with laughter. "I'm sorry," she said, not sounding the least bit sorry. "Having been on the receiving end of Lucivar's instruction, I understand how you feel."
    "Why were you doing weapons drills with Lucivar?" Saetan asked.
    "Because I'm an idiot." Daemon raised his hand to brush the hair off his forehead. His arm froze halfway through the motion, stuck. He slowly lowered his arm, grateful it would go back down. "I really want to be there the next time Jaenelle puts him in the dirt."
    "Who doesn't?" the witch murmured.
    Saetan let out an exasperated sigh. "Sylvia, this is Daemon Sadi. Daemon, this is Lady Sylvia, the Queen of Halaway."
    Sylvia's eyes widened. "This is the boy?"
    Daemon bristled until Saetan gave him a sharp mental jab.
    " 'Boy' is a relative term," Saetan said.
    "I'm sure it is," Sylvia replied, trying to school her face into an appropriate expression.
    Saetan just looked at her.
    "Well," Sylvia said too brightly, "I'll just go say hello to the coven and let the two of you sort this out."
    "Are you going to lend me that book?" Saetan asked, his lips curving in a knowing, malicious smile.
    "What book is that, High Lord?" Sylvia asked, attempting to look innocent while blushing furiously.
    "The one you won't admit to reading."
    "Oh, I don't think it would interest you," Sylvia mumbled.
    "Considering your reaction every time I've mentioned it, I think I would find it very interesting reading."
    "You could buy your own copy."
    "I would prefer to borrow yours."
    Sylvia glared at him. "I'll lend it to you on the condition that you admit to the coven that you're reading it."
    Saetan said nothing. A faint blush colored his cheeks.
    Satisfied, Sylvia smiled warmly at Daemon. "Welcome to Kaeleer, Prince Sadi."
    "Thank you, Lady," Daemon replied courteously. "Meeting you has been highly instructive."
    Saetan hissed. Sylvia didn't waste any time removing herself from their company.
    As soon as she left, Saetan raked his fingers through his hair, then inspected the empty hand. "I understand perfectly why her father's hair fell out," he growled. "Mine just keeps getting grayer, for which, I suppose, I should be thankful."
    "She's a friend?" Daemon asked blandly.
    "Yes, she's a friend," Saetan snapped, putting too much emphasis on the last word. He gave Daemon a sour look. "Come on, puppy. You'd better sit down before you fall down."
    Daemon obediently followed his father into the official study, amused by and intensely curious about the edgy, defensive tone in Saetan's voice.
    By the time he'd gotten his rebelling muscles to yield enough to let him sit down, Andulvar Yaslana had joined him and Saetan.
    "You didn't do too badly for a novice," Andulvar said.
    "As soon as I can move again, I'm going to flatten his head," Daemon growled.
    Saetan and Andulvar exchanged an amused look.
    "Ah," Saetan said, "the centuries may pass, but the sentiment remains the same."
    "You said much the same thing the first time you and Lucivar pounded on each other," Andulvar said.
    Daemon studied the two men through narrowed eyes.
    "The two of you were only a couple of years older than Daemonar," Saetan said. "You found a long pole that was the right diameter for a child's hand, cut it in half, and then Lucivar set out to show you the drills he'd been practicing."
    "He's always had a natural talent for weapons," Andulvar said, "but at that age, he wasn't good at explaining the drills."
    "So," Saetan said, "he got in a couple of good whacks, and you, by luck or