Standing guard on the edge of Bilé’s Great Hall, Flannery Baghadur scanned the room, his eyes looking for any threat against the God of the Underworld. As the youngest son of Camulos, the God of War, he took his job as the head of Bilé’s personal guard seriously—perhaps too seriously if anyone asked his brother.

But then again according to Kennet, I should be busy giving Dad grandkids and not off protecting his father-in-law. I swear, since he became TrueMated the fool thinks every man wants to be shackled to a female. Besides no woman needs to be at the mercy of my berserker side.

Which is why his position at Bile’s side was a godsend. In battle, there were none more brutal than him except for perhaps his father. Not even his twin came close. Simply put, his duties to Bilé gave him a place to release his rage.

He was just finishing his scan when he caught Bilé beckoning him from his ornate throne sitting on the raised dais. Making his way through the dancers, he ignored the heat of the stares from demonesses and banshee alike. He wasn’t here tonight to find a lover or even a submissive woman; he was on duty, and as such he wouldn’t play regardless of which woman approached him.

Climbing the steps, he took his position behind Bilé, standing close enough to hear him, but far enough back he could see the entire room. At his side, perched on rocky outcrop, Jansen, his little fire demon snitch, awaited his command. His eyes briefly settled on a lone woman, a dark-haired banshee, sitting on one of the many benches at the edge of the crowd. The bored look on her face assured him that he wasn’t the only person who wished they were elsewhere.

“How does my daughter fare, warrior?” Bilé didn’t bother to look directly at him, but continued to watch the crowd. Flannery wasn’t surprised by the question, considering he’d just returned from his father’s home in the human realm. He tore his gaze away from the woman to answer his lord’s question.

“Good, your lordship. She's happy and keeping my brother on his toes. They shall be here in about an hour or so.”

Bilé nodded his approval. “I can’t say I’m unhappy with the pairing.”