Page 109 of Trust the Fall

“River, of course. I’ve arranged it all. Don’t you see?”

I laugh maniacally, losing my grip. “Why would you want me to marry the man you care for? Are you insane?”

She huffs a lackluster laugh. “Because he deserves to be king. He could make you happy.”

“He could beyourking,” I bite back. “Not mine, Camille. Never mine.”

She shakes her head sadly. “I’ll never marry, Victoria. My heart has always belonged to someone else. River has always known that. He just didn’t know who it belonged to. He deserves happiness, and you could give that to him.”

“So you’d doom me to a loveless marriage forhishappiness? What about mine? I’m your daughter. Your blood.”

“If you only gave him a chance, you could be happy too.”

“No... I wouldn’t. Like you, my heart belongs to someone else.”

Her eyes squint as she watches me closely. “Satan? You’d give up the throne for the devil?”

“Lucifer is a good man, Camille. He’s been unfairly punished. You of all people should know what that feels like.” My tone is cutting and my glare even more so.

I won’t stand by and allow anyone who doesn’t know Luke to slam him.

“You really do love him.” It isn’t a question, but I feel compelled to answer.

“Yes. With my whole heart.”

She sighs, eyes searching every inch of my face until she appears to have found what she was seeking.

“I’ll help you with the cause of Hell, but I cannot give my blessing for a union between you and Lucifer without knowing his true motives, Victoria. Can you understand that?”

I don’t like the fact that she can’t trust me enough to knowIknow his intentions are good. Or the fact that she thinks I need her blessing. But right now, all I care about is her help defeating Nolda.

“That’s fair. As long as you’re willing to give him a chance.”

She bows her head in response. “We must go,” she says. “Nolda’s forces must be just outside of Lucifer’s castle by now.”

“We can’t fight in this,” I say motioning between our dresses.

She purses her lips. “Close your eyes and concentrate on what you desire.”

I do as she says, and when I open my eyes, I’m back to feeling like myself in my fighting leathers.

I don’t miss the fact that Camille is dressed similarly.

“It truly is uncanny,” she says, and I smirk.

“Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I suppose.”

She smiles. “I look forward to getting to know you better, Victoria.”

“Me too. Now let’s go save the Earth.”

“You two ready?” River says, bounding back through the door with Leeanna hot on his tail.

“I don’t suppose you still have that blade you gave me?” I ask River, and he grins.

“I have something better.”

My eyes narrow and then fly open when he pulls Solis from behind his back.