Ridley

We rode on two demon horses. They had been supplied by the stables, and weren't like any creature I'd ever seen before, glossy and black, with inky eyes to match. I glanced at Vandel, the Demon Prince of Darkness galloping a few feet ahead of me.

"How long should this take?" I asked. "I kind of hate you, so it would be great if we could make this as fast as possible. No offence."

Vandel shrugged. "None taken. I hate you too."

I swallowed hard, my inner conflict intensifying. Collaborating with a demon like this could be deemed treason against the crown. Was preserving my life worth such dishonor? Could I live with myself if I went through with this? My thoughts raced, and for a fleeting moment, I entertained the idea of asking Vandel to end my life right then and there. But I shook my head, banishing the thought. I needed to survive, to keep serving my kingdom. That was the only thing that mattered. 

Vandel stared intently at me, arching a brow as his voice pulled me from my thoughts. "What were you doing back at the palace? Most humans wouldn't escape from a place that dangerous and then immediately turn around and come back."

"I'm not most humans."

"I'd beg to differ," Vandel scoffed. "You're stubborn, obnoxious, and annoying, all very human traits."

I glared at him. "Did you just call me obnoxious?"

Vandel snickered. "Why? Does that hurt your feelings?"

"I've never been called obnoxious in my life. I'm always extremely polite."

"You literally just told me you hated me. That doesn't strike me as particularly polite."

I chewed on my lower lip, surprised that he actually had a point.

"I...I don't usually say things like that," I said slowly. "I promise you, I'm usually much more professional, even regarding demons."

"Even when you're running them down?" Vandel asked dryly.

I stiffened. "When humans and demons meet, it's not a play date, it's battle. I have no other choice." I sighed heavily. "It would be nice though, for the bloodshed to stop..." But not until I cut down whatever wretch of a demon killed my father. "Regardless, I do have every right to hate you. You kidnapped the princess, you lied to us about having a fair meeting, you led me straight to a Bone Monster—"

"Well, you kidnapped me!"

"Then maybe you should have better security on your own damn castle."

"Oh shut up, like you're one to talk! It took us literally five minutes to capture Princess Annette and you want to talk about castle security? You are the security."

My mouth drew into a hard line. "Can we please stop talking and just get this over with?"

"Changing the subject so suddenly," Vandel cooed. "Is it because you know I'm right? And it bothers you, doesn't it? That a demon could be right about anything." I didn't answer, causing Vandel to let out a low chuckle. "I'll take your silence as a yes."

Gods, I hated him.

Vandel yanked on the reins, brining his horse to a sudden stop. I followed his line of sight, my gaze landing on a massive, gaping hole in the forest floor.

I stared at it, agape. "What...is that?"

Vandel smirked at me. "That's where you're going to retrieve the cloak."