Read Demons Forever (Peachville High Demons #6) for Free Online Page B

decided to go for it and say what was on my mind, figuring it wasn't really a personal question.
    "Do you know how the Order was able to crack the dome?" I asked. "Is it fixed yet?"
    My father sighed and nodded to a servant who quickly brought a bottle of wine to the table. "The crack has been patched, but we're still working to recreate the protective spell that keeps witches from casting human magic within the dome," he said. "It should be finished by morning."
    "That's great," I said, relieved.
    "Sure, until the Order attacks again," he said. "As long as we keep you and the ring here, I'm sure they'll be watching and waiting for the next chance to attack."
    I looked down at my plate, not sure I had the appetite for all this food. "I don't want to put your people in danger," I said.
    The king set his fork down and stared at me. When I looked up, our eyes met. "Harper, these are your people too," he said. "They would all willingly lay down their lives for their princess. Don't you know that?"
    I shook my head. "They barely even know me."
    "They adore you." He took a long drink of red wine. "Please, promise me you won't leave the safety of the dome. You belong here. You're my daughter, and my armies are dedicated to keeping you safe."
    The strength of his words hit me hard in the chest. A whole army to protect me? I would rather take them to Peachville with me instead of staying here doing nothing to fight. Was my father expecting me to stay here forever?
    "Can I ask you something?" I said.
    He drew in a tense breath. "Yes."
    I paused, unsure how best to word this. "Did you know the Order tried to kill me?"
    He cleared his throat and drank down the rest of his wine. The servant at his side refilled it instantly. "I knew they had you in captivity," he said. "But I only found out about their attempt to transfer your line after you had already been brought here to the shadow world."
    "Is that why you didn't come for me?" My plan to make small talk and avoid the hard questions flew right out the window. I couldn't help myself.
    "Harper..." His voice grew quiet. He looked around at all of the servants in the room, then leaned forward. "I'm not sure this is really the best time to talk about this. We'll have plenty of time later to talk about anything you want."
    My hands went numb from clasping them together so hard under the table. "When? I know you don't really want to talk about all of this, but I have so many questions," I said. "I am trying to be patient and understand that demons aren't always in a rush because of the whole immortal thing. It's just that I've been in the dark pretty much my whole life and now I've finally found someone who knows the truth about me."
    My father looked down at his hands, his shoulders tensing.
    "I know this is hard," I said. I knew I was going too far, but once I'd started talking, it was impossible to stop. "It's hard for me too, but if we're ever going to have a real relationship, we're going to have to be able to talk to each other now instead of pushing the important conversations off until later." I took a deep breath, trying to still the wild beating of my heart. "Why can't we talk about this now?"
    After several long breaths, he finally nodded his head. "I know it must have been difficult growing up without a mother and father," he said. He talked slower than normal, giving each word weight. "Events in my own life forced me back here to the shadow world much sooner than I'd planned, and I had to break things off with your mother. I had no idea she was pregnant at the time, but when she was killed..."
    He didn't speak for a moment, and I didn't breathe. Time stood still between us as I waited for him to continue.
    "I searched for you," he said, looking over at me. "I tried to find you before the Order could get their hands on you, but I failed. They found you first. By the time I realized it, you were already a part of their world, I couldn't just swoop in and take you away."
    "Why not?"