CHAPTER 90: MORNING AFTER

Liam woke to sunlight streaming through windows he didn’t remember opening and the distinct sensation that his head was trying to separate from his body.

Not literally.

His demonic physiology made hangovers theoretically impossible. But apparently, spending an entire evening with hundreads of worshippers who’d insisted on celebrating his consolidation of imperial power with ceremonial wine had found the loophole.

"You’re awake." Lilith’s voice came from somewhere to his left. "I was beginning to wonder if you’d achieved some new form of hibernation."

Liam cracked one eye open.

The Queen sat in a chair by the window, reading what looked like reports, a cup of something steaming in her other hand.

She was dressed casually—for her—in simple dark robes without the crown or formal regalia.

"What time is it?" His voice came out as a croak.

"Noon. You’ve been unconscious for fourteen hours."

"That’s... not possible. Greater Fiend stages don’t sleep that long."

"Greater Fiend stages don’t spend the previous evening being worshipped by the Nameless Litany, who apparently believe that offering their god infinite amounts of ceremonial wine is appropriate devotion." Lilith’s smile was amused.

Liam groaned and sat up.

He was in his quarters—when had that become "his" quarters instead of "guest quarters"?—still wearing the clothes from yesterday minus the dramatic shadow armor.

"Please tell me I didn’t do anything embarrassing after leaving the Cathedral."

"Define embarrassing."

"That’s not reassuring."

"You sang." Lilith’s tone was carefully neutral. "Something about... I believe the phrase was ’a whole new world’? The Nameless Litany seemed confused but decided it was divine prophecy and are now trying to interpret the lyrics theologically."

Liam dropped his head into his hands.

"Kill me. Kill me now."

"Can’t. I need you to lead the army in two months." She stood, walking over with a cup of whatever she’d been drinking. "Here."

He took the cup gratefully. The liquid was dark, bitter, and made his consciousness feel slightly less fragmented.

"What is this?"

"Hellbrew. Made from roots that grow in volcanic soil. Demons use it when they need to function after particularly brutal battles." She paused. "Or apparently after evenings with enthusiastic worshippers."

"The Nameless Litany was very enthusiastic."

"They’ve been waiting eighty years for their god to walk among them. They’re beyond enthusiastic—they’re evangelical." Lilith returned to her chair. "High Priestess Severina sent word this morning. The Cathedral is receiving fifty new devotees per day. Word of your miracles has spread faster than our intelligence network could track."

"That’s good, right? More believers means more power."

"It means you’re creating religious movement that might become harder to control than the Houses we just subordinated." Her golden eyes were thoughtful. "Faith is powerful. But it’s also unpredictable. The Nameless Litany believes absolutely in your divinity. What happens when you ask them to do something that contradicts their understanding of what a god should do?"

Liam sipped the hellbrew, considering.

"Cross that bridge when we reach it. For now, having six hundred—" he paused. "How many now?"

He forgot the system was counting.

"Eight hundred forty-three as of this morning’s count. Growing exponentially."

"Having eight hundred forty-three demons who’d die for me without question is tactical advantage I’m not going to complain about."

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

Lilith called permission to enter, and Koth stepped through, looking uncomfortable in formal armor that he clearly wasn’t used to wearing.

"My lord. Your Majesty." He bowed, then caught himself. "Am I supposed to bow? The protocols are confusing now that you’re—" he gestured vaguely at Liam, "—whatever you are. Supreme military commander? Living god? Both?"

"Both," Lilith said dryly. "It’s complicated."

"The entire empire is complicated now." Koth moved further into the room, his discomfort visible. "I was summoned to Eldhar for debrief. Apparently, brigade commanders who served directly under Lord Azra during Ashard campaign are being elevated. Something about needing officers who understand the new command structure."

Liam perked up slightly. "Elevated to what?"

"Regional commander. They’re reorganizing the military hierarchy. Seven legion commanders still exist, but now there are regional command positions beneath them." Koth’s voice carried mixture of pride and bewilderment. "I’m being assigned to coordinate southern legions. Skel’var gets eastern territories. Zara’s being promoted to strategic intelligence coordinator."

"That’s good. You’ve earned it."

"Have I? Or am I just being positioned because I’m loyal to you specifically rather than any House?" Koth’s question was genuine. "I’m not complaining—the promotion is significant. But I’m trying to understand if this is merit or politics."

"It’s both," Lilith interjected. "You proved capability during Ashard campaign. But you’re also being elevated because you’re loyal to the command structure we’re building rather than traditional power systems. We need officers who understand that military hierarchy serves imperial survival, not House interests."

"So politics with convenient justification of competence."

"Welcome to how empires function." Lilith’s smile was sharp. "Get used to it. You’ll be navigating these dynamics for rest of your career."

Koth absorbed this, then turned to Liam.

"Zara and all strategists have convened to begin assault plans."

Liam set down his cup. "Where are they now?"

"Barracks. Separate quarters."

"Take me there."

"My lord, you just woke up. Maybe you should—"

"Take me there, Koth."

---

Liam found Zara in what was apparently now her office—a room filled with maps, reports, and the organized chaos of someone who processed information professionally.

She looked up as he entered, her silver eyes assessing him with characteristic analytical precision.

"You look terrible, My Lord."

"Good morning to you too."

"It’s afternoon. And you do look terrible. Exhausted. Possibly hungover, which I didn’t know was possible for demons of your stage." She gestured to the maps. "I’m coordinating intelligence network reorganization. House Vex’thar’s operatives are being integrated with military intelligence structure. It’s complicated and everyone’s being territorial."

"Sounds fun."

"It’s tedious. But necessary." She set down the report she’d been reading.

He pointed to map showing Radiant Empire territories.

"What’s our intelligence on Sanctum Lux defenses?"

"Extensive. Also terrifying." Zara pulled out another map, this one marked with defensive positions. "Three layers of walls. Each layer blessed with holy wards that cause physical pain to demons who approach. Conventional forces stationed at strategic points. And that’s before considering the unknown defensive capabilities inside the city proper."

"So it’s going to be difficult."

"It’s going to be apocalyptic. We’re talking about attacking most fortified position in their empire." She looked at him seriously. "Are you certain this is necessary? The Houses are complying now, but committing to offensive this risky might fracture whatever unity you’ve built."

"Defensive war guarantees our extinction. Offensive war gives us chance—however small—to change that outcome." Liam’s voice was steady. "I’d rather die attacking than wait for prophecy to fulfill itself."

"So not strategy, just philosophy."

"Sometimes they’re the same thing."

Zara studied him for long moment. Then nodded slowly. "Alright. I’ll coordinate intelligence gathering. Map defensive weaknesses. Prepare operational briefings. But understand—this might be a suicide mission I’m helping plan."

"I know."

---

Liam spent rest of afternoon in relative normalcy—reviewing reports, meeting with newly promoted officers, avoiding the Nameless Litany who were apparently holding vigil in Cathedral waiting for his return.

As evening approached, he found himself back in his quarters, staring out window at Eldhar sprawling below.

The city looked peaceful.

Demons going about their lives, unaware that their empire had been restructured.

That their god had consolidated absolute power and committed them to war that might end in extinction.