Marek's gaze shifted toward the seventh prince. Beside him, Korran's expression tightened, while the Seat who had threatened Simon slowly drew back into position.
They understood.
Where Marek saw a danger to be removed, the seventh prince saw something worth keeping. Blackmoon had wounded a god's vessel and survived. His killing intent had made a Demon Lord hesitate before an injured Archfiend.
Ordinary measures could not explain his value.
Varen did not want another subordinate who might leave when the rewards became insufficient. He wanted a weapon that would answer whenever he called, without the right to refuse.
Such a weapon could change his position in the struggle for the throne.
Given time to grow, Blackmoon might become the difference between the seventh prince remaining a prince and becoming the ruler of the Darkness Kingdom.
And Varen was looking beyond Blackmoon himself.
