Meadowlark Prairie to hold a flame to a gas filled lake

At first Damien smirks, he's getting there, and he can see the spark ignite in Vaati's oceanic eyes. Rage was perhaps the only fear stronger even than love, at least for hot blooded creatures like themselves, and it seemed that Damien had hit just the right spot. But suddenly he's hit by Vaati's condition, and his heart skips a beat. NO! That's not supposed to happen! Kove could be a commoner, an outsider, but he had remained loyal to Meldresi and Blackfeather Woods for years. He was NOT to die, not by Damien's command, and simply allowing it to happen by another's fang was nowhere near being more acceptable.

No he said, with iron hard resolve before realizing that he needed to be careful with his choice of words. Kove is a dark brother, I will not allow you to kill him, he added, carefully picking the words not to seem weak. Kove was a friend and he was loyal to the Melonii bloodline, and in all honesty he was dearest to Damien. Yet still he understood why Vaati would want his head. It pained him to say it but after a moment of brooding consideration Damien concluded: If he doesn't give up the crown peacefully in due time he will be banished.

At least that way he would preserve his life.