The First Book of Demons (The Book of Demons Saga) (8 page)

Chapter
Twenty

“Am I early?” Arastoo asked, looking around the room.  The low square table that occupied the middle of Jahan’s audience room was heavy with delicacies.  The Lord Enchanters mouth began to water with the delicious aroma’s floating around the room.  Despite his slender form, Arastoo was a lover of food, and was capable of eating anyone under the table. 

“You are right on time,” Jahan said with a smile on his round face. 

“The other Council Lords?” Arastoo asked his brows pulled together in confusion.  He had thought the newest member of the council was having a traditional inaugural dinner for the existing member, as was custom.  They worked closely with each other, under the rule of the Lord Sultan, to ensure that Devas remained the flourishing kingdom that it was.   The curious absence of the other council lords put Arastoo on edge. 

“Lord Arastoo,” Jahan said with a chuckle and a wave of his pudgy hand, “there is no need to stick with such formalities.  Besides, we have been
acquainted.”

“Not under the Lord Sultan’s arrangements,” Arastoo said, growing increasingly uncomfortable with the peculiarity of the situation, “as is protocol.”

“Relax,” Jahan said through a forced smile.  His plan was already off to a rocky start if he could not get the Lord Enchanter on board.  “I only wish to talk with you.  There is no reason for such defensive behavior.  Please, sit.  Eat.”

Arastoo eyed the food on the table cautiously.  He noticed they included most of his favorite dishes, and found it easy to relent.  He settled himself on a thick silk cushion across from the unusually fat demon.   “I suppose it would be a shame to allow such good food to go to waste.”

“Indeed it would,” Jahan said, a smile once again creeping across his bloated face.  It did not take long for the two demons to devour the meal.   

“Delicious,” Arastoo said, leaning his back on a triangular stuffed cushion.  He let out a thick sigh as he wiped
his mouth and hands. 

“I’m glad you found it to your liking,” Jahan said with a sigh, “So few things bring comfort in these troubling times, it is a small plea
sure to indulge in a lavish meal.”

“Troubling times?” Arastoo said, a squint in his eyes as he tried to understand the fat demon
’s underlying message. 

“The untimely assassination of our Lord Sultan,”
Jahan began, “followed by this mess with Lord Baal.”

“I see what you mean,” Arastoo said, nodding his head.  “We have suffered recent tragedies.  But Balthazar will soon be anointed and the kingdom will once again find steady ground to rest on.”

“I’m glad you are so optimistic,” Jahan said, “I, unfortunately, do not share the feeling.”

“You fear more trouble for our kingdom?” Arastoo said, leaning in to the table. 

“I fear we have a prince that is much too young to become Lord Sultan,” Jahan said, his forehead wrinkled in concern. 

“What exactly are you suggesting?” Arastoo asked.  “We cannot intervene here.  Balthazar was Sami’s chosen prince for succession.”

“Yes,” Jahan said, “But surely he did not expect him to be so young.”

“He will mature,” Arastoo said. 
Tension grew between the two demons at they locked eyes, trying to read each other. 

“He may well destroy the prestige of our kingdom in the meantime,” Jahan countered, the sweat beading on his fat forehead.  He was stepping into dangerous territory. 

“Baal had those same ideas, before he was dismissed and shamed,” Arastoo said.  “We must have a true descendant on the throne to carry the royal bloodline.”

“Of course,” Jahan said, emphatically, “I whole hearted
ly agree my friend.  But must it truly be Balthazar, when there are so many other princes.  Perhaps it would be more beneficial to the kingdom if a more…pliable prince were placed on the throne.”

“After Hasan’s miserable attempt, no prince will outright oppose Balthazar,” Arastoo said, his countenance softening as he saw the reasoning behind Jahan’s argument. 

“You are the Lord Enchanter.  Your daughter’s hand, and support from the council, will lend any prince the necessary leverage to do what Baal and Hasan could not,” Jahan said.  He fidgeted on his cushion under the weight of Arastoo’s contemplative gaze.  This was a treasonous line of thinking that could easily have him sentenced to death.  But power was all about making alliances, and risks had to be taken to make them.

“I see what you are attempting to do,” Arastoo said,
rising from his cushion, “But I am not inclined to assist you.  I see no benefit to myself, with so much risk attached.  My daughter will be mated to whoever the Lord Sultan may be, as is protocol.  And I am a Council Lord for good reason, I do not feel threatened.  It is unfortunate that you do.”

Ch
apter Twenty One

Strong hands closed around Yashmina’s brown eyes, cutting off the view of the flowers she was enjoying.  A smile lit her face, the elegant points of her canines showing when she recognized the scent of the man behind her. 

“Tavi,” Yashmina said, her small hands coming to rest on top of his
, pulling them away from her eyes.

“I missed your scent,” he mumbled in her ear, reveling in the smell of her soft brown hair.

“I missed you,” she said, turning around to come face to face with him. “But you are far too casual in your address of me, in such a public place.”

“Yashmina,” Tavi said, bringing a hand to her face, “You are no longer a married woman.”  A devilish smile curled on his lips
, as he felt the softness of her round cheek with his thumb.  “Besides, your husband was all too aware of my affections for you, and he wholeheartedly approved.”

Yashmina gave him a playful punch in the chest, smi
ling and looking away from him.

“You are so bad,” she said, “and you know how people talk.  What will they say
if they see us in such a familiar manner?” 

“Hm,” Tavi
said.  He was paying more attention to the curves of her soft face than her words.  He laughed at the pout that graced her plump lips when she noticed he wasn’t really listening to her.  He bent his neck, capturing her lips in a kiss before she had time to protest.  Yashmina couldn’t bring herself to protest his affections anymore and she sank into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.  He pulled her body closer to his, snaking his arms around her slender waist.  Pulling back to look at her, he smiled as his nose twitched with her arousal.  Yashmina smiled shyly back up at him, her heart fluttering in her chest as his royal ashen eyes gazed back at her. 

“I have heard a rumor,” Yashmina said, finally breaking the moment, “that you returned with a human.”

“Yes,” Tavi said, brushing a hair behind her pointed ear. 

“What is she like?” Yashmina asked, her eyes brightening with excitement.

“I believe you would like her,” Tavi said with a chuckle, “although I’m afraid she may not last long the way she angers Balthazar.  She has been placed in the Lady Carolina’s care.”

“Perhaps I will
visit the Lady with mother,” Yashmina said.

“I
t is unfortunate that Lady Adira has been replaced on the Council,” Tavi said.  “She was an excellent Khaja.”

“
But I am happy to have her so close to me now,” she said, her gaze falling away from his.  Yashmina occupied a grey area of Devasi society.  Her mother, Lady Adira, was special to Sultan Sami, and when Adira’s husband disgraced the family through desertion, Sami made Adira the Khaja and married her daughter.  It had never been a real marriage, and was not officially consummated.  Yet, she was allowed to live a quiet life of luxury, denied very little within the walls of the harem. 

“
Soon Balthazar will become the Lord Sultan,” Tavi said, his finger lifting her chin, “and when he is, I intend to speak with him.”

Her brown eyes shone up at him, hope filling her heart.  “Do you think he will release me?”

“I hope he will, my love,” Tavi said placing a kiss on her forehead as he pulled her into his chest.

#

Blood.  The stench of it filled Alexandra’s nose.  Her vision swam with the thick crimson liquid.  She felt the tears running hot down her dirty cheek, and she tried to reach up and wipe it but she found her hands were bound.  She struggled to move, screaming as fresh blood splattered across her face.  Balthazar fell to his knees in front of her, the blood continuing to pour from his broken body.

“Alexandra,” a familiar voice rang in the air and her vision suddenly became blurry.

“Alexandra,” the voice came again.  Everything went black and the world around her began to shake violently. 

“Alexandra,” Carolina called as she tried to shake
her.  She had been tossing and moaning, her aura thick with distress.

Alexandra’s eyes
fluttered open.   Pain pounded on the back of her forehead.  Her stomach churned and she couldn’t stop the spew of vomit that came up.  A cold sweat washed over her trembling body. 

“Are you alright, girl?” Carolina asked
, her brows raised in concern as she signaled for a eunuch to come over and attend to the girl.

“Yeah,”
Alex said, struggling to sit up, “It…it was just a really bad dream.”

“A bad dream?” Carolina replied, concern stil
l showing on her beautiful face.  “A dream made you ill?”

Alex flopped back onto the bed, unable to hold herself up.  “T
hey aren’t always so bad.  But this one…”

“This one what
?” Carolina asked.

“
Balthazar,” Alex said, “…Baal killed him.” 

Chapter
Twenty Two

Alex quietly watched Carolina from the thick feather stuffed bed.  She spent much of the day in bed, recuperating from the dream.  Carolina sat on a long silk cushion, her back leaning against a triangular back rest.  A bolt of white silk lay across her lap and a thick spool of gold thread sat by her side.  She pushed a needle through the fabric, weaving an elaborate floral design into the shimmering soft fabric.  Her hand stopped, as she looked up at Alexandra with a sigh.

“Must you watch my every move, girl?” Carolina asked with
raised eyebrows.

“Sorry,” Alex
said, looking away.  She hadn’t realized she was staring. 

“Go for a walk,” Carolina said, glancing back down at the fabric in her lap.  “
The gardens are most enjoyable this time of year.”

“Ok,” Alex said, perking up.  Getting some fresh air sounded good.  She slid out of the bed, adjusting the silk robe Carolina gave her after her clothes had been incinerated.  Carolina insisted they be destroyed, much to the dismay of Alex, because they were not fit clothing for a female in the Devasi royal harem.  It had taken a little getting used to, but she found that the silk robes were actually quite comfortable, and they looked beautiful; embroidered with gold threads and embellished with precious gems.  She tightened the belt around the soft green fabric.

Alexandra
made her way down to the first floor of the harem, and out into the royal gardens. No one stopped to question where she was headed, but all the demons craned their neck to watch the mysterious creature as she passed by them. 

She followed one of the paths that snaked through the royal gardens, stopping occasionally to pick a few flowers.  The gardens were very la
rge, with an artificial pond in the middle and small streams that wound through the landscape.  Alex stopped on a slatted wood bridge, leaning against the railing as she watched the water trickling by underneath.

“
You are the human everyone is talking about,” a smooth voice said behind her.

Alex whirled
around to see a pair of deep grey eyes staring back at her.  For a moment she was reminded of Balthazar.   He had the same eyes, the same shoulder length dark hair, and the same bone structure, but this demon looked younger.  His body was smaller and not as well defined.

“
Yeah,” Alex said, turning around to face the demon.  His charcoal eyes trailed her body.  Alex shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks heating under the weight of his gaze.  She looked around, searching for a way to escape his attention as he lurked closer to her. 

“Surprising tha
t Lord Balthazar would allow an exquisite creature like you to roam unaccompanied,” he said as he closed the small gap between the two, his body only inches away from hers.  Alex leaned away, her back pushing into the wood railing of the bridge.

“I…” Alex sputtered out, “…Lady Carolina…”

“Ah, yes,” the demon said, grasping Alexandra’s wrist and pulling her closer to him, “the Sultana.  Has she found herself a new pet?” 

He chuckled as he trailed a
firm hand up Alexandra’s thigh, grasping her buttocks.  She squeaked, trying to pull the offensive hand away from her body.  The demons grip was like a vice, and the tips of his claws bit into her wrist, drawing blood. 

“Let go of me,” Alex screeched, as she beat her free hand against the rocky chest of
the demon.

“You’re a feisty little thing,” he
smiled, bringing his face closer to hers.

Alex cocked her hand back and slapped the demon as hard as
she could, her lips tight and the muscles of her jaw tensed.

“I said let go of me,” she his
sed between clenched teeth, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. The demon paused for a moment, eyes wide.  He brought a clawed hand to his cheek and rubbed at the sore spot.  His eyes hardened as he raised his hand in response.  Alex winced at the expected blow, but it never came.

“The human belongs to me,
Kaveh,” Balthazar said, catching the younger demons hand mid strike. 

“Brother,” Kaveh said,
reluctantly releasing his grip on Alex, “I did not know you cared for the creature.”

“Leave,”
Balthazar said, narrowing his eyes at one of his many younger brothers.  They were both princes, but Balthazar was far more powerful.  Kaveh pulled his arm back and disappeared. 

Balthazar
shifted his eyes onto Alexandra. “Is is possible for you to remain out of trouble for one day, girl?”

A huff
escaped her lips at the insult.  She crossed her arms and turned away from him.

“Why are you in the gardens without a proper escort?” Balthazar asked,
pulling her shoulder to turn her around.  His face was fixed in a scowl.

“Carolina told me to go for a walk,” Alex said,
tossing her arms up and trying to step away from the angered demon.  “She didn’t say anything about an escort.”

Balthazar scoffed.  It was highly unlike his mother to disregard protocol.  He took a moment to note how well the girl looked in the royal robes of the harem.  She was wearing a particularly special garment studded with tiny diamonds.
  Balthazar remembered this robe very clearly, as his mother had worn it many times.  It was one of her favorites.  He realized then that his mother had taken a liking to the girl, and more importantly, she was meddling again.  She may stay within the walls of the harem, but she had ways of reaching into affairs far beyond those walls. 

Alex
watched Balthazar as his eyes roamed her.  She could feel her stomach buzzing with nervous energy, and she crossed her hands in front of her, trying to hide the sensation that she knew he would pick up on.

The tangy sweet smell of her innocence washed over him.  He could have groaned aloud at the intensity of her arousal.  Through the haze of her excitement his nose also caught the faint scent of her blood that snapped him back to reality.  He looked down to her injured wrist and reached out to grab it, Alex recoiling from him. 

“Do not be afraid of me, girl,” Balthazar said, grabbing her wrist again.

“My name is Alexand
ra,” she said, pulling free and staring up at him.   “Not girl.”

He trailed a claw gently down her supple cheek, coming to her chin and pulling her face carefully to his.
  He wanted to smile when her arousal intensified. 

“Alexandra,” he said,
“if you do not wish to remain a girl, that can be arranged.”

Alex blinked in surprise, too distracted to react when Balthazar grabbed her wrist and brought it to his lips, his tongue washing over the small claw marks.  They healed quickly and Alex pulled her wrist back from him, holding it to her chest.  She tried to turn away from him, but he stopped her.

“What is it you want?”  he asked, throwing her off guard with the strange question.  Alex paused before answering.  She hadn’t exactly thought about it until that very moment, but when she did, she knew exactly what she wanted.

“I want to go home,” she said, her round eyes shining up at him.

“I will make a deal with you, girl,” he said. “Assist me and I promise to send you home.”

“
Ok,” Alex said, swallowing the lump in her throat.  Her heart pounded in her ribcage, and Balthazar silently enjoyed the smell of her desire that floated heavily in the air at his mere presence. 

“Return to the harem,” Balthazar said, “we will leave in the morning.  Try to stay out of trouble until then.”

Alex opened her mouth to rebuke his last jab, but the demon prince had already disappeared.  She took a heavy breath, her body shaking from the adrenaline that had built up.  She shook her hands, hoping to release some of her tension.  She glanced around the garden, suddenly noticing her surroundings in the absence of Balthazar.  An oddly familiar face caught her attention.  A round, pudgy face that quickly turned away when she caught it watching her.  She knew that face from somewhere, but she couldn’t quite place where.