The day was long and grueling, and still, it somehow managed to be boring. Odette felt bad for inwardly complaining, as Fiera, Leda, and Angel were on foot, though they insisted that it was no trouble. Remembering what had been on her mind earlier, Odette discretely managed to ask Angel was Leda had meant earlier by 'ex-demon.'

"She's a repentant demon, meaning she died a demon, but she was allowed to come back and repent for the things she had done in her past life."

"She remembers it all?" Odette asked, immediately interested.

"She has dreams – nightmares, I should say – from when she was a full demon."

"Has she had them all her life?" Odette inquired. Based on what she'd already seen, it seemed that remembering being a demon would be a very miserable experience.

"No, it started when she was about fourteen. She started having dreams she didn't understand, and then she found out what she was, so everything fit. Since then, she's been doing good things, and little by little, the dreams have gone away. They're very rare now, and that brings her great comfort." He smiled, happy for his love, happy she wasn't suffering.

Odette was about to ask another question, but two demons appeared in the road. After a short order for Leda to stay behind and protect Odette and Derek, Fiera and Angel faced off with the demons. It was a quick fight. Fiera was amazing, making fast work of her opponent, thought it was a nasty, cruel looking beast. Angel finished not long after her, and before any more demons came, they were off again, traveling faster to outride any other enemies.

When night fell, Angel offered to take watch duty.

"No, I'll do it," Fiera volunteered, not wanting to make Angel stay awake. He placed his hands around her face.

"I insist. You need your rest, love. Don't worry, nothing will happen as long as no demons are foolish enough to come around." His voice was like warm honey, flowing and sweet. Even Fiera couldn't resist it. She agreed reluctantly.

After dinner, which was a smattering of bread and meat – and the meal would be repeated in the morning – was prepared, everyone sat around the campfire Fiera had made, each lost in their own thoughts. Soon after the improvised meal was finished, things in the woods fell silent, save for the nocturnal birds and other creatures.

****

Odette cast a short glance over at Fiera. She was lying on her sides, facing the seemingly endless trees that stood around them like sentinels. She had been whispering earlier with Angel, but now she was silent, and Angel had guard duty. Odette knew even she had to be sleeping. It was late, and it had been a long day.

Somehow, despite that, she couldn't for the life of her find a way to relax her mind for even the shortest of moments. Derek seemed to have no trouble, as he had dozed off right beside her. Even Leda was softly snoring. Still, she sat up looking at Fiera. She didn't know why, but Odette found Fiera interesting. All the demons she had seen within the past day were ravaging beasts, like rabid wolves. But Fiera was different. She was calm, and to Angel, loving.

"You're thinking about her demon side, aren't you?" Angel said offhandedly, or attempted offhandedly, as she sounded to Odette like she was opening a conversation. Odette turned her attention to her and got ready to listen, as there was no doubt Angel had a story for her.

"I just wonder how she acts so…"

"Human?" Angel offered. Odette nodded, agreeing that 'human' was the right word. "Fiera is… different from many demons, as you've noticed. But she's also different from humans and guardians. She's not really comparable to anything, when you think about her past and how she chose to change her future."

"But what did she do that was so bad?" Odette couldn't help but ask. Fiera was known as a 'repentant demon,' after all. The classification itself begged the question.

"Fiera is a strange case. In her demon life, she was very strong, one of the greatest demons that ever lived. She had but one master, and that was Sabian. She followed his orders well, and never argued with him. She was a good servant and an excellent fighter. But then, he gave her an order she did not follow, and he killed her."

"What was the order?" Odette pressed, hoping she wasn't prying too much.

At first, Angel didn't seem to hear her. "When Fiera died, because she had shown kindness in her last moments of life, she was given a choice; she could either die and be sent to hell for the sins she did commit, or she could come back as a repentant demon and make up for her sins. Of course, she chose the latter."

"It sounds like it would be the easier choice," Odette commented.

"You might think so," Angel agreed. "However, demons don't always see it that way. It's very rare that they feel any kind of sorrow or remorse after their deeds."

"So, what was the order she refused to follow?"

"The order was to kill you," Angel answered matter-of-factly. Odette stifled a gasp as Angel continued his explanation. "Sabian ordered Fiera to find you and kill you before you reached your father, King William. He didn't want any remnant of your family line on this earth, so he hoped to do away with you, the last and weakest member of the family. However, Fiera refused to do it. Her answer was a flat 'no.' But, as you can well imagine, Sabian doesn't like to take 'no' for an answer, and especially not from his highest ranking officer. So, he killed her. And when given the option, well, you can see what she chose." At that, both of them looked over at her. She looked almost peaceful under the thick oak tree, the top of her head illuminated by the crackling campfire.

Odette thought about that for a moment. Fiera had, in a roundabout way, saved her life. Based on what Angel said, had it been Fiera who tried to kill her, the task would have been completed with little or no problems. However, Fiera said no, so Sabian must have sent someone less capable than Fiera, and whoever it was had been killed.

But Fiera was born again, and became head of the royal guards, and second in command of the entire Guardian Army, not to mention her husband to be was a man named Angel. Frankly, Odette found it ironic.

"How did she find her way into the Guardians?" Odette asked, still curious.

"Well, since she chose to be reborn as a repentant demon, Fiera was born to a Guardian woman, Galatea. Although she was born to a Guardian, Fiera retained her demonic powers, namely strength and speed. Galatea was in Fiera's position, the second in command of the Guardian Army, and she was highly respected. When Fiera was born, everyone rejoiced. They – they being everyone who was alive back then - were all so happy. They had no idea what the child was, but it didn't matter. They loved her all the same, as the same virtues that were in her mother could be seen in her.

"It wasn't until Fiera was about fifteen when they realized she was different. Then again, there had been many subtle hints; the uncommon strength, the ability to walk faster than a normal child could run, the deep burgundy eyes. They ignored them and loved the girl."

"Why fifteen?" Odette asked.

"Because that's when normal Guardian children begin to develop their powers. Fiera did not, and it caused them much worry. What caused even more concern was the fact that Galatea was unmoved by the news. That's when she revealed to us that the child was a repentant demon. Of course, Fiera herself didn't know at the time, so she could not tell us herself. When we learned of it, we were shocked, and though we battle demons fiercely, none of them could bear to hate Fiera. They loved her, and nothing could change that.

"In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, it was very wise of Galatea to not inform everyone about her daughter. She knew, as Guardians, no one could begin to blame the girl and hate her. So, just like she thought we would, they accepted her, and as she grew, she became as revered as her mother."

Something occurred to Odette. "Why would a repentant demon be born to a Guardian? Aren't demons and Guardians the worst of enemies?"

Angel smiled. "Yes. But she could not be born to a full fledged demon as that would be"

"Pointless?" Odette offered.

"I was going to say 'stupid,'" Angel admitted. "But yes, it would have been quite pointless. And, unfortunately, humans can be easily corrupted by power. It was tried years ago and it didn't work, as the uncle of the child became power mad and used the boy for his own selfish gains. From that day forth, only Guardians were trusted with repentant demons."

Odette finally realized how much she had been talking – and prying – as she saw that the moon had moved substantially to the west. "Would Fiera mind if you told me all this?"

"No, in fact, it was she who asked me to tell you, should you have asked. She felt it necessary the Queen of The Guardians know who and what her second in command is. So I'll tell you the rest of her story. She grew up, and when demons attacked Elmswell, it was she who was the most effective fighter. We realized it was because of her vague memories of being a demon. She was able to find the weak points in the monsters. On top of that, she is an amazing strategist. I've never seen her lose a fight. As time went on, she rose in rank, and when her mother stepped down, she was unanimously voted into the position of First Royal Captain, meaning only the King or Queen has say over what she does."

"How did you two meet?" Odette asked, smiling.

"Well, for about a year after we graduated from training, I went off and joined the Forward Guard, a group of soldiers who patrol the kingdom and search for demonic activity. And then, I came back, and because of bravery that I felt was necessary at the time, I was promoted into the rank of Second General. She had never met me before, but it seemed the moment we came together – at a ball held by the Guardians to celebrate your mother's birthday – we were instantly attracted to each other. And after a while, we fell for each other like we had never been in love before."

"I take it you're getting married," Odette said, smiling even more, finding some happiness for the couple.

"The wedding was to be held tomorrow," Angel replied.

Odette immediately felt remorse. "Oh no. I hope you don't mind. I've completely ruined it for you both, haven't I? "

"Trust me, Odette. We don't mind. The wedding can be rescheduled, but you cannot be replaced. Besides, we're content as we are. Fiera and I can wait forever for each other. Anyway, we'll be arriving in Elmswell before noon tomorrow, so you may want to get some sleep. You won't want to look tired for your public, would you?"

Odette laughed a little and soon complied. After hearing about Fiera and everything about her, she found she liked her Captain even more. She was even grateful that Fiera had told her about her mother being queen of the Guardians.

Which was why she was even more excited to get to Elmswell.