Chapter 21

It was very dark with no moon, but the man had no problems making his way out of town and to the ramshackle hut that he and his mother shared. He kept his pace fast, sweating heavily, his breathing labored. Adjusting his ill-fitting cloths over his bulging stomach he stumbled trough the door. The house was dimly lit by the pitiful flame that burned in the fireplace. Breathing heavily he stumbled to the chair placed in front of it. Scattering the garbage that got under his feet, in his haste.

"Mother, I have found a red jeweled queen, who has yet to make her offering." He slurred out through misshapen teeth. "We can make her ours, and then everyone would have to obey us."

"Us?" A cold voice came from the shadows, scratchy and high.

"You. Mother. They would obey you." The man said quickly looking down at the dirt floor.

"That's what I thought you said." The women leaned around the chair, her haggish face coming into view, her hair snarled in a greasy knot, and teeth yellow with rot. But the most disturbing thing was the gleam of madness in her eyes.

"Start making plans. You will take her soon. And if they do not bow to me. You will break her." The women said giving her son a smile.

Her son who while was a man, his mind never grew out of that of a child. And now after years of torment, and fear. Was as twisted as his mother, who had walked down the road of evil for years.

Angel snickered as she watched Daemonar walk down the path ahead of her carrying a pie for dinner. They had been invited to Valadar's house for dinner after the horse incident the week before. Daemonar had been grumbling all the way here. She could have sworn as soon as he found out that they were going, the man had been reduced to a ten year old.

First it was, why did they have to go anyway. Then it was how long would it take. And it just got worse from there. Angel had started to get annoyed early on in Daemonar's discussion with his mother, and when she had kindly suggested that if he didn't want to go so badly maybe he should just stay here. It was like she had kicked a puppy.

And then he sulked, then he pouted, and now he grumbled. Angel had lost all sympathy for him. If he was going to go around and act like a brat, then that was his choice. Marion had gotten her own little revenge though and now Daemonar had to carry the pie, and be the first one in to thank Valadar's family for the gracious invitation.

She honestly had no idea what had gotten into him.

But he better come out of this little snit soon.

Daemonar grumbled as he walked along the road. Stupid Valadar, getting his family to invite Angel over for dinner. It was just another ploy to start a fight.

Daemonar knew that he was acting like a child, but just remembering Valadar's face after Angel had saved his little brother, it made his blood boil. Even now he felt the fire in his belly ignite once more. he couldn't believe that they were going to dinner with that jerk.

Lucivar smirked at his son who was once more grumbling along the path. He was so jealous he couldn't even think straight. And here he thought he was making progress in how a male was supposed to act outside, no matter how they feel inside.

The were nearing the house when the door bust open and a familiar young boy rushed to meet them, running as fast as his little legs could carry him. He stopped less then a foot away from Angel, his eyes bright with joy.

"You came. I was so worried that you wouldn't come."
The little boys said in a rush as he gripped Angel's hand and started pulling her into the house. "it's been along time since I saw you. I look for you in town everyday. Valadar goes with me, and he looks too. He was happy when he found out you were back, but not as happy as me." The boy continued on completely unaware of the embarrassment that taking over Valadar's face as it turned redder and redder, causing Daemonar to snicker.

Angel had to giggle at the boy, he was just too cute, and Valadar looked very different in this setting as he had surround by his friends. Valadar's parents greeted her warmly, his mother bringing her into her arms in a hug that forced the arms from Angel's lungs. Valadar's father quickly ushered everyone inside. Angel walked into the home with Daemonar right behind her, practically on her toes. They had just passed Valadar when his hand lashed out and grabbed Angel bringing her into his chest where he inhaled deeply, his body shuddering.

Both families froze for an instant, watching as a Warlord Prince found his Queen. A deadly snarl ripped through the silence, Daemonar's teeth bared as he slowly inched forward the forgotten pie still in his hands. Valadar slowly put Angel to the side and crouched into a fighting stance.

Angel looked back and forth between the two men, who were slowly advancing with her in the middle. "Oh Shit."

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