*editted*

XXXXX

I set my jaw. I had to look serious now. I closed my eyes, took a breath and exhaled slowly. A hand trailed along the back of my shoulder, "You look stunning"

Looking round, I watched him watching me, "Thanks Crowley. Any tips for the demonic masses?" I asked, semi-sarcastically.

"Show them that you're powerful, that they have every right to fear you. Because Darling, they do, they definitely do" Even in the last few days, Crowley had noticed my powers grow – it was because of Hell, because of the energy that surrounded me, that filled me. At this point, a show of power wouldn't be difficult. But what...?

"I'm glad you think so"

He took my hand and kissed it delicately, "I know so. Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be"

"Don't be nervous Love, you were born for this"

I laughed shortly, "I wasn't born for anything other than pissing off God"

"Well, Queen of Hell – I reckon he'd be pissed off that we have a monarchy and he doesn't" he looked up thoughtfully before turning his head back down to me with a smirk.

I shook my head, but smiled, cupping his neck and pressing a kiss to his cheek, "Go on them my King, let's get this over with"

"Of course. And Mavriel"

"Yes"

"You do look stunning" He smiled, turning from me to the doors to the balcony, from which he would address the worthy residents of Hell – the Crossroads Demons, the torturers, everyone working in the palace, the armies and anyone who had managed to sneak their way in; since security was so tight within the palace, it had been reduced outwith, but that didn't bother us, even if Abaddon's followers were there, it didn't change anything - this was going to be the biggest power shift in Hell since Crowley stepped in.

He pushed open the doors and stepped outside, letting the doors swing shut behind him. I listened as he performed his speech, as he set the stage for... me. His voice was muffled by the doors, but I could still hear every word, "... We are gathered here at this time for one purpose, a purpose that I am very proud to announce. Things are going to be changing in Hell, and in the way we do things – these changes will be for the better. There will be no opposition to these changes, I expect the full cooperation I always do. Now, to introduce the power behind these changes, the force that will move us forward." Crowley paused, waiting for absolute silence, "I expect the same respect for her that you give me, in fact tri-fold, she is higher than all of us here, and I expect you all to recognise that." He paused again, taking a breath, "I introduce to you now, you Queen, Mavriel"

I pushed open both doors, standing tall. The balcony was long, stairs from the doors led down to the main area where Crowley stood, looking up at me. I knew how I looked, what they all saw. I'd left my hair down, so it spilled over my shoulders; Crowley liked it that way, I was never sure why. The dress that had been made for me was long, trailing, pitch black; thick shoulders, high neck but with a low back - to show my scars. Underneath I was wearing trainers, but nobody needed to know that.

All eyes were on me, a quiet murmur ran through the crowd. I walked down the steps with my face set. Behind me I let my wings fade into existence. There was an audible gasp. Crowley grinned, something akin to pride showing in his eyes, a look that only became more blatant as I blinked and my own eyes switched to their natural bright purple.

Crowley came to the foot of the steps and took my hand, walking by my side to the edge of the balcony. He walked me to the front of the balcony, we stopped and I stood in front of him, my back to the 'audience' – I heard the mumble running through the crowd as they saw the scars on my back. The four round scars where my other wings had been stood out separately from the large, wide scar that served as a permanent reminder of Gabriel's death. They must have know those stories, but now they had seen the proof, all of them.

I knelt on one knee in front of Crowley as he produced a crown from thin air. It was made of thick twisted silver and gold strands that came to a diamond shape at its front, sat firmly in the centre was a beautiful cut ruby, bordered by circular cut amethysts. I stared at it for a second before bowing my head and letting Crowley place my crown over my hair. He took my hand and helped me to my feet. "There we are, my Queen"

"Thank you Crowley" I said quietly. I moved to his side again and faced the crowd. Crowley took my hand in his and raised them both above our heads. A cheer rang up through the crowd, and I spread my wings wide.

The crowd eventually grew silent as our hands returned to our sides, a smile crept over my lips, "Thank you, my King" Crowley beamed with pride beside me, "Now, I know the King has expressed that there are changes to come, they will come, I promise you; they will come after the consideration of the King and I and only after our agreement. I have no intention of stealing power in Hell, I simply intend to make best of what is available to all of us. My decision to take this position has not been made rashly - I spent a long time in consideration after the idea was posed to me. Both the King and myself believe that this is the best course of action for us all, I'm sure that you will grow to learn this to be true. I will not accept resistance to my position or to changes I will be making, I urge you to remember that – there will be no need for violence on my part, but if I feel it is necessary due to the actions of another, I will not hesitate to use force. I know the stories you have heard, that I am a friend of hunters and angels, and I cannot deny that – instead I offer a warning, I will call upon these friends if I feel the situation requires it. I am not here to be a jewel in the King's crown, believe me – he does not underestimate me, I am sure you will not be fool enough to do so either" I took a single step back from the balcony, looking momentarily to Crowley with a smile.

Then from the crowd rang a single voice, "Abaddon for Queen!"

My face warped into a mask of rage. I could see Crowley's anger and confusion, but this was my time to step in and make my mark. I located the crier in the crowd immediately, my hand stretched out, seizing him with power.

"Mavriel" Crowley warned quietly.

"Let me handle this" With a gesture of my hand, the demon was raised high into the air above the demonic crowd. "You really want to test me?! Really?!" I screamed. He thrashed in the air, hands at his throat, trying in vain to relieve the constricting pressure there. "I warned you. You didn't listen. I am not here to be tested, I am not here to be questioned. I am your Queen and you will respect and obey me! Any of you who are here who ride under Abaddon's flag, you go back and tell her what happened here. You go back and tell her I am not here to be pushed around and made a fool out of. This is what will happen if you question me, if you taunt me, if you disrespect me, or the King, are we understood?! Zero tolerance. Zero. Now watch him die."

Smoke began to pour out of him as he flailed hopelessly. He screamed, agonised, but there was nothing he could do. As the screams turned to chokes, then to silence, his flesh began to burn away, his muscles and bones showing through until there was nothing left. "Do not test me further" I waited for a moment before turning my back to the crowd and returning inside, Crowley inches behind me.