Ebon Askavi

[1]

He was the Prince of the Darkness. The High Lord of Hell. He was feared for his temper and the power he wielded as a Black-Jeweled Warlord Prince. None of that seemed to matter to the little Eyrien boy dangling from the ceiling.

Saetan SaDiablo stared at his grandson, who smiled back cheekily at him. For the past half hour Geoffrey, the Keeps historian and librarian, along with him had tried to bribe, persuade, and even threat Daemonar. His grandson, like his own father, did not budge. In that very moment, Saetan wonder how a sensible man like himself agreed to babysit.

Everything has a price, he thought to himself. Taking the seat next to Geoffrey, he made sure to use his power to create protective barriers around the toddler. A sense of familiarity spread through him. He had lived this more than once before with Lucivar.

"How long do you think it is going to take for him to get tired?" Geoffrey asked, curiosity and wonder in his tone. Like him, the long–live Guardian watched the little Eyrien boy dangle from the chandelier. Saetan stayed quiet for a brief moment, before gulping loudly.

"I do not know. Lucivar never had this much energy. Do you think that if we lured Daemon here, would he be force to take the boy?" Saetan asked, not daring to look away from Daemonar. His son. His mirror would surely throw a fit. After all, everyone still remember the hard fall he took after watching Daemonar.

"The Prince would surely know that something was up. He is after all your son," Geoffrey replied, a smile coming upon his blood color lips. Saetan relaxed into his seat, feeling old beyond his years. He had chosen to become a guardian to follow his fate, but most of all to join the Court of his true Queen and the daughter of his soul. Never did he regret his decision, but being long-lived came with a harsh price.

Geoffrey picked up the silver jar of warm yarbarah. Pouring some of the blood wine into his crystal goblet, he turned to offer more to him. Saetan took his goblet and offer it up to Geoffrey for more of the rich wine. Once his goblet was full, he took a long gulped out of it, licking his lips in a seductive manner that seemed to be normal for him.

"Delicious," Saetan murmured. Geoffrey made a sound of approval. Both males went quiet once more, Saetan letting himself get lost in his thoughts, before he took in that known psychic scent. It reminded him of mischief and it inspired the protective instincts that came with being a Warlord Prince.

Queens always had that effect in him, but this particular Queen was very dear to him. The door opened behind him, Geoffrey instantly got up while Daemonar got down from the chandelier with much ease. His grandson ran past him to greet the Queen with a loud squeal.

"Auntie Karla! Auntie Karla!" Daemonar said with glee. Saetan smiled, before placing his goblet of yarbarah on the table next to him. Getting up, he turned to bow at Karla, slowly taking her in and making sure that she was all right. It pained him to see the many changes she had gone through. Those changes had not affected Karla's attitude or her mischievous nature one bit.

"Kiss, kiss. I hope I am not interrupting," Karla said, winking at Geoffrey. The librarian grinned, shaking his head as he approached the Gray Jeweled Queen. Saetan observed as Karla extended her left hand and Geoffrey kissed her knuckles in greeting.

"You would never interrupt, my Lady." Geoffrey replied, his words making Karla fan herself with her fingers, looking at the guardian coyly.

"Oh stop, Geoffrey! You flatter this poor, innocent lady! You'll surely break my ice heart!" Karla exclaimed, making Saetan shake his head at the act before him. Geoffrey let out a small chuckle, before he took a step back.

"Be careful, Geoffrey. I think Karla will be the one to break your heart," Saetan warned the guardian, before he slowly went around and towards Karla.

"Oh, but it would be quite worth it. Kiss, kiss, Uncle Saetan," She smiled, before lowering herself to pick up Daemonar. Saetan was going to object, but when she finally straightened, Daemonar was already in her arms and squirming in excitement. Saetan watched as Karla kissed one of Daemonar's cheeks.

"What about you, Boyo? Will you break my heart?" Karla asked the little Eyrien boy. His grandson shook his head vigorously, a mischievous smile on his lips.

"No! I'll protect it!" Daemonar exclaimed loudly, before giggling and kissing one of Karla's cheeks. That produced a round of laughter. Saetan noticed then that Karla's gripped was tightening on her cane; he decided then that it was time for him to step in.

"Good to know, Boyo. Come on now, let us give Karla time to settle in," He said, before extending his arms and picking up Daemonar. Thankfully the little Warlord Prince did not put up a fight. Saetan kissed his adoptive niece cheek, probing with black tendrils to see if anything was wrong. The only thing he caught was Karla's psychic scent of mischief.

Once Geoffrey had taken his leave and Daemonar settled down for a nap, Saetan studied Karla as she walked around the room. The private library was his place of work and like many of the rooms in the Keep it carried a lot of books and some chairs. Most of the books that were present in that particular day were illusions or discarded ones. He made sure to use books that would not be missed if they fell on the little hands of his destructive grandson.

Karla turned then to look at him, a grimace forming on her face before she said in a very serious tone, "I need your advice."

One of his elegant eyebrows went up, before it dawned on him what kind of advice she meant.

[2]

Glacia

Anastasia felt pride as she watched Della curiously play with the harp. Each note, unlike the piano, sounded sweet. The young witch's reaction made her feel pleased with herself. The harp had been expensive, the cost higher than anything she had ever bought, but at the end it all had been worth it.

"It is beautiful, " Della's comment made her smile. The Purple Heart gleaming wood had caught her attention from the start. She knew that the witchling would love it. It was the silver flowers and green vine details on the harp's sound box that made it even more special. Della had studied that particular piece for a long time, admiring the artisan work. The strings were made of horsehair, which gave the harp a much more quiet, buzzy sound.

The one detail that had worried Anastasia the most was the height of the instrument. Della was growing, but she still was very young for a big harp and a little harp would not be comfortable for when she was older as well as taller. The harp she had chosen was the same height as Della, but it would be practical, as the girl got older.

"I have arranged with Prince Armin to consider some possible harp instructors for you. If you practice and take the lessons seriously, you will be able to play better than me," She commented.

That won her a mischievous smile from Della. She was very happy to see the girl excited once more, after the piano incident-she had made sure to talk to Master Girard privately. She reminded him about protocol and manners, while in the presence of KaeAskavi as chaperone. That little conversation had pushed the Blood male into putting an end to his contract with the Court. The man, who had been very proud and snobbish, left very quiet and humble. He did not bother to come back for his payment or to give the Queen any explanation toward his sudden desire to leave Sira. Everyone had been very confused, but no one press on the matter. There were more important things to do.

Della had become a very happy child. Her happiness had made her happier too. It made her forget the whole mess of the training lessons and the conversation she had with Karla. Court life had once more settled into its normal pace.

She thanked the Darkness that Karla had declared that specific day as a rest day. Everyone was about doing their personal business or spending time with their families. The Queen had decided that she needed to go to Ebon Askavi to see someone at the Keep. She had asked Anastasia if she wanted to come. Curiosity filled her at the thought of seeing the sanctuary of the Blood, but remembering that she needed to shop for the harp as well as for her personal needs, she declined. Karla had seemed very relief.

That did not bother her as much as it would have a couple of days ago. Her Queen was slowly changing her attitude towards the duties that she was required to do. Just recently Karla had given her permission to enter the Queen's private rooms. That day, Ana had been very excited and nervous. Karla had made fun of that the whole time, but she did not care. She was finally getting to do the respectful duties of a true lady-in-waiting.

Even the members of the First Circle and Second Circle commended her on how well she was doing. They even praise her on how well she was getting used to Karla's sharp temper and tongue. Yes, Anastasia could not help but agree, that her first month serving in the territory court had not been as bad as many had predicted.

Hello Lovelies!

Thank you for reading this chapter, please let me know what you think and I hope you really like it!

Wishing you an amazing week!

-Kaerih