Chapter 8
Daemon is in his study with Surreal and Rainier discussing official matters. After all, ruling a territory is a lot of responsibility as it is managing the large SaDiablo's fortune. His senses sharpened and moments later, Jaenelle is at the door.
"Do you expect to be done anytime soon? I want to go to the shopping districts today and would like for you to go with Marian, Karla and I." Jaenelle turns to Surreal and gives her a kiss on her cheek. "Do you want to join us? It should be fun".
Surreal instinctively cringes and holds on to her chair. Daemon can't seem to mask his amusement. Jaenelle is notoriously scary when it comes to consumerism. The woman is the ultimate shopper.
"Is there something funny darling?" Jaenelle arches an eyebrow.
"Oh, no sweetheart, what makes you say that? We are delighted to go shopping with you. What an adventure. In fact, there is something that I need to take care of while there". He gives her a smile full of mischief.
She studies him for a second and inspiration hits her. She grins widely. "I am glad that you are delighted darling. It is only fitting as it was you who destroyed the furniture and pretty much everything else in the bedroom."
Rainier spats out his drink and Surreal laughs. Daemon narrows his eyes and takes a sip of his brandy. "Touché', sweetheart" responds Daemon. Never dropping eye contact, he approaches Jaenelle and releases his full sensual heat. Everyone is affected in the room by it but Jaenelle keeps her control.
"Oh, no," Surreal mumbles while looking at Rainier. Daemon gets close to Jaenelle and breathes in her scent. His nostrils flarde in approval. He caresses her blonde hair and admires her outfit. "Maternity suits you well, sweetheart. You look so desirable". He purred. Rainier is in shock. He has no clue what Daemon is doing to her but something wicked is going on. "Mother Night", Jaenelle sighs and swallows hard. Daemon gives his devastating smile and takes another sip of brandy, never dropping eye contact with her.
"Uncle Daemon". Daemonar walks into the study accompanied by Kaelas. Daemon almost chokes on his drink and immediately leashes his sexual heat. Jaenelle giggles. The huge cat immediately stands at his Queen's side and she pets him.
"Uncle Daemon, aunt J taught me how to air walk." The Young Eyrien Warlord Prince was visibly delighted. "Auntie J said that soon I will have to protect my cousin. She has given me my first official duty". There was conviction and pride in his words.
"Your father and I terrorized many courts together when we were younger. I can't wait to see you two together". He gave his nephew a loving hug. In that moment, he realized that his son would find out what he had done in his past and what he was forced to do. This wounded him deeply. Noticing where his mind had drifted, Jaenelle took Daemonar with her. "Let's go, Prince, there is an illusion spell that I want to teach you.I can't use Craft but I will tell you what to do." Daemon gave his wife an all-knowing look and whispered "thank you" and winked at her.
Jaenelle, Daemon and Surreal were the only ones left after an extremely excruciating shopping afternoon. Marian and Karla rode the Winds back home to take care of some important matters; although Jaenelle couldn't seem to shake the feeling that they just needed to run away as fast as they could.
"Sweetheart, would it be ok if I leave you two alone for a bit? I need to take care of that surprise that I told you about". Daemon caressed her face and gave her a soft kiss. "Of course, darling, Surreal and I will go to the bookstore next door after we finish paying here. I want to get the baby a bed time story book to read at night". Daemon sighed and he left the store.
"Jaenelle, the merchants in town must love you. The baby items are just too precious. This little one is going to be spoiled. Uncle Saetan is delighted. You should have seen him yesterday when I went to the Keep. He would not stop talking about the baby. Well…Lucivar too, he still can't believe that you and Daemon are making him an uncle. He really was not expecting that at all. It has been a wonderful surprise for everyone". Jaenelle smiled but could not hide the trace of sadness in her eyes. In reality, no one expected this and she very much knew the reason. Shaking the feeling, she finished her business and left the store.
Daemon was greeted by Banard personally. Banard's shop was his place to go anytime he had a special custom order for a piece of jewelry. Jaenelle loved jewelry and he loved to please his wife.
"Lord Sadi, I imagined you have a special order for me, a Winsol's gift, perhaps?" The Designer asked with a sincere tone.
"Yes, very special. I want to please my Lady. I have the inscription and wanted to go over a few ideas with you. Of course, I would hate to diminish your creativity. It is just that I have something in mind, to be specific, something like this". Barnard studies the ugly-looking sketches with amusement. Rarely did people experience Sadi in such a joyful mood. He had the pleasure of seeing this side of him often as he would come to the shop to order pieces for his wife." We can definitely work with this. Leave this in my hands. Lady Angelline will be pleased. By the way, congratulations Prince, everyone in town is delighted by the news. You two have caused a commotion today".
"Thanks, we are overjoyed. I figured our visit to the town would start the conversations. We've probably visited every single store. I must go now. Until next time, I will come back to commission a piece for my child".
In the bookstore, Ludvika a Sapphire Jewel District Queen is having a conversation with another witch.
"Did you see Sadi with Jaenelle around town? Is she pregnant? I did not expect that at all. After all this time, I figured they would not have any children"
"You know what they say of people who assume. Ugh, what does he see in her? That is what I want to know. She does not even wear the Ebony jewels anymore." The other witch could not hide her animosity.
"I know. She is attractive but nowhere near gorgeous. To make matters worse, she is like a walking corpse. Her time is running out. Everyone knows it. That is the topic of conversation in most gatherings. As soon as they leave, the whispers begin. Everyone starts to give their 2 cents in who will be Sadi's next lover. Such luck! What I would give to have a moment with Daemon".
"Are you mad? Keep your voice down. We've heard over and over what he did to Roxie and Vulchera. It was terrible and appalling. He is a mad man." The witch whispered. Clearly, many feared the Sadist's unconventional ways.
"Do you think of me so little? I am not suicidal but a Queen is allowed to dream. Sooner than later, Sadi will be free and I will be here waiting with open arms". Ludvika giggled.
The witches had been so entertained by their conversation that they did not realize that Jaenelle was in the store. Unfortunately, she was closed enough to listened to them. Jaenelle approached them with a wicked smile. Ludwika gasped at the sight of the Queen. The book she was holding fell to the floor. The witches were horrified.
"Lady Ludvika, am I interrupting your afternoon chatting?" Absolute silence in the air as Jaenelle continues to speak."I was looking for a book and could not help to hear the most entertaining conversation between you two". Jaenelle said with a high-pitched voice. She knew what she was doing.
"I—I – I am sorry, Lady. I did not expect you to be here. I was just expressing my thoughts. I am terribly sorry that you had to hear us. It was never my intention but I did not say anything that you don't know already. It has been an unfortunate coincidence".
"Yes, it was". Jaenelle's tone was no longer innocent. It was clear who was speaking now. Witch stares at Ludvika with haunting eyes. "Do not think for a second that I am unaware of people's whispers. What kind of an idiot could rule a territory when they are not aware of their surroundings?" Ludvika could not ignore the insult. "Rest a sure because I am aware of what goes on in my territory. That includes Daemon if you forgot".
Her midnight voice was lethal now. Ludvika took a step back. Witch lifted her hand and Ludvika instinctively put up a shield around her. Witch started laughing out loud.
"If I wanted to strike you down right here and now, a sapphire shield would not stop me. Trust me. But as you can see, I am carrying Daemon's child so I can't use my power. However, this limitation is only temporal. Right now there is nothing more important than my baby". Witch narrowed her eyes. "What will it take for all of you bitches to realize that Daemon is mine?" Witch growled. "Mark my words as I do not speak in vain. You are eager to declared yourself victorious before the fight is over. You will regret this moment as long as you live".
As Jaenelle turned around a self-preservation/jealousy/hate instinct kicked inside of Ludvika and she was ready to strike Jaenelle down. In that moment, Surreal, who happened to be outside the store conversing with some acquaintances, had returned. Immediately, she put a shield around Jaenelle blocking the blast of power directed at the Queen. Surreal called her favorite stiletto and was ready to launch at Ludvika but Witch stopped her. With just one look, Surreal understood that this was not her fight. Witch turned around and looked at Ludvika directly to her eyes. "Remember my words, Ludvika" and she left the store.
Outside the store, Jaenelle broke down in tears. "Oh Surreal, at night I have these terrible nightmare. I see all these witches looking down at my dead corpse like a bunch of vultures waiting to feast on my flesh. Daemon is screaming why did I leave him? I don't want to leave Daemon or my child." Surreal held her for as long as she needed to regain composure. After a few minutes, Witch gives Surreal and cold stare. "Say nothing to Daemon". Surreal nods. Just like that Jaenelle is back and says "thank you" to Surreal.
Inside the store a speechless and shaken witch looks at Ludvika. "Are you insane? What in the name of Hell was that about? You just declared war to Lady Angelline and Daemon Sadi. What in the name of the Darkness possessed you to do something so stupid?" Ludvika slapped the witch.
"Shut up! You forget your place. I am a Queen. You do not understand anything. The war began the moment Jaenelle heard us".
"You can't defeat Jaenelle. You do not stand at chance against her. She is too powerful. Have you forgotten about Sadi?" The horrified witch yelled at her.
"I know. It did not matter what I did. You better believe that Sadi already knows. The whole damn territory fears him. They will not keep this incident from him. Even if no one saw this, which I am not even certain; that damn Grey jewel witch will run to tell him. The ex-whore bitch is like his lap dog. I did what I could to save us. Sadi will kill you too. He is a mad man. Jaenelle could not defend herself and it that moment she was vulnerable. The Grey witch was not protecting her. It was the only way to survive."
"You are on your own, I am leaving the territory. Sadi will never find me. After all, I did not do anything but gossip a bit. Bye Ludvika".
"I know I am on my own and do not have a chance. But I can't change what happened and all I can do its find a way to survive this".
"There is none". The witch started crying desperately.
"There might be one way. I must ride the winds immediately".