Chapter 13

Chaillot/

Daemon rode the Black winds to Chaillot and reached the Queen's residence. All the members of Wilhelmina's court were mourning her death. Daemon rushed to his wife's side. It was a heartbreaking sight. Hours passed but she refused to let go of her sister's corpse. Daemon held her intensely, through his embrace he told her all that needed to be said. She just needed to know that he would always be there by her side.

Jaenelle came back to her senses and walked out of the room holding Daemon's hands. She addressed the First Circle coldly.

"The Queen has passed. Notify Leiland and Alexandra. Tomorrow at first light, the Witch fire will burn her body and send it back into the Darkness. I am aware of her instructions and will be taking over this court. After the ceremony, I will be sending the Gold Marks needed to take care of Chaillot's debt . Steward, you are in charge until further notice. I trust any important matters will be discussed with me. Nothing happens without my consent. Are we clear?" Witch spoke in her midnight voice.

Daemon looked shocked and a little shaken by the news. He was not expecting this. "My Lady, shouldn't we discuss a few things first?" Daemon used protocol. He knew her answer well. He recognized the change within her. This was not the same Jaenelle that left Dhemlan this morning.

"Do I have to, Prince?" Jaenelle narrowed her haunting sapphire eyes. Of course there was no need. He belonged to her. "Your will is my life", Daemon responded using Protocol.

Wilhelmina's body was consumed by the Witch fire in front of the hundreds in attendance. Leiland could not find any console on Philip's arms. She loved Wilhelmina. Alexandra could not make it. Leiland informed Jaenelle. Apparently, they could not find a healer soon enough to help her. She would not last longer. What Leiland ignored is that even in time, no healer could do anything to penetrate those wounds. They were shielded by Daemon. "Alexandra is the least of my concerns". Witch looked at Daemon with all knowing eyes. Those words to Leiland brought a shadow of a smile to Sadi's face.

Daemon had made an impromptu visit last night. He knew Alexandra died in her bed. He delivered the gruesome news and details of Wilhelmina's death to her personally . He felt a morbid satisfaction as he saw Alexandra's heart giving up. She did beg him to end her misery but he just watched and smiled. He had been worried about Jaenelle's reaction but after today, he knew it would be no more than a non transcendental disagreement.

Through the entire ceremony, Jaenelle did not cry. She seemed distant but at the same time present. Daemon's curiosity spiked up. He had not seen Jaenelle cried at all. He knew she hurt. He could feel it but somehow she did not want to show it.

As soon as it was over, she thanked everyone for coming. Lastly, she informed everyone of her claim over the territory. She addressed them as the Queen of Ebon Askavi. When finished, she turned to Daemon. "Take me home, Prince. We need to ride the Black winds. Call Karla and Gabrielle, our son is coming. I will need their help. You must be strong. Do not doubt". Daemon closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were glazing and determined.

"Prince Kaelas, we must leave now. You'll ride the black with us. The he-kitten is on his way and I can use an extra pair of eyes on the Lady while I drive the Coach. I will ride hard and fast".

Immediately, he contacted the healer and told her to meet them at the Hall.

Ebon Rih/

Marian was in her garden taking care of the loving gift from her husband. This was the best surprise, he ever gave her. It showed how much he loved her. Her garden was her treasure. Suddenly, her heart jumped when she heard Daemonar screaming. She ran desperately, searching for him.

Out of breathe and barely able to stay awake. A mist covered the woods. Her eyes were shutting and she did not know if it was because of the intense heat or the horror. Fire was burning everywhere. Trees were gone and Daemonar was floating in the air, surrounded by flames. Marian screamed.

"Who do we have here? It is none other than the good for nothing heart witch. Lucivar surely knows how to pick them. This gets better and better. I can definitely work with this." The sinister voice of the Warlord echoed throughout the woods.

Marian armed herself with courage and threatened the man. "Leave my son alone or I will gut you". The silhouette laughed loudly. She had only managed to amused him. She called for her husband on a psychic line.

"Yes", he hissed. Moving like a snake, he got dangerously close to her. He smiled.' That is just what I want. I can't have a successful show without an audience. Who would grade my effort? How would I get any merit?"

"Let him go, my son has done nothing. Take me instead." Marian pleaded. Daemonar's Grey jewel was no match for the Black. The young Warlord Prince was easily overpowered and under some sort of trance. It smelled like sulfur.

"Why do you need him? Why are you trying to hurt us? Tell me". She shouted.

"Silence, you whore. How dare you raise your voice to me? You are nothing but a servant. Why in Hell did the Eyrien marry you?You were born to be a servant. It's about time you learn your place. I have had enough of this".

He slammed Daemonar to the ground and damaged his wings badly. He was immobilized. Marian was sobbing. For an Eyrien, his wings were the symbol of their warrior's soul.

On that moment, Lucivar arrived and launched at him. He could not get close enough. His Ebon-gray jewel was easily handled by the Black. Lucivar got slammed against the rocks. Argon's merciless attack was getting through the Ebon- gray shield too easily. Even more terrifying was that he had no idea who was attacking him. He tried to contact Daemon but all his psychic lines were blocked by his rival. Lucivar was on his own against this enemy. His wife and son depending on him and he could not do anything to defend them.

Marian looked at Lucivar and saw his pain in his eyes. She tried to help him but in that moment, Argon lifted her body around the air and spinned it in circles.

"Open your eyes, Eyrien. I want you to see what I do to your insignificant wife. Of all the women you could've had, you had to choose her; a simple heart witch. That is no mate for an Ebon-gray Warlord Prince, the High Lord's son. You should've chosen better. No wonder why the bloodline is failing. With an ignorant like you, how are we supposed to strengthen the Blood? With great power comes responsibility. You could never understand this. After all, you are a mistake. Your mother fooled the High Lord. He did not want to sire you. You were an accident, not like Daemon. At least your brother sired a child with Witch. His taste is exquisite".

"Why are you doing this? Let them go. They have nothing to do with this? I am going to kill you and eat your heart out." Lucivar crawled towards him.

"You arrogant bastard, I doubt you will be able to get enough to even touch me. I want you to suffer what my race suffered by the hands of your father. I want you to watch the one you love beg for mercy. Innocent blood has been shed by the SaDiablos. Your family has been the mastermind of many crimes. Have you forgotten? You will pay for the sins of your father. I want you to send him my regards on behalf of my people. Tell him that he left one behind. The last of the Zuulaman has come to collect his debt. Everything has a price and you will pay part of the debt."

With a look from Argon's eyes, Marian's body started to burn. She was screaming in agony.

"Marian", Lucivar shouted desperately but could not even move. He looked at Argon with eyes drowning in a sea of tears. "Please, I beg you don't do this. Kill me".

"Ironic, isn't it? A SaDiablo begging for mercy, isn't it usually the other way around? I will take care of you in time. Patience, Prince, your time will come. For now, I want to enjoy watching you falling apart. With luck you might end up in the Twisted Kingdom. However, I will not make it that simple for you. I will leave your son alive as an incentive to stay wallowing in your grief. I want you to feel the pain. I want you to miss her. I want you to know that it is your fault. I want you to watch her burn in your nightmares".

Argon intensified the flames. Lucivar watched his wife died. He felt like he had been skinned alive. Like someone just opened his chest and took his heart out.

"Do you wish you were stronger? Do you wish you were Daemon?" Argon paused and breath in the scent of burned flesh. "I won't finish the kill. She will make the transition to demon-dead. You will see her again in Hell. The High Lord will have the honor to send her back to the Darkness. How ironic, after all, your brother did show you a glimpse into your future. It amazes me the things a man can see once he enters the mind of another".

A couple of hours later, the Kindred found Lucivar and Daemonar and took them to the Keep.