- I hurt you again. I'm sorry," he whispered, "it's been too long since I turned around. I couldn't... contain myself. Darkness, how much I want you...
He pressed me against him, breathing deeply, stuck his face in the blanket.
- Rion, you... heavy," I said quietly. He laughed funlessly and moved away. I pulled the blanket toward me, trying to hide myself, to hide from his eyes.
- You have a strange power," he laughed, "it seems that the merger only affects me.
I shrugged my shoulders and moved even further.
- So tear him up," I said without looking at him, "and let me go. Why did you take me away? I want... to go home.
He turned my head in one movement, making me look into my eyes. The yellowness was gone, and they were lingering in the darkness.
- You will stay here," he said sharply.
I'm afraid I've pressed the blanket against me.
- Why, Rion? - I said, "Why do you want me? Let go of me.
- No, he squeezed my shoulders. He looked at the red marks on my neck. A bite on my lip. And he repeated, you will stay here, Vetriana.
And he turned sharply, and went to the door. He stopped on the doorstep.
- I will send Albie to you. She'll help... remove the bruises. And she'll bring you some clothes.
And he came out, closing the door quietly behind him.
* * *
When there was a quiet knock, I was still sitting on the bed, wrapped in a blanket. And Albie looked indifferently at the red-eye that came in.
- Mistress Vetriana," she called anxiously, stopping in the middle of the room, "Mistress, the Lord commanded me to help you...
I didn't answer by continuing to look through the stained-glass window indifferently. Albie came closer, looked at the burnt blood on my lip, the red marks on my neck...
- Mistress, come with me," she asked.
- Albie, I don't want to," I said calmly, "I don't want to go anywhere. Go away, please.
She wrinkled by the bed.
- My lady, I can't," she prayed a little, "My lord commanded me. I can't... disobey.
- Holy elders," I sighed, "will you be punished if you do not do what he says?
Albie nodded. I sighed again. And I climbed out of bed, clutching the bedspread on my chest.
- Okay. Then I need some hot water. And food. Lots of food... And clothes.
- Yes, mistress! - joyfully exclaimed the red eye, - come with me! The lord said that his chambers are at your disposal...
Following the demon, I walked through the bedroom to a door I had not seen before because she was hiding behind dark curtains. There were thermals that looked like the ones I'd seen before. A large hollow filled with warm water, in which four steps were led. I gave the blanket that tail dragged after me on the floor, and entered the water.
And I even closed my eyes from the bliss that enveloped me. Wonderful...
- Mistress prefers a Snowy scent, do I remember correctly? - Oh, Albie specified. I waved my hand without opening my eye. Mistress has washed her whole life with ashes and soap roots, so any scent for Mistress is a luxury. But I didn't, of course, say that. A little bitter and fresh fragrance, which I already knew, swam around the room...
- What kind of flower is that? - I was wondering.
- I've never seen it, mistress," replied Albie, "but I've heard it grow on mountain peaks, in the snow. All I've seen is a picture of Snow and it's beautiful.
- How long have you lived here?
- All my life, my lady. I've been very lucky. The lord himself took me for a favor, though I'm of a lower class.
I opened my eyes and stared suspiciously at the red-eye. She's joking, isn't she? Or is she kidding? But she's not. Her eyes are calm, and there's no shadow of mockery on her face.
- Do you think it's lucky to serve someone your whole life? - I asked you again.
- Of course," she was surprised, "and not to anyone, madam! I serve our lord, it is a great honor! My whole family is proud of me! No one in my family has ever reached such heights!
I closed my eyes again to the mercy of her skillful hands, which washed my hair. Apparently, understanding demons and their worldview is even harder than I thought...
Apart from my will, I thought of home, friends... how's Ksenka? I couldn't even talk to her. And I missed her so much. I dreamed so much that my friend would come back, laughing, fervent, flighty! I imagined we'd go back to Riverstein and have a party, get Danina and Avdotya, Danila... And Lord Darrell too. And you can also go to Riverstein, Antashar.
How are they doing there? What are they doing?
I sighed.
- The lady has such a sad face," said the demoness anxiously.
- It's just that I miss home, Albie," I said, "I wish I could be there now.
- But the lady is lucky to be with her lord! - calmed me down with a red eye.
I opened my eyes again, looking into her face. Albie smiled joyfully, revealing her fangs. I almost howled.
- To be with a lord is a great honor, too, right? - I frowned, I asked.
Albie was howling and smiling even wider.
- Of course, my lady! It's an honor and a great happiness!
I didn't want to know the details anymore. I didn't want to ask anymore. So I just silently let the demoness wash my hair, lubricate it with some potion and rinse it a few times.
- I'll take it from here, thank you," I said as she reached out to soap my body. Red-Eyed nodded obediently and walked away, looking at me with a sneaky eye. And when I got out of the water and wrapped myself in a large canvas, she came up to me with a little flask.
- Mistress, you have red marks everywhere... Let me put a potion on you. It'll help.
I wrinkled and took her vial.
- Bring me better food and clothes, Albie," I said, "and I can put it on myself. Thank you!
The red-eyed bowed down and disappeared at the door. I wrapped myself in a blanket again and went out of the thermal bath into the bedroom. I took my hand and smiled joyfully. Echo was here with me, though he was not happy. My freedom-loving beast did not like enclosed spaces. I went up to the huge stained-glass windows and opened them up.
- Fly," I whispered to Echo. He gladly wrapped himself around me, wrapped his hair around me, dried it, and flew upward. And I froze, watching the city sprawl out the window. Apparently, the ruler's palace was standing on a hill, so the view from the windows opened up to the horizon. In Chaos, there was a strange and wild beauty, foreign and attractive as demons themselves. Buildings of shimmering dark stone were pierced with spires of clouds. Huge stained-glass windows reflected the sun's light. Near each window was a platform without a fence. Of course, because demons have wings...
Many of the buildings at the top are interconnected by transparent mica arches, and the light refracted through them to disintegrate into the air with iridescent sparks. It was beautiful...
I looked down. In front of the palace there is a platform laid out with a light stone, and in the center there is a spiral of a fiery maze shimmering. Even from here, I could feel its fierce burning power. It was the Source of Power in Chaos. And a dark figure slowly walks through it. Going through tongues of flames, greedily licking bronze skin and flashing sparks on black wings.
The archpriest felt my gaze, leaning his head as he looked through the windows of the palace. I was afraid to snap out of it.
- Mistress," Albee respectfully said behind my back, "I didn't know what you liked to eat, so please don't be angry if I didn't guess... Just tell me, I'll correct my mistake!
- Albee," I asked with a weak voice, "why does the Archarper go through the fire of the Source? Do you all do that?
- No, madam! Of course not! Only the keeper can pass through the labyrinth of Chaos! And this is always the strongest of demons, the one in whose veins the true hereditary fire flows! Therefore, only the Keeper of the Source can be ruler in Chaos.
- He will not burn? - I asked cautiously. Albie smiled at me like
an unwise child.
- After passing the labyrinth, the ruler will be even stronger, my lady. The power of the source can heal or destroy, but it obeys the keeper. No, it will not burn.
I nodded. And only now did I see the amount of food brought by the Red-Eyed.
- Albie, where am I going with this? - I groaned.
The whole table was just set with potions! Several kinds of meat, cold and outgoing steam, unknown herbs on a large dish, pieces of cheese, fruit, small plates with something liquid, like broth, decanters with wine, water and thick syrup, vases with something airy and sweet smelling, and many other delicacies!
- Is the mistress not happy? - Albie was scared.
- Mistress is shocked," I mumbled confusedly, "oh, I mean, it's all right, Albie! And please don't call me Mistress, my name is Vetriana!
- Of course, Mistress Vetrjana! - humbly repeated the red-eye. I sighed, and my stomach rumbled persistently.
- Will you eat with me? - You've brought me so much that I can't eat it in seven days!
The fang face of the demoness was reflected in panic.
- Don't worry, I won't tell my lord," I calmed her down quickly, "sit down, Albie. I don't feel comfortable eating when you're standing there watching!
- I can turn my back! - She was glad.
- Olby! Sit down! - I almost had a cold. I was hungry, and then I had to beg the red-eyed one, please!
She sat down on the edge, and I threw myself on the food like a hungry wolf.
- It's delicious," I moaned. I couldn't help but slip the meat juice off my fingers. Albie sniffed and mowed on the mash of air in a vase. I snorted a sniffle, and I put the vase in front of her. And I gave her a spoon. A red-eyed fang smiled and scooped a sweet mass.
- The nectar of Elven," she whispered reverently, "has never tasted it...
When I quenched my hunger and was able to get away from the table, I leaned on the back of the chair, feeling the blissful nap. I yawned. But still, curiosity prevailed.
- Albie, you said you were of a lower class, what does that mean?
- Doesn't Mrs. Vetrena know anything about Chaos? - She was surprised. The demon girl's eyes were suspiciously shiny and her lips were always smiling. I smelled elven nectar. I guess I won't try it...
- Absolutely," I confirmed.
- The lower demons don't know how to turn around," Albie explained, "only the higher demons have fighting uniforms. And only the heirs of true fire can rule the darkness...
It was all very interesting, but I yawned again. My eyes were sticking together.
- Mistress is tired! - too loudly, the red-eyed exclaimed and slightly shaken as she rose. Yes, we must remember not to try this nectar...
- I had a hard day," I said asleep and went to bed dragging a blanket behind me, "I had to die, walk along the Borders, resurrect... And bring my friend back to life... And those Faceless with their traps... Yes...
I climbed on the bed and curled up.
- Oh, Darkness," the demoness muttered under her nose, "Mistress is delirious... I must report to my lord... Have mercy on me Abyss!
I wanted to laugh, but I couldn't, because I fell asleep.
* * *
In my dream, I could feel my hands hugging me over the blanket. Breathing on my temple. But I didn't wake up. My exhausted body fell into a dream of salvation like a sea abyss, my consciousness was floating on its waves, not wanting to return to reality.
I had dreams. My dreams are memories that became even more tangible and alive...
I woke up from hunger. I opened my eyes wondering at a strange room. Ah, yes, Chaos...
As soon as I sat on the bed, the door opened to let Albie in.
- Mistress," she bowed.
- Good morning, Albee," she looked surprised, "at my house they say that when they want to wish me a good day!
- Yes, mistress, I understand! We have the mercy of the Abyss...
- Did I sleep long? - I asked, the voice was husky after sleep.
- Two moons, my lady.
I was amazed.
- I slept for two days?
- Yes, mistress," the demon nodded, "the lord told me not to wake you. And to wait until you wake up at the door.
I looked at her with suspicion.
- Albie. Have you been sitting at the door for two days, watching me sleep?
The red-eyed nodded quietly. I almost moaned in my voice. It was terrible... I slipped out of bed, dragging the bedspread again.
- Okay, I sighed, can you get me some clothes? My dress is, uh... it's ruined. - I got embarrassed. Although, Albie must have seen the look on my gray dress when she took it away. The paint of shame filled my cheeks even harder.
- And while I'm washing," I muttered and stopped the demon woman who stepped on me, "Albie, I'll wash myself! And anyway... Let's make a deal. Bathe, wash, eat, dress... and I'll do the rest! Please, don't mind. I'm so used to it. If I need your help, I'll tell you. You got a deal?
Albie nodded, but I saw in my eyes that I had to do it again. Her loyalty to the Lord was too strong, and it was his orders that came first for the Red-Eyed.
- Clothes, Albie," I reminded her, "and food.
I gladly climbed into the thermals. I found deliciously fragrant vials of soap and a comb on the rocky rim, and quickly cleaned myself up. There was a big mirror on the far wall, but for some reason I was embarrassed to look at myself. Still, the abbesses did a good job of driving the notion that it is a sin to look at myself in the mirror since I was a child.
Where are those prioresses now...
For a moment I felt homesick, and I couldn't bear to see Riverstein, the stone fence, the age-old pine trees... I wanted to walk, touching the wall of the shelter with my hand, to reach the sanctuary and sit on the side of the font looking into the dark water. And then put your palms in the Source...
I shaken my head to drive away the sadness. I'll come home. And no one will hold me back.
Albie didn't look in the thermals, that's right, she set the table. I left my hair loose to dry, and I picked up the blanket again.
There was no red eye in the room. Next to the table was the Archarrion, who stretched out his long legs and spun a cup in his hands. I pulled the blanket tighter on my chest and froze in the middle of the room. The second chair was not here.
He put the cup on the table.
- Come here," the demon called. I shook my head. In one movement the demon was near me, picked up his hands and returned to the chair. It sat me down on its knees. In my dark eyes, my anger caught fire again.
- You're afraid of me," he said through his teeth, "it...pisses me off.
- Rion, are you kidding me? - I was amazed," you did everything to make me afraid of you! Let go of me.
He was quiet and he loosened his hands. I got up, went to the window.
- I want to go home.
Without even turning around, I felt his fury burned me. But only for a moment.
- The chickenpox. You will stay in Chaos," he said surprisingly calmly, "among other things... This is the safest place. Not even Alira can get to you here.
I was so surprised that I turned around.
- Do you care about my safety? Or did I become the bait to catch the priestess?
There was nothing on his face you could read. And I couldn't feel his feelings.
- Think as you wish," said Archarrion indifferently, "but you will stay in Chaos.
I came closer and looked into his eyes.
- And how long are you going to keep me here? I'm a prisoner now, right?
- Let's consider you my guest," he replied.
- That's how," I smiled, "what an interesting way to invite guests, though! Is that what you do in Chaos?
The Archpriest stood up and stepped towards me. The darkness in his eyes made him scared. I got scared. The demon smiled.
- Chickenpox, have you learned to show your teeth? - He mockingly asked...
But I didn't want to joke.
- W
hen are you going to break up the merger? - I frowned.
- I'm not tearing it up.
- What? - I choked, - but why? Why?
The Archarrion drew me to him, paying no attention to my protesting squeak, threw his palm into my hair. And he smiled again.
- I will not tear it up, Vetriana. What's more, I'm going to finish it. Don't be afraid. I'll wait... As long as you want me to.
The last events have flashed into my memory. The way he ripped my dress, the way he licked a drop of blood, the way animal eyes looked at me. Like a prey... And fear tightened his throat with a nip to prevent him from breathing.
- I will never want it," I said quietly.
The Archarrion had stopped smiling.
- Yes, you will.
I don't know what was more in his answer, promises or threats? He let me go and walked away to the table, lazily taking his cup without looking at me.
- Eat and get dressed," said Archarrion, "I want to show you Chaos.
- Then maybe I will do it myself," I slowly stretched out, "to break the merger. After all, there is a way. My first intimacy with another...
A moment, and he's standing by me. The speed at which Rion could move still amazed me. He stood there looking at my frowning face.
- The chickenpox. You'd better not make me angry," he said fondly.
And he went to the door.
- I will run away anyway," I said very quietly. But he heard me, of course. He turned around," he said. He laughed. And he came out.
I sighed and sat down in the chair, upset as I watched the food. Only I wasn't hungry anymore.
And then Albie showed up with her clothes, and I was even more upset. I expected her to bring me the dress I was used to looking at, but the demoness had nothing like it. And she responded to my requests with a perplexing look.
- Mistress, this is the best silk," she said, upsetly. "It was brought from Diamond Peak, woven by the monks in the temple of light! Believe me, there is nothing better in the underworld! Why don't you like it? And this color so goes to your eyes...
- Albie, I believe it! But it's not that I don't like...
I sighed. Is that how you explain this to a demoness? Golden-sleeveled turquoise silk tunic flowing through her body like a river wave. And intercepted at the waist by a wide belt with tassels, it got even shorter, and now it was above the knees. I looked at myself longingly in a big mirror. It's beautiful, of course. But I feel like I'm not dressed at all. The thinnest cloth could hardly be felt on my body.
The Wind of the North Page 57