* * *
I spent the next morning over an old parchment. Sometimes I thought the words were forming a rhythm, and in strange images I thought the meaning. Mother Briar's notes were like children's tales or old stories that crazy old ladies tell at night...
After a couple of hours, I was already having a headache with an incomprehensible and elusive meaning. I leaned back in my chair and squeezed my hands with whiskey. When the door swung open, I thought it was Albie...
But a black-haired Alliana burst into the room... And she froze, staring at me with her blushing eyes, and exposed her fangs. I slowly got up from my chair, looking at her even with a certain admiration. Still, the demoness was beautiful. Her wild and dark beauty chained her attention, even if she didn't want to look at it at all. Her eyes were like a night with shimmering stars, her hair was black silk, her figure was like a goddess... Beautiful, dark and very evil predator.
- You! - I didn't say," spit out the beauty, "it's you, after all! And I felt... - she slipped towards me, I backed down a bit, - at first sight I felt that you would be trouble! Nasty little man! Disgusting, filthy creature!
I smiled in her face and the demoness was distraught. What can I do, after living in a shelter and communicating with Harpie, her insults did not touch me at all. Really, the beauty did not know about it and tried very hard.
But still, after a while, I got bored.
- Alliana," I said politely, "please come out and close the door. You're disturbing me. And everything you say, I'm not interested at all.
Beautiful girl was sedated and slipped even closer, the rock of her teeth. I thought that's not at all what decorates a girl. It was like hearing my thoughts, she stopped grinning. And she looked thoughtfully.
- I didn't believe that Rion could break the treaty because of a man," she said, tapping on the table with a long, dark fingernail, "it seemed unthinkable... Say, she slipped towards me again, and I slipped back, is that some kind of magic? What did you tie it with? Did you bewitch him? What is it about you that he gave up on me?
I looked at her with pity. Surprisingly, in the dark red aura, the demons were burning with fire and real pain. And the whimsical lips curved not only with anger, but also with a woman's resentment.
With a sigh, I went to the window.
- Alliana, go away," I said as calmly as possible, "I have nothing to say to you. And I don't want to listen to you either...
She nodded slowly, turned around sharply and went to the door. I sighed with relief. It turns out I wasn't aware of the tension I had been in since she arrived. And only now that she was gone did I let go. It wasn't until early that I was happy. Already at the door, Alliana turned around.
- Stupid human brat," she said coldly, "do you really think the Black Demon Princess is capable of forgiving the insult she has suffered?
I could hardly see any movement, only the dull gleam of the two black blades that had been released from her fingers. At the very last moment, I managed to repel them with an air wave, and they flew in different directions, only swabbing me with my sting. And then I was terrified to see the black blades coming back after making a circle.
Alliana laughed triumphantly, and I jumped back and leapt my hands and let the wind out again... I repulsed and turned in the air again, and they came to me again! In an instant, I jumped out onto the terrace, slammed the high doors. But in the same moment, the stained-glass window went cracked and sprinkled down with colorful splinters, releasing blades. I recoiled, and I couldn't help myself on the narrow terrace and flew down to where the white paths of the maze were converging like sunlight...
Except unlike demons, I didn't have wings...
My leila, my beast of air swirled around me, but could it have held back my fall? Too weak... The only thing I could do was put up shields, not wanting the Archarrion to feel my last pain.
And I shouted as the black shadow rushed across and I was picked up by strong hands. I instinctively enveloped the neck of the demon, still feeling the abyss underneath me, and only then I looked into his eyes. As cold and clear as a man's face. Daarhar.
The demon's black leathery wings swept us up, and then he landed on a wide platform and shoved me into his room. I couldn't help but sink into a chair, watching the dhir speak.
- Thank you," I said quietly.
Daarhar nervously splashed wine in the cup and drank it.
- I don't like walking around in debt," he said.
I grabbed shaking hands on my knees.
- Well, I only healed your wounds, and you saved my life," I tried to smile.
Daharhar turned sharply and slipped to me like a snake. I shuddered involuntarily.
- You did not understand, flower," he said, "I owe you not for my life... It is worth nothing. I paid my debt for Rion's life.
I looked at him in astonishment, trying to understand his strange logic. Dhir walked through the room again and stopped by the window.
- Chickenpox, you must disappear.
I was so surprised the councilman called me by my name that I didn't even know what he was talking about right away.
- I'll be honest with you," he said coldly, without even smiling, "you're interfering.
- In your way? - I asked.
- To Haos," said the Dhir. He folded his fingers into a plotted figure with his tips closed, and continued," he said, "you see, it's nothing personal. You're even good at something... If you were just a toy, your life in Chaos could be quite prosperous. But Rion has decided to make you his match. Tie you up with blood. Which is unacceptable. Chaos needs an heir.
Darkhar sprayed his fingers and sat in the chair in front of me. I didn't say anything.
- You know demons aren't descended from other races, right? There are a few exceptions, but only the lower ones. The higher ones never. If Rion is willing to make those sacrifices for you, then I'm not.
He kept quiet, looking at me.
- Your alliance could be the beginning of a collapse for Chaos, flower. Young demons don't remember the Great War anymore, and they don't remember who Sarhardt is. Time erases everything... But I remember him beautifully. And if I could, I would gladly slit Saarkhard's throat. But if Rion makes you a couple, somebody might think that for true fire, you should release this monster from the Citadel. Do you know what I'm talking about?
I nodded slowly.
- Are you protecting Rion? - I asked.
- And you, right, decided that I want to take his place? - Daarhar grinned, Rion guarantees a peaceful and prosperous life in Chaos, flower. He never wanted to be ruler... I had to. And he was the best in a thousand years' history. But now he's ready to erase his obligations and forget his debt... because of you.
- His duty is to bind his life to Alliana? - Without looking at the councilman, I asked.
- Alliana is an excellent candidate," said the dhir indifferently, "she is young, hot and healthy. And she is in love. She is able to give Haos many heirs to true fire. And at the same time, she will bind the blood to the Black Demons, the strictest limits of Chaos.
He kept quiet, drilling me with his transparent eyes. I, too, was silent. Dhir suddenly got up, came and knelt down by my chair. I squeezed frightenedly.
- Understand, Vetriana," he said softly, "you must leave. And make sure that Rion never looks for you again. You will not be able to be together anyway. When the first passion is satisfied, he will begin to think... To regret what he has done. To suffer from not being able to do his duty to chaos. And to blame himself. He'll put guards on you, justly fearing you'll be killed. You will no longer be able to walk on the rocks or communicate with Briar, you will live locked up in a cage. Much worse than you are now. Do you want that kind of road for yourself? And for him? In constant fear, in guilt, in regret? Chaos will not accept you. Not ever.
He still stood there waiting for my answer, then went up and walked back to the window.
- The underworld is changing," he said deafly. "The sources are getting cold. The world is troubled. The
Outer Circle of Chaos has broken through five times in the last seven moons... The balance is too delicate... A new war can begin at any moment... Chaos must be strong and united so that we can stand up to the outer threat. And our ruler... Should only think of Chaos.
I have risen...
- You are a good dhir, Daarhar," I said.
He turned to me, looking without a smile.
- You must leave. Not to die, not to disappear, but to leave. From him. And so that he would believe. Otherwise, you will destroy Chaos. You won't let that happen, will you, healer?
I didn't answer and I went to the door.
- I'll find a way to take off the arch," Daarhar said to me in the back, "and punish Allian. She had no right...
But I already went out into the hallway with no desire to listen to the advisor any further.
* * *
But it didn't go far. In a dark corner of the corridor a shadow thickened, became alive, and out of it came the Archharrion accompanied by a huge black demon in combat uniform. Rion slipped toward me in one movement, and I lost my voice because I could see how angry he was, even without the blood fusing. Fortunately, not at me...
The Archarrion quickly examined me, looked me in the eyes, and nodded at the black demon. And just as quickly he walked back into the transition of darkness.
- Rion, wait!
But the transition had already closed. I lost sight of the corner where there was already an ordinary, dead shadow.
- Madam, come with me, I'll show you out," said the black demon, with his head slightly bowed. I shuddered as I looked more closely at him: the huge black body, the leathery wings with the red spikes, the yellow eyes with the elongated pupil, and the scarred face as if it were a field that had been ploughed through in the autumn ... Creepy.
- Where are you taking me? - I don't get it, who are you?
- I'm your guardian, madam. And I'm taking you to safety.
- Guard? Wait... now you're going to walk everywhere with me?
- Yes, mistress, the demon bowed his head again.
Holy elders! Looks like Darkhar's words were prophetic. And they began to come true much faster than I expected...
The demon escorted me to the cabinet room, at the door of which I overheard the Archharrion talking to his dhir. At the door, I could feel the flow of the Force, and I realized that there was a shield installed. Powerful, strong, impenetrable...
- Where did Archarrion go? - I asked a black demon.
- Don't worry, madam," the guard answered calmly, "the Lord will sort everything out. No one else can harm you.
I walked nervously through the room. The demon of the silent statue froze at the door, his yellow eyes looking into the space without the slightest emotion.
- How do I address you? - I asked.
- Madam may call me guardian," I looked surprised and he added, "or Khar. That is my name.
I nodded and came to the door, which was eloquently blocked by a black body.
- Khhar, I want to find Albie. This is, uh, the girl who's helping me.
The guard didn't even move. Only the leathery wings opened wide, closing the door. I threw my head up looking at his face. The fact that the guard had no intention of letting me out, I already understood, but suddenly I was worried about Albie. No matter how red-eyed I was, I was punished for not following...
Fortunately, my doubts were not confirmed, and after a few moments, the demoness knocked on the door herself. I was glad to see her as my own. And strangely, she was... so was I.
- Mrs. Vetriana! - a red-eyed woman rushed to me, - oh, Darkness, how scared I was! - She sobbed clearly and suddenly fell to her knees in front of me, - forgive me, Mistress, my fault! I couldn't keep Mistress Alliana... I didn't expect...
- Albie, get up right now, I was scared, what happened to your face? Is that... Rion?
There was a blue bruise on the demon's cheek. The demon girl shook her head.
- That you, Madam, the Lord is fair... He said it wasn't my fault... It was Madam Alliana. So she threw me against the wall that I left for eternity for a few moments... And couldn't protect you at once or call for help!
I shook my head and took Albie's hand, healing her bruising. But she pulled her hand away.
- That you, mistress, do not waste the Force on me. I am unworthy...
- Where's Alliana now? - I asked.
- The lord took her. Don't worry, she won't hurt you again.
I sat in my chair.
- What... what will they do to her?
- Mistress Alliana will be punished," Albie answered, "she disobeyed the Lord's order, secretly used her father's portal, the Supreme in the Black Demon clan. She infiltrated the palace, though she was forbidden to do so. And she tried to kill you. She will be punished. And with her and her clan.
- What kind of punishment awaits them? - I asked quietly. Albie took her eyes off.
- Mistress, you must not worry! - She said exaggeratedly briskly, and hustled around me, shall I set the table for you? Would you like some food? Or perhaps you'd like to rest? You look very pale...
- I need some air," I mumbled and went to the terrace. Albie intercepted me at the window and gently pushed me away.
- Mistress, let me put a chair for you here in the room. You shouldn't go out, you might get dizzy, and you might fall again...
Albie looked me in the eye and smiled tenderly as if she were talking to a stupid child. The black demon stood indifferently at the door, opening its huge wings. I could feel my head start to crack.
- I want to be alone," I said.
- Is the mistress not feeling well? - The red-eye was worried. I took a deep breath, trying to hold back and not scream. And I even managed to smile.
- I'm all right. I feel fine. I just want to get some rest! And to be alone! May I?
Demonica nodded slowly.
- As you command, ma'am...
And she left. The Kharh remained standing, and I realized that asking him to leave after Albee was useless. My requests here had no power, the only one the demons obeyed was their master... My words to them were empty.
Behind the study, I found another door, to the big bedroom, and I fled there, looking over my shoulder, and with horror waiting for the terrible guard to follow me. But, thanks to the Most Pure Mother, he remained standing at the door, motionless and even, it seems, without blinking.
The only thing that made me happy was the many books I found in the closets. There were old folios, almost worn-out chronicles and enchanted magic books, to which I prudently decided not to stick. But there were enough books that could be opened without fear of being struck by the Force. So I sat in the chair until the evening, stuck my nose in the texts. And when it got dark, I climbed onto the bed and fell asleep.
* * *
I woke up with kisses and hot hands hugging me. The archpriest kissed my face, wrapped his finger around the contour of my lips, stroked my hair, and again kissed, kissed...
I opened my eyes. Outside the window, the sun was only rising, the pale light was only in the east on a new day. The archpriest was dressed and even wearing boots, the scabbard and the acanar sheath lying beside his hand so that he could use them at any moment.
- Rion, let go! - I pulled out of his hands, wait, we need to talk!
He turned on his back with me without letting go of his hands.
- Wait, wait, wait, wait. - He grinned, shall we talk and continue?
- What... what about Alliana?
- She is no longer dangerous," he said calmly.
I kept staring him in the face, waiting for him to continue. Perhaps the demon felt it was better to tell me the truth.
- Alliana had disobeyed my orders. This is not acceptable. She was punished.
- Is she alive? - I asked her deafly, turning my back.
- No, she's not.
- And her clan?
- They've been punished too.
- But for what! - I exclaimed, it's not their fault!
<
br /> He drew me to him, put his palm on his back.
- Vetriana, don't think about it. Just don't think about it. Don't go away, stay with me... I won't be long, - he pinned me to him, so my cheek was on his chest now. I closed my eyes listening to the beating of a demon's heart.
- Can I go to Briar's today? - That's what I deafly asked.
The Archarrion didn't answer right away, and I felt like he didn't want me out of the palace.
- Well," he agreed, "Khar will go with you.
- Will he go with me everywhere now?
- Yes, he will.
I broke out and sat on the bed, glumly looking at him. The archharrion was darkened too.
- Chickenpox, it's necessary. I beg you... please...
- Be patient and accept it? - I finished for him. The Archarrion smiled.
- When I'm done with business, I promise we'll walk through the Eternal Forest. Would you like some? Visit Solmeya. Or we'll fly a dragon... Or we'll go to Elloar and look at the white tree. Don't frown, come to me. I missed you...
He drew me to him. And when the Archharrion kissed me, I did not resist, and even answered his kiss. Sincerely, thinking only about how we will walk in the woods, and how I love to fly over the clouds ... The demon first froze, not believing, and then squeezed me harder, and fit into my lips already harder. I felt how burning his desire, and how he was holding back, afraid to scare me again.
And when the demon broke away from me, a hungry glance slid on my swollen lips from kissing me, I smiled. So he wouldn't know what I was really thinking.
* * *
I was moved to Briar by an already familiar crystal vase. It's true that my silent guardian was with me. Once at home on a rock, Khar round him in a circle, looked at his protective shield, smelling like a dog. Without asking his master for permission, he entered the house and after a while came out, nodded approvingly to us. I blushed, which made me ashamed in front of my teacher for this unceremonious invasion, which was my fault.
But Briar only smiled.
- Shall we study? - He asked.
- To be honest, I just wanted to sit on a rock and read," I smiled back, "will you let me take something from your library?
- It's all yours," the teacher winked at me, "take a blanket and fur, it's chilly today. I'll need it, call me!
The Wind of the North Page 62