The Demon Queen

by Brandi Elledge

  Quiet footsteps approached. I threw my head back and straightened my shoulders for whatever onslaught of words and taunts were about to be thrown my way. Was this it? Would they walk me to the execution platform now?

  I wasn’t prepared for what or who I saw.

  “You. What the fudge do you think you’re doing here? Come to pay your last respects?”

  Austin stood in front of the cell with a finger across his lips. I watched as he pulled a key out of his jeans.

  “I stole this from the demon guarding you, but unfortunately I had to knock him out. It’s only a matter of time before someone realizes he is not sleeping.” He kneeled in front of me as he began to undo my chains. I started to speak, but he shook his head. “Not now. Tally is creating a distraction. We want everyone to think it was him who let you out. Without your powers, they will be searching here for you.”

  As soon as the chains dropped from my wrist, I reared back and slapped him across his face.

  “I deserved that and much more. Now, can I continue on with this rescue plan, or would you like for me to take another hit?” I could hear footprints coming our way. He scooped me up in his arms and teleported us to my chamber.

  “Um, yeah, so I was thinking you were going to teleport me somewhere relatively safe. Like, I don’t know, somewhere that demons weren’t searching for me,” I snarled.

  “Easy. This is safe. No one who means you harm can come in. I have put my best magic around your chambers. We need to discuss a plan.”

  “How about this for a plan? You give me back my powers, so I can go destroy some demons, and you disappear to somewhere. Don’t care where as long as I never have to see your face again.”

  His blue eyes narrowed at me. “I get why you’re upset—”

  “Upset? No, I’m foxing livid.” I picked up a book lying on my desk and threw it at his head. “You betrayed me. Thirty more minutes and I would have been executed.”

  “No you wouldn’t have. We’ve been there the whole time. Tally and I just had to wait until the moment was right and fortunately Sarah provided us with an opportunity to free you without being seen.”

  “I needed to be freed because you betrayed me.”

  “I understand but hear me out. I took a vow to strip you of your powers and then to hand you over to your uncle. I also took a vow to not tell anyone. If I broke my vows, I forfeited my life, and then I couldn’t save Dansby. Yes, I kept my secrets and ended up betraying you but I vow to you I wouldn’t have let your uncle kill you.”

  “When were you going to tell me about my father killing your mother?”

  His eyes flashed to mine. “Who told you that?”

  “Sarah. You know the distraction that you needed. The one that is probably being tortured right now. You should probably go save her before it’s too late. Just give me back my powers before you leave.”

  “I can’t save her while protecting you. I was told that—”

  “Ariana created this whole mess, so I could not care less what that woman has told you regarding my future. Zero foxes when it comes to that old bat. Why didn’t you tell me the reason you hated demons so much was because one had taken your mother from you?”

  “When is it a good time to tell the girl you have fallen in love with that her father, who she clearly hates just as much, took someone important away from you? From your family. How would that conversation go?”

  I balled my fists up. So many things were going through my head. He betrayed me just to rescue me. All of his secrets have finally caught up to him. My eyes filled with unshed tears, but I refused to let him know how much he’d hurt me. “What did you mean when you said you need to save Dansby? I thought you did that.”

  “No,” he growled. “I kept my vows. Did everything I could to save him and in the end it still wasn’t enough. When I turned you over I told your uncle it was time for him to honor his vows. He said he would give him back to me after your death.”

  “Why didn’t you let me die?”

  “Because everything has changed.” He started pacing in front of the fireplace. “I don’t know when everything changed but it has. Maybe it was when you saved your friend, or maybe it was when you built a castle with that little boy. Or the numerous other things you’ve said or done to show me who you really are. I don’t know, Carmen. All I do know is, I don’t just love you. I can’t live without you. I can’t sacrifice you for Dansby. I tried not to care, but all I see when I close my eyes at night is your face. You haunt my dreams, and God help me, I can’t sacrifice you.” He tugged at his hair. “Not even for Dansby. So somewhere along the way I started planning and thinking of how could I get out of my vows? The answer was I couldn’t. I tried to keep my distance because so many times I felt myself wanting to tell you but I couldn’t.”

  “You hurt me.”

  He took one step toward me. “I know and I’m sorry.” He took another step and another. “It’s all coming together.” His blue eyes searched my face. “Don’t you see? I was the only magical being who could retrieve your shell, and when you finally got it, I immediately recognized you were my mate. The search for the key was so we could build a connection, and I could see you were not who you wanted everyone to think you are, but so much more. The trip into the portal was so I could fall in love with you and realize what I would be sacrificing if I traded you for Dansby. She wanted us together.”

  I couldn’t believe the soothsayer would use Dansby like that. She wasn’t evil. Meddling yes, but not evil. But an innocent man was now going to die because of her.

  His words rang true. His eyes pleaded with me to understand, but I wasn’t overly confident with my emotions right now. I needed time to sort out everything he had just laid on my doorstep.

  He reached a hand out to me and I flinched. “I’m just returning your powers, but before I give them back, I want to say I vow to never take your powers from you again.” His eyes darted to mine, frantic. “Please don’t leave me.”

  Power once again flowed into my body. I tensed as my chamber door opened. A disheveled Tally flew right before me.

  “I made a huge ruckus, but it’s only a matter of time before Maligno figures out it was Austin who set you free. We need to come up with a plan, quick.” His eyes darted to Austin, “And I’m sorry but I couldn’t find Dansby anywhere.” Obviously while I was in the dungeon they had been talking.

  I grabbed Tally, and as my eyes met Austin’s, I realized he knew what I was going to do before I did. Holding Tally to my chest, I avoided Austin’s outstretched arm as I teleported us away. Away from the underworld and away from Austin.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  It was night time in Punta Cana and the beach was completely deserted, so I headed towards the ocean. Tally flew beside me, thankfully not saying a word. I discarded my shoes and kept walking. I sat down where the tide brushed up against my toes and finally allowed myself to cry. Tally sat on my shoulder, his little hand gently stroking my hair and not knowing, just by that simple touch, he made the tears flow faster. That act of kindness pushed me over the limit.

  After several minutes of crying, my voice was raw. “I think I’m better now.”

  Tally sighed. “Do you want to talk about why you’re crying?”

  “You know why.”

  “But I’d like to hear you say it.”

  I wiped the last remaining tears from my face. “Fine. I fell for Austin somewhere along the way. From the moment I saw him, I felt a pull, which makes sense considering I’m his mate. I let myself care about him. I let my guard down, and he stripped me of my powers, just like my father had done. Then he went above and beyond by handing me over to my uncle to be executed. If that’s not enough reason to cry, I finally found out why he hates demons so much and to top it off, he said he loves me. Loves me! Can you believe that?”

  “Yes, Carmen, I can. You’re pretty easy to love. That man never had any intention of letting you be executed. I can promise my wings on that one. In fact I’m
not entirely sure that your uncle had completed teleporting you before Austin had found me and had us hidden in a crevice in the dungeons.” Tally flew over to my drawn-up knees, so he could look me in my face. “I get why you’re upset. You have every reason to feel the way you feel, but I would like for you to see things from his perspective. I like Ariana, in fact I would count her as a friend, but she played Austin. Because of this mess she created, his friend’s life is on the line. Now in her defense, there are certain parameters she has to work within. If she was to tell someone the how’s, what’s, and why’s, it could change the fate of that person, and she really does want the best for the ones she wants to succeed. Austin was desperate to save his friend and made vows that were unbreakable. He figured out a way to not break his vows which by the way would have killed him and he also figured out a way to save you. His mate. Now, he has lost you, and once your uncle figures out Austin was behind your rescue, Austin’s friend Dansby will be killed, too. Yes, Austin took your powers like your father, but that is where the similarities end. This whole mission began because of his love for another human, and it’s turned into a disaster because of his love for a certain Demon Queen.”

  “This is a mess.”

  “Yes, life usually is. We all make mistakes, Carmen. He made his before he even knew you. You just have to figure out what you’re willing to forgive and move on.”

  He was right. I opened my palm, and he flew right to it. He gave me a smile and nod like he knew my decision and was proud of me. Within seconds, I had us teleported back to my chambers. I was ready to flee just in case my uncle had infiltrated. Magic was all around me. I could feel the energy pulsating.

  Austin sat in a chair, his head in his hands. The moment he realized I was back he jumped to his feet. “You came back.”

  Tally asked, “Does the magic I feel belong to you?”

  “I put an intricate spell around Carmen’s chambers. Anyone wishing her harm won’t be able to enter. I started to just leave, but I was hoping …”

  “Hoping I’d come back?” I asked. “Are you done with the secrets and manipulation?”

  “As long as Ariana is steering this vessel, I’m sure there will be more manipulation involved, but from here on out, I’ll tell you everything. I vow it.”

  My shoulders relaxed, as I did something I’d heard about, but had never partaken in. Forgiveness.

  “So by me not getting executed, your friend dies?” His chin dropped to his chest. “I refuse to accept that as an outcome. We need to come up with a plan to get him back.”

  “If only it were that easy. I plan on making a rescue attempt, but I have to go at it alone, because he’d be dead the moment they realized we were working together.”

  He wasn’t going in solo, so I ignored that comment. “You haven’t received a go-ahead from Ariana?”

  His blue eyes turned to steel. “Like I would trust her, anyways.”

  He had a point. Who knew what Ariana’s motivations were at this point? My bones felt tired as I sat on the edge of the bed. “Do you know where uncle Maligno has your friend?”

  “No or I would have already rescued him.” He ran a hand over his face. “This is all my fault.”

  “No, Ariana is responsible for Dansby’s demise. We are just pawns for her amusement.”

  Everyone should be able to agree upon that.

  Tally flew over to the couch. “What do you want to do, my queen?”

  “Do I even still possess that title?”

  “Your uncle is not the official king until he kills you in front of witnesses,” Austin said. “I did hear a couple of guards talking. Your uncle had them search your chambers and found the crown you left here. He currently has it.”

  Tally said, “It’s just a crown. A great symbol but it doesn’t make you a ruler just by wearing it.”

  “But I want it back. You just wait until I get my hands around his thick neck. I’m going to squeeze so hard that crown pops right off. Dang it to hay, I bet it fits him better, too.”

  We had to think of a plan to save Dansby and snag my crown. I started pacing the floor.

  Finally, Austin snagged me around the waist, bringing me flush up against him. “I’ll get your throne back if it’s the last thing I do.”

  I slapped his chest. “Dang right you will.” I started to pull away from him but stopped myself. This felt right, and I enjoyed being in his arms. When was the last time I did something out of pure enjoyment instead of things that were expected of me?

  When I didn’t break out of his hold, he gave me a mouthwatering grin. “If one were deserving of you, you’d be a formidable mate.”

  “You can bet your ash.”

  “I’m sorry, Carmen. Turning you over to your uncle was the hardest thing I have ever had to do because I knew that you had no clue that I wouldn’t let you die in those dungeons. I knew what you would think of me and the disappointment on your face was about my undoing. Even after all of this I don’t know how long I have until they figure out it was me that freed you and they kill Dansby for it.”

  “We’ll figure it out. I am not a fan of Ariana but I can’t believe that she would allow Dansby to die.”

  He swallowed back his emotions and then kissed me tenderly on my forehead. He did that not so weird thing where he smelled my hair. I relaxed in his arms and felt his warmth before I finally broke the contact. Then I thought of a plan to save his friend that he cared so much for and a way that wouldn’t get me killed. My strategy was risky, but definitely doable.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  We had stayed up most of the night going over our plan. So far Austin’s magic held, and no demons were able to bust down my door or storm my chambers. Right before dawn, Tally inserted his opinion on the whole thing, which was we were all screwed, before he went into the guest bedroom to get some much needed rest.

  I talked with Austin over every possible outcome and when daylight finally came, we were as ready as we could be. I dressed quickly in leather pants and a soft tee. I did a simple French braid with my long hair and completed the look with various daggers strapped to my body. One could never be too prepared when facing twelve under lords, and especially if it was my uncle who led the pack.

  Austin gathered me in his arms and kissed me softly. His hands slid up and down my ribs. Our connection was getting stronger now that both of us weren’t fighting it.

  We were about to walk out the door when a girl who looked vaguely familiar materialized in front of us, shrieking, just to disappear again. She kept popping up all over the place like gophers popping out of a hole until she finally stopped about a foot from me. She had her hands way out to the side and knees bent like she was a surfer riding a wave.

  “Who the hay are you?” I shouted.

  The girl took a couple of deep breaths. Her jet-black hair was cut to her chin, and the ends were dyed cobalt blue, matching her eyes. She was very slender and had a gothic look to her that I begrudgingly admired. “Dude, I can’t master this shiznit. I swear, Ariana makes it look so easy peasy. Every time I try to pop up somewhere, my bowels loosen in the process, and I never know if I’m going to stick the landing.”

  My brow wrinkled. “Yeah, way too much info. Who are you? Why are you here? And why are you still crouched?”

  She straightened up. “Just making sure that I’m done … you know, with the landing.”

  I looked at Austin, and he had a huge grin on his face. “Jo? What are you doing here?”

  The girl smiled at Austin. “Whatzup dude?”

  Austin opened his arms, and the girl went into his embrace. As they hugged each other, I tapped a finger on my chin, trying to understand this feeling going through me. Jealousy? No, of course not. I was sure wanting to rip a stranger's pretty little head from their shoulders was a normal reaction to seeing the guy you had the hots for and potential mate giving a brotherly hug. Yeah, totally normal.

  Austin pushed Jo back to get a good look at her. “Jo, I thought you were tr
aining. I’m sure you have an explanation?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t know how long I’ll be here, so you’ll have to take the condensed version.” She took a couple of steps and then stumbled. “Can we sit for a sec? I always feel so yucky after traveling. Too bad I couldn’t take an uber here like a normal person.”

  Austin raised his eyebrows in question, causing me to roll my eyes. “Sure, have a seat, why not?” I pointed for her to sit on the couch while I took a seat at the desk chair.

  Austin sat next to Jo and then made the introductions. “This is Jolene, my sister’s best friend.”

  “Whatzup,” Jolene said. “We’ve met before, but at the time, you didn’t have that banging body. By the way, heard you get to keep that one, so congrats on your hotness.”

  Now, I recognized her. “Ah, you’re the soothsayer that’s training under Ariana.”

  “Yep. It’s been epic.” She leaned back in the couch and propped one of her military boots on her knee. “So, I’m here because Ariana is like old as dirt, and she needs a break, but if we’re being honest, what a crappy time to take a break, you know? I mean, we have mini wars popping up all over the place, and she decides she needs to go off to talk to the Fae King for a week. What-evs. Not passing judgment but if I were, I’d totally tell her that her timing really blows.”

  I felt a headache coming on. “We have pressing matters, so if you wouldn’t mind telling us why you’re here, that would be great.”

  “Oh, she used her ruling tone with me.” She made her hands into claws. “Meow.”

  I gave Austin a look. “Is she a close family friend? Like one everyone would really miss or …”

  Austin laughed. “Jo, get to the point.”

  “I feel like the news I’m about to deliver needs a theatrical presentation and a good build-up, but just go ahead and kill my vibe.” She held up a hand. “Wait a minute. Something is coming through the switchboard. Ugh. Has anyone else noticed how freaking hot Death is? I mean, the things he can do with that scythe. Honest to God, he is the only one I don’t mind getting flashes of during the night. Wowzer.”