Demon Lord VI - Son of Chaos
Page 24
“You can’t fight three dark gods!”
“I can, one at a time.”
“You’ll be hurt!”
He inclined his head. “Probably, but it must be done.”
“You’re doing this to save our goddess?” Nikira asked.
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Lord.”
Ethra glared at her. “If he’s hurt, it’s all your fault!”
Nikira nodded. “I know.”
“I am doing it for Sherinias, Ethra,” Bane said.
“But if it wasn’t for her -”
“Enough.”
In the short silence that followed, Nikira plucked up her courage. “Why did you destroy the dome outside the Gate, Lord?”
He glanced at her, raising his brows. “I did not. When a realm gate closes the wards are activated. The death of those within it is regrettable.”
“But you could have warned them, told them to flee.”
“I did, through you. They ignored the warning.”
“If you had gone to them yourself...”
“They would not have believed me.”
Ethra said, “You shouldn’t question Bane, Nikira, and it was your goddess who closed the Gate.”
Nikira nodded, lowering her eyes, and Sarrin pressed a cup of hot tea into her hand. “Here, dear, drink this. You have been through a terrible ordeal.”
“Thank you.” She sipped it. “It’s just that now the people think you’re all dra’voren, Lord.”
Bane shrugged. “They are fools. They must go into the domain now.”
“They will not. In fact, more may flee. They think you’re going to destroy our world.”
“There is nothing I can do about that. They will survive outside.”
Nikira shivered and wrapped her hands around the hot cup. “What’s going to happen to me now?”
“You will go to Drevarin’s domain.”
She cast Bane a shy glance. “Thank you for rescuing me, Lord.”
“After what you did, you didn’t deserve to be saved by him,” Ethra averred, her dark eyes glittering.
“I know. What do they think happened to me?”
Bane sipped his tea. “You vanished.”
“Perhaps I could stay in Bayona. If they don’t know what happened to me, they might not look for me.”
“If they find you, they will kill you.”
“How will I manage in a strange domain? I can’t speak their language.”
“Drevarin will gift all of you with his people’s language when you enter his domain.”
Nikira’s heart sank as Bane handed his cup to Sarrin and rose.
“I must go.”
Ethra jumped up, her expression forlorn, but he ignored her plaintive look. Mirra stood to embrace him, and he bent to kiss her, stroking her hair. Taking her hand, he pressed it to his cheek and closed his eyes, and she bit her lip. Then he turned and marched off, vanishing after a few paces. Nikira gazed after him, wishing he would stay, or take her with him, anything but leave her with these people with whom she could not communicate when he was absent.
Nikira sensed that sweeping changes were in store for her domain, and the thought of Bane fighting three dark gods, even one at a time, horrified her. The possible consequences if he lost made her shudder, and did not bear thinking about. Her only comfort was her faith in him, and she clung to it and the belief that he would prevail. He had to, or her domain, her people and everyone with him, save the light gods, would perish.
The tale continues in book VII, When Angels Fall.
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About the author
T. C. Southwell was born in Sri Lanka and her family moved to the Seychelles when she was a baby. She spent her formative years exploring the islands – mostly alone. Naturally, her imagination flourished and she developed a keen love of other worlds. The family travelled through Europe and Africa and, after the death of her father, settled in South Africa. T. C. Southwell has written over forty novels and five screenplays. Her hobbies include motorcycling, horse riding and art, and she earns a living in the IT industry.
All illustrations and cover designs by the author.
Visit the Demon Lord blog: http://www.demon-lord-book.blogspot.com
Acknowledgements
Mike Baum and Janet Longman, former employers, for their support, encouragement, and help. My mother, without whose financial support I could not have dedicated myself to writing for ten years. Isabel Cooke, former agent, whose encouragement and enthusiasm led to many more books being written, including this one. Suzanne Stephan, former agent, who has helped me so much over the past six years, and Vanessa Finaughty, good friend and business partner, for her support, encouragement and editing skills.