by Dove, Raquel
“What do you mean, ‘she says’?” Alex said, turning to look at Nila,
“She speaks of course,” Nila said, “I am one of the few who can understand her. It is a talent of my family’s bloodline. I have been caring for her while you were away. I have tried to keep dear Peta company. She is incredibly smart, and defiant like her mother.”
“Her mother?” Alex said, recalling the phoenix who had approached her to be a caretaker. “You mean Simiri?”
“No,” Nila said, cocking her head curiously at Alex, “I mean you. Do you know nothing about the bird?”
“Um..well, not really,” Alex admitted. “I only had her for such a short time.”
Peta let out another loud caw, drawing the attention of both women.
“What did she say?” Alex asked, looking at Nila for a translation.
“She says,” Nila said, her thin silver brows pulling together, “that we must leave.”
“Leave?” Alex said, looking over at Peta. “But we just got here. Did I do or say something to upset her?”
“No,” Nila said, shaking her head, “I mean, she said we must leave the palace.”
“Leave the palace?” Alex said. “Why? Ask her what’s the matter.”
Nila looked at Peta, her eyes narrowing, and it appeared she was carrying on a silent conversation with the bird. Her expression shifted from confusion to shock to fear. Her soft purple eyes finally looked back up at Alex, but she was silent.
“What is it? Tell me,” Alex said.
“She says,” Nila said, looking around to ensure they were absolutely alone, her voice lowering to a whisper. “Lord Ashdad cannot be trusted. We must leave as soon as possible.”
“Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand her?” Alex said.
“I will ask Peta again, to be sure of what she means,” Nila said.
Nila again concentrated on the bird, her eyes narrowing and her head cocking to the side as she tried to listen to the chirping squawks.
“She is certain,” Nila said finally, swallowing hard at the understanding of the firebirds words. “Lord Ashdad does not have your interests at heart, she says. He intends only to trade you to someone she calls the Ancient.”
“How could Peta possibly know that?” Alex asked, the fear sticking in her throat. She had trusted Ashdad, had believed that he was helping her. But deep down, somewhere in the pit of her stomach she had her doubts about him.
“She is a phoenix,” Nila said. “She has many abilities, one of which is incredible foresight. She had told me when you disappeared that you would soon return. If she says Lord Ashdad is not to be trusted, I would heed her warnings.”
“What do we do?” Alex said, looking to Nila for guidance. The young demoness was frankly just as clueless as the human, but she knew someone that would know precisely what to do.
Chapter Thirty Three
Carolina was surprised to see Nila at her door. She was even more surprised to see Alexandra with her. Her curiosity was taken to new heights when she noted not only the friendly nature between the two, but also the fear that was on both their faces.
“Come in,” she said, eyeing Nila curiously. She knew the young demoness did not deserve the reputation she had, but she was still wary of her.
“I know you do not care for me, Lady Carolina,” Nila said with a slight bow. “But I knew no one else to turn to.”
“I do not care for your sister,” Carolina said, “you I am rather indifferent to.”
“We really need to talk to you,” Alex said, her eyes moving to the eunuchs that were milling about the apartment. “In private.”
“Let us sit,” Carolina said, sashaying into the audience room of her apartments, Alex and Nila following her lead. They all settled around a small table, freshly prepared for Carolina’s afternoon tea. The Sultana motioned to the eunuchs that were in the room to leave, and they quickly complied.
“Now,” she said, once the last servant left, closing the door behind him. “Whatever is the matter with you two?”
Nila looked at Alex, hoping she would respond and explain their concerns. She thought, given the less than friendly nature between her and the Sultana, the news would be better received coming from Alexandra.
“It’s Ashdad,” Alex said.
“Be careful, Alexandra,” Carolina said, “We are all friends here, however I would still advise you to use his proper title.”
“Damn that,” Alex said, startling Carolina with her abrupt display of anger. “He wants to give me over to the Magi.”
“How did you come by this information?” Carolina demanded, her eyes narrowing but the rest of her remaining regal as usual. Alex knew she could trust Carolina, without a doubt. But she was having a little trouble trying to say that she had learned of his shady nature from a talking bird that only Nila could hear.
“Peta,” Nila said. She avoided Carolina’s gaze. She hadn’t told anyone that she could speak with the bird, and she was afraid of the repercussions of such things. The ability to communicate with a firebird was incredibly useful, being that the bird’s powers were highly coveted.
“So,” Carolina said, leaning back from the table, tossing an arm over her triangular back rest as she eyed Nila, “that is why you asked to care for her. You are a sneaky little thing, Nila.”
“My Lady,” Nila said, urgent to placate the lady and avoid chastisement, “I assure you, I did not know of my abilities until after I had taken over care of the bird. I was merely intrigued at first. Peta did not speak with me for near a week.”
“And she is certain of this information?” Carolina asked, her eyes trained on Nila.
“Yes, I am certain,” Nila said, uncomfortable with the Sultana’s presence.
“Then it is as I suspected,” Carolina said with a sigh.
“You mean you knew about this?” Alex asked, her voice high with a hint of betrayal.
“I suspected Lord Ashdad was not what he seemed,” Carolina clarified. “Now that my suspicions are confirmed, we can act.”
“Act, My Lady?” Nila asked.
“I was chosen as Sultana for a reason, Nila,” Carolina said with a wry smirk. “I plan for even the most undesirable of situations. This circumstance is no different.”
Relief washed over Nila as the Sultana stood with purpose on her face. She knew coming to her would be the right thing to do, and learning that she didn’t truly hate Nila was just an added bonus. Carolina disappeared from the audience chamber of her apartment, going to the front door of her apartment. She returned a short moment later with Bashir, her ever-faithful eunuch in tow.
“It is as we feared,” Carolina said, settling back into the cushion. “You know what to do.”
The eunuch bowed to his mistress, before shuffling wordlessly out of the apartment.
“Everything will be taken care of,” Carolina said. “You two must do your part.”
“Our part?” Alex asked.
“Yes,” Carolina said. “Simply act as if nothing has changed. We do not want to alert anyone of our intentions.”
“My Lady,” Nila spoke up, “forgive me for questioning you, but how will we…”
“That neat little trinket you have,” Carolina interrupted her with a knowing smirk on her lips.
“You have known all this time?” Nila asked nervously. She thought she was being sneaky, but it appeared there were many that knew what was truly going on.
“Of course,” Carolina said. “As does your husband. Did you think he would not notice the sudden womanhood in your scent?”
“My Lady,” Nila said breathlessly, shaking her head and trying to form an argument. She knew she could be in big trouble for her actions. “I did not mean…”
“It is alright, Nila,” Carolina said, soothing the troubled demoness.
“Ok,” Alex interrupted, “Am I missing something?”
“Lady Nila here is going to provide us with the perfect opportunity to escape from the palace,” Carolina said.
“Let me pass,” Tavi growled with a pointed glare at the guard who barred his way.
“Apologies, My Lord,” the guard said nervously. “Direct orders of the Lord Sultan. No one is to see Prince Balthazar.”
“Is he under arrest?” Tavi demanded, frustration heavy in his voice.
“No, My Lord,” the guard said. “I can only tell you he is not to receive visitors.”
Tavi growled loudly at the guard in frustration, baring his fangs. It had been his plan to visit Balthazar with his concerns about Ashdad and perhaps gain some insight and a plan of how to deal with him. He turned away from the building that housed the palace prisons. There was something so wrong with Lord Ashdad. He may be Devasi, and the Lord Sultan, but Tavi knew he didn’t have the kingdoms best interests at heart. He’d had suspicions beginning when Ashdad had such little concern about capturing Sami’s assassin. His suspicions were confirmed when he executed Salaman. Some one needed to put a stop to him, and Balthazar was the only one even remotely close to being capable of such a thing. He was, technically, anointed as the Lord Sultan. There would be little resistance to his return to the throne. In fact, after the execution, Balthazar would be warmly welcomed back as the Lord Sultan. Tavi didn’t know what Ashdad was thinking. He may be Lord Sultan, but his power was finite, and there were ways to band together and bring down an undesirable Lord Sultan. Especially when there was a far more fitting alternative.
“Lord Tavi,” Kaveh said from behind him. Tavi turned around to face one of his many brother princes, and his least favorite one at that. The least of his reasons was due to the fact he had deflowered his wife.
“What do you want, Kaveh,” Tavi spat bitterly. He was not in the mood for false pleasantries at the moment.
“A word is all, dear brother,” Kaveh said with a smile and thoughts of Nila floating in his mind.
“I do not have time,” Tavi said, pushing past him.
“It will only take a moment,” Kaveh said, following after Tavi as he stormed away. “I believe you will want to hear what I have to say.”
“Then say it,” Tavi said, his jaw tensing. Kaveh was up to something, Tavi could see that in his expression. He wondered if it had something to do with Nila. Maybe he wanted to confess his indiscretions.
“Perhaps in private would be better,” Kaveh said with a tilt in his neck.
“Are you afraid others will learn you have lain with my wife,” Tavi said bitterly. It wasn’t that he cared for the demoness he was wed to, he certainly hadn’t visited her or her sister once in the harem. It was the simple disrespect in the action that Tavi hated.
“Lord Tavi,” Kaveh said, biting through his words, “this is a discussion that would better take place in private.”
“I am certain it would,” Tavi said. He had no desire to hear anything Kaveh had to say. He was already in a rotten mood, he did not need Kaveh to make it worse.
Kaveh was quickly becoming frustrated with Tavi’s indifference towards him. He knew he was not the demons favorite person, but he had very important and pertinent information to discuss with him.
“It is not about Nila,” Kaveh said, still following after Tavi. “Although, she is a rather pleasant little thing. It is a shame you do not think so.”
“You dare insult me?” Tavi growled, stopping and turning around to face Kaveh.
“I only meant to get your attention,” Kaveh said, holding his hands up in a placating gesture. “I have something I believe you will be interested in hearing.”
“Fine,” Tavi said, realizing whatever it was, Kaveh wasn’t going to give up until he spoke with him in private. He motioned for Kaveh to follow him. The two walked on in an uncomfortable silence until they were in the privacy of Tavi’s apartment within the palace barracks.
“Speak,” Tavi said, not caring to offer Kaveh a seat or any other comforts.
“As you have already made clear,” Kaveh said, “I have been in liaisons with Nila.”
“I thought this wasn’t about her,” Tavi said, warning Kaveh with his eyes not to further cross him.
“No,” Kaveh said, taking a seat and making himself comfortable while ignoring the glare from Tavi. “Although, she does play a rather intricate part in this.”
“Explain,” Tavi said, narrowing his eyes at Kaveh as he took a seat across from him, crossing his arms over his chest.
“It appears our girl has been making friends,” Kaveh said, “and they have formed a plan.”
“What friends?” Tavi asked, both intrigued and annoyed by the allusive statement. “A plan for what?”
“A plan for escape,” Kaveh said, “it appears our Lord Sultan has rather foul intentions towards the little human.”
“What is this plan? And what does it have to do with me?” Tavi demanded, leaning forward. He didn’t have to question the accuracy of the information. He had long suspected Ashdad of foul play. It only slightly surprised him that Alexandra was the source of his plot.
“You know of Nila’s abilities,” Kaveh said. “She can get you in to see Lord Balthazar.”
“So you suddenly care about our elder brother?” Tavi asked, narrowing his eyes at Kaveh.
“Not particularly,” Kaveh admitted with a wave of his hand. “However, I do care about our kingdom. And I believe we both know Lord Balthazar is the most suitable Lord Sultan. Besides, I am told the human refuses to leave without him.”
“I see,” Tavi said. He gained a small measure of respect for his slightly younger brother. He knew Kaveh was a self-centered demon, but the fact that he actually cared more for his kingdom than his personal dislikes meant a lot to Tavi.
“Take your wife for a stroll in the gardens,” Kaveh said, elaborating on the plan that Lady Carolina had laid out. “Take her to the back wall of the prison building. She will gain you access to see Balthazar.”
“And then what?” Tavi asked.
“I will be an escort for the Sultana and her human pet,” Kaveh said. “You will meet us in the far quadrant of the gardens. We will need you to ensure there is no security detail on that day.”
Chapter Thirty Five
“You mean to tell me that you have a voice in who rules your country?” Nila asked, shocked by the possibility. It was such a foreign idea. “And they only rule for four years?”
“Yeah,” Alex laughed at the slack jawed reaction of the demoness. She found she rather enjoyed Nila’s company.
“I simply can not fathom how that could possibly work,” Nila said, still trying to comprehend the idea.
“It does,” Alex said with an assuring nod. “Most of the time anyway.”
A eunuch shuffled quietly into the room, interrupting the conversation. He bowed to both Alex and Nila, and then held out a rolled piece of parchment to Nila. She took it from him, unrolling it and reading over it as the eunuch left the room.
“Lord Tavi,” she said finally, looking up at Alex. “He has summoned me.”
“Then it’s time,” Alex said, releasing a deep breath. They had been waiting all day for the summons, but now that it was here she found her stomach tied in knots. They were about to make their escape from the Devasi palace, and the clutches of the corrupt Ashdad. She was praying everything went according to plan.
“I will see you soon,” Nila said, rising from the cushions and straightening her silk robes. “I hope.”
#
“Nila,” Tavi acknowledged her as she emerged from the gate of the harem apartments. He held his arm out for her and she anxiously took it. She now knew that he was aware of her affair with Kaveh, and if demons could blush her face would be red hot. As it was, she was working extra hard trying to hide the nervousness from her aura.
“There is no need to be fearful,” Tavi said, seeing easily through her efforts. He led them out into the gardens, along one of the many well-groomed paths that led through the grounds. It was a beautiful sunny day, with a slight chill in the air that made Nila want to pull cl
oser to Tavi for warmth.
“I am sorry,” Nila said so softly that Tavi scarcely heard it. “About Kaveh…I did not want to…”
“I am not angry with you Nila,” Tavi said, cutting her off. He knew what she was apologizing for, but he wasn’t sure if she completely understood the situation. He did not really want to get into this conversation now. “But you must stop. I will not have such an act of disrespect committed against me.”
Nila almost felt her heart stop beating in her chest. Part of her understood, but a larger part of her was so confused. Tavi did not have even the slightest interest in her. Their marriage was ordered by a Lord Sultan that was technically not in power anymore.
“It is not your fault,” Tavi said, seeing Nila’s internal debate. “You, as well as your sister, would be ideal brides. However, my heart belongs elsewhere. I can not betray that.”
“I understand,” Nila said, turning her head to look up at Tavi. She was pleased that he was opening up to her. This was an issue that sorely needed to be discussed. “And I’m sure you can understand my actions, by the same token.”
“You are in love with Kaveh?” Tavi asked, turning his head to look down at Nila as they continued to stroll through the gardens, trying to look casual. The thought that Nila, and Kaveh particularly, were acting on the deep feeling of love for each other had never really crossed his mind. He had assumed she was driven to Kaveh’s arms due to his own inattention.
“Very much,” Nila admitted, her eyes falling to the ground before them. Even though it was a loveless marriage, she couldn’t look her husband in the eyes while she told him she was in love with another.
“I did not realize,” Tavi said quietly. The two continued on their designated path, both lost in thought of the peculiar conversation that had just taken place, until they came to the building that housed the prison complex.
Tavi was the head of palace security, and it was his job to appoint guards at various points in the palace. It was easy enough to station a couple of particularly loyal guards at the gate of the prisons. They would not sound the alarm for any peculiar sights or sounds, but they also would also not defy a direct order of the Lord Sultan and allow Tavi to enter the prisons. He did not want to implicate anyone else in this plan to see Balthazar. He nodded to the guards and continued to lead Nila around the building. The back wall was tall, and bare of any windows or doors. It was backed up to the outer wall of the palace, leaving only a narrow grassless area between the two. The couple looked anxiously around them, ensuring that no eyes were on them and disappeared into the gap. Nila pulled the small golden ball from her robe pocket, and with a little concentration opened a door for them into the prison building.