by Dove, Raquel
Once they were inside the prison complex, the stench of tortured souls hit their noses. It was well known that prisoners were not terribly well taken care of, and often tortured to gain confessions. Nila covered her nose with the sleeve of her robe as they made their way through the bottom floor of the complex, past metal barred cells with lethargic captives inside that barely gave them a passing glance. Balthazar would not be kept in these squalled conditions. He was a royal prince, the crown prince, and even in captivity he would be treated with respect. They made their way silently up to the second floor, Nila clinging tightly to Tavi slightly fearful of the sights she was seeing. Tavi, having been raised in the military was accustomed to less than savory sights.
They were finally able to pinpoint Balthazar’s scent once they were on the second floor. But when they opened the door to his room they were shocked to find him in a state of blind rage. He was tied down to the bed, his eyes clouded over with crimson. His beast was in complete control and his body was broken and bloody.
Chapter Thirty Six
“We must get him out of here,” Tavi said, the anger and fear for his older brother and best friend thick in his voice.
“If we unchain him, he will attack us,” Nila said, still clinging to Tavi. “and we cannot contain him.”
“He is in pain,” Tavi said, stepping closer to the bed. “He is dying. We have to do something.”
The sight of the usually so composed demon prince, chained to a bed, blood pouring from his body enraged Tavi. Ashdad was leaving him here to die. She knew Tavi was right. Something had to be done. They could not leave Balthazar in this state, and they could not bring him with them without being torn to shreds the moment they removed his chains. Balthazar growled wildly into the empty space of the darkened room he was being kept in.
“There is something,” Nila said, her mind slowly processing the plan she was forming. “But it will be terribly risky.”
“Do it,” Tavi said, without thinking twice or stopping to hear what the plan was. If they did nothing, he didn’t know how much longer Balthazar would last.
“But,” Nila’s eyes darted from Tavi to Balthazar, “there is a possibility his memories will be removed.”
“What possibility?” Tavi asked, urgency in his voice.
“My abilities are not strong,” Nila admitted, “and I would be stepping into dangerous waters. I have heard my father speak of the possibilities magic allows for controlling a beast, but with severe consequences.”
“I understand,” Tavi said. Magic was a powerful tool when in the right hands. Balthazar had attempted to use Alexandra’s ability to control his beast. Tavi had seen, and felt, the consequences of that attempt failing. He thought out the possibilities for a moment. Balthazar could very easily die, and Nila was far from a powerful enchanter. He knew what they needed.
“Your father,” Tavi said, looking to Nila. “You must get your father.”
“My father,” Nila gasped, scared at the simple thought of having to tell her father everything that was going on. “I can not…”
“You must,” Tavi argued. “There is no other way. He has the most powerful magic in the kingdom. Lord Balthazar deserves no less.”
Nila knew he was right. There was no way she could pull off a feat like controlling a beast, especially one as powerful as Balthazar’s, and in as deep a rage as he was in.
“I will go,” Nila said with a small nod. “But what if he refuses to come?”
“Go to Lord Darius first,” Tavi said, “He will form all the arguments you need. I will wait here.”
#
“You cannot be serious,” Arastoo said, his eyes shifting from Darius to his youngest daughter. He was utterly shocked by the accusations they were making.
“Father,” Nila pleaded, “we need you. Lord Balthazar needs you.”
“Be careful, Nila,” Arastoo warned. “Balthazar is still a prince, not a lord.”
“Damn that,” Nila blurted out, surprising not only her father but Darius as well by the outburst. “We all know there is something not right about Ashdad. Am I the only one not afraid to say so?”
“You are not,” Darius cut in, trying to calm Nila. “However, we must be cautious. Lord Ashdad is extremely powerful. He has achieved something thought to be only a myth. He can transform to human form. That is not something to scoff at, and even together we cannot oppose him.”
“But Lord Balthazar can,” Nila said, her voice still pleading as her lavender eyes stared up at her father. “I know he can. We must save him.”
Arastoo looked from his daughter to Darius, who gave a small nod confirming that he felt the same. He too had suspicions about the Lord Sultan, but had elected to remain aloof after the assassination of Salaman. His impression of Balthazar was little more than a spoiled demon prince, but Arastoo knew that at his heart he was good. They had had their differences, but it was time to put those aside for the good of the kingdom.
“I will need you to retrieve something for me Nila,” Arastoo said with a sigh.
“Anything you need father,” Nila said, a relieved smile spreading across her lips.
#
Tavi was beginning to get very worried. It had been quite some time since Nila had left. He feared his original assumption that Arastoo would assist them was off. Balthazar was getting worse by the second. If they didn’t act soon, his beast would take control forever. As it was, he had no idea how long Balthazar had been like this. Tavi could feel his anger rising at the treatment of his brother. He should never have been handled like this, and he vowed in that moment that Ashdad would pay for this. Tavi let out a short, low growl to release his frustration.
“Your anger will not assist us,” Arastoo said from behind his fellow council member.
“Where is Nila?” Tavi asked, turning around and seeing only Arastoo standing there. He was a little shocked that he hadn’t smelled or sensed Arastoo’s approach, his anger clouding his senses.
“My daughter does not belong in a place like this,” Arastoo said, disapproval heavy in his voice. Tavi knew that Arastoo was less than happy about her marriage to him. It was nothing personal, Tavi knew that, it was the simple fact that Arastoo had assumed his daughter would one day be the Sultana. He was still a little sore that she wasn’t.
“Can you help him?” Tavi asked, motioning to the ever-worsening Balthazar.
“I will certainly do my best,” Arastoo said, “but it is likely he will lose his memories. This is an intense process, and there is a distinct possibility it will kill him sooner than fix him.”
“I understand,” Tavi said. “Do what you must. He will certainly die if we do nothing.”
Chapter Thirty Seven
Carolina and Alex were waiting patiently with Kaveh in the back corner of the palace garden, trying their best to look like nothing was amiss. They had been waiting the entire day, and the darkness was quickly approaching. Soon the ladies would need to return to the harem apartments, or risk garnering suspicions. Alex was not comfortable with the idea of Kaveh escorting them, remembering the way he had assaulted her the last time she met him in the royal gardens. Balthazar had intervened and saved her before the assault became violent. Now they were sitting so casually with him.
“They will come,” Carolina said to Alex, sensing the discomfort in her aura.
“It’s getting late,” Alex said, the worry showing on her face. Carolina sat up suddenly. Her nose caught a horrible smell, before her eyes landed on the source of it.
Balthazar was unconscious, his bloody, broken, body supported between Tavi and Arastoo on either side of him. Kaveh stood, rushing over to help the two hold him up. Just as he reached him, a horn sounded in the distance. An alarm, calling all guards to their posts. They were caught.
“You must leave now,” Arastoo said, handing his side of the demon prince over to Kaveh. “I will do what I can to stall them.”
“Where is Nila?” Kaveh demanded.
“She will re
main here,” Arastoo said, the anger of his daughter being involved clear in his voice. “In the harem, where she belongs.”
“I will not leave without her,” Kaveh said, his jaw tense. Tavi was surprised by the declaration. He had never suspected Kaveh to have such deep feelings for her.
“She will be safe here, brother,” Tavi said, trying to calm Kaveh. He needed help to carry the unconscious Balthazar, and the Alex certainly wouldn’t be much help with such a thing.
“I will not leave without her,” Kaveh growled out again, baring his fangs.
“Kaveh,” Tavi said sharply, “We need you. Nila will be fine.”
Kaveh was surprised himself by the strong emotions he felt for Nila. What had begun as a scheme to steal the throne from Balthazar had unraveled into love. He did not want to leave Nila, not because he was worried for her safety, he knew she would be fine. There was nothing to implicate her in the escape. Now that Arastoo was involved, any magic use would be attributed to him. He knew what needed to be done, and that was getting Balthazar and the human out of the palace and away from Ashdad.
“If she is harmed,” Kaveh said, his voice low. He left the threat unspoken. It was clear to everyone the feelings he felt for her, and what his reaction would be if she was harmed.
“She will be alright,” Carolina said to Kaveh. “I will remain here and look to her safety.”
“No,” Alex protested. She did not want to leave without the lady. Even though Tavi would be with her, Balthazar was unconscious and she just didn’t trust Kaveh.
“My place is here, Alexandra,” Carolina said. She had never had any intentions of leaving with them. In her whole life, she had never left the palace complex, and rarely left the harem. She did not want to go traipsing about the countryside if she did not have to. She wasn’t the least bit worried of being punished. There was no evidence linking her to this, although she was sure Ashdad would know right away that she was involved.
“But…” Alex began to protest.
“There is no time, Alexandra,” Carolina cut in. “You must leave now. The guards are already on the alert. It wont take them much longer to find us.”
“She is right,” Tavi said. “We must leave now, Alexandra.”
Arastoo stepped forward, clasping his hands together, and beginning to chant. A swirl of blue light formed around him and as he continued to chant, the light grew brighter and larger. It grew to engulf the small group. A flash of light momentarily blinded Alex and when she regained her sight, she was standing in a field, the royal palace in the distance, with Kaveh and Tavi next to her holding Balthazar.
“We must move quickly,” Tavi said. “I know a place we can find refuge.”
“Hold Prince Balthazar,” Kaveh said to Tavi. “I will carry the human.”
“Oh no, I’m not letting you touch me,” Alex said, shaking her head.
“Alexandra,” Kaveh said, as he handed Balthazar over to Tavi. “Now is not the time.”
He held his hand out to Alex. She looked cautiously at it, and back to Tavi, reluctant to take it.
“I apologize,” Kaveh said with a sigh. “My previous behavior was less than appropriate.”
“Yeah,” Alex said, “it was.”
“Alexandra,” Tavi cut it, “I promise you, I will allow nothing untoward to happen to you. Balthazar would kill all of us if I did. Now, allow Kaveh to carry you, or Ashdad will kill us all.”
Alex reluctantly took Kaveh’s outstretched hand. She knew they were right. Now was not the time to be arguing about such things. Kaveh scooped her up, tossing her on his back. Alex felt the familiar nauseating jerk of demonic speed and closed her eyes against the sensation.
Chapter Thirty Eight
It was late into the night when they finally stopped to rest. Alex was exhausted and achy from being carried for hours. Kaveh was a much bumpier ride than Balthazar. She could see the exhaustion in the other two demons as they panted lightly, the sweat dripping from them as they tried to catch their breath. Balthazar was still out, and Tavi could sense the worry in Alexandra’s worry.
“He will be ok,” Tavi said, trying to comfort her, even though he knew is words might not be true.
“What happened to him?” Alex asked. There hadn’t been much time earlier to ask about it, but it had weighed heavy on her mind since they had left.
“I am not entirely sure,” Tavi said, setting him down on the grass. “He was in a bad state when we found him. His beast was in control.”
“I will go collect some wood,” Kaveh interrupted them. He would rather not join in the conversation. He was still upset about Nila staying behind. “We should get a fire going. The night will be cold.”
“Where are we going?” Alex asked Tavi, after Kaveh disappeared. Her eyes were locked onto Balthazar, her worry over him still apparent.
“There is a village, another day’s journey from here,” Tavi said. “The village master is loyal to Balthazar. I have no doubt he will give us shelter until we can find a way to overthrow Ashdad.”
“Do you mean Temel?” Alex asked.
“Yes,” Tavi said, a little surprised she knew the name. He found that Alexandra was constantly surprising him. “How did you know?”
“Before,” she explained, “I went there with Balthazar, when we found the phoenix.”
“I see,” Tavi said.
Kaveh returned with a small bundle of twigs and branches. He got to work starting a fire, making spark with a couple rocks and nursing it into a flame. It wasn’t long before they had a raging campfire going and they settled into a comfortable silence. Alex lay down on the cold grass, cushioning her head with her hands. She was on the brink of sleep when she heard a low growl emanating from Tavi. Her eyes popped open to see both her demon escorts on their feet, looking into the night around them.
“Come out,” Tavi said, still searching for the intruders that his ears had caught approaching. Whoever they were, their scent was hidden and that worried both Tavi and Kaveh.
Alex could hear a scuffling sound, and then a pair of familiar faces emerged from the darkness.
“Nila,” Kaveh said, seeing the demoness he loved and rushing to her side.
“Yashmina,” Tavi said in barely more than a whisper, as if he was unsure whether she was really there or not. She smiled shyly up at him. It had been so long since she had seen him, and she was a little afraid he would have forgotten about her. When Nila had come to her, she didn’t even want to welcome her into her apartment. But the young demoness had explained what was going on, and asked Yashmina to come with her. The thought of seeing Tavi again, and that he still remained faithful to her, had made her heart soar.
“What are you doing here?” Kaveh asked Nila, taking her hands in his. It was such a touching moment that Alex just watched, wishing she could have the same reunion with Balthazar. There was so much she needed to ask him. It was killing her inside that he was not yet awake.
“I was not going to let you go without me,” Nila said, a smile creeping across her face.
“But you could have been caught,” Kaveh said.
“I have plenty of experience sneaking out of the palace,” Nila said with a sly giggle. Kaveh wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his body, hugging her tightly. He hadn’t wanted to admit it to anyone, but despite her father’s assurance, he was still worried for her. Ashdad was quickly being revealed as a maniac, and he didn’t want her anywhere near him or his palace.
“I am glad you are here,” Kaveh whispered into her silky silver hair, and she hugged him tightly back.
“I don’t understand,” Tavi said, his eyes locked on Yashmina. “Why can I not scent either of you?”
“Oh,” Yashmina said, with a small smile. She lifted a necklace over her head and her delicious scent instantly hit Tavi. “Nila had these. There are guards all over the lands surrounding the palace. These hid our scent from them, and allowed us to find you without leaving a scent trail.”
“Your father wi
ll not be happy about this,” Kaveh said, pulling back from Nila to look at her.
“Father is never happy,” Nila said with a wave of her hand. She moved away from Kaveh and came over to Alex, giving her a hug.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Alex said, looking over at Yashmina, “You too.”
“It has been sometime since we have seen each other,” Yashmina said, “I am glad you have returned.”
“Me too,” Alex said with a smile.
“We should all rest,” Kaveh said. “We will have a long journey tomorrow.”
The small group hunkered down, curling up next to the slowly dying fire. Nila and Yashmina curled up in the arms of the men they loved, happy to be reunited with them. Alex settled in next to Balthazar, hoping that he would soon wake. She had torn off a small piece of the bottom of her robe to clean some of the blood from his handsome face. It wasn’t long before sleep claimed them all.
Chapter Thirty Nine
Balthazar was mesmerized by the sight of Alexandra, sleeping so peacefully with her mouth slightly ajar. She was everything he didn’t need in a mate. She was clumsy, defiant, unrefined. But she was everything he wanted. He had tried to separate himself from her. He tried to break the bond. But his beast had quickly taken over his consciousness, in a rage at the simple thought of never being able to hold her again. He didn’t know how she had managed to do it, but she had completely and utterly captured his heart in the short time that he had known her. And though his mind told him that it was better to leave her alone, for both of their own good, his heart simply would not allow such a thing. His beast would rather kill him than live without Alexandra. He reached out to brush a piece of raven hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. Her emerald eyes slowly fluttered open at the contact.