by A C Wilds
Sata starts her magic, a roll of bright yellow expanding out of her. It takes shape and twirls into a circle wide enough to fit three nuckelavees astride. Umbra leads the charge, and I follow.
The land on the other side of the portal isn’t like the Darklands. Where Nox’s kingdom is twilight and the twinkling of stars, the Deathlands is death personified.
There are only scrubs and little trees, some weird-looking animals scampering away as we pass. The sun is harsh, beating on us, making me instantly sweat in my leathers. The ground is as black as the night, and the hooves of the nuckelavees spark as we walk.
“This is horrible.”
“It’s the worst part of the Demon Realm. We can’t travel at night because there isn’t any light; not even the moons touch here. And we’d never be able to travel without the nuckelavees. They are from this place, so they are immune to the black sands,” Umbra says, pulling closer to me. I don’t think it’s intentional.
“Is Caedis’ castle the same?”
“No, it’s built on a small oasis. A perfect protection circle from the harsh lands. They banished him here when he fell.”
This guy must have done something horrible to deserve punishment such as this. It’s a wasteland. A place where things go to die. Truly the Deathlands.
Two soldiers break from formation to canter ahead of us. They hold Nox’s banner, the flag flapping in the harsh wind.
Umbra hands me a scarf. I wrap it around my head and face, leaving only an opening for my eyes. A storm seems to be drifting off the horizon, and the sand is blowing all over.
“We can’t wait for them to come back. That storm won’t be pleasant,” Togmerin says.
He urges his nuckelavee on, and the rest of us follow. My mount snorts in excitement, giving me her head so she can race the other horses. I give her the lead, squeezing with my thighs to egg her on.
We take off like a shot. She’s gaining on the other horses. The sand blows in my face, and I’m grateful for the covering. When I let out a war cry, she moves even faster, breathing fire and splashing water from her hooves as she goes.
“What are you doing?” Umbra screams from beside me.
“Racing. Catch me if you can,” I yell back, a huge smile plastered on my face. I haven’t felt this free in a long time.
She smirks and kicks her nuckelavee, leaning back in the seat before she pulls ahead of me.
“You got this, girl. Show him that females always win,” I whisper in her ear.
She snorts in agreement and leans in. I crouch against her bristled mane. When she tucks herself in, I release most of the lead, leaving it very loose and giving her room to run.
She gallops, breathing heavily, fire spitting from her mouth. We’re almost on Umbra, the sound of the wind and the beating hooves the only thing I can make out. I close my eyes against the harsh sand, praying she knows where she’s going.
Her speed slows and I think we’ve lost, but when I crack my eyes open, I see we’re at a gate. I look around, but don’t spot anyone. As we turn in circles, the small image of the other horses comes into view.
“Yes!” I scream, patting her neck. I lean in and kiss her on her heated skin. She neighs as she throws her head about. “Good girl. You did so good.”
I don’t dare hop off until the rest of the guard has arrived, but I do twist in the saddle and hear Namir’s approach. His coat has blended in with the terrain. A black tiger stands before me with the same yellow eyes.
“What did you do?” I ask, laughing.
The black sands stain my white coat. I refuse to look like a dirty vagabond.
My laugh deepens. “You’re the best familiar a tri-bred girl could ask for.”
The sound of the others signals that playtime is over. I must put on my assassin face to survive what’s coming. My nuckelavee moves in anticipation as the others catch up.
“She’s fast,” Donaas says. “I’d love to enter her in a race.”
“They race nuckelavees?” I ask, my eyebrows raised.
“Yeah, there’s big money in it, too. Gets messy sometimes since not all mounts want to be cordial to the other nucks.”
The gate groans open, and we all stop talking, turning to face the inevitable. Fifteen demons stand side by side, in complete armor, pointing guns at us. I didn’t think the Demon Realm had guns.
“Dismount your nuckelavees and come with us.”
“We are the princesses of the Darklands. We demand to see the Death king,” Umbra states.
The lead demon scrutinizes us, but doubt flickers. “There is only one princess, and that is you.”
“Princess Anima is new to the realm. Recently reunited with her soul-merge parents. She is the true heir to the Darklands.”
I try not to groan out loud, but internally I’m regretting coming here. The demon still isn’t taking her word. He motions for his team to move forward. A gun battle here won’t prove anything except that we all die.
I hop off my mount, and Umbra hisses. Placing my hands in the air, I move in front of everyone. “What she says is true. I am the long-lost princess, but we aren’t here to talk about my lineage. We’re here to talk to the Death king about an invasion.”
His soldiers halt their movement, but before he can question me further, the flap of wings has me looking to the sky. Black feathers block the sun, and a man who is too gorgeous to exist lands in front of me.
His gaze drifts over our group before he turns his attention to me. His eyes boil with interest, and I flinch at his attention. This can’t be good.
“You are the new princess? The daughter of Nox?” he asks, moving into my space.
Namir growls low as he angles his body in front of mine. Surprise stops the Fallen angel. Namir’s coat ripples with fury, and Caedis smirks in response.
“The White Tyger, come to kill me at last. It’s only taken you a few centuries.”
I pause as I watch Namir get his anger under control. When we’re alone, I’ll be having that conversation with him.
“Death King, we seek an audience,” Umbra says, her regal stature showing she knows what’s she’s doing.
“I’ll allow the audience, but not with you. With her.” He points to me, and the soldiers’ scuffle in annoyance. I don’t want to be separated either.
“Your Majesty, Anima is not used to court politics. She’s unfamiliar with our customs,” Togmerin says.
Now I want to punch Togmerin, too. I’m not some weak female to be coddled because I didn’t grow up in this realm. Fuck this—it’s time to talk for myself.
“I’ll take the meeting on your word that my people won’t be hurt. Food, water, and shelter while we’re here and no other interventions or threats.”
His lips curve at the corners in a ghost of a smile, but a smile all the same. Seems he’s more than interested—he’s amused. Glancing over to the soldier who wouldn’t permit us through the gates, he nods.
Togmerin leads the party into the gates, and I wait behind with Umbra. She’s standing so close to me that I can feel her shaking. Caedis scares her, but I’m not sure why.
“Anser will show you to your rooms. Rest, eat, and tomorrow we will meet,” Caedis says before jumping in the air and flying away. His large wingspan drifts to the sky.
If we didn’t need him, I would have ripped his neck out.
I chuckle under my breath and take Umbra’s arm, leading her into the castle. There’s no going back now.
Nineteen
ANIMA
The rooms they granted us aren’t as opulent as in the Darklands. However, they are still extravagant by Mortal Realm standards. Our suite is done in black and gray with an onyx-cut fireplace. The glow of the fire is the only light in the room.
“There are two bedrooms. We’ll take one. Anima, you can have your own. The steward is bringing up food for us. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get this meeting done early in the morning,” Donaas says.
His stern look tells me he’s just as happy as Umb
ra to be here. I walk over to the window, then stare out at the land below. There are no gardens like in the Darklands. The black sand doesn’t reach inside the palace gates, but there is no greenery either.
“How do they grow food here?” I ask, no one in particular.
“They have underground greenhouses. It’s also rumored Caedis has his own portal to the Mortal Realm,” Vargroth responds.
A portal into the Mortal Realm doesn’t sound like something the Death king should have access to. I wonder what his part was when the demons invaded Earth.
There’s a knock on the door. The steward comes in, followed by a team of servants carrying trays of food. The smells make my mouth water. I didn’t eat this morning.
They leave as quickly as they came, and the five of us sit down at the table and waste no time enjoying our meal. There are crusts of bread and dried meats. No fruit, but there is something that looks like squash. Water is provided, along with an amber liquid Umbra tells me is their version of whiskey.
It’s not whiskey. It takes like pure alcohol with brown food coloring. I’m sticking with the water the whole time we’re here.
The meal is interrupted by a raven perching on the balcony outside the window. Namir goes to inspect, and the bird caws loud. His screech is almost as strong as Ari’s.
“Not a normal raven then,” I say, wiggling my finger in my ear.
“That’s Evander, Caedis’ familiar. He’s rumored to be the third most powerful demon creature in the realm,” Umbra says.
“Who’s the first?”
Namir turns around, showing his teeth. If a tyger could smile, I imagine that’s what it would look like.
Togmerin goes to the balcony doors and opens them. The raven flies high into the room, sitting on the mantle. Tied to its foot is a tube. Togmerin goes and grabs it, unrolling it as he goes.
“It’s for Anima.”
He hands me the note. At first, I don’t read it. Having something delivered in this way is over the top. Not to mention he could have sent a servant to get me.
I don’t like this bird.
I chuckle as Namir circles the mantel. Evander caws again, and I take it as a sign I need to read this note.
Anima,
Join me for afternoon tea. We’ll get to know one another before you ask me about the Bloodlands.
- C
“He knows,” I say, placing the note on the table. Umbra grabs it and reads it aloud. Voices erupt as options are discussed, but there is no advice they can give. I have to go.
I will go with you. Watch at the door. You’ll only have to call for me in your mind, and I will be there.
“You can’t go alone. Take Tog with you. It’s not proper for a princess to meet with someone behind closed doors,” Umbra says with a pleading expression.
“I’m not a princess. You may have called me that to get me in the door, but you know my role and where I stand. Don’t make this out to be more than it is. He felt my power, and he wants to know what it does.”
“That’s an even worse reason to go! He will try to take you.” She’s out of her seat and pacing, mumbling under her breath.
Donaas goes to her, rubbing her back to calm her. There’s definitely a story behind this. Umbra isn’t the type to get riled up, especially not over tea.
“Namir will go with me. I don’t need a babysitter.”
I get up from the chair and walk to the door, Namir at my heels. Evander shakes out his feathers before launching through the opened door. I guess we follow him.
The corridor is silent as we navigate into the belly of the palace. There is no one around, and it almost feels abandoned, devoid of life and happiness.
Evander leads us down a hall with huge scones pinned on the walls. Paintings of death scenes hang between thick curtains that have seen better days.
An onyx door, the same stone as the fireplace, creaks open, and a servant steps out. Evander takes off, and I follow the servant into the room, except it’s not only a room, it’s a cavern.
A huge circular cavern cut out of whatever rock the palace is sitting on. But it’s not empty. Each section of the space has some purpose. A bedroom, kitchen, living area, and what I assume to be a bathroom through the only other door in the space.
“Have a seat, Your Highness. His Majesty will be here shortly,” the servant says before taking his leave.
Namir doesn’t stay behind in the hall. He trots in front of me to investigate the surroundings. I’m not sure if there is ill intent here, but I have a weird feeling about this meeting. This seems too personal.
As I’m about to sit, the door slams open and Caedis walks in. He’s dressed differently than before, more relaxed in what looks like jeans and a t-shirt. His face wears a cocky smile, and I know this meeting will not be fun.
“Have a seat. I’ll make the tea,” he says, striding past me. His wings are gone, put up just as Uriel can tuck them in.
“I’m not here for tea. If you already know why we’ve come, let’s get to the chase and talk about that.”
He throws a glance over his shoulder before he continues into the kitchen area. A kettle goes on the stove. He takes tea canisters out of the cabinets, placing the loose leaves inside a diffusor. If there was any question that he had a portal, I can verify it now.
“How often do you go to the Mortal Realm?” I ask, cutting the silence.
“About once or twice a week. I have a few business ventures that need monitoring. It’s tedious, but when you’re left to fend for yourself in a wasteland, you do what you can for your people.”
He brings the service over to the small table and takes out a box of pastries from the fridge. Barbara’s Bakery box sits next to the cups. My favorite bakery in New City.
“Seems you have me at an advantage. Bringing me tea and pastries from my favorite bakery. And here I thought I was the unknown in this equation.”
He grins, taking a seat opposite me on the other couch. A small coffee table sits between us to hold the tea and food.
“I’ve known about you for an awfully long time. You started as an anomaly, then it grew to fascination. You did not understand who or what you were.”
“You stalked me?” Disbelief fills, but also anger because I didn’t know. Some assassin I am.
Namir trots over to us, then puts his gigantic head on the table to sniff the pastries. Without thinking, because I need something to do—otherwise, I’ll cut off the demon’s head—I open the box and hold out an eclair for him.
He licks it at first, then swallows it in one gulp, pawing at the box for more. I take out a cannoli for me, giving Namir another eclair. Sitting back in my seat, I wait for a response while imagining Caedis’ head coming off his shoulders.
“I’d consider it keeping a close eye on you. Rahna has been a nuisance since the Bloods invaded the Mortal Realm. I’ve been the only demon for centuries who can access a portal until Torque started experimenting with death magic.”
“This whole time you’ve known her plan, seen what she’s capable of, and let it go?”
He shrugs. “What she did up there wasn’t my business unless it affected me directly, and now it does.”
“In what way?” I regret asking the moment the words come out of my mouth.
“You and I are promised.”
I choke on the cannoli, gagging the contents in a napkin. All that goodness wasted on this jackhole.
“No, we aren’t. That’s ridiculous considering Nox and Uriel didn’t even know I existed until a few weeks ago.”
“It’s not, and I didn’t make a deal with Nox. I made it with the stand-in ruler of the Darklands, Umbra.”
My body goes still as a cold wash of fear crawls over me. Umbra offered my hand without telling me? Without warning me before this meeting took place?
“I’m no one’s to give away.”
“Think of it as gaining a kingdom, not losing one. You’ll be able to have anything you want and more. I’ll take care of the Rahna pro
blem, and you’ll get to live the life you wanted in the Mortal Realm.”
Torque flashes before my eyes. His love for me and the last few days we spent together. He’s my fated mate. He has my heart.
“I already have a fated mate, Torque.”
His grin is feral and his eyes flare with green flames, but he gets his anger under control quickly.
“If you’ll allow me to touch your hand, I can show you what I saw thirty years ago when you were born. You don’t have one fated mate—you have two.”
There’s no way this is possible. Two fated mates. But then I think of Umbra and her guys. She has three. I’m in over my head here.
“What happens when I touch your hand?”
“You’ll see the vision I had. It will make you understand our path together, even if I have to share you with the Blood.” He growls the last part out.
I offer my hand. Call me curious or stupid, but I want to find out what’s going on. No one has offered me the truth like this before. The thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth as I think about how long it took Torque to be honest with me.
“Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Clear your mind of everything. Allow the vision to drift into your mind. Don’t fight it.”
His hand is surprisingly warm in mine. It feels comfortable and reassuring. I stare into his green eyes before I let mine close.
The vision hits with a power I wasn’t prepared for. My mind goes blank. Out of black clouds comes a room in the Mortal Realm. It’s an apartment in the Downtown area if the vast picture windows are anything to go by.
Caedis is fast asleep on a bed when he’s suddenly woken up, sitting up like he had a bad dream. His eyes are cloudy, and his movements disjointed. He runs into a closet, then starts pulling out various ingredients that look like items needed for witchcraft.
As I watch him set up a circle, I realize two things. One, he’s naked, and two, he’s using Tenebris magic. How can a demon use the magic of the witches?
He chants, his voice rising with every word. They flow through me, like a chorus from my childhood. I know this spell. It’s for understanding what you see in the dreamscape. A tool to straighten things out and find your true vision.