by M. D. Laird
“You made a joke with one of the seven high princes of Hell?” Calab stared at her in disbelief.
She smiled. “I think he likes me. He said he had never been spoken to in such a way before, and he said he didn’t know how you cope with my relentless questions.”
“I can imagine,” Calab replied, shaking his head.
“The alchemists were controlling things all along and manipulating everyone else to do their bidding. I didn’t really know how the alchemists were controlling people. I just guessed and hoped that even if I were wrong, I could still convince the witches.”
“You were right about your terrific acting skills.” He smiled. “I was convinced. Should I be worried that you’re able to deceive me so easily?”
“It will keep you on your toes. I have you to thank for that. The books you loaned me when I first came to rule helped me. I was going over every interaction and every conversation, and I kept thinking of your insistence that I maintained an impression of power. The power is not nearly as great as we imagined, it’s just like the alchemists—it’s an illusion. It keeps people afraid.”
“The scouts reported they could obliterate people and they turned the fae to dust,” remarked Calab.
“Yes, they did,” said Eve sadly, “but only Cadan and the alchemists had the magic, the alchemists could only use it to enhance their existing powers and Cadan wasn’t capable of much more. She depleted much of her power torturing you. I felt her weakness when I took it from her. They said that they knew the scouts were there. I think they staged what they would see to make them look invincible so we would believe that we couldn’t stand against them.”
“Of course,” exclaimed Calab. “I should have guessed. The alchemist at the keep and the one in the forest had some sort of shield to prevent us from midspacing. If they had not wanted us to see them, they would’ve done the same. It seems obvious now.”
“Or they could have Cloaked themselves. The wonders of hindsight. They were clever about what we saw. I think they attacked the fae to let us believe that we weren’t safe anywhere. They did not have enough power to kill more than two after they had located and breached the realm’s Cloaking magic. When I took the magic, I tried to do the same. I tried to appear more powerful and convince them that the magic was stronger with me because it was mine. I was drained, though. If they had not taken out Cadan, then I would’ve lost.
“She wasn’t convinced of my power as she had experienced it for herself and was trying to persuade the others. They, however, were convinced and became afraid for their lives. They must have also been led to believe that the power was more than what it was so they executed Cadan to save themselves.”
“You should keep up that illusion,” Calab said. “Let everyone think that you’re the most powerful force on Earth. It will help to protect you, Arkazatinia and Lycea.”
Eve’s head had been busy with more Gracián aphorisms: ‘without lying, don’t reveal every truth’ and have ‘unfathomable abilities’. When she had first read the books Calab had given her, she did not like what she read. She thought he was trying to persuade her to be dishonest, to pretend to be something she was not, and allude to being something more than she was. She was right—he was. It had taken her a long time to understand why he should do that. Eve considered that the power of the ruler does not come from the ruler, but from the minds of the ruled. The alchemists were found to be powerful because they convinced the populace to think that they were and once the illusion was shattered, they had no power.
Eve would have to maintain the illusion, keep up the pretence, and ensure her people remained convinced that they were ruled by the most powerful ruler ever known. She had to keep the mirage intact so her people would believe it, and more importantly, so her enemies would believe it. Her position was no less fragile than it had ever been, but in the minds of everyone else, she had to be unstoppable.
“I have already thought that,” she said, smiling. “I think I’m finally on your wavelength. I have quite literally been to Hell and back to save my people. It is worth a little exaggeration to keep you all safe.”
“That was your purpose? To take the magic and save everyone.”
“Part of it, and you were there to prod me and pull me in the right direction and show me the things I needed to know.”
“So, the force is strong with you now?”
Eve laughed loudly. “I guess it is,” she said. “Mostly I think it was about allegiances. I think I was chosen because I sympathised with you after you kidnapped Andrew and I would try to ally everyone: the demons, the fae and the Impærielas, everything else has been all the pieces sliding into place to make all this happen. I think fate has been throwing up hurdles to see how we respond and adjusting the heights and moving the goal posts as it sees fit.
“Everything has been a test or preparation for this. Even that night at your house was preparation.” Calab winced. “I could never have faced Asmodeus unless I had seen that look he gave me before,” she said softly.
He lowered his gaze and shame filled his eyes. “I hate what I did to you. Even if fate had intervened, I will never forgive myself for that night.”
“You should,” she said gently. “I have. It could all be random I guess, but I do believe our relationship was significant.”
“Me too. I always knew you were special,” Calab said, stroking her face. “And now that you have learned your purpose I hope that fate quits meddling and lets me keep you.”
She smiled at him, and he returned her favourite smile. “I am never letting you go,” she said, covering his clawed hand against her face with her own. She held his hand for a moment, enjoying the closeness before speaking again. “Something Cadan said bothers me. She said the thorian think they’re superior to the rest of the Arkazatines because they were selected from the hominem for their thorian life. Is that right?”
“What do you think?”
“I didn’t agree at first. But I think she may have had a point. They…we, I should say, do rule all the continents and Thalia, I think the world of her, but she insists on paying no more towards public spending—she won’t help any people who are not her own. I know Tharazan was okay with me allying with the fae, but Thalia wasn’t and many members of the public had a problem with it.”
“I think you have already made a good start at unpicking some of these attitudes,” Calab said, “but there is a long way to go. The thorian are good people, and they are always there to defend the land when it is needed, the Impærielas too to some extent, but they are selfish. They think they are the best choice to be in charge and they dismiss other orders as options. They believe that the demons are too pragmatic and the angels are not pragmatic enough to provide balance and that the hominem are too mortal for it to be worth them ruling at all.
“You can be difficult. You can be selfish and obnoxious just like the thorian, but despite being taken from your human life and becoming a queen, you don’t see yourself as being more important than anyone else. At the core of your being is a desire to do the right thing for everyone and that is probably why Arkazatinia chose you. It is precisely that attitude that has allied the people of Arkazatinia.”
“Not all of them,” Eve reminded him. “I couldn’t get through to Cadan or Lord Caius.”
“No, but you tried, and their people noticed. They saw you as a fair leader and pledged themselves to you.”
“Isn’t it more likely that they just wanted to save their own skins?”
“Of course, but the witches have power, even without the magic you took. They could have taken you on, but they didn’t even try. They gave in because it wasn’t a fight they wanted. They preferred the compromise you offered them.”
“I hope you’re right. I hope we can have peace now.”
Eve returned to the guild alone as Calab wanted to go home to shower and change his clothes. After a long soak in the bath, she donned her nightdress and bathrobe and took a seat o
n her bed with her legs crossed. There was something she needed to do. It was risky the first time, but she needed to make sure that Araziel would be taken care of. She concentrated and willed Asmodeus to hear her. He answered her much faster than he had the first time and she soon found herself lying on his marble floor with the smell of sulphur burning her nostrils. She wished she had thought not to wear her bathrobe as the heat was debilitating.
“Little queen, you are alive and well it seems,” said Asmodeus, giving her a sly smile. “Are you going to make a habit of popping down here whenever you fancy a chat?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t, High Prince,” said Eve. “I just wanted to ask for Araziel to be looked after. He lost his life while he was looking for me.”
“You have quite the habit of getting demons to sacrifice themselves for you, it is most unsettling,” he said, snarling softly. “I’m almost reconsidering my offer to let you reign here.”
“I was joking when I agreed to that,” she said.
“Pity,” he said icily. “I assure you that you would prefer reigning down here to serving up there.”
“I think my emotions would get in the way.”
“Assuredly,” he said. “And the benevolent martyr idée fixe would bore me after a while. Still, you seem to be quite significant for an insignificant human. What do you plan to do with the magic?”
“I have no idea really,” she said. “I know it’s not as powerful as we thought, but it is still powerful, and I don’t know what I’m capable of. I am afraid to use it. I should train it in case I need it, but it scares me.”
“At least something does,” said Asmodeus, his tone cold. “Demons and the infernal pits of Hell do not have their intended effect upon you.” She blushed, and he continued. “I would suggest you get hold of your temper, especially now you have such a destructive power within your grasp. It will be your undoing if you do not.”
She swallowed. She knew he was right and it terrified her. She had always been quick to anger, but before she had only been armed with her sharp tongue and could cause no physical damage. Now when she lost her temper she was armed with an array of weapons and now with magic. She had already stabbed Araziel and threatened to kill him and Kyriel, and injured Lieutenant Aryn-Lexas during training because of her anger, not to mention her thoughts of revenge against the Alchitch. Now she had magic the consequences of her losing her temper could be devastating.
“I know. You’re right,” she said. “Can you take care of Araziel?”
“He is not mine,” said Asmodeus. “He belongs to Astaroth.”
“Can you not…have a word with him?”
Asmodeus laughed so loudly that she felt it rumble through every fibre. “We are not all chums down here,” he said. “This is Hell, everyone is evil.”
Eve laughed, and he glared at her furiously. “I’m sorry,” she said, straightening her expression and trying to ignore the smirk that was teasing at her lips.
Asmodeus surveyed her expression with curiosity. “I will see what I can do,” he said finally.
“Thank you.” She smiled. “And thank you for your help.”
He nodded towards her. “Go now, little queen,” he said sternly though Eve was sure a smile was creeping to his lips.
Eve woke to find she was back on her bed and was relieved that she had only been gone for half an hour.
He must have kept me waiting for hours before seeing me the first time.
She stood and approached the window of her quarters. She saw her guards stationed on the rooftops opposite her room. She felt another pang for Malachi and Araziel and hoped that Asmodeus would take care of Araziel. She could not bear the thought of him burning in the fires of Hell for eternity.
Her thoughts turned to all the lives that had been lost. The Impærielas lives that would not have been lost if she had not encouraged them to fight. Her stomach was filled with the pain of guilt. They would still be alive if it hadn’t been for her.
If they hadn’t been there, then the Elion would have taken more lives from the rest of the alliance. People were going to die and the only ones to blame for this senseless slaughter are the alchemists for initiating it in the first place.
Rationalising it did little to ease her guilt. She just hoped that she could maintain peace now and use her power to keep Arkazatinia from war.
Her door opened quietly, and she turned to find Calab standing there. She beamed at him as he approached her. He surveyed her attire.
“Are you going to sleep?” he asked.
Eve shook her head. “I think I’m too wired to sleep.”
He took another step towards her and circled his arms around her waist. She trembled at his touch and felt her pulse and breath quicken. “Perhaps I can help you to relax.” He smiled coyly at her.
“What did you have in mind?” she asked, peering at him through her lashes.
He grinned at her before reaching a hand to her neck, her skin tingled as his talons traced across her skin. She gasped as she felt her skin flush with the heat of his hand. He pulled her towards him and his lips met hers. They were soon tangled, kissing furiously, making up for every kiss and touch they had denied. Calab growled and lifted her onto her bed and pushing her back not too gently. She gazed up at him as he removed his shirt and began to unbuckle his belt. He was solid muscle—strong, intimidating and incredibly sexy. She no longer saw the demon she met for the first time eleven years ago. Instead, she saw the man she loved. He was gorgeous, and he was hers. She pulled the robe from her shoulders and cast it aside. Calab was on top of her pressing her onto the bed, pinning her with his strength and his kisses. Eve ran her hands over his muscular back and pulled him closer. He paused and looked into her eyes.
“I promise it won’t be like last time,” he said. “I want you, always.”
She smiled at him and bit his lip hard commanding him to stop talking and continue. He gave a playful snarl and slashed her nightdress with his claws revealing her nakedness before he claimed her.
Afterwards, safe in Calab’s arms, Eve felt perfectly happy. After nearly two years of awkward conversations, cold silences, snapping and snarling with just snatches of warmth in between she had finally known him, known why he was so conflicted and known what pained him. Since then he had become her greatest friend. She wanted him in her life forever, and she would have forever to enjoy him. She lifted her head to gaze into his eyes.
“I love you, Calab,” she said.
“I love you, Genevieve,” he whispered, leaning to kiss her. He made love to her with more gentleness and more tenderness and then they held each other all night.
Eve woke the next morning in Calab’s arms. Her heart felt lighter than it ever had and felt fuller than it had ever been. The weight of the deaths of the Arkazatines was momentarily lifted, and she felt blissfully happy. She hoped it was a glimpse of the joy to come—of her happiness with Calab. She quoted:
“Are not the joys of morning sweeter
Than the joys of night?”
“Blake would not be able to choose if he had experienced the joys of your night,” he chuckled. She smiled at him and kissed him before laying her head on his chest for a few moments. There was much to do, and she had to prise herself away from him. “You could take the day off. We could go anywhere you like: Paris, Rome, Antarctica.”
“There are tunnels in Antarctica?”
“I could fly you there from the nearest entrance,” he said winking.
She laughed. “As much as I would love to I’m afraid the ice caps are already too fragile to tolerate your hot body.”
He laughed loudly. “Somewhere less frozen then?”
She grinned at him. “I shall hold you to a road trip,” she said. “But we have much to do first.”
“We?”
“Yes, we.” She smirked. “Doesn’t Baltasar Gracián say that it shows greatness to make use of wise people?”
“He does. He also sa
ys you shouldn’t love forever, but I won’t be taking that advice.”
Eve approached him and put her arms around his neck. He gave a coy smile and slipped his arms around her waist. She moved her head to his and ran her lips along his jawline until a moan escaped his lips.
“He says you should leave people hungry,” she purred, moving her lips to his. “That nectar should only brush the lips.” He moved his mouth towards hers, and she pulled away. He groaned, and she grinned at him. “Come on my guardian fallen angel. You don’t want to be late for your first day as Advisor to the Crown Alliance, Lord Calab.” He stared at her open-mouthed. “I will suggest it to the alliance. I can’t imagine they will refuse—you have earned an honorary place in the quorum and a title.”
He smiled warmly and shook his head. “You can’t just give me a title because we are together,” he said. “Many people fought bravely, and I am not any more deserving.”
“How do you manage to play both parts of my conscience?”
“We born-again benevolents are just the worst,” he said with a mischievous grin. “I would be honoured to have an advisory role, though—unpaid of course.”
A short time later Eve and Calab were on board a vector and speeding towards the Guild of the Crown.
“I have been thinking,” said Eve.
“Oh dear,” he replied. “I can’t handle much more of your thinking.”
“Get used to it.” She giggled, poking his ribs. “I have been thinking about the prophecy. Each time I did something to fulfil the prophecy I became more thorian and more of a thorian ruler, but I have never gained the thorian strength. I gained immortality when I offered my allegiance to Arkazatinia, and I gained the magic when I offered allegiance to Arkazatines. The other parts of the prophecy are ‘sees the truth, but does not hide’ and ‘shows loyalty without thought of reward’. I think my eyes changed colour to the Crown blue, and I gained the thorian senses after I faced the alchemist when he took my soul.”