‘I don’t quite understand it, but I think that Lady Blaze was trying to get into the good graces of Lady Enid, who seems to really rely on her for support. Perhaps Lady Blaze is not as awful as she appears,’ said Amanda.
Rowanne didn’t like the idea one single bit, and felt her skin crawl at the idea of Lady Blaze clawing her way into Lady Enid’s good books. She felt there was a whole other side to this woman that they could not even conceive of; especially because she belonged to a First Family, and was trying to cosy up to the queen...
‘I think Driskell knows Lady Blaze quite well and may even be working with her,’ said Amanda. Her phone went off and she briefly turned away to answer it - turning back she covered the mouthpiece, ‘Look, I really have to go. Family thing. No, don’t worry, I’m fine,’ she said, at the look of dismay on Rowanne’s face, who was about to protest. ‘If I have any problems, I’ll call you. But honestly, it’s really important for me to go now. I’ll stay in touch, though.’
She stood up, gave Rowanne a quick hug, and inclined her head at Alexander, who walked her to the front door.
Before leaving, she said in a quiet voice, ‘Take good care of my cousin.’ He gave her a warm smile.
Alexander closed the front door and joined Rowanne on the couch. He nodded his head that the coast was clear; she was safe to proceed.
‘Lillian? Lillian get down here, I need to ask you something,’ shouted Rowanne.
Lillian materialised on the opposite couch, looking less than pleased to be summoned, and looked at Rowanne archly. ‘What is it? You don’t have to shout.’
Rowanne wondered how she should bring up the delicate topic.
Lillian sat up straight crossing her legs, her arm rested along the top of the couch. ‘So now you stand on ceremony. If you have something to ask, just ask for demon’s sake!’ She knew exactly what was on Rowanne’s mind, having hovered close by and listened into the conversation in its entirety. But strangely for her, she was also at a loss as to how to begin. She would rather Rowanne just spit it out, so that they could discuss it and move on from it as quickly as possible.
Rowanne recounted what Amanda had just told them. ‘And so I was wondering, is it true that you are related to Lady Enid’s family?’ She waited with bated breath, unsure of Lillian’s response, who could become agitated and emotional; two things a person doesn’t want an entity to feel, as it usually ended badly.
‘Huh,’ snorted Lillian, ‘speak for yourself!’ and took a couple of deep breaths before continuing, ‘the time has come for me to step out of the shadows. Let me introduce myself properly. I am, or that is to say, I was Lady Lillian, daughter of The First Family of the Clan of Morning Star.’ It felt bizarre to talk about herself after more than seventy years of silence; in a way it was freeing, she felt light.
‘So, that makes you Lady Enid’s... daughter?’ asked Rowanne hesitantly, not wishing to offend her.
‘The one and only, unfortunately,’ replied Lillian painfully.
Rowanne scooted forward on the couch, and taking Lillian’s hand in her own, she asked gently, ‘What do you mean?’
Lillian looked at her in wonder, ‘Do you know, I get surprised every time you do that?’ When Rowanne touched her hand it became solid; it was unnerving to say the least — and that too from a spirit! It had to be the power of the amethyst pendant behind this phenomenon.
Courtesy of our little friend, replied Rowanne, echoing her sentiment. She smiled broadly at Lillian’s look of surprise. Well, she was certainly embracing these ‘gifts’ of hers... She looked at her knowingly; neither of them eluded to the necklace in front of Alexander, knowing it was forbidden to talk of its existence to a man.
Lillian braced herself once more, so that she could speak of her painful past. ‘With no other heir, it falls on my mother to continue as Queen indefinitely... therefore immortality has been forced onto her. Can you even conceive of the idea? Of how it must feel to rule forever? Frozen in age and never being free, bound by all those laws and customs of a Noble ruling over Demon World and its citizens.’
Rowanne remembered the conversation she’d had with her grandparents; they too, had spoken along the same lines. Her heart felt heavy for Lady Enid - she wanted to put her arms around her to comfort her. But how could she do that? They had never even spoken of her losing her daughter.
Frustration weighed heavily upon Rowanne. ‘Is there no way that she can pass the power onto someone else? Forgive me if I have spoken out of turn.’
Lillian gazed fondly at Rowanne. She liked this generation very much; they didn’t rest on their laurels, always eager to progress and challenge the status quo when it had become redundant. Unlike the demons of her world, who were sadly less inclined, unless the vultures saw an opportunity to get to the top.
‘My mother,’ it felt strange every time she uttered the word. A lump formed in her throat, but there was nothing else for it but to push on, so she continued, ‘Could pass the leadership onto the next in line,’ and she looked pointedly at Alexander.
He looked uncomfortable and loosened his tie - the room suddenly felt stuffy as if he could not get enough air.
Rowanne watched the bizarre exchange between the two of them, and wondered if it was possible for a demon to pass out, because Alexander looked like he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
‘Alexander, what’s wrong?’ Rowanne released Lillian’s hands, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
‘I’m fine. Never better,’ he replied evasively. ‘What could possibly be wrong with me?’
‘Oh, for the love of Demon World, we haven’t got all day. Just spit it out! No? Okay.’ Lillian turned to Rowanne, ‘Alexander is a son of the Black Rose Clan, who are a First Family. Furthermore, he is also second in line to the throne, should my mother choose to relinquish it to this demon,’ she said unenthusiastically and without any conviction; it spoke volumes. She thought of Alexander’s poor prospects as a potentate.
These women are relentless! It was bad enough that he thought he was not fit to rule Demon World, he didn’t need it reiterated by anyone else! Thankfully his family had never pushed him, they were happy with his position; however, others probably thought of them as foolish for not pushing their son in the ideal direction of the throne.
Frankly, he admired Lady Enid, and thought her the rightful ruler. Contrary to what they thought, he had actually taken the matter into serious consideration. He’d had his whole life to, after all. And if the day should come (and he fervently prayed that it would not) that Lady Enid wished to step down, only then, would he accept the position. And only if Lady Enid herself asked him; he would not trust another Noble to speak on her behalf.
‘Oh,’ said Rowanne quietly, as the full magnitude of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. Well, I did want to know! I should have been careful; too much knowledge can be a burden. I can’t believe the heir apparent to Demon World chose to forfeit his life on numerous occasions to save me. She felt humbled by the man next to her. How could she even begin to thank him; or apologise?
‘Rowanne, say something!’ said Alexander, who felt decidedly uncomfortable with the way she was gawking at him. It was bad enough in Demon World, where the offers came in left, right and centre for marriage proposals; he hoped he had not created another love-struck admirer.
Rowanne turned calmly to Lillian, ‘Do you mind if I...’ and winked at her. ‘I know he’s the heir, but...’ her mind sparkled in a tranquil state.
Alexander wondered where it was all leading, and smiled charmingly at Rowanne. There are worse fates, he thought, as he leaned closer to her, taking her smile as an encouragement. Her green eyes smouldered; no doubt for him. I should’ve just told her at the beginning, he thought, arrogantly.
‘Be my guest. Though, you don’t rightly need my permission,’ replied Lillian, smiling savagely.
Alexander was pleased. Even Lillian was giving them her blessing; this day was getting better and better.
Rowanne pushed him back hard, and barely made a dent. He just looked at her nonplussed; as if she’d grown another head. ‘How could you be so stupid as to risk your life?! You complete and utter...’ she felt like tearing her hair out. ‘Do you have any idea of how important you are?’
‘Oh, Rowanne. I didn’t know you cared, so much,’ he said tauntingly.
‘I was talking about Demon World.’
‘As was I,’ said Alexander churlishly.
‘Lady Enid needs you as her second in command. Demon World needs you, and not to mention Earth! You are the last man I’d have ever envisaged as being a ruler,’ said Rowanne thoughtfully.
‘Thanks,’ said Alexander coldly, feeling his mirth fly out the window.
Rowanne placed her hand on his chest, ‘Hold on, I haven’t finished. I was going to say that you’re our best hope for peace between our worlds. I don’t know what the other candidates are like but I can safely vouch for you.’
Alexander was pleasantly surprised; there’d been sincerity in her voice. He was humbled by her faith in him.
‘You’re only as strong as the people you surround yourself with,’ said Lillian matter-of-factly. ‘Believe me, I can attest firsthand to what happens when those closest to you betray you. You burn in hell, literally!’ She felt angry when she thought of her death, and the lights in the room began to flicker threateningly in response to her emotions.
In fact, all of their emotions were heightened.
Rowanne tried to calm herself down, otherwise she’d be no good to the people in the room. ‘Lillian, I know it’s painful, but can you speak of it?’ she asked carefully.
‘Before I do, there’s one thing both of you haven’t considered,’ said Lillian, glaring at them.
‘What’s that?’ asked Rowanne, looking puzzled.
‘Don’t, Lillian! Now’s not the right time...’ pleaded Alexander, looking pained.
Rowanne observed them - it seemed to be a battle of wills, and she’d had enough of it! She had a sinking feeling that she was at the centre of whatever it was that Alexander dearly wanted to conceal.
‘Just tell me, Lillian. I want to know,’ said Rowanne wearily — Lillian would tell it to her straight; she counted on it.
‘Alexander is next in line to the throne, right? Well, the throne exists on the mandatory principle that the ruler must always be an immortal...’ Lillian looked pointedly at Rowanne, hoping to hammer the point home, and briefly passed an annoyed glance in Alexander’s direction.
‘But that’s not a problem because Alexander is immortal-’ said Rowanne quickly, before the cold dawning realisation poured over her. ‘Or, he was...’ she turned to him with watery eyes, fighting against the tears. ‘I mean you were... before you saved me.’ How could she even begin to apologise for ruining not only his life, but the wider implications for saving this insignificant human. Oh my God, what have I done...
Rowanne wanted to put on her trainers and just run away to try and forget everything that had happened. But she could not do that, not now. Instead, she chose to face the consequences with Alexander; she’d be damned if she let him go through it alone.
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she took Alexander’s hand in her own. They’d face it together, bravely. She smiled at the look of astonishment on his face, and turned to Lillian, missing the intense look that had come into his eyes as he gazed at her.
‘Right. What can we do, and is there any way to make him immortal again?’ asked Rowanne with a confidence she didn’t truly possess; she was scared, but she would not let it hinder her.
Lillian thought long and hard. She wanted to test this young woman’s mettle; it was very important. Taking a deep breath, she said casually, ‘Would you be willing to give up your demon half, and return it back to its rightful owner?’
‘Yes. Let’s do it now! Why waste time?’ replied Rowanne, with conviction. She had not even hesitated in answering.
Lillian chose to pointedly ignore Alexander as she continued, ‘Are you sure? There’s no going back, once you agree. It will be an iron clad agreement!’ she warned ominously.
‘Rowanne, NO! Don’t! You do not know what you are agreeing to...’ Alexander angrily grabbed her off the couch, and pushed her behind him, so that he stood protectively in front of her, looking down at the demon who had not moved from her position. He’d face her if it became necessary.
‘Alexander, need I remind you of who I am? You will address me as Lillian — not demon!’ she said in a voice that dripped with ice.
He had the grace to look embarrassed - after all, she had not insisted on protocol, otherwise he’d be addressing her as ‘my lady’. He gruffly nodded, acceding to her point. This was her being downright polite as a Noble...
‘You’ve had the chance to get to know Rowanne. It is therefore inconceivable to me that you of all people would even suggest this,’ he said despairingly.
Lillian looked up, ‘Sit down,’ she said, addressing them both. ‘Alexander, you have my word on our friendship that I will in no way harm Rowanne, intentionally.’
He found Lillian’s choice of words dubious, especially that last one; it had him worried. He’d have to be vigilant of Rowanne just in case; you never knew when the mood may strike these Nobles.
Rowanne pulled a reluctant Alexander back onto the couch, and gestured for him to sit back so that she could finally speak. ‘What will happen when I hand back my demon half to Alexander?’
‘Finally, you’re asking questions instead of blindly walking into a situation unprepared. If you decide to give Alexander back his demon half, he will more than likely be able to reclaim his immortality...’
‘Now tell me the part that you’re reluctant to speak of?’ Rowanne wasn’t a fool; power came at a price, especially immortality. She had a sick feeling in her heart that she knew what was in store for her... Nevertheless, she wanted Lillian to confirm it - then at least she would be in a position to set her affairs in order, to say goodbye to her loved ones.
Lillian was more proud of Rowanne than she could say. Her throat had formed a lump but she pushed past it, and shielded herself from the pain she felt; after all, her family as rulers could not afford to be seen as weak or emotional. They had to appear detached and cold, ruling with an iron fist as they say — she had to be ruthlessly practical.
The situation they now found themselves in was volatile - it could blow up in their faces if it was not handled head on, and each of them had to take responsibility for it: to do whatever it took to set it right. It was no longer about themselves, a lot of lives were at risk. Potentially there could be a devastating war between the two worlds.
‘Lillian, are you alright?’ Rowanne asked, concerned as she watched Lillian flicker in and out of existence.
Lillian was snapped out of her bloody vision by Rowanne. ‘Sorry, I was lost there for a moment. I was thinking of the wider implications... Anyway, back to your question, you would be giving up your life.’ She had not meant to sound so coldly utilitarian.
‘Well, I certainly asked! I’m still willing to do it, after I’ve had a chance to sort things out...’ Rowanne’s voice sounded like it was made of iron. She was resigned to her fate but would meet it with dignity.
Alexander was proud of Rowanne - she was more of a warrior than he’d ever be. She sounded like a leader, someone willing to give up their life in order to save billions of people, and demons, he should add.
‘Rowanne, that is the stupidest plan you’ve had to date,’ said Alexander, to her sardonic expression. ‘If you think throwing your life away like it means nothing is magically going to bring peace to our worlds, then I am sorry to say you are sadly deluded.’
‘Alexander!’ said Rowanne angrily. She knew the reason behind his anger, but eventually she’d have to make him see that it was the only way.
‘If you do not value yourself, and give away your life so easily for mine, then I should be the one to decide what to do with it, don’t you agree?�
� He was not asking; it was an order plain and simple.
For the first time, Rowanne truly saw him as a demon of high rank, and could feel the power coming off him in waves. There was a look of disgust in his eyes for her actions, and she had felt his voice thunder out the command. If he ever does take on the crown, then Demon World would probably bow down before him; he had the potential to become a powerful leader.
However, that said, she was not one of his future citizens, and she had not bowed down to anyone in her life; and she most assuredly was not about to start taking orders now!
‘I will decide what’s best for me,’ she said to Alexander in a cold voice that practically froze him in place. He could feel that Rowanne’s power had grown tremendously; the funny thing was that she didn’t realise how strong of a person and half demon she was.
‘Let’s agree to disagree on this point. And remember, there’s always the chance that this might not work, so it would be a complete waste of your life,’ said Alexander.
Rowanne didn’t know whether she agreed with him, but it was sensible to come up with alternative plans. ‘What else can we do, Lillian?’
‘Have Alexander accept the proposal from the Adara Clan: thereby, agreeing to marry their daughter.’
Alexander tensed up.
Rowanne looked at him pointedly; he’d never mentioned any of this to her. He needed to do the right thing.
She turned to Lillian to get the answer’s she needed, ‘Who are the Adara Clan?’
Lillian finished her account by adding, ‘...And their daughter is-’
‘Lady Evelyn Blaze,’ interjected Alexander in a disgusted tone.
That explained the strange exchange between the two at the office. No wonder Evelyn had been frosty towards him. Rowanne suspected he’d probably rejected her family’s proposal, thereby considerably hindering their chances of getting closer to the throne. After all, they didn’t have the knowledge that Alexander had forfeited the chance of being second in line by becoming human. She thought her head might explode from all that she had learnt. She was deeply conscious of the fact that there was far more to it than this. How much more, though, and did she really want to know the answer...?
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