The First Book of Demons (The Book of Demons Saga) (11 page)

Chapter
Twenty Nine

“Lady Nila,” Kaveh said, coming up behind the silver haired demoness as she perused the brocaded silk fabric in the market stalls.  “What a pleasure to run in to such a beautiful Lady.”

“Prince Kaveh,” Nila said, blushing slightly as she turned and bowed to him. 

“Do you like this fabric?” Kaveh asked, gesturing to the dark blue bolt of fabric the Lady had been examining. 

“It is lovely,” Nila said, with a nervous smile.  For a prince of the kingdom to take such notice of her was a thrilling sensation.  She was a beautiful demoness, she knew that.  But she was used to her older sister, Azira, getting all the attention.

“The Lady will take the entire bolt,” Kaveh said to the shop keeper.  “You may demand your payment from the palace treasury.”

“Prince Kaveh,” Nila said, “You are too generous.”

“Nonsense,” Kaveh said.  “A beautiful Lady such as yourself should be adorned in the finest our kingdom has to offer.”

“Thank you,” she replied, her eyes downcast as she bent her knees in an appreciative bow.

“However,” Kaveh said, his words making Nila’s heart race in her chest, “there are strings attached.”

Nila felt her heart drop.  She felt silly for believing that a prince would take such an interest in her.

“You must wear your new garment when you join me for diner,” Kaveh said, with a smirk, enjoying the play of emotions that washed through Nila’s aura. 

“Di
nner?” Nila said, her eyes sparkling as she looked up into the prince’s deep grey eyes. 

“Yes,” Kaveh said, as he picked her hand up with his, “That is, if you would accept.”

“It would be a pleasure,” Nila said, unable to hide her excitement. 

“Good,” Kaveh said, lifting her hand to his lips.  He kissed her hand, and noted with pleasure the shiver that ran down her arm when he did so.  Perhaps the fat demon, Jahan, had been right, Kaveh mused to himself.  If their plan worked, he would soon be Lord Sultan, and although he would use Nila to get to that position, she would be easily disposed of once he w
as anointed. 

Chapter
Thirty

Alex sat against a tree, watching Balthazar sleep.  His wounds had almost entirely healed in the short time that he was resting.  A soft breeze blew through the trees, rustling the leaves, creating a melody that lulled Alex into slumber.  The soft tweedle of a flute echoed in the distance.  Alex felt her body suddenly growing lighter.  She didn’t realize she was standing until she was already on her feet, and as she looked behind her she saw the demon prince fading away into the distance. 

A fog enveloped Alex
, clouding her mind.  She stumbled aimlessly through the forest, following the melodic tune.  Before long she found herself standing at the edge of a lake. The placid surface reflected her image and Alex barely recognized herself.  Her hair and clothes, though now both dirty and utterly ruined, were in the Devasi style.  She brought a hand up to her cheek as she watched herself move in the mirrored surface of the water.  A ripple distorted her image as it glided across the once still lake.  A face began to emerge from behind her reflection as Alex looked on, eyes wide.  She couldn’t tell whether the face belonged to a man or woman, but the pale skin had an ethereal glow behind it that held her mesmerized. 

“
Leave the human alone, mercreature,” a firm voice snapped Alex to attention.  The once beautiful face in the water turned into a hideous scowl.  The creature’s mouth opened wide, flashing rows of gnarled teeth.  It shrieked as it pushed back in the water, a fish-like tail flipping up to splash Alex.  She shook the fog from her mind and turned on her heels. 

“Mercreatures are
dangerous, human,” the man said.  A shimmering wave of tiny blue scales rushed over his skin before returning to normal.  His eyes were solid black and he had a thick black braid that trailed down his bare back.  But most shocking to Alex was that the man was stark naked.  He was either unaware of his nudeness, or extremely proud of his body, and Alex blushed hotly, hers eyes shooting away from him. 

“Who…What…” Alex tried to
form a cohesive thought, but her mouth just flapped open, words failing to form. 

“Forgive me,” the creature said with a supplicating gesture, “I have not seen a human in this world for many centuries and it appears my manners have suddenly failed me.”

He stepped closer to her, a smile forming on his lips.

“Are you a demon?” she asked, eyeing him
cautiously.

“Of course not
,” he said with a laugh, dropping his hand back to his side. “Are you not familiar with my kind, human?”

“I’m not familiar with any
thing around her,” Alex said, still recoiling.  The blush traveled down her cheeks, staining her neck red.

“Then allow me to introduce myself,” he said with an
overly exaggerated bow, his nudeness making the gesture even more absurd. “I am the Dragon King Azi.”

“Dragon,” she said, still visibly flustered, “You’re a dragon?”

“A
Dragon King,” he replied, puffing his chest out.  “And who are you?”

“I’m…” Alex hesitated.  She could just imagine Balthazar chastising her for being stupid enough to converse with a naked Dragon King. 

“There is no need to be shy,” King Azi said.  “I assure you, I will do you no harm.”

“Alexandra,” she said, still hiding her eyes. 

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Alexandra,” the Dragon King said with a smile, still pretending his nakedness was no big deal.

Alexandra’s stomach decided to interrupt the conversation, reminding Alex that she hadn’t eaten in a full day. 

“Come,” Azi said, stepping closer to Alex, “I will have a meal prepared for us.”

“Only if you put some clothes on,” sh
e said.

Chapter
Thirty One

Alexandra followed King Azi to the other side of the lake, to a waterfall that fed into it.  The Dragon King raised his hand and the waters parted down the middle, revealing a smoothe stone staircase.  He turned to Alex and motioned for her to enter before him.  She stepped past the water curtain, into a candle lit stairway carved deep into the bedrock and winding underneath the lake.  King Azi stepped past her, the waterfall returning to hide the entrance to his underwater palace. 

He led her to a chamber with a small hot spring that bubbled up in the middle of the floor, filling the room with a hot
fog.  There was a young girl, with the same skin and eyes as the Dragon King, standing beside the hot spring.  She bowed as her king entered.

“Refresh yourself,” King Azi said, “and when you are ready,
Shiri will show you to the dining hall.”

Shiri
bowed again to the king, turning to Alex with a smile when he left the room.

“It is truly a pleasure,”
Shiri said, her black eyes lighting up.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Alex said, returning her smile
. 

“May I take your robes?” Shiri said, moving closer to Alex and reaching out to begin undressing her.

“No,” Alex said, putting her hands up.  “That’s ok, I can do it myself, if I could have some privacy.”

“Lord Azi would not be
very happy if I left you alone,” Shiri said, her smile diminishing slightly.

“Of course,” Alex said with a
sigh. She untied the dirt and blood caked belt and slid the now tattered silk robe off her shoulders.  Shiri picked it up between her thumb and forefinger, her nose scrunched, and she tossed it onto a fire brazier that lit the room.  She flashed a broad smile and gestured for Alex to get in the water. 

The water was the perfect heat, and the bubbling
soothed her sore muscles, but Alex was in a hurry to get to some food.  Shiri brought in a length of shimmering golden fabric.  It was unlike anything Alex had ever felt before, as thin and airy as rice paper, and softer than the Devasi silk.  Shiri wrapped the length of material around Alex into a skillfully designed dressed, pinning the corner with a golden clip. 

“King Azi
picked this out for you personally,” Shiri said, as she stepped back to examine her work.

“What’s with him and the no clothes thing anyway?” Alex asked.

“Oh, yes,” Shiri said with a giggle, “Dragons prefer to go clothless.”

“Uh huh,” Alex said, “Is he going to stay…”

“Oh no,” Shiri said, her laughter chiming up at Alexandra’s blush, “King Azi has ordered all the palace to dress.  No need to be shy.”

“That’s good to know,” Alex said with a relieved sigh. 

“Come,” Shiri said, “I will show you to the dining hall.”

#

“Welcome to my home,” King Azi said as Alex sat across from him.  The rectangular table was piled high with food of all kinds, and Alex dug in, her hunger overcoming any manners she had.  King Azi watched her, bemused by her actions.

“Alexandra,
” he said finally, interrupting her meal. “How is it you have come to this world?”

“I don’t really know, to be honest,” Alex said,
wiping her lips, “and I am trying to get back home.”

Alex suddenly remembered she had left Balthazar sleeping in the woods.  She sat up taller in her chair
, bringing a hand to her lips.

“What is it?” King Azi asked, noticing her sudden change in demeanor.

“I forgot,” Alex said, “Balthazar.”

“
Balthazar?” the Dragon King asked, leaning in.

“Yeah,” Alex said with a nod, “
I left him in the woods.  He was asleep, trying to heal himself.  I really should get back before he wakes up and finds me gone.”

The Dragon Kings onyx eyes flashed with interest, and he motioned to
Shiri, who quickly left the room. 

“Is this Balthazar a demon?”  he asked.

“Yeah,” Alex said, “a demon prince.”

“From Devas?” the dragon king asked, his voice had dropped to a thick honey tone.

“Yeah,” Alex said, “How did you know?”

“Do not worry you
rself with him,” King Azi said.  He reached out and patted the top of her hand. “I will ensure that he is informed of your whereabouts.  If you would like to rest, Shiri will show you to a guest room.”

Shiri bowed as Alex stood from the table.  She followed the dragoness through the palace halls.  Alex had an uneasy feeling about this. 

Chapter Thirty Two

Alex yawned as she stretched her arms above her head.  She looked around the lavishly decorated guest room of the Dragon King’s palace, seeing Shiri sitting on the other side of the bed. 

“I feel amazing,” she said with a smile. 

“You are finally awake,” Shiri said, standing up, her eyes popping with delight, “I have never seen someone sleep so much.”

“How long have I been asleep?” Alex asked, scratching absently behind her ear.

“The whole night,” Shiri said, “I was worried, but King Azi assured me that is normal for a human.  Do your kind truly sleep that long?”

“We do,” Alex said with a smile at Shiri’s excitement. 

“So odd,” Shiri said contemplatively.  “Come now, I will show you to King Azi.  He has been waiting for you to wake.”

As Alex followed Shiri to see the Dragon King, the sound of music greeted her ears.  The vibrating strum of a stringed instrument rang through the wide hall outside King Azi’s personal chambers.  The sound was so beautiful,
and Alex found herself enchanted before the Dragon King, as his black claws plucked the thin white strings of a harp..  When he strummed the last cord Alex applauded him with a wide smile.  The Dragon King stood and gave an exaggerated bow, then sat next to Alex.  His inky eyes studying her.

“Tell me Alexandra,” he said finally, “how is it you have found yourself acquainted with a demon?”

Alex noted with some discomfort the disdain in his voice when he said the word demon.

“
He found me,” Alex said, “when I woke up here. He is going to help me get back home.”

“Is that what you desire, Alexandra?”  Ki
ng Azi asked, leaning in closer, resting his chin in an upturned palm as he watched her. 

“Well, yeah,” Alex said, her eyes softening, “I miss my friends
.  I know they are probably worried sick about me.”

“And the demon
has said he will send you home?” he asked.

“There are strings attached of
course,” Alex said, “but yeah.”

“Ah,” King Azi said straightening his back,
“so there is something of yours the demon wants.”

“He thinks I
can help him,” Alex said with a shrug, “I promised I would try to help him in any way I could.”

“
Why would you promise him such a thing?” King Azi asked, his eyes narrowing.

“
Well,” Alex said, looking at her lap, “I think he needs help, even though he doesn’t want to say it.  And he promised to help me get back home, so I owe him my help.”

“
Humans,” the Dragon King said, a bemused look in his eyes, “I am sorry to inform you, the demon is incapable of sending you back where you came from.”

“How do you know that?”  Alex asked, her face falling as her heart dropped
into her stomach. “He said he could.”

“Yes, I’m sure he did,” King Az
i said with a wave of his hand, “Demons will say anything to get their way.”

“Are you saying I’m not going to be able to get back home?” 
Alex asked, tears welling up in her eyes at the thought.  

“I did not say that,” the Dragon King said
, leaning over and placing a hand on top of hers. “In fact, I would like to render my services to you in just such an endeavor.”

“You would do that?” Alex said, perking up.

“It is a simple task for someone of my station,” King Azi said, “and I am rather inclined to help you.”

“
Thank you,” Alex said, “But, why would you help me?”

“
I have always had an affinity for your kind,” he said with a broad smile.

“
That’s great,” Alex said, returning the smile, “I’ll help Balthazar, and then I can go back home.”

“The demon,” he said, his eyes
darkening, “Why would you help it?  I have freed you of your need for its help.”

“Because, I..
,” Alex narrowed her eyes, “I promised him.”

“
Come with me,” the Dragon King said, his voice hardening.

King Azi
led Alex through his palace until they came to a room at the end of a long, narrow hall.  The Dragon King opened the door to reveal a battered Balthazar, chained by the neck to a stone wall behind him.  His wounds, once almost healed, were reopened and bleeding badly.  His shoulders slumped forward and his breathing was forced.  He shook his head, as if trying to clear a fog from his mind.  He tried to stand, but his knees buckled and he fell back to the ground, a growl echoing in his chest. 

“What have you done to him?” Alex cried as she rushed passed
the Dragon King to Balthazar’s side.  Her fingers prodded the collar around his neck, trying to find a latch that would remove it.

“He is a demon.  He is where he belongs,” King Azi
spat, as he glared down his nose at Balthazar.  “But you do not belong next to him.”

“You stupid
little girl,” Balthazar snapped.  The whites of his eyes had clouded over blood red.  He barred his fangs, snapping violently at empty air. 

“Do you see,” King Azi said, “the true nature of the demon beginning to show?  He is a beast, lurking beneath a pathetic excuse for a Lord.”

“And what of you, dragon?” Balthazar growled out, “You have not shown the girl your true self.”

“Stop it,” Alex screamed, looking from Balthazar to the Dragon King.  The two looked at each other with a burning hatred that made Alex want to shiver.  “
Please, let him go.”

King Azi was taken aback by Alexandra’s
plea.  He had expected her to be thankful, not ask to let the demon go. 

“Why do you defend this creature?” King Azi asked, his eyes searching her for understanding.

“He doesn’t deserve to be treated like this,” Alex said, tears now rolling down her cheek as she watched Balthazar struggle helplessly against an unseen pain. 

“I will make you a deal, human,”
King Azi said, his voice losing any kindness  it once held, “I will allow this demon to go free, but you will go with him and I will no longer offer my assistance in what you require.”

Alexandra looked at Balthazar.  She felt a stab of
guilt, realizing it was her blabber mouth that had gotten him in this predicament. 

“Ju
st let him go,” she said softly, “Please.”

“You are forfeiting your chance to return home,
” The Dragon King said, his brows pulled together.

“I know
,” Alex said with a nod as she watched the chained Lord Balthazar struggling for each breath.

“Very well
, human,” he said with a snap of his fingers.  The chain around the Balthazar’s neck disappeared in a small puff of blue smoke.  He struggled to stand, still weak from his ordeal, a growl growing in his badly wounded chest.  

“Do not challenge me demon,” the Dragon King
warned, puffing out his chest.  “Even if you were fully healed and rested you could not best me and we both know it.  You can thank the human for your pathetic life, but if I come across you again I will not be so lenient.” 

The walls of the
Dragon Kings majestic palace began to wobble and lose their shape.  The floor beneath Alexandra’s feet slowly turned to a puddle of water.  Before Alex could register what was happening walls of water came crashing down around them.  She closed her eyes, bracing for the moment of impact, but it never came.  As her eyes opened, she could see that her and Balthazar were encapsulated in an air bubble.  Fish and other sea life flashed by them as the bubble slowly made its way to the surface.  The bubble emerged from the water, setting Balthazar and Alex at the edge of the once again placid lake. 

The surface of the water began
to bubble and ripple.  A blue scaled serpentine dragon erupted from the middle of the lake and hovered in the air above it, his body covering the lake in shadows.  It was the Dragon King in his true form. 

Alex could see the same black eyes that had for a brief moment been so kind to her.  They f
ocused on Alex as the long, narrow body of the dragon writhed above the lake surface, untangling itself and finally landing just beside her.  His eyes remained locked on Alex as a slender paw reached beneath his arm.  A split second of pain flashed across the dragons face, and in a rush of misty wind the King was once more in humanoid form, a pearlescent white scale in his hand.  His eyes finally turned from Alex to Balthazar.

“
I believe you needed this,” he said, holding his prized underscale out to the demon.

Balthazar hesitated to reach for the scale, his brows pulled together in confusion.

“I am a dragon,” King Azi said condescendingly, “I know many things, including what you are trying to do.  If this is what you need, then use it.  But send the human back.  She does not belong here, especially not with you.”