“I did what I could,” Kitania said, looking down at her cup rather than risking meeting Alserah’s gaze.
Niadra broke the brief silence, her voice slightly concerned. “Ah… Your Grace? May I ask what you meant, when you said that Kitania was similar to you?”
“Immortality and power aren’t necessarily a blessing, Niadra,” Alserah replied calmly, and Kitania blinked as she caught a hint of sorrow in the goddess’s voice, though she wished that Niadra had left the subject alone. “I don’t possess true immortality as Kitania does, but my power makes it similar. An immortal must be prepared for those around them to wither and die, and those who are powerful… others often target those who are close to them. Of all my consorts, only two of them died of natural causes. The others were targeted by those who wished to hurt me, or they were taken away by accident. While it isn’t precisely what Kitania has experienced, I do sympathize with her.”
Kitania flinched internally, opening her mouth to speak, then shutting it again as she looked up properly, seeing the slight horror on Niadra’s face. The pity she could also see was almost worse, in its own way.
“I was curious, though. You truly were in a relationship with an angel?” Alserah asked, looking at Kitania intensely, and the demon squirmed in her chair. “That’s a most unusual situation, even for elves, let alone for a demon.”
“Yes. Isalla… fell through the portal above Hellmount, after being thrown there. I caught her with my magic and healed her wounds as best I could. They were terrible, though, and it wasn’t something that could be done in a short time. At first, she was terrified, afraid I would eat or sacrifice her,” Kitania said, laughing softly as she shook her head and ignored how unsteady she felt, murmuring, “I thought she was so bigoted, but it’s the nature of things. Each faction tends only to see the worst members of the others, not the normal people who want a regular life. Isalla slowly began to understand that. Eventually we simply… became close. I’m surprised I let her close, but I suspect I’d become rather lonely.”
“I see,” Alserah murmured, her gaze growing a bit distant, and more complex at the same time. Then she spoke again. “I’m likely similar, in many ways. I’ve rarely spoken with demons in a peaceful setting, and most of them came in armies. While I’ve heard of the societies that are less warlike in the hells, I’ve always been skeptical about their existence. There were always more tales of demons like Estalia, who were believed more manipulative than they were directly deadly.”
Niadra looked between them, looking like she was rather uncomfortable and trying to decide what to say. Eventually, she asked softly, sounding like she was trying to change the subject, “Are you happy, Kitania? To be free?”
“Happy? Am I happy?” Kitania asked, and a tiny, chained up part of her managed to break free for just a moment, and she giggled briefly, shaking her head as she replied. “No, I don’t think I am. To me, this is just like Rosken all over again. I was transported across the world, to a place where my knowledge is of limited use at best, to a realm populated by those who are traditionally the enemies of my people. I don’t know whether Isalla and Rose are even alive, and if they are, they’re with my mother, one of the most charming, beautiful demons in all the hells, and my home… if it’s even intact, I’ve lost it and all my belongings. Even the body I’d transformed myself into, one that I carved enchantments into my bones to create, is lost to me. I’m simply… existing, really. I move from one moment to the next, trying not to let myself think about what’s happened. It’s the only way I can keep going.”
“That’s not—” Niadra began, but Alserah spoke, cutting her off.
“You truly believe that’s the proper approach? After living as long as you have, and having gone through the hardships you’ve faced?” Alserah asked, her voice sharp, and Kitania looked up, then froze as the goddess looked at her in disapproval, her gaze like divine arrows pinning Kitania in place. A moment later, the goddess continued in that sharp tone. “I did my best to freeze my heart due to the pain I suffered, but I couldn’t, not entirely. I suffered the pain in order to experience those moments of joy and happiness, to be with those I cared about, even if they were fleeting. What point is there to life if you don’t live it? Hiding from your emotions isn’t a solution, Kitania. All it will lead to is further heartache when it overwhelms you at last.”
Kitania flinched back at the goddess’s tone, wanting nothing more than to hide, but she couldn’t. She opened her mouth to speak, but Alserah slapped a hand on the table.
“No, Kitania. I’m not going to listen to your excuses,” Alserah said, shaking her head in obvious disapproval, then looked at Niadra. The goddess seemed to consider for a moment, then spoke firmly. “Niadra.”
“Y-yes, Your Grace?” Niadra asked, almost quivering as she stared at the goddess in shock.
“You like Kitania, that much is obvious. However, you’re worried about the backlash of your parents and others,” Alserah said, looking the princess in the eye. “You now have my express permission to associate with Kitania in whatever way you wish. If your parents or even the king himself have issues with it, they can speak to me.”
“I… Thank you, Your Grace. I never expected you to decide to intervene. Or to make such a decision,” Niadra said, sounding shocked and a bit happier as she looked at Kitania, who felt her stomach clench slightly, almost feeling like it was tied in a knot.
“I’m doing it for several reasons, not the least of which is for your own sake, Niadra. You deserve the chance to find what it is you truly desire. I’m also doing it for Kitania, to keep her from possibly destroying herself,” Alserah said, giving Kitania a frosty glare, which caused Kitania to shrink back slightly.
“I don’t think I’d destroy myself,” Kitania said weakly, but at the same time she hated how she was cringing before the goddess.
“Of course you don’t. People rarely do, until it’s far too late,” Alserah replied, frowning at Kitania. “Unfortunately, I don’t think my presence would help, not with your reaction, or I’d do it myself.”
“What?” Kitania asked, her eyes going huge, and she could see Niadra suddenly staring at the goddess as well.
“I’m saying that you managed to intrigue me before, Kitania. You’re immortal, and in some ways that makes you safer than other potential options. However, if you’re in the sort of state that I think you’re in, my attention probably won’t help,” Alserah told Kitania, her smile thin. “I’m too old to bother with being incredibly subtle, and I haven’t decided one way or another to begin with. For now, I need to make sure you don’t hurt yourself, much as you ensured that I wasn’t killed. Once you’ve regained that confidence that I saw initially… then we’ll see how things work out.”
“I… I see, Your Grace,” Niadra said, almost stammering now, looking like she’d been hit between the eyes with a hammer.
“No, Niadra. If you decide that you like her, I won’t interfere, especially if she returns your feelings,” Alserah said, standing up as she glanced at Kitania, and the demon felt herself blushing.
“I’m right here, you know,” Kitania said, her voice still weak.
“I know you are. I’m also talking about it in front of you in a deliberate attempt to break you out of whatever funk you’re trying to slip into,” Alserah replied, smiling even more as she glanced between the two, then nodded. “Enjoy your tea, hm?”
The goddess left, leaving Kitania and Niadra behind. Kitania quickly found herself absorbed in examining her tea, which didn’t smell nearly as good as it had before.
“That was unexpected.” Niadra said at last, and Kitania could almost feel the weight of the elf’s gaze.
“It was. I… don’t think I know what to think. I’m just… what am I supposed to do?” Kitania asked, looking up at Niadra, and she could feel that part of her that had been hidden welling up, almost breaking free. She could feel the tears in her eyes, and she blinked as she continued, ever so softly. “Am I supposed to break d
own, in front of people who’re practically waiting for any sign of weakness? I just… I don’t know what to do.”
“Oh, Goddess… I wish she hadn’t decided to do this here,” Niadra said, her expression softening, and she stood up, offering a hand to Kitania as she glanced at the dryads, then at a couple more nobles who’d come to investigate. “Come on, Kitania. Let’s go to my room and we can talk in private. We aren’t that far away.”
“If… if you say so,” Kitania said, taking the elf’s hand and allowing her to draw Kitania to her feet. Then they started toward the palace, and with every step Kitania felt like her mask of indifference, confidence, and even happiness cracked a little more. It had been so easy to pretend the mask wasn’t there when no one focused on what Kitania felt, but Alserah had stripped away that bit of blissful pretense.
By the time they reached Niadra’s quarters, Kitania felt like her emotions were a tornado, threatening to tear away every bit of control she had. Stepping into the room, she didn’t even have time to look at it before she broke down.
Niadra took a moment to close the door, then hugged Kitania tightly, whispering soothing words in her ear as the demoness began to sob for everything she’d lost, and for all the pain she’d gone through in the past few weeks.
Chapter 23
Rose watched the doors in interest as they opened, and Lady Azalea stepped inside, accompanied by her four guards. The elves were all well-dressed, with the blonde elven woman in a beautiful blue dress with silver embroidery, and her eyes matched the dress, while the guards each wore silver armor that glittered with runes showing they were enchanted, along with the swords at their sides.
The elves also stopped the moment they entered the room, almost physically reeling as they caught sight of Estalia, who was seated on her throne. It was already all Rose could do to keep from staring at the demon queen, with her power unrestrained, so she really couldn’t blame the elves for their reaction to Estalia. She hadn’t realized that most of the time Estalia kept her power slightly suppressed, at least until the queen had taken a seat on her throne and let out a soft sigh before letting it loose. It was a flood of sheer attraction like nothing Rose had ever imagined, and a mere glimpse of Estalia was enough to enrapture others.
The throne room was pale stone that had been polished smooth, with numerous statues of Estalia in different clothing along the walls, and blue crystals reflected the light released by the demon queen, while bright yellow flames burned without fuel in braziers around the room to provide additional illumination. Estalia’s throne was on a dais atop six stairs, allowing her to look down on the entire hall, and her throne was made of elaborate silver with soft velvet cushions. It was certainly an impressive sight, which was why Rose was doing everything in her power to avoid looking at Estalia. Otherwise she feared that she might forget to breathe.
It took the elves several long moments to gather themselves, then they slowly approached, all the poise that Rose had initially seen in the group gone, as they stared at Estalia in shock, barely sparing a glance at the four guards in the room or even for Rose.
When they finally reached an invisible line near the stairs, the elves came to a stop, not doing anything more yet. Then Estalia spoke, her voice resonant, seductive… and Rose couldn’t keep herself from looking at the queen, freezing as she was utterly entranced by the demoness’s voice.
“I am Estalia. Queen of Estalia,” the queen said, her eyes glittering like diamonds as she looked down at the elves, her lips curving in the faintest hint of a smile, yet one that almost caused Rose’s heart to stop. “You have asked for an audience, and I have granted it. Agents of Alserah, why are you here, so far from your home?”
“I… I am Lady Azalea Ikara. I’ve come on behalf of Her… Her Grace Alserah, the Divine Archer of the Forest of Sighs,” the elven woman said, her voice trembling, and unable to tear her gaze away from Estalia, much as Rose couldn’t.
“Indeed? I believe this is the first time I’ve had her send a message to me,” Estalia replied calmly, and Rose forced herself to look away, breathing hard as she did so. The queen continued. “Since that is the case, why is it that she sent you here?”
“She… sent me because there was an intrusion into her palace a few weeks ago. By a demon,” Azalea began, then fell silent as Rose’s gaze whipped over to her, the elf’s eyes going wide. It took a moment for Rose to realize the woman had fallen silent because Estalia was staring at her as well. It was a little frustrating, considering how much Rose’s heart had leapt at Azalea’s words.
“Indeed? Please, continue,” Estalia said, her tone unchanged, despite her focused gaze.
“The… the demon claimed that she was forcibly transported there, and that she was… was your daughter,” Azalea said, swallowing visibly. “I… was sent to determine the truth of the matter.”
“I see. And what, precisely, does this demon look like?” Estalia asked, arching an eyebrow curiously.
“She isn’t as demonic as most. She has a tail, pink skin, purple hair and eyes… and she’s somewhat short,” the elf said, swallowing hard before finishing. “Her name is Kitania Darkshade, or so she claims.”
Rose’s heart skipped a beat, and she smiled as she felt delight surge at the name, and at the description that matched Kitania’s. However, just as she was about to speak, Estalia continued, her voice almost cold now. That confused Rose for just a moment.
“I see. If she is my daughter, what are Alserah’s intentions?” Estalia asked, and Rose felt a chill run down her spine as she realized that Estalia was in the same sort of mood she had been when she’d offered to break Eziel’s mind for the information she possessed. The air felt oppressive, and Rose knew without a doubt that if Estalia wanted to, none of the elves would make it out of the room.
“O-originally… it was to ransom her. However, I’ve… I’ve received information that she aided Her Grace greatly,” Azalea said, shivering visibly. “S-so… if she is, I was told that she’ll be released when you send someone to retrieve her.”
“Indeed? Well, that does change things,” Estalia said, suddenly smiling and sitting back in her chair. The atmosphere changed as Estalia retracted much of her power, looking like a radiant goddess on her throne instead, and she smiled at Azalea warmly. “That does sound like Kitania, yes. In her original body, even, which tells me that when she arrived, the circumstances were not favorable for her. In fact, it means that you utterly destroyed her body.”
“Ah, how… how do you know that?” Azalea asked, flinching slightly.
“Before she was… taken, Kitania told me she had altered her body permanently by having enchantments carved into her bones. I happen to know that her bones are far stronger than those of a normal demon or mortal, so to destroy the enchantments would necessitate using an immense amount of force,” Estalia explained, and Rose’s happiness turned to horror and a bit of anger as she looked at the elf with narrowed eyes, wondering just what had happened to Kitania.
“I… was not aware of that. I do know that she activated the first layer of the palace’s defensive formation, and there wasn’t much left afterward,” Azalea quickly replied, looking down at the floor. “However, I’m also told that she woke within three days.”
“Yes, that would be about right for when her body was entirely destroyed,” Estalia said, and at Rose’s shocked look, the queen shrugged, explaining. “One year was particularly rough during Kitania’s youth. She seemed to be determined to test every form of death that she could manage. As you’ve seen, none of them worked.”
“That’s horrible,” Rose said, growing slightly outraged by the thought, and how indifferent Estalia seemed about Kitania’s treatment.
“It was. I don’t want to count the number of times I had to drag her out of some beast’s lair to regenerate,” Estalia said, sighing heavily, and cooling Rose’s anger in the process. Then she looked at the elves, all of whom still looked enchanted, but also a bit horrified, and continued coolly. “I
will have to consider how to reply to Alserah. Rose? Would you be kind enough to escort them to the guest wing?”
“As you wish, Your Majesty,” Rose replied, taking a breath and nodding to the elves as she gestured to the doors, her feelings about the situation still mixed, between delight that they finally knew where Kitania was and anger concerning her treatment. “If you’d follow me, please?”
“Yes, of course,” Azalea replied after a moment, nodding almost like a puppet as the woman began following Rose toward the doorway.
Once they’d left the room, Rose closed the doors and relaxed, shaking her head, then smiled at one of Estalia’s guards before focusing on the elves, speaking to Azalea. “There, we’re out of the room. It’ll take a minute for the fog to clear, but it’s the worst the first time you meet her. Are you alright?”
“I… I think I am. So that was Estalia? She was amazing,” Azalea said, and her comment prompted a couple of laughs from the demon guards.
“Yes, she is. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met and has been incredibly kind to me,” Rose said, smiling slightly as she glanced down the hallway, some of her anger easing. “It’s also almost impossible to retain control of yourself in front of her. That’s why I asked you if you were alright.”
“Um, I suppose. I can…” Azalea began, then she looked at Rose and blinked, then the elf’s eyes narrowed as she asked, “Wait, are you an angel?”
“Why yes, that I am,” Rose replied dryly, looking at the elf skeptically, then clicked her tongue. “I see you got hit hard by Her Majesty, if you missed that until now.”
“I beg your pardon? There’s no need to be insulting.” Azalea sounded outraged as she spoke, her back straightening abruptly, and Rose’s eyes narrowed slightly as her amusement and tolerance faded.
Mortal Gods (Mantles of Power Book 2) Page 20
