The Burden of Trust

by Nikki Frank

  I did as he instructed and squeezed my eyes shut. I knew what came next and didn’t want to see.

  “Open your eyes and face your decisions, Demon Lord,” Lumarian scolded.

  Opening my eyes and facing him sent fear thrilling through me. Lumarian lowered his horn in my direction. I’d never been so alone as he charged. His horn pierced both of us. Only the agony of dying along with Graham compared to receiving the pain of Katriane’s lost life.

  I fell to the ground as he removed his horn. The light around me faded as he disappeared into the undergrowth. I curled in on my pain. The darkness of Lumarian’s absence crept into my vision. Finally, blackness took my consciousness and my pain.

  ~ ~ ~

  Something about the décor of the metal room seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place it. I sat, rubbing my chest. Strange prickling sensations stabbed at the site Lumarian pierced me.

  For the first time in quite a while, I felt like me—not a manic, euphoric me, but plain-old Olivia. Climbing out of bed, I went to the mirror. The sheet of polished metal must mean we’d come to Tomi’s palace.

  “Velor? Ferika?”

  “I’m here, Mistress.” A poisonous-green dragon uncoiled from the far side of my bed.

  “Vixaria.” I blinked at her. “When did you get back?”

  She laid her head on my bed, clearly trying to think up something to tell me.

  “What? What’s wrong?”

  She sighed a bit of smoke. “Several things, mistress. You’ve been unconscious for six days. You’ve missed much. Dagger and I returned a little over a week ago to find dire news awaiting us. He’s guarding your throne for the moment but . . .”

  “But what?” Panic rose in my chest.

  “Word of your unauthorized trip to Earth got out. The Goblin King is enraged that a demon lord and an akuma lord left the Borderlands without his permission. He doesn’t care that the government of the Central Borderlands and one of Hakushi’s akuma lords have pardoned your venture. He says your trip required the other two akuma lords and himself to sign off. As such, he’s declared you both unfit and offered a reward to the creature who slays you and takes your places.”

  “But I had to go,” I protested. “The demon magic nearly changed me.”

  She gave her wings a little ruffle. “Ferika took Talon back to the Central Borderlands six days ago, and he’s already explained the situation to the Lord High Governor. That’s why you have his support as well as the support of our other two demon lords. You are currently in the palace of Lord Tomi, who has come out in support of you and Lord Iya.”

  My heart sank. “Talon left? He really did only get me to the unicorn.”

  “I am sorry, mistress.” Vixaria gave a strange purr. “I personally can’t believe he left you. You were not yourself.” She gave a menacing hiss. “I’d never abandon you.”

  My chin dropped to my chest, and tears stung my eyes. Deep in my chest sat the realization things were truly over between us. The feeling fleshed out a discomfort which had been growing for a while. One which I’d failed to identify, or maybe I simply hadn’t wanted to. Still, nothing I’d done to Talon had been on purpose. But him abandoning me was deliberate, and that cut me.

  Talon had been with me on my journey to the demon throne. He’d been at my side as I learned to rule and purged my district. His absence meant I’d have to learn to watch my own back now. Self-pity washed over me in a choking black wave, dragging my tears free. Vixaria scrubbed a corner of the blanket from my bed across my face―a tad roughly.

  As if reading my thoughts, she said, “You aren’t alone. But if you really need Talon, just order him back. You’re the demon lord.”

  I pushed the claw holding the blanket away. “Thanks, Vixaria. But I hurt Talon repeatedly. I can’t blame him or hold a grudge for leaving. And I won’t force him back against his will.” My sigh shuddered on its way out, hurting my ribs. “I should be glad he stayed as long as he did. I’d probably leave if things were the other way around.”

  “I’m just glad I’m a dragoness.” She gave a sparking snort. “Find a virile dragon, mate with him, lay some eggs. Easy.”

  I ignored her. She wasn’t really that callous anymore, but I’d point that out when and if love found her. Instead, I asked, “What does the Goblin King’s order mean, exactly?”

  “You’ll be hunted until diplomacy or war settles this. The Goblin King will have to rescind the reward.” Her talons shuffled on the ground. “You’ve been brought here because Tomi offered the closest safe-haven. But you’ll need to learn to draw out your demon power as quickly as possible.”

  She let out a sigh and came around, nudging me with her snout. “If I might be so bold, I think you should ruthlessly dispatch a few of the opportunists trying to kill you. Make an example of what happens to those who try to take your place. You’ve built the respect of your citizens by being merciful and good to them. But the underworld operates by a different code. You must rule them with an iron fist.”

  “I don’t know . . .”

  She nudged me again. “You did it once before when you drove all the evil out the first time. We eliminated those who refused to go. Show evil who’s boss.”

  I sighed. Her words sounded so easy, but the reality of our first purge had been exhausting. I hated to go through it again. “Where are the others?” I changed the subject.

  “Everyone has dispersed to their proper places. Velor, Katriane, and I simply await your return home.”

  “I suppose Iya went back home, too.” Why did the idea disappoint me? “I guess he’ll have no second thoughts about eliminating those who come after him.”

  “No. Iya’s still here. He’s being hunted, too. Home isn’t safe for him, either. But the peril around you both hinges on you. If we can clear up what happened with your magic, we can also free him.”

  I rubbed my head, half expecting to find horns. “Everything is my fault. Why? I never asked for this.”

  She gave me a toothy grin. “No idea why it’s you. But I can’t think of a better woman for the job.”

  “Thanks, Vixaria. I suppose we ought to get to work.” My stomach gave a growl worthy of a dragon. “Maybe we should get something to eat first.”

  “I’ll take you to the kitchen.”

  I followed Vixaria down the hall, surprised to hear voices bouncing off the metal walls as we approached the kitchen. Velor’s I recognized, but not the answering giggle. Peeking in revealed Velor entertaining Katriane with some story that had him waving his claws.

  I laughed aloud. He rarely got so excited. Velor turned so fast he left scratches on the metal floor and streaked toward me, tackling me. I got snuffling dragon kisses all over my face.

  “I missed you, too, Velor.” I hugged his snout.

  When he let me up, Katriane watched shyly. I took the seat next to her and held out a hand. “Hi, Katriane. We haven’t properly met. Olivia Skotadi.”

  Velor curled behind her chair, watching as she took and shook my hand. “Katriane Pothier. So, you’re the demon lord?” She twisted her dark-brown hair nervously. “Velor told me it’s a title. You’re actually an imp or something.”

  “Yeah, I’m an imp.”

  “This is . . . still surreal, but I . . . wanted to say I’m sorry.”

  “For what?” This startled me. I couldn’t think of a single person around me who had anything to apologize for. Every moment of everyone’s pain had been brought on by my shortcomings. “I’m the one who ought to be apologizing to you.”

  “Yeah.” She scuffed her foot on the metal floor. “Here’s the thing. I’m not usually mean, and you seemed really hurt when I told you I’d hate you forever. That was the anger and the fear talking.”

  “Don’t worry about snapping.” I waved my hand to dismiss her guilt. “I don
’t blame you at all. I feel very guilty about the whole thing. Someday, maybe you’ll understand and forgive me a little.”

  “I think I’m beginning to see, actually. It’s a big part of why I apologized.” A blush crept up her cheeks. “Everyone speaks so highly of you. They love you, and they’re grateful for what you’ve done. Their feelings made me feel like I ought to get to know you before judging.”

  “Thanks. Being given a chance means more to me than you know. The Borderlands are a very cool place to live. I hope you learn to love being here.”

  Vixaria set a plate of sandwiches in front of me, and I helped myself. Katriane sighed and looked at the plate. I slid it toward her.

  “Want one?”

  “No. It’s just, so much seems the same here. Homesickness pops up at strange times.”

  “Ah, breakfast.” Iya interrupted with indulgent smiles and leaned over, kissing me on the cheek. I turned my face away before he could do more.

  “Good morning, Iya.” Katriane greeted him.

  He sat beside me and put a hand on my thigh. “Will you ladies be practicing? I ought to accompany you. Just in case.” He ran his hand until it reached the inside of my thigh and squeezed.

  I jumped up from the table, dropping the last of my sandwich. “Do what you need to do, but remember, I need to focus.”

  Iya gave me a sleek smile. “Of course. Velor, shall we escort the ladies out to the forest’s edge for practice? No need to risk the palace.”

  “Have you figured out how I get to the power?” I asked nervously.

  He shrugged. “You escorted the source back for the Lord High Governor’s daughter. You ought to know how to get at the power of a vessel.”

  I swallowed hard. “Oh.”

  The closer we got to the edge of the forest, the more butterflies gathered in my stomach. By the time we stopped, my palms were sweaty. Thank goodness Katriane would be oblivious to my intention―at least the first time.

  Iya stopped us at the tree-line. “For now, don’t try to use the power. Simply see if you can draw it out.” He pointed at Katriane. “Go ahead.”

  A burning blush spread across my body. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled to Katriane.

  “For what?”

  I darted in. Better to make this fast. My lips connected with hers, and power rushed through me. I sighed and grabbed her face, sucking the power out. When the demon magic imposed its will on my own, I broke the kiss. Enough remained in my body to leave me feeling power-happy but not reckless.

  “That’s perfect,” I sighed.

  “I agree.” Iya’s voice cracked. He cleared his throat. “You got what you needed?”

  I nodded and licked my lips, still tasting the magic. Iya turned abruptly.

  “I could use a few minutes to get what I need,” he muttered. Iya slipped his arms over my shoulders and kissed my neck.

  Using the power I’d taken to shove him back and bind his arms behind him, I walked up to him, jabbing him in the chest. “I have enough to deal with. Don’t add a horny akuma on top of everything else. Keep to yourself, assuming you want to stay and help.”

  “I won’t be horny if you take care of me.” Iya gave me a smile.

  He probably meant it to be charming, but the expression came off as more of a leer. I kicked the back of his knees, knocking him to the ground. “I’m serious, Iya. Quit. We’re not doing that again. Sex ruined everything last time.”

  “You don’t have to worry about Talon anymore,” he said crudely. “You’re stuck in the past.” His voice had grown softer. “You need to let him go. It’s only going to hurt you and hold you back. I’ve never asked you to love me. Though maybe affection could come later. I’m asking you to consider the benefits of pair bonding with me.”

  “You’d want to have sex, too.”

  “Well, yeah. I’d expect sex from my bonded partner. We’ve already done it. Surely you could bring yourself to do it again.”

  “The bitter taste of the fallout taints every interaction between us.” I crossed my arms and sighed. “It’s my fault for drinking that night, but you’re a huge part of the mistake. We need to work together, but separating those pieces is hard. So, I’ll repeat myself: back off unless you want me to attack for real.”

  “Umm . . .” Katriane hesitated.

  “What?”

  “Is that really how you’re getting the power out? Every time?” She blushed furiously.

  “It worked well, right?” Iya said.

  “Yeah,” I conceded. “Sorry if the method bothers you,” I said to Katriane. “And sorry Iya behaved like a high school boy. Some men never grow up.”

  Katriane laughed. “That I already knew.” She sighed and rubbed her mouth. “It’s weird, but I’ll live. Given everything I’ve seen and heard, kissing’s not the worst way to access the magic. At least it doesn’t involve weapons, or blood-drinking, or something freaky.”

  “You two are plenty freaky,” Iya sniggered.

  “Shut up.” I let a little fire off my hand at him. “Seriously—”

  I fell silent as the undergrowth shook and rustled. Vixaria emerged with two creatures in her mouth. They dangled by their shirts from her teeth. She spat them on the ground at my feet and pinned them under her claws with a growl.

  I swallowed back any fear, turning my most commanding look on her captives. “State your purpose,” I demanded.

  One of the two, with the head of a snake, gave a hissing snigger. “To become the next demon lord.”

  “You’re doing a great job so far,” Iya growled at him.

  The snake laughed. A blade materialized in his hand, and he rammed it through Vixaria’s claw. She let out a scream of rage which rang off the metal wall of the palace.

  “Eat him,” I told her.

  Keeping the other man pinned, she ripped the head off the snake man and ate his other half in the next bite. I didn’t look away. The second man, a gorgon with hair of snakes, watched all of this. Appearing weak wouldn’t help me. Using my demon power, I made a lance of fire, walked up to the gorgon, and speared his shoulder to the ground.

  Waving Vixaria off, I said, “You go back and tell the rest of the parasites and opportunists I’m keeping my throne. So is Iya. I have no doubt that the Goblin King will rescind his order. I will defend my place regardless. Don’t expect mercy. Now, go.”

  He struggled against the lance in his shoulder, the snakes on his head hissing at me. “I can’t get up to go,” he growled.

  “I can fix that.” A shining sword appeared in Iya’s hand. One vicious slash took the man’s shoulder and arm off. “There. Now you’re free.”

  “Iya,” I scolded. “Now he’s going to bleed out. At least cauterize the wound.”

  Iya gave me a wicked grin, and I winked back. He collected fire on his hand and applied it to the man’s shoulder. I forced my stomach back against the screaming and the smell of burning flesh. These men had come here to kill both of us. I needed to protect everything I’d accomplished. Everyone in my district would suffer under the cruel rule of someone like a gorgon drunk on demon magic. The gorgon gave us a vicious growl and slunk off into the woods.

  Katriane looked ill. She’d obviously never seen anything like someone being ripped in half. I slipped out from between the dragons and hugged her.

  “I’m sorry. Training yourself to handle gore takes a while.”

  She gasped for breath. “Is everyone here so vicious?”

  I squeezed her tighter. “No. But everyone who has enough power is potentially a killer. Especially where a demon throne is concerned. When you face evil of such magnitude, a harsh reaction is often the only recourse.”

  “Are we going to survive?” she whispered.

  “I’ve been through worse and with less power. We ough
t to be all right.”

  Iya shot me a grim smile. “We make a good team.”

  Thoughts of Talon crashed down on me. He’d said much the same thing. We’d made such a good team that we agreed to be partners. That’s a huge commitment for an imp-assassin. It meant trusting the other person with your life.

  I blinked back tears and turned back toward the palace. I needed to go home. Both for my throne and . . . Talon would be there, maybe. But would seeing him be a good idea?

  “Velor, Vixaria,” I called behind me. “Get our things. We’re going back.”

  “But you don’t have complete control of the magic,” Iya protested, running to catch up with me. “What happens if you lose control?”

  “The diplomacy is nearly as important now. I can’t stay in hiding.”

  “You still have critical things to learn,” he yelped. “I have lots more to tell you. It’s imperative you know everything as soon as possible. You need me.”

  “Come with me if you feel so strongly. I’m not burying myself in Tomi’s palace waiting for some assassin to make an attempt.”

  “You’d have me leave and be vulnerable?” he growled. “It’s more vital than ever for us to stay safe.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t see the difference coming to my palace makes. You’re not on your throne here, are you?”

  He let out a huge sigh. “Give me two days to summon one of my shi? And I need to—”

  “Send your shi to my palace,” I cut over him. “Bring two if you like.” We’d reached the metal palace wall. I stroked it, opening the doorway in. “We’re leaving in an hour. Do what you want.”

  Iya trotted after me, his face creased in a worried frown. “I need to talk to Tomi briefly. Don’t go anywhere until I get back.” He hurried off in the opposite direction of my room.

  Chapter 11

  Katriane and I turned into the hall by the room I’d been staying in and came to a complete stop. Elita and Emmett sat on the floor at my bedroom door. I rushed over, crouching beside them. The two were completely disheveled, and whatever they were here for couldn’t be good.