by C C Morgen
“Is that what you want?” I asked. “To find a woman to marry and have a family? And here I thought you wanted to forever remain a Casanova.”
“Ha-ha… Of course, I want to find an ideal woman to call my wife,” he answered. “When I was alive in the third realm. My wife was the most beautiful, strongest woman in our villages. Hair gold and eyes like sapphire. She stole my heart the moment I laid my eyes on her. Her skin so fair and soft. She was the chief’s daughter and had the eyes of every unwed man in the entire territory. It took a long time and a lot of fights with men stronger than I was to finally win her heart. Every scar on my body reminded me of how much I loved her. That she was more precious than any gold or gem. Our children were my life. She was my life.”
“What happened?”
“Then finally the stronger man won,” Eric answered in a blank stare as if he was reliving the memory in his mind. “I died in battle when the clans were at war against each other. I actually didn’t want to fight. I would have rather been with my wife and child, take them far into the sea, and find a new home. However, not all of us can act on our wishes. We don’t think how precious life is when you live in the third realm. If I marry again in this world. The day I say my vows I will lie down my axe and not set foot on the battlefield again.”
“What do you think happened to your wife and child?” I became curious.
“I would hope she found love again and for my child to grow up healthy and strong,” he answered. “I would only hope for their happiness in the third realm without me. I couldn’t stay, lingering to watch over them. It was time for me to start a new life and leave that one behind. Maybe one day, I’ll meet her again and my child.”
“You have a good heart,” I complimented. “I don’t think many would think the same. I’ve known many who hold on tight to their old life when they were alive and do more harm than good. I would hope your wife and child in your other life had that happiness you wished for them.” I cleared my throat. “So—why haven’t you settled yet with all the women you have laid with? Ali mentioned your lifestyle.”
Eric laughed. “I have found no one to make me feel like how I did with her… They haven’t taken my breath away.” He glanced at me again. “However, your sister has been on my mind a lot.”
“Claudia,” I said. “Really?”
“Yes,” he answered. “She’s beautiful—and so are you by the way… It’s just there’s something about her that reminds me of the strength I saw in my wife. That gaze that cuts through your heart.”
I laughed hard until tears fell from my eyes. “Claudia has broken more hearts with that glare than anything else. Eric… Oh Eric—you will have a rough time. You think courting your wife in the third realm was long and hard—Claudia will be a hell like no other if you pursue her. I’ll give you praise if you win her heart.” I slapped him in the back and kept laughing. “Oh, the ninth—you and her. That will be the day.”
“It could happen,” he winked at me. “I have my charms. I’ll cast a love spell on her in my own way.”
“Please—Eric. You are too much,” I used his broad shoulder as an armrest and leaned on him. “Claudia really doesn’t like the flirtatious man. It’s too obvious that all they want is her body. And the sex… My sister is a dream in the chambers, I’ve heard. It was all poison to my ears, but I’ll admit my sister is skilled being half sex demon and half vampire. It’s an arousing mix for many to admire. However, my sister dreams of romance; intimacy, poetry, sweet words; it has to come from the heart. Claudia dreams these things from a potential companion. To be seduce with the soul.”
“Sounds like Ali would be her type,” he blurted out suddenly. “No offense.”
“None taken,” I said. “You are probably right. Claudia was quite taken by Ali at first until I ruined it. I rather insinuated that she was a bother to me. So now, my sister doesn’t care for her. Once she gets the wrong impression about someone, there’s no swaying her mind. She will never open up to Ali. Not after the ceremony.”
“What happened between her and Ali?” Eric asked with a look of jealousy written on his face.
“Claudia tried to seduce her,” I said. “As a game though. I think she wanted to see if she was worth rejecting after I told her to keep Ali away from me. They kissed from what she told me. She even offered Ali a night with her, but I guess she didn’t want my sister. It actually angered her.”
“That’s sounds like Ali to deny an evening with a beautiful woman,” he added. “They kissed—really?”
“Yes—but please tell no one,” I said. “My sister is very self-conscious about her reputation. If anyone knew she took an interest in a Dark Elf and was rejected, it would embarrass her and make her furious.”
“Your sister’s secret is safe with me,” Eric assured me with a smile. “Hopefully this will help me get closer to her.”
I punched him in the arm. “Not really—but nice try.” I gave him an evil grin. “I’m not going to help you court my sister, I hope you know. I just gave you good secrets. Do with them what you will, just do it discreetly.”
Eric winked at me. “Thank you, milady.” Then he handed me a bottle of wine. “Drink to the night to come. This will most likely be the last before we reach the mountain.”
I guzzled a mouth full of the sweet and bitter wine. The cool red liquid dripped down my chin and onto my chest. “Oh my—this is stronger than last night’s drinks.”
“The men purchased a more aged batch,” he answered. “It was more expensive, but worth the buy for our last night. Before dawn, we head out to get an early start. By noon we should reach the obsidian castle.”
“It will be plenty of daylight to fight against the old Demon lord,” I responded while gulping another mouthful of wine.
“Easy there, milady,” Eric wanted me to slow down on the drinking. Although, I wanted to numb out fast, thinking about Ali. Her kiss still lingered on my lips where it ached for more. She embraced me so tight on the field it made me weak in her arms. The wine slows the hunger I yearned to satisfy. I wanted Ali, but she was nowhere in sight.
***
Ali didn’t show up the entire evening of drinking and long songs the men tried to harmonize. Their voices resounded off key, which made me laugh as I joined in drinking the ale and eating cured meats that were salty and delicious. Eric kept me company most of the night until everyone fell asleep where they drank, passed out and snored louder than the bugs that sung in the dark.
I lied awake, staring at the blazing flames, waiting patiently for Ali’s return. Then finally, she strolled back into camp and sat against the bolder, leaning her back against the rock in a daze. I saw her gaze up at the stars in the sky. At first, I wanted to get up and go to her; however, my body didn’t move to the thought. I just laid there and watched her struggle with an inner turmoil I longed to understand. She was right there but was so far away.
Is this love?
CHAPTER 19
Ali
THE NIGHT DIDN’T LAST LONG as the men awoke ready to ride out before dawn. Angelica drank her elixir behind the tree in private, replenishing herself for the long travel. She didn’t appear disturbed by my presence when she finally glanced in my direction with a warm smile like nothing has changed. Why did everything have to go sour yesterday with Gabriel? It was different this time. I lost control completely of reality, as if my rage clouded my sight and manipulated it to see Edon. I should have known it was all in my head. It wasn’t real, yet it felt true. Maybe I’m losing my mind.
Angelica summoned the Striders, whistling as loud as possible. They formed quickly out of the shadows and trotted our way. This might be the last time I get to ride with her. She hopped over the back with confidence and more strength in her form. Angelica was amazing with how quickly she relearned an old forgotten skill. I wouldn’t believe her now if she said she was rusty and hadn’t ridden in ages. She held the reins and reached out to me with care written in her eyes. If only circumstances were dif
ferent, I would have fallen for her. I received her hand, and she lifted me behind. When I settled, we rode off with the men riding alongside this time instead of being separated in a line.
Gabriel glanced over at me along our right and he lipped ‘I’m sorry.’ Eric on our left raised his fist at him with an angered glare. I wanted to laugh because they looked funny as they made faces at each other. I had no reason to hate Gabriel when he is under the influence of ale. He can get carried away in a fight and lose his composure. Eric, on the other hand, treaded carefully around me. Never used my past against me to win in a match. That’s why I called him a friend more than the others.
Angelica surprised me yesterday with her magic. The power of a Demon lord is not to be taken lightly. The strength knocked me back like a boulder, clobbering me with one swoop. If I weren’t the granddaughter of Tobias, she would have gravely injured me with how much power hit my chest. The pain resided under my flesh like a bruise, still raw and sore.
I can only imagine the fight with an older lord, especially at night when he is at his strongest. My grandfather never mentioned the power of a Demon lord. Then again, he probably never thought I would split from my heritage as a Harpy. My mother wanted me to be her heir even though the Underworld is somewhat my home as well as the Dark Elf tribe in the cold northern mountains.
The last day on the island, I could tell how disappointed she was when my answer was no. The glare she gave me sent chills as if it wasn’t the best answer. Yet she let me go and now the Underworld has become a new home, even though I haven’t settled in one place.
Suddenly, I remembered the fear in Gabriel’s eyes as I held the tip of the blade near his chest. My hands trembled at the image of me losing control. If that were Angelica under my blade, I huffed out losing my breath to anxiety. Angelica’s hand found mine, and she squeezed it to get my attention. I focused on her even though she said nothing. The palm of her hands were warm and comforting. Then I finally leaned my forehead on her back in exhaustion.
“Tired?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I mumbled. “Just a bit.”
“I saw you didn’t sleep much,” she stated. “You should shut your eyes for a little while. Just until we arrive near the mountain you can stay like this.”
“Thank you,” the warmth of her back relaxed the muscles in my face. “This feels really good right now. I couldn’t sleep a wink after yesterday. After everything that happened, I just wanted to fade into the night sky. Before I knew it, it was time to leave.”
“You need to rest,” Angelica reacted with concern. “I don’t want you to fade. Not now, not ever. I don’t see you any different if it will give you assurance. I still see you the same and my desires hasn’t changed. If that gives you, comfort. I’ll say it more until it gets into that thick skull of yours.”
I grinned at the tone of her voice as her words comforted me through my insecurities, which I didn’t expect from someone who I’ve only known for a short time. “You know—I actually wanted us to finish what we started,” I said without letting my ego stop me. “It’s too bad we couldn’t. It’s too late now for everything to be different.”
“I guess you’re right,” Angelica sighed. “I was looking forward to it too. Then again I’d be the first Demon Lord to seduce a Dark Elf.”
“I would be the second to gain the attention of a Demon Lord,” I accidentally blurted out.
“What?” Angelica tried to look at me. “What did you mean by that?”
“Nothing,” I caught myself before revealing further my family secrets. “I’m just rambling on about nothing.” I breathed out as soon as she remained quiet. “That magic you conjured yesterday. I never knew Demons were capable of such power.”
“You can learn it too you know,” she side glanced to see my face. “I can sense it in your blood that you have potential for the dark arts. You might actually be a natural. The way you handled Valora is like a magic user. The pulse that radiated off her was more powerful than I’ve seen from a magical weapon.”
“You really think I can?” I asked. “Learn to use magic?”
“Of course,” she answered. “If you want, I can teach you.”
“I don’t want to cause you any harm,” I said. “If your family found out about me. I don’t think your sister will be too thrilled with you teaching my kind the dark arts.”
“We can do it discreetly?” she answered. “Like Eric said—whatever we do out here stays out here. No one will know. Beside if, we manage to survive… I’ll continue to teach you whenever I can. I want you to become strong too Ali. I want you to prevail against any enemy you face. I would miss you dearly if your life is lost too soon.”
“That will be gracious of you—to teach a non-immortal like myself,” I said. “I’m starting to like it here in the Underworld. I never thought I could connect to my roots as a child. And now here I am—fighting for the Demon Empire and being escorted by a lord who is my friend.”
“Well—It is like you’re visiting home for the first time since you’re quarter demon,” Angelica stated. “A beautiful one. I never thought a Dark Elf would be as mesmerizing until the day you knocked down that door, swinging that sword like a knight saving a princess.”
“You’re sort of a princess,” I added. “Just a strong independent one. You can shoot flawlessly, and you hide daggers underneath your attire. I can only imagine what you do with all those blades.”
“How many have you finally noticed?”
“About ten,” I answered. “Five small ones strapped to your lower back and five in the front. The large one in the back above your belt is to distract from the small ones that are not noticed so easily.”
“Very good,” she replied. “You’re very observant.
“Why does a lovely Demon Lord have to carry so many blades?” My hands flowed around her waist, finding the daggers underneath her leather vest. “They are so thin. With how well you threw that large one I can only imagine what you could do with all these.” I reached underneath and pulled out one of the thin blades.
Angelica looked down at me, holding the small dagger. “Just for my protection. We noble ladies are never unarmed. The princess does the same. Underneath all her refined dresses, hides deathly blades. Even more than what I carry. She actually laces them with poisons I heard. Although, I don’t know if that’s true or not.”
“So, it’s a lady’s thing,” I said, giggling. “Kind of reminds me of my family. I don’t think I’ve seen my mother ever unarmed. And her hounds are always beside her when she leaves the kingdom.”
“You should do the same,” she said playfully. “Aren’t you a princess as well?”
“I guess I am,” I played along. “I don’t need all the blades though. I just have Valora. That’s better than a thousand blades. And I have my wits.”
“Your wits will not be helpful so much on this mission,” she stated as the heat began to rise drastically. “You should sleep a little instead of chattering with me.”
“I like talking to you,” I said. “It eases my soul. Before an endless slumber, I want to enjoy what I can. This is the first time I’ve wanted to connect with someone before a battle. You seem to be my first.”
“I’m not your first in other things,” she retorted with sarcasm.
“Does it really matter?” I asked. “Connection differs from the physical action. I’ve never had that type of connection before.”
“What connection is that?”
“Intimacy! Pure intimacy with someone you like more than just a friend.”
“Are you saying you like me more than just a friend?” Angelica pushed harder to get a straight answer.
“It doesn’t matter now,” I answered avoiding the question. “I care about you.”
She sighed. “I will do what I can to help you and the men succeed. I don’t want to see any of you die.”
“We are not so easy to defeat, milady,” Eric butted in on our conversation. “I apologize for intruding on
this delightful chat… but what other kind of magic can you perform other than what you displayed yesterday?”
“Ali, can you hand me your bow and one arrow, please?” Angelica held out her hand, waiting for me to give her my Elven bow. I gave her an arrow, and she whispered into the blade of the arrowhead. Her voice so faint the words sounded like air. After that, she mounted the arrow on the bow and drew the string back; aiming the tip high enough were it could go far ahead of us. She released and the arrow shot into the air, gliding in the sky until it arch downward. It hit the ground and exploded a fire that spread far out in a blaze, then disappearing like smoke, not leaving any indentation on the dirt.
“What was that?” Eric’s mouth dropped open. I was just as shocked, glancing hard at where the arrow had landed. Not a trace left behind where an explosion was. It should have left a crater by the sound alone, but there was flat ground like it was untouched.
“Dragon’s Breath,” Angelica answered. “It just releases flames hot enough to incinerate anything within the blast. It will be useful against the horde without damaging the structure of the castle and the bridges we need to not fall in a sea of fire.”
“I’ve never seen something like that before,” Eric added. “That was remarkable. Milady doesn’t need any protection.”
“Can you enchant all my arrows to be exactly like that?” I tugged at her side, wide-awake.
Angelica chuckled. “Yes, I’ll do it. If you think it will be useful. Be careful though. If you fire one of these too close to the others, the enchantment that keeps them from dying from the heat will not block the flames and they will burn to ash in an instant. This is not your typical fire. It burns hotter than any flame. That’s why it’s called Dragon’s Breath.”
