‘Rowanne, my dear, welcome to the family!’ said Lady Enid. Rowanne went to her with Alexander by her side. Lady Enid turned to the Nobles in the court. ‘My Lords and Ladies, may I present-’
‘My great granddaughter,’ said a voice from the side of the platform, cutting off Lady Enid.
Lady Enid froze and the soldiers converged into a protective stance before her, blocking her view. She heard footsteps approaching, coming to a stop before the soldiers.
‘Now really, is this any way to treat your Princess?’ asked Lillian boldly.
‘Let her through,’ said Lady Enid weakly, her heart still recovering from all that she had witnessed. The soldiers parted, and before her stood her daughter.
Lady Enid stepped forward hesitantly. Lillian appeared to be alive... She touched her daughter, and inhaled sharply; she felt solid. Wasting no more time, she fiercely hugged Lillian. She may not have understood how her daughter had come back, but she was just grateful that she had.
Lillian felt tears running down her face as she hugged her mother back, feeling her touch for the first time in seventy years.
‘Lillian, are you really back?’ asked Lady Enid hoarsely.
‘It seems I am, and,’ bending close to her mother’s ear she whispered, ‘I have Elisedd and Rowanne to thank for that,’ as her mother looked at her curiously.
Lady Enid knew that Lillian would explain later when there were not so many inquisitive demons about.
‘Let me speak with them, Mother,’ said Lillian, and a single tear slid down her mother’s cheek. Lillian could tell how deeply it had touched her.
‘My Lords and Ladies, the rumours of my demise were sadly exaggerated. Furthermore, I am back to take my rightful place,’ she looked out at the sea of demons; they were frightened and shocked, for before them stood their next Queen. She was a ghost no longer, and had come back from death — resurrected; or, so it appeared to them.
Lillian gestured for Rowanne to stand before her.
‘This full bodied demon before you has now ascended to our rightful form, our true form, that of an Angel. May I present, Ms Rowanne Knight, my great granddaughter, and the next heir of the Morning Star Clan.’
The full force of the words reverberated through the room, and a deathly silence descended. The demons found it difficult to digest the news, especially those of the Noble clans who began to realise the full magnitude of power that belonged to their Queen; and was now also painfully obvious in her descendents.
However, the demons owed their allegiance to the Queen, and now also to the Princesses. They all knelt as one, heads bowed and hands placed upon their hearts as they paid obeisance to the First Family of Demon World.
Rowanne turned her head and looked at Lillian, shocked. No! What did she mean? She turned to Alexander, who shook his head, indicating that this was not the right time to question her.
Rowanne noticed a tall man beside Lillian, who held her hand, and he too, had white wings. His green eyes were currently trained on her, and he gave her a warm smile. Rowanne quickly faced the crowd of demons. An unsettling feeling had come over her, for a moment it was as if she were looking at a relative, his features were so familiar...
‘May I also present my consort, Lord Elisedd Knight, and to clarify for those of you who may question his status... He is also a full demon. Furthermore, the Royal family will cooperate fully with the Noble Court to ascertain our status, and accordingly a further meeting will be held to discuss the findings,’ stated Lillian in a clear and confident voice, daring the Nobles to challenge her openly.
The Nobles all stood, as silence rang clearly in the hall. They looked on in trepidation and incredulity at the latest additions to the royal family, not quite trusting what they saw. However, their history was coming back to them in the form of the three angels that stood before them. Angels! They thought, after so long... What could this herald…?
Lillian bowed to the demons, and then turning to her family, she whispered, ‘Let’s get out of here while they are still in an accommodating mood!’ No one needed to be told twice, as they gracefully, but rather quickly, made their exit from the Noble Court.
CHAPTER 36
Lillian assembled everyone in the Queen’s quarters. Unfortunately, there was one unwelcome addition to their group. ‘Are you sure you want him here?’ Lillian asked Rowanne, glaring at Driskell, who sat on the sofa he shared with Amanda; to her consternation.
‘I am in complete agreement with Lillian,’ said Elisedd, who would like nothing better than to confront the man whom he’d had the misfortune to consider a friend.
The Queen was about to call in the guards to have Driskell escorted out, but Rowanne intervened.
‘There has already been enough misunderstandings, we shouldn’t make the mistake of adding another. I think we should do him the courtesy of allowing him to tell his side of the story,’ said Rowanne.
Driskell looked suspiciously at Rowanne, causing Amanda to huff in exasperation as she nudged him in the side, but this only served to antagonise him further; he scowled at her.
‘Just tell them! I’d rather not spend any more time here than I have to. I have people waiting for me back home,’ said Amanda, equally peeved with Driskell.
Driskell felt a mixture of feelings; he was confused, hurt and angry at being so casually dismissed from Amanda’s life, and his face once more wore a mask of stone as he let the cold encase his heart.
‘What is it that you want to know?’ Driskell asked Lillian in a bitter voice.
Lillian counted to ten to calm herself down as anger raged within her. Why was he feigning ignorance? ‘Why did you betray us? I considered you a dear friend...’
Elisedd shifted uneasily in his chair as his eyes seethed with unbridled rage.
‘Why is it that people make so many unjustified assumptions when it comes to me?’ asked Driskell blithely.
Amanda could tell it was taking a toll on him. The whole situation was volatile; it did not help that they were confined together in a small room, and they could very well end up hurting each other if they were not careful.
Amanda took a deep breath, and wondered, Do I trust this man beside me? All the evidence was against him, and there was no one willing to stand up for him; but then again, he had saved her life... She held his hand, and said, ‘I think we all need to take a step back, and give him a chance. Rowanne is right, until we have all the facts, we should not condemn him.’ Amanda was more than a little uncomfortable as she looked at everyone, and could tell they were confused by her unexpected gesture. Frankly, Rowanne was the only one not surprised, as she nodded in support. She thanked God she would always have her cousin’s support.
Amanda turned to Driskell, and looked at him encouragingly. His eyes widened in surprise, and he gave her a strange look... It’s probably disbelief, she thought, not wanting to dwell on it too much.
Driskell looked for a minute longer than was necessary, and to Amanda’s mortification, he squeezed her hand before swiftly facing the room full of his potential executioners.
‘Lillian, I never intended to go against you. And, Elisedd, you know how much I valued our friendship,’ replied Driskell, and still did to this day.
‘But you helped Evelyn anyway. So, our friendship as you put it, did not mean a damn thing in place of getting a promotion and becoming Enforcer to the Noble Court!’ said Lillian coldly.
‘Evelyn told me of your relationship with Elisedd. She was concerned with your welfare, and asked me to do a background check on him. I duly verified all the information for her, and told her there was nothing to be concerned about,’ said Driskell.
‘Why did you not come to me and tell me of this?’ asked Lillian.
‘She seemed satisfied with my findings, and never mentioned it to me again. I thought in all honesty that the matter had been dropped. I didn’t realise how far she’d pursue it,’ replied Driskell desperately.
‘What about the rest of the information you gath
ered on our relationship solidly for almost two years, that you so conveniently gave to Evelyn to use against us in Prima Stella?’ asked Lillian, the fury rife in her voice. She felt Elisedd’s reassuring presence, and patted his hand; still trying to get used to having him around again. Elisedd looked at her in wonder, and Lillian remembered the moment he had almost died.
She had been trapped within her body in the coffin. She had been screaming in her mind, and her heart hurt as it broke a second time at the sight of Elisedd slumped over the coffin, bleeding to death. She remembered looking into his eyes, and then the explosion...
When Lillian had eventually regained consciousness, she had found herself on the floor, the coffins lying shattered beside her. The room was in semi darkness, most of the candles extinguished. Her heart had stopped beating at the sight of Elisedd lying on the floor against one side of the room - the wall seemed to have blown out behind him. Testing her legs and arms she found to her relief that she had finally regained control of her body, and proceeded to make her way over the rubble towards him.
‘Elisedd, can you hear me?’ asked Lillian.
She looked in wonder, as spread out behind him were large beautiful white wings. She stroked them hesitantly.
Elisedd’s eyes began to slowly open, and in a hoarse voice he replied, ‘I think you are taking advantage of me, love, in my weakened state.’
She thumped him lightly in the arm, before resting her head on his chest, and hugged him fiercely.
Elisedd looked down at her as strong emotions chased across his face. Bending his head, he placed a gentle kiss on top of her head, and embraced her, wrapping his arms protectively around her.
They were content to just be for a few moments. Reluctantly, Lillian began to pull back, much to Elisedd’s annoyance, causing her to break out in laughter.
Elisedd got up with Lillian’s help, and together they surveyed the destruction around them. ‘I see that you’re back where you belong,’ said Elisedd.
‘I could not have done it without you, though your timing was appalling!’ said Lillian with a glower.
‘It’s sort of hard to think, with a murderous demon trying to kill the love of my life. So, you can forgive a man for acting recklessly.’
‘Where is she?’ asked Lillian, looking at the empty room.
‘I’m not too sure. After the explosion she disappeared. Either she was caught up in the explosion,’ he smiled unrepentantly at the thought, ‘or, it’s more than likely she made a hasty exit once she was convinced of our demise,’ said Elisedd, as anger flashed in his eyes.
Lillian stepped close, circling his waist with her arms, and Elisedd reciprocated, clasping his hands tightly behind her back, scared to death of losing her again. ‘I am not going anywhere without you again!’ said Lillian firmly.
Elisedd laughed darkly as a wicked look came into his eyes, ‘As if you even had a choice...’ he said, teasing her.
‘Elisedd, I think you’ve been holding out on me... I thought you were a nice, normal human, turns out-’ said Lillian.
‘That I am a man of mystery, and more wonderful than you could ever have imagined,’ he goaded, interrupting her.
Lillian gave him an aggrieved look. ‘I’m serious, did you know about your heritage?’
Elisedd looked thoughtful, ‘My family never told me that we had angel blood within us. It is as much of a mystery to me as it is to you. They will have much to explain to us when we return.’
Lillian was uncomfortable at the idea of returning back to the palace after so long. There was also the minor issue of being brought back to life... How would they be received... she wondered.
‘You are not alone, we will be together when the time comes. Let us take it one step at a time. Speaking of which, it is time we leave this hell hole, and help our Rowanne, and your mother.’
‘How could I have forgotten? Evelyn could be up there right now causing mayhem, and who knows what state we will find them in. Oh, and let us not forget the hall full of demons out for blood!’ said Lillian.
‘Hold on, love. I’ll take us up,’ said Elisedd. Lillian smiled at him warmly as she stepped completely into his arms. Elisedd spun and in the next instant a portal opened on the platform. They had arrived in the Noble Court.
‘Lillian? Lillian, are you alright?’ asked Rowanne anxiously, kneeling before her trying to get her attention.
Lillian was brought out of her reverie, ‘Sorry, I was somewhere else...’ she said, and patted her hand. Rowanne left her and sat beside Alexander. She must have so many questions to ask me, but she sits quietly with infinite patience, thought Lillian. Rowanne gave her a peeved look, destroying the effect.
‘Lillian, I never collected any other evidence. I don’t know what she told you, but it is a complete lie. Do you not remember the conversation we had?’ asked Driskell.
‘What are you talking about?’ asked Lillian, clearly confused.
‘You and Elisedd both came to me by the time it was too late, once you realised that a Noble had collected evidence against you. I went to the Noble Court and learnt that evidence had been presented before the committee,’ replied Driskell.
‘I cannot recall Lillian and I speaking to you about it,’ said Elisedd, mistrusting Driskell.
‘Neither do I! I would not have forgotten-’ said Lillian.
‘But you could have been made to forget,’ interrupted Rowanne, as everyone’s attention in the room turned sharply in her direction.
Alexander looked repentantly at Rowanne. She touched his arm lightly, and shook her head.
‘Rowanne is right. She can attest to the fact that I did the same to her,’ admitted Alexander. ‘I thought I was saving her by suppressing her memories, and in doing so keeping her away from Demon World. After all, even if the Courts were to question her, they would not be able to get much information from her.’
Driskell gave Alexander a contemplative look. So, that is partly the reason why I could not get any real information out of her, he felt Amanda’s eyes boring into him. She gave him a disgusted look as he turned to her, but he was not bothered in the slightest as he whispered dispassionately, ‘Once a detective, always...’ he trailed off.
Perhaps not everyone can be redeemed, thought Amanda, looking especially at Driskell. Or could they...
‘You think that Evelyn tampered with our memories?’ asked Lillian, really considering the idea for the first time.
‘I think that could be a real possibility. Do you remember much of what happened around the time of...’ Alexander tapered off uncomfortably, not wanting to bring up their painful past.
‘It’s alright,’ said Lillian reassuringly. ‘Actually, when I think back, I find it hazy. Initially, I thought that it was to do with my departing, that I would naturally forget things, but now I wonder... Elisedd, what do you remember?’
‘I have a strong feeling that Driskell is behind everything,’ replied Elisedd.
‘Are you sure he actually did anything?’ asked Rowanne, much to Driskell’s surprise.
‘No, now that you ask. I do not have a clear memory of him going against us. But I do have an intense feeling of rage and unease whenever I think of him,’ replied Elisedd, less certain of the truth than before.
‘It’s the same with me,’ said Lillian. ‘There’s a strong feeling within me that I should not trust Driskell, but when I try to reason it out, it eludes me. My memory has become less than reliable.’
‘I think Evelyn used strong magic to imprison not only your minds...’ Alexander said to Lillian and Elisedd, and turning to the Queen, he continued, ‘forgive me for saying this, Lady Enid, but I believe she also influenced your mind. If you really give it some consideration, you will begin to see how you became more amenable to her wishes,’ he added politely, not wanting to insult his Queen.
The Queen was silent. It could be true... she thought. Her memories were not as reliable as she wished them to be. She too had thought Driskell to be the executioner of her da
ughter, and her cold encounters with him, as he appeared to mock her at every turn, had only compounded her belief.
‘Alexander, you might be onto something,’ replied Lady Enid reluctantly. However, she still felt a deep-seated rage inside of herself whenever she looked at Driskell, and she found it hard to believe that he had not been an accomplice.
Driskell contemplated deeply on what he was hearing. The pieces were slowly falling into place for him, but even so, he could not bring himself to reconcile the Queen’s actions which had led to her daughter’s death; regardless of the reasons behind them.
‘Who would ever have thought Evelyn capable of such treachery. I am sorry to say, my dear Lillian, that I allowed her to come close to me, but I would never have allowed her to take your place, that was all in her mind!’ said Lady Enid sorrowfully, ashamed at having allowed herself to be deceived.
‘We were all deceived, Mother. She orchestrated everything, taking care of every little detail. From gathering information, and then in all likelihood, having her soldiers present it stealthily to the Noble Court on her behalf, but without disclosing her name. No wonder we were sent straight to Prima Stella without having a proper trial!’ said Lillian.
‘Not to mention the fact she carefully planned our deaths - this part you may not have been aware of,’ said Elisedd quietly.
‘I want to know how it is that you survived?’ asked Lady Enid. She held her daughter’s hand, as Lillian recounted the events. ‘I have never encountered such an evil and depraved mind,’ she said afterwards.
‘My immortality has been returned to me, and bizarrely Evelyn’s blood exchange has had some unexpected effects on Elisedd. He is now partly an angel and a demon, and has gained an immortal existence...’ said Lillian.
Elisedd smiled affectionately at Lillian, as he put his arm around her shoulders. ‘I could not think of a better way to spend it than with you,’ he said, looking deep into her eyes, taking the news in his stride.
The Queen gazed contentedly upon them, her heart felt light; it was as if a weight had been lifted.
Demon World Page 58
