Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  Lady Enid’s eyes welled up unexpectedly and her husband lovingly dabbed at them with a handkerchief. ‘I am a husband as well as a ruler,’ he whispered for her ears only, before once more resuming the stern facade that his people had come to expect from him.

  Rowanne held onto Alexander’s hand instinctively, lost as she was in the ceremony before her. She watched Lillian exchange vows with Elisedd; they looked so happy and content. They had literally fought death to reach this point.

  They exchanged rings, and Lillian’s eyes sparkled as Elisedd placed the ring on her finger.

  Elisedd looked intensely into Lillian’s eyes as he said his vows, ‘You are my first, my last and my only love, and at long last I get to spend the rest of my existence with you, where I have always belonged.’

  ‘I choose to spend my life with you, my beloved. My best friend, my husband. And it will damn well be for a long time,’ stated Lillian, and began to laugh just as Elisedd bent his head towards her and stole a kiss. She closed her eyes as she put her arms around his neck, blissfully lost within the moment.

  Finally they were announced as husband and wife, and everybody applauded the happy couple, and their future Queen. Rowanne looked out at the sea of demons. How many of them were actually happy... she wondered. She was broken out of her reverie by Alexander nudging her in the side.

  She made her way with Alexander over to the reception area, and observed that the castle was indeed colossal. The whole of the wedding was held outside, and thankfully the weather was beautiful with a warm breeze in the air.

  They made their way to the table reserved for the royal family, and took their seats. They watched Elisedd and Lillian as they cut into the wedding cake with members of the family feeding them. Finally the moment had come for the first dance. Rowanne contentedly watched Lillian and Elisedd as they danced to a slow waltz. The royal orchestra was magnificent, observed Rowanne, as they played beautifully; angelically some might say, even though they were demons.

  Elisedd and Lillian seemed to be lost in each other, oblivious to the other demons that had begun to join them on the dance floor. Lillian laughed as Elisedd spun her around.

  Rowanne felt the heat from the beautiful torches that lined the edge of the dance floor. She felt someone’s eyes on her, and turned to find Alexander gazing at her, the fire reflected in his eyes that smouldered only for her...

  Rowanne was about to turn her head away when Alexander gently held her hand, and led her to the dance floor. ‘Alexander, I think I’ve forgotten how to dance.’ She was definitely out of her comfort zone here, in more ways than one...

  ‘Just follow my lead,’ he whispered close to her, before straightening up and putting his arm around her waist, encasing her hand within his own.

  Rowanne swallowed her nerves, and placed her free hand on his shoulder. She shut her eyes as Alexander began to lead her into a slow dance.

  ‘Rowanne, this might be infinitely more enjoyable if you actually open your eyes,’ said Alexander, admiring the fact that she could actually dance with her eyes closed.

  Rowanne’s eyes snapped open the moment she felt his hot breath on her face.

  ‘There you are, don’t hide those enticing eyes of yours,’ because, I plan on getting lost within them... thought Alexander, as a deep crimson blush spread across Rowanne’s cheeks.

  She cringed, wishing she had not just read his mind. Alexander spun her to the edge of the dance floor where it was less crowded with people. The music changed to a beautifully haunting piece, and they slowed their pace.

  Rowanne had her arms locked behind Alexander’s neck as his hands rested on her waist. She was lost in her thoughts.

  ‘What are you thinking about?’ asked Alexander.

  ‘I’m glad this evening has gone so well for Lillian. I was afraid the demons might try to sabotage it,’ she replied.

  ‘The palace has been fortified with a veritable army of elite royal guards. They would be foolish to attempt anything tonight,’ said Alexander.

  ‘Oh, she’s finally arrived,’ said Rowanne.

  Alexander followed her line of sight, and spotted a less than pleased Driskell making his way over to them accompanied by Amanda, who also looked as if she would rather be anywhere else than here.

  ‘I’m sorry that you couldn’t be here for the wedding,’ said Rowanne to Amanda, who had finally reached them.

  ‘I knew it would be in the best interests of Lillian. She has had enough to face with trying to take her rightful place as Queen. The last thing she needed was for a half demon to attend her wedding, thereby further complicating matters,’ said Amanda considerately.

  ‘Lillian didn’t actually say that, she wanted you up there with Rowanne!’ said Driskell angrily on her behalf, knowing what it was like to be shunned aside, and looked down upon for not being a Noble belonging to the First Families.

  Amanda held his hand reassuringly but could not help but frown at him. ‘I told you that you should at least have been up there with the rest of the gang,’ said Amanda.

  ‘Anyway,’ said Driskell moving on, ‘we had a perfectly good vantage point.’

  Alexander smiled ruefully at Driskell, who gave him a meaningful look of his own. They had spoken a lot over the past couple of months, each being pushed forward by Rowanne and Amanda respectively to resolve their differences.

  ‘Are we ready to leave?’ Amanda asked Rowanne and Alexander.

  ‘Hey, you promised me one dance for not taking you to the wedding!’ said Driskell unashamedly to Amanda’s chagrin.

  Alexander and Rowanne exchanged awkward but highly amused looks.

  ‘We’ll take our leave of the family, and meet you at the entrance,’ said Alexander, as he hastily led Rowanne away from the less than happy pair.

  Amanda petulantly allowed Driskell to pull her close for a dance. She thought she was safe as it was a waltz, but to her utter dismay it ended, and the tango took its place...

  ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ she said to Driskell, her blue eyes shooting sparks.

  Driskell’s eyes gazed full of meaning into hers, ‘Amanda, are you under the illusion that I actually planned this? By the way, I like your dress,’ his eyes swept over her short, royal red taffeta dress.

  ‘Thanks,’ she said suspiciously.

  Driskell admired the way she had pinned her hair up for the wedding, with loose curls framing her face. He absentmindedly tucked an errant strand behind her ear, but not to her amusement.

  ‘Are you sure it’s a good idea to dance in front of them?’ she asked, inclining her head at the Nobles.

  A wicked look came into Driskell’s eyes as his mouth curved up into a broad smile. ‘Let’s not disappoint them...’ he replied enigmatically.

  Taking her hand, he led her to the centre of the dance floor, and briefly paused to bow deeply to Lillian and Elisedd, who were now seated at the royal table.

  Lillian gave him a knowing look, and laughed when Driskell winked at her; there was the old friend she had known...

  ‘You really have a death wish, you know that right?’ asked Amanda, as she felt the full weight of a hundred eyes centred on them. She noticed the centre of the dance floor clear as the Nobles edged away from them, and none too subtly, either. This only served to intensify her resolve. ‘I’m with you. Let’s give them a performance they’re unlikely to forget,’ she said, in a feisty mood, much to his delight.

  Amanda placed her left hand lightly behind Driskell’s shoulder and gave him her right hand. His arm went around her back as he placed his hand on her spine just below the shoulder blades, bringing them closer together. They exchanged intense looks as Driskell asked, Do you trust me enough to give into me for this one dance?

  Amanda was a control freak, she did not like the feeling of handing over control to another.

  The word you’re looking for is trust. I swear, you will not regret it. Just entrust yourself into my care, said Driskell.

  I... trust you, said Amand
a. She could tell how much it meant to him, as he smiled at her; a genuine, honest smile.

  Driskell took one step back with Amanda before stepping to the side, and then walked forwards two steps before gliding to the side. She followed his lead as he displaced her foot in a Sacada, and turned with him, moving her foot out of the way each time. They turned a few times before resuming their steps. He spun her out quickly before they embraced and glided to the side. They were caught up and consumed by the music as they continued to work their way around the now empty dance floor.

  He paused and dramatically dipped her back, before pulling her up sharply, then walked her back slowly. She hooked her leg onto his as he held her close, their eyes locked as he quickly spun with her before coming to a stop.

  They enjoyed the murderous glances occasionally thrown in their direction.

  It’s funny, thought Amanda, but when I look at him, they all seem to fade into the background. There is only the two of us. Driskell was so alive and exuberant with his fiery eyes. She never would have thought that he would be the type of man who would enjoy dancing.

  On the contrary, I had yet to find the right partner, said Driskell, as Amanda looked at him archly.

  Determined not to let him down, she matched him step for step as they intermittently quickened and slowed their pace.

  ‘I didn’t know you could dance,’ said Driskell quietly.

  ‘I’m just full of surprises. You’ll discover more, if you plan on sticking around...’ said Amanda mysteriously, as Driskell performed a Gancho; blocking her foot with his, and leaning her body back closer to him, she performed a series of quick sharp hooks and flicks, as their feet parried each other.

  He smiled dangerously; he most definitely planned on ‘sticking around,’ as she so eloquently put it.

  They finished with Driskell holding Amanda’s weight as she leaned back into a dramatic pose. He pulled her back up and they bowed deeply to the royal couple before leaving the dance floor.

  ‘Here they come now,’ said Rowanne. ‘Let’s never tell them that we spied on their date. Sorry, I mean dance!’

  ‘I never thought I’d see the day when Driskell would let loose,’ mused Alexander.

  ‘Shall we go?’ asked Rowanne, trying to keep a straight face as Alexander nudged her in warning.

  Amanda’s cheeks were flushed. ‘It’s beginning to get cold out here, even your summers are just as unpredictable as ours back home.’

  ‘Really? I think it’s becoming rather warm...’ said Driskell helpfully, as she gave him a despairing look. He found the whole situation entertaining.

  Amanda watched Alexander opening a portal, and Rowanne waved at her before disappearing through. Now she was alone with Driskell. Great, just my luck, she thought resignedly.

  Driskell opened a portal, and Amanda stepped through holding onto him. She would never get used to how claustrophobic it felt; it was such a small space, after all. The energy pulsed around them, and she watched the colours playing across Driskell’s face.

  Driskell gave her a brooding look, ‘Are you sure it’s alright for me to come with you? You can still reconsider...’

  ‘No, it’s fine. I told them you were coming, that I was bringing you with me,’ she amended, giving him a slow smile.

  ‘I’m sure they were delighted by that,’ he said sardonically.

  ‘Like you said, they’ve kept Rowanne and I in the dark for long enough, it’s time they squirmed a bit.’

  ‘Amanda, I think I’ve influenced you to your detriment.’

  ‘Maybe... maybe not,’ she replied, laughing.

  The portal finally opened, and Amanda and Driskell stepped out. They spotted Alexander and Rowanne outside the house, waiting for them.

  Amanda led them up the steps, and rang the doorbell that seemed to echo through the rather grand house. Just as the front door opened, she turned back to them, and said, ‘Welcome to Knight Manor...’

  * * *

  1 French for ‘What will I do without you?’

  2 French for ‘I will stay by your side forever.’