by Nikki Frank
“Welcome. Thank you all for making this emergency meeting of the Synod. As I’m sure you’ve all heard, we’ve lost Lord Zaemon. We’re here to install his replacement. I’ve had the privilege of watching the new Lord Olivia at work for the previous few weeks. For those of you who were not keen on Lord Zaemon’s methods, I think you will find Lord Olivia a most refreshing change of pace.
“My biggest concern is her age. She―”
The doors beside me burst open. “Oh, really? Her age is your biggest concern?”
I gawked at the new arrivals. A man with glowing garnet hair, like dying embers had entered beside the speaker. The speaker was impressive. Tall and lean with a regal manner. Like the other man, his hair appeared to be on fire. His flickered a pale yellow. They both dressed in embroidered silk robes. I’d never seen a creature like them.
“Akuma,” Drix hissed. “What do they think they’re doing here. The borders are closed.”
Lord Feéroi frowned in their direction. “These proceedings are for members of the Central Borderland’s government only. I also don’t recall you asking permission to cross closed borders. Is it your intent to start an international incident?”
The speaker raised his chin, making him look all the more austere. “I could ask the same of you. Are you trying to start an incident by seriously installing an imp in the role of a demon lord?”
“She’s malevolent enough for the magic to accept.” Lord Feéroi puffed himself up. “The magic chose as it has always done.”
“And you could find a replacement for her and transfer someone qualified into the position.”
Sweat beaded up on my forehead. What they were discussing meant killing me.
“Hi there.”
I looked to my side. A third akuma crouched beside me. The man next to me both terrified me and left me breathless. Akuma were fire demons. They headed the demon family tree, if I remembered the lessons my parents had given me correctly. He would be very powerful. Aside from that, I’d come face to face with Lynx’s replacement as the most gorgeous male ever. Orange flame hair flickered softly over spring green eyes.
“Don’t mind my father and Lord Shandian. They take demon purity very seriously.” His grin contained gleaming white teeth and sent a flutter through my stomach. “Besides, they’re old and they don’t like change. An imp as a demon lord is a big one. But I think you’re fascinating. Imagine an imp taking out a demon lord.”
He glanced back up at the others. After a moment I got my gaze to follow. Though, I really wanted to touch his hair to see if it was hot. And what made it dance like flames in the still air of the council chambers?
“We’re not trying to install her on one of your thrones.” Lord Feéroi’s tone bordered on undiplomatic. He scowled at the akuma. “We wouldn’t dare meddle in the governing of Hakushi. This is most disrespectful.”
“So is having an imp wielding demon magic. Once this blows up in your face, perhaps we can provide you with a capable replacement. A proper demon.” The yellow-haired akuma spun so his robe swirled around his feet. “This is what you get for kicking us out and tricking yourselves into believing no rational demons exist. Good luck with your foundling.” He stormed from the room.
The garnet-haired demon paused near me on his way. “Come, Iya.”
“Hang in there, sweetheart,” Iya whispered softly. He stood and flashed me another grin.
I couldn’t be sure, but it looked like he mouthed the words “good luck” on his way out.
“Well.”
Lord Feéroi did a lot of huffing. What had started out as a seemingly formal introduction turned into a simple vote to keep me. Thankfully the vote turned out unanimous. Most of the Fairy Synod had been in the room when I’d killed Zaemon. At least I had nothing to prove to them. While they rambled about dealings of the Central Borderlands that I probably should have been listening to, I gave myself up to thought.
This incident just steeled my resolve to see through the promise I’d made my father. I’d show those biased akuma what an imp could do. Besides, who were they to judge? After all, they were demons.
My first act toward cleansing my district was to get the palace into a habitable state. I sent Velor and Vixaria ahead of me with orders to purge it of all evil. And to wash anything which smelled of sigbin. I sat on my bed with Talon, attempting to focus even though he kept trying to kiss me. I swatted him away.
“Seriously, Talon. I have to pick someone for regent. I’ve put off taking my throne for as long as I can.”
He hopped over, so he straddled my legs, half-sitting on my lap. “I have some cool news on that. My parents applied to be your legal guardians until you reach your majority, since you still have a full year. But this way it would be pretty much like having family rule with you.” He scowled. “Dad’s told me several times he’d rather have you as a daughter.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I’d be your sister? Really?”
“Gross. No. You’d be their ward. But it’s only a little over year.”
“Be your sister ward still doesn’t help.”
He ignored me. “I thought you could nominate my dad. I’ll vouch he won’t do anything weird with an advisory position. My parents love you. I mean you saved me and all, but they think you’re the best thing since furrberry jam. I have a feeling they’ll just offer advice when you need it. But you’re smart, for an imp and they know that.” He gave me a teasing look.
I sighed. “I’d appreciate having someone in the role who wasn’t on a power trip. Sure. I’ll tell Lord Feéroi at lunch.”
He shook his head at me. You talk about the Lord High Governor so casually now.” Talon gave a shifty look around the room. “So where are your dragons?”
“Getting my new palace fit to inhabit.”
“Any meetings?”
“Not until after lunch.”
He turned on me, eyes narrowed. “Perfect.”
I was swiftly attacked. I forgot how fast he could move. I’d also forgotten he could rob you blind while you watched, until my shirt had disappeared. “Hmm.” He looked me over. “Princess Prissy Pants is still picking out your clothes, huh? I like this bra, but it’s about sixty-years too young for your taste.”
“Talon, give me my shirt back!”
“Not a chance.” He buried his face in my stomach and blew, making me shriek with laughter.
~ ~ ~
The red sunlight shimmered in a trail across the water. “Mistress. We should really be heading home,” Velor said.
I rubbed at my eyes and nodded to Talon. We scrambled back to where my dragon waited to carry us home. He’d brought me out to the seaside cliff where I’d spread my parents’ ashes. I’d used the past six months to clean my district and come to terms with my new life. I wanted to make good on my promise to my father. To honor his memory. Now I could finally say goodbye to my parents and get closure. I knew I’d always miss them, but I also knew they wouldn’t want me to dwell in the past.
What a district it had become, thriving and vibrant. My district had the best sand beaches in the Central Borderlands. As soon as the area became evil free, it took on the new role of a vacation destination. Some of those holiday goers played on the sand below us as we flew back to the palace.
Talon’s father proved a capable advisor and I already had plans to keep him on after I reached my majority. His parents were easy to love and before I knew it, my impish heart added them to my growing family. I now believed the idea an imp only loved the precious few was wrong. I not only had my friends as my mother had said, I had a whole district I cared about. Learning to reach so far outside myself had taken work. But work which rewarded me every day.
My dragons had followed my orders and after spending much time in Ferika’s company they were beginning to get the hang of reigning in thei
r more vicious tendencies. Their growth proved my theory about myself. Ferika and I weren’t freaks outside the nature of our kind. We simply expanded on ourselves. If my dragons could do it, too, I knew anyone could.
Velor landed on the terrace to my suite of rooms, let Talon and I slide off, then left to see to his duties. Talon put a hand on my shoulder, stopping me.
“You know, you kind of rushed over here and spent the last six months driving out all the evil creatures who had called this region home. I thought we were going to have a break from hunting vicious beasts.”
“The hard work is done now. Vixaria confirmed finishing the last mission this morning. She rounded up the last pack of blood bats in Setmyth forest and relocated them to the far end of the mountain range.”
“I heard. But once upon a time, I told you I’d take you away to a beach where all you had to do was lounge around.”
“Talon, I can’t.”
“I know. So how about this instead? Since evil is thwarted for now. Let’s have dinner in your room without all the formalities. I’ll properly welcome you to your new home and new life.”
“I’m sure whatever you have in mind is certainly not proper.”
He sighed and nuzzled my neck. “I understand you’ve been busy, but haven’t you given any thought to us? Taking things further? Bonding? I’m falling for you. Have your feelings for me grown at all?”
The air left my lungs at that. “I . . . I’m not ready. I . . . haven’t been thinking about stuff like that. As you said, I’ve been busy.”
I looked up into those brown eyes which were now such a part of me. He’d truly become my partner, but I still wasn’t sure exactly what that meant to me. Guilt tickled my stomach. I owed him more than evasive answers. He meant the world to me.
I kissed the tip of his nose. “Now that all the evil is gone, I can focus on us for a change. Let’s start with a quiet dinner, which sounds awesome by the way. We’ll see where things go from there. Do a little dating, you know, now that I might have free time.”
“Sounds like a good place to start.” He swept me off my feet and carried me through the door. “Welcome to your new life, demon lord.”
