The First Book of Demons (The Book of Demons Saga) (15 page)

Chapter
Forty Three

Alexandra’s shoulders slumped forward as she dangled her feet in the cool water of the garden pond, her heart hanging heavily in her chest.  She thought about home, and her friends, and how much she missed them.  How much she missed Sam.  They must be worried sick about her.  She walked off in the middle of the night, into the wilderness with a strange man, and now it seemed as though she would never get back. 

The effects of the wine were beginning
to wear off, but Alex was reluctant to return to the harem.  Lady Carolina was very kind to her, but Alex really just wanted to be alone.  Alex let out a heavy sigh as she pulled her feet out of the water.  She slipped her feet back into the soft leather and gold sandals that Carolina had picked out for her.  She walked through the royal gardens, still lost in her thoughts, until she came to the fork in the little pebbled path.

Alex stood still, her head turning to look in both directions.  Her lips pursed as she chewed lightly on the inside of her cheek, struggling to recall the way back.   It was the left, she finally concluded as she turned to continue down the path. 

She took two steps before stopping suddenly, and whirling around.  No, it wasn’t the left.  It was th
e right.  She remembered clearly now, Carolina said very specifically to go to the right. 

She continued on the garden trail until she came to the entrance gate of the massive harem apartments.  Her face scrunched into a scowl
as she beat her balled fist against the gilded doors, hoping someone would let her in.  The sound echoed back at her, but there was no further response.  She pushed on the heavy door, trying to let herself in.  It creaked softly but refused to open.  Alex leaned her shoulder into the door, pushing her body weight into the carved wood.  Her face flamed at the exertion as it inched open, parting just enough for Alex to slip through. 

A
few steps into the columned entrance hall, Alex realized something was not right.  Her brows shifted together in confusion as she took in her surroundings.  The usually pink marble that decorated the harem walls and floor were missing.  Instead, a dazzling white marble brightened the dark room.  Her eyes fell upon a tall figure standing in the shadows and her breath caught in her throat.  This was not the harem. 

“
Are you lost girl?” Balthazar said, a hint of amusement in his deep voice.

Alex felt her
heart rate begin to rise as he came towards her.  His torso was naked to her view, and her eyes reflexively drifted over his muscular form.  A heavy blush stained her round cheeks as she watched the well-toned sinew twitch with every step.  Balthazar exuded power and masculinity and Alexandra found it impossible to tear her eyes away from the sight of him.  Her body heated further, her knees buckling as he closed in on her.

Bal
thazar could see her clearly through the darkness as she absorbed the sight of him.  He felt a swell of male pride as a very faint scent of arousal lifted in the air. 

“I was
…um,” Alex sputtered, swallowing hard and trying to regain her composer, “trying to get back to Lady Carolina.”

“So you are obviou
sly lost,” Balthazar said suddenly closing the distance between them with his speed.

She jumped at his sudden movement, stepping further backwards and trying to put a comfortable distance between her and the powerful lord.  Alex became suddenly aware of her less than modest dress.  Her arms came up to cover her bare midsect
ion as if it would hide her nervous desire.

Balthazar could hear Alexandra’s
heart beating wildly in her ribcage.  His mind was clouded with the smell of her arousal, but he could still detect a faint odor of fear mixed in.  It drove Balthazar to the brink of insanity.  He watched as she tried to back away from him, her exposed skin coming into contact with the cold marble on the wall behind her, eliciting a delicious little gasp.  He brought a clawed hand to rest on the wall beside her, trapping her between his body and the marble. 

“Balthazar,” Alex questioned breathily. 

Balthazar’s face inched closer to hers, his sculpted cheek grazing her soft face as he brought his nose into the crook of her neck and deeply inhaled her sweet scent.  Her innocence washed over him like a tingling wave spiked with a delicious after smell of the Anouri fruit.  The girl quivered noticeably as her arousal increased.  Balthazar allowed an ever so slight smirk to play on his lips as he reached a strong arm around her waist and pulled her into his bare torso.  A rumble of pleasure began to quake in his thick chest as he felt his desire rising.

Alex squeaked at the unexpected contact, as the smell of her arousal intensified
once more and encouraged Balthazar to continue with his attentions.  His statuesque frame towered over her as he brought his nose into the crook of her slender neck and inhaled her scent deeply.  Alex could smell the sugared wine on his breath.  His body felt unnaturally hot as he pinned her between himself and the cold wall.  The masculine scent that invaded her nose brought unwanted thoughts.  Heat pooled between her legs, and her stomach tingled.  She squeezed her thighs together, hoping that it would stop, and knowing that the man before her undoubtedly had already picked up on her arousal.  His tongue darted out past his lips, and he trailed it along her neck, up to her delicate earlobe, nipping lightly at the fleshy appendage.  Alexandra sucked in a sharp breath.

A
hiccup escaped her lips and she slapped a hand over her mouth.  The one hiccup was followed by a succession of uncontrolled convulsive hiccups.  Balthazar stepped back, releasing his grasp on her.  Her eyes were wide and her round face had a soft blush of embarrassment as she finally managed to stop her hiccups.  He brought a clawed hand to her face, carefully gripping her chin and pulling it to him. 

“Alexandra,” he said,
his voice surprisingly tender as he brushed the back of his hand across her soft cheek, “you could be severely punished for entering my chambers uninvited.” 

“I’m… I’m sorry,” Alex said, “
I could have sworn I took a right at the fork in the garden.”

“You d
id,” Balthazar said, pushing a curled black lock of hair behind her ear.

“But that’s the way Carolina told me to go
,” Alex said, her voice shaking with nervous tension.

“Of course she did,” Balthazar said,
dropping his hand to his side.  “The harem apartments are to the left.”

Chapter
Forty Four

“Stop meddling,” Balthazar said as his mother took his arm.  The two were walking in a particularly beautiful section of the royal gardens. 

“
Meddling?” Carolina asked, feigning ignorance.  “I have no idea what you mean.”

“Spare the act
,” Balthazar said, stopping and turning to look at his mother, “You purposely sent the girl to my chambers.”

“She is rather endearing,” Carolina said, a smirk on her pink lips.

“She could have been severely punished,” Balthazar said, continuing their walk.

“And yet she is not,” Carolina said as she eyed her son, the smile on her face broadening.  Balthazar may be the Lord Sultan, but he was still her son, and she knew him well. 

“What is the reason you have called me?” Balthazar said, bringing a point to the discussion. 

“I have a request,” Carolina said, still watching her son.

“What might that be, mother?” Balthazar said.

“
The human,” Carolina said.  “If you intend to keep her around, perhaps it would be best for her to have her own apartments.”

“Mother,” Balthazar said, stopping once again, “I said stop meddling.”

“My son,” Carolina said with a forced chuckle and a pat on Balthazar’s arm, “I would never meddle in your affairs.”

Balthazar fought the urge to roll his eyes.  He could feel his mother pushing his interest in the girl, but the truth was she didn’t have to. 
He knew now that he wanted her, but that only complicated things.  Because he knew that he wanted her, and only her.  But he was Lord Sultan now, and he was beginning to realize that he could not afford to make any more enemies than he already had.

“I cannot,” Balthazar said
, finally.  “Not yet.”

“The Delshad daughter,” Carolina said, immediately recognizing the reason behind her son’s hesitation.  She heard the rumors of what had transpired the night before.  “You do not wish to mate her.”

“It does not matter,” Balthazar said, his jaw tensed. “Protocol requires I mate her.”

Carolina could see the heavy worry that weighed upon her son.  Even though it was to be expected, he was after all the Lord Sultan, she did not care to see her only child so distressed.

“There is something else that bothers you,” she said. 

Balthazar remained silent as they walked for a while longer.  Carolina knew better than to press the issue.  It was not her place to give unwanted advice to the Lord Sultan, even if he was her
son. 

“Lord Krishna,” Balthazar said, finally. 

“What of him?” Carolina said, her perfectly groomed brows pulled together.

“He will bring war,” Balthazar said, turning to look at his mother, “if I do not mate his daughter.”

“He cannot do such a thing,” Carolina said, her shock apparent.  “It is a power grab and the other Great Lords will not allow such a thing.”

“Perhaps,” Balthazar said, “but I cannot risk any more upset
within my own kingdom, especially if there are external threats that I must face.”

Carolina finally understood the bigger picture. 
The position of Balthazar’s first mate was highly prized.  The lady he chose would replace her as Sultana.  Even if he did care for Alexandra, she could never be his mate. 

“As for the Lord Enchanter’s daughter,” Carolina said, “Protocol only requires our families be linked.  Any royal son will do.”

#

Arastoo stormed into the Lord Sultans office.  His eyes burned with his rage at the disgrace of his daughters.

“My Lord,” he spoke before Balthazar had acknowledged his presence, “I believe we have a problem.”

“We do,” Balthazar said as he rose from his cushion, his eyes hard and fixed on the lanky demon who had so rudely interrupted him.  “You seem to have forgotten
protocol.  You dare to enter my presence in such a disrespectful manner.”

“I believe it is you who have forgotten protocol,” Arastoo said.

“Your daughters were found unsatisfying,” Balthazar said flatly.

Arastoo’s face grew red and the vein on his forehead threatened to pop.  “Our houses have been ti
ed since the time of the ancients.  You cannot break that for a human.”

“Do not presume to tell me what I can and c
annot do,” Balthazar said calmly.

“Our houses must be linked,” Arastoo said, “you know this is true.”

The Enchanter was right.  The royal house had always intertwined with the line of Enchanters.  Every generation had a marriage between the two. The blood of the Enchanters family was powerful, tinged with the magic of their ancestors.  They produced the strongest heirs.  Balthazar’s own mother was a distant cousin of Arastoo. 

Balthazar
did not desire the sisters, and quite frankly the fact that he couldn’t make himself, at least in a physical capacity, ate away at his pride.  Having to face the sisters again on a wedding night was not something that was appealing to him. 

“They will be linked,” Balthazar
said finally. “But not in marriage to myself.”

Chapter
Forty Five

“My Lord,” Tavi said with a bow as he entered Balthazar’s audience chambers, “I am close to discovering the traitor.”

Tavi pulled a folded piece of paper
from his pocket, tossing it onto the table.

“The parchment,” he said
, settling himself into the cushions on the other side of Balthazar, “it is made from a very particular plant, used solely for the cooking scrolls in the palace kitchens.  The material is resistant to heat and moisture, thus holding up better in the kitchens.”

“There are many on the kitchen staff,” Balthazar said.

“Yes,” Tavi replied, “and I intend to interview each one.  I will discover who betrayed our father.”

“I
have no doubt you will,” Balthazar said.  He had a faraway look in his grey blue eyes that made Tavi uncomfortable. 

“You are disappointed with my progress,” Tavi said, his face falling.

“No, brother,” Balthazar said, leaning away from the table.  He studied his younger half-brother for a quiet moment, realizing the irony in what he was about to do.  “There is another matter I must discuss with you.”

“
Lord Balthazar,” Tavi said, unable to hide the nervousness in his aura.  It was unlike Balthazar to behave in such a peculiar fashion, and it put Tavi on edge. 

“You are now a Council Lord,” Balthazar said.  “It is time for you to take a mate.”

Tavi let out a heavy sigh, his anxiety dissipating.  He had wanted to discuss this very topic with his elder brother.

“I agree,” Tavi said, the corners of his lips lifting, “and I have someone in mind.”

“As do I,” Balthazar said, knowing they were not thinking of the same demoness.  He knew of the rumors about Tavi and Yashmina.  He didn’t oppose the union, but things were complicated now.  Tavi would have to do what he couldn’t.

“I realize it is uncommon,” Tavi said, his eyes shining with false hope, “but our father never consummated his marriage with Yashmina.  It is well known that it was only done as a measure of kindness to her mother.”

“I am aware of your affections for Yashmina,” Balthazar said, looking away. “Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to mate her.”

“Forgive me, My Lord,” Tavi said, his voice
becoming strained, “but I do not feel it would be inappropriate.”

“I do not oppose the
union, brother,” Balthazar said, “and I’m sure no one else would.”

“
I do not understand,” Tavi said, unable to hide his despair.  He could never go against the Lord Sultan’s wishes, but he felt like his world was crashing around him.

“I must make alliances,” Balthazar said, his words cutting l
ike a knife as understanding hit Tavi, “and protocol must be followed.”

“Azira
,” Tavi said.

“You will mate both the Delshad daughters
,” Balthazar said, his voice was steady but his eyes showing a hint of regret.

Tavi sat silent for a long moment, fighting the constricting pain in his chest.  The Delshad sisters were among the most beautiful demonesses in the land.  Most of the royal princes would jump at the opportunity to wed just one of them, much less both.  But Tavi had never had eyes for them.  He wanted Yashmina, and only Yashmina.

“Do I have a choice, My Lord?” Tavi asked, his jaw clenched as he fought to look his brother in the eyes. 

It was not so many days
before that Balthazar stood in Tavi’s place.  Balthazar fought the urge to sigh heavily.  There was a weight on his chest that, try as he might, he could not lift.

“No,” Balthazar
said finally.

#

“War is coming, Lord Baal,” Aelek said, a twisted smile on his face as they walked along the moonlit path.

“I care not about such things
,” Baal said, “I want Balthazar and the human.”

“And you shall have them,”
Aelek said.

They came to a windowless stone building.  The thick wooden door opened as they came close.  Aelek
gestured for Baal to pass through.  What lay beyond stopped him in his tracks.  He had seen the horrors of battle, was used to the sight of dead and mutilated bodies.  But he wasn’t prepared for what he saw.  Twisted and mangled, most of them screaming out in pain, were hundreds, possibly thousands of hideously mutated demons.  The shrill cry of one rang out particularly loud, further away from them. 

“What is this place?” Baal asked, his lips curled in disgust.

“This is what is going to give me the power to crush all the Great Lords,” Aelek said, his red eyes shining.

“What happened to these
pitiful creatures?” Baal asked, face still frozen in horror.

“Sacrifices must always be made,” Aelek said with a dismissive shrug.  “
I believe that is something you can understand.  These are the unfortunate outcomes of experimentation.”

“Experimentation for
what?” Baal asked, turning to Aelek.

“Transformation,” the demon master replied with a broad smile, “
With the magic of the Magi I will create an unstoppable army.”