Draconess

I couldn’t kill Aisha because I wanted Andoll back. I had to get her back. I was almost prepared to make any deal with the devil a second time to retrieve her once more.

However; that desire was barely held back by one stronger desire.

If I could somehow kill Aisha myself, without any help, that would be the ideal outcome.

I needed to prove myself a worthy Draconess. Capable on my own.

I could feel my whole territory was threatened, even as I spend the next morning sitting in my Empress’ throne alone – without any of my Mystifyers present.

I made the calm decision that morning to send them off to tend to Aisha – I would not make her more appealing to demonic arrogant shits by declaring her a forbidden fruit of this realm. I said go for it, entertain her, show her around, hell, settle her in so she’s comfortable in Swendula where she no doubt will want to remain.

And so with silent agreement, Lixar and Torrent went to tend her.

They are tending to Aisha now, and Zarcar also was already at her side since the beginning of her possession of Andoll, expressing to me briefly in passing this morning that her magic was volatile and she needed to be watched closely.

I shrugged, I nodded but I said nothing about it – without a wink of damn sleep. I sit on my throne now and listen to officials and representatives relaying information about Swendula, while Asmodeus stands off to my side, offering to protect me.

His whole black midnight flank leaks a slow black fog naturally during the day, almost as if he lives half within another dimension at all times. He’s offered to remain guard and thankfully he’s not big on talking.

So, I have him stand by my throne – a tall viscous otherworldly centaur, gigantic to any normal horse even – and he does so without asking any questions about Rey.

Speaking of Rey…

A peasant with a small limp approaches, next in line.

“Empress Chyronex,” the small man bows quickly, straw stuck in his hair, “I have a mere suggestion for you, if you wish to hear it. I feel… that the city would feel… more comfortable… if Rey –” his voice drops to a whisper.

“Speak all your next words very carefully,” I cut him off, and I think of the other two civilians who died by my fire after trying to thwart my rise to power in this very room, “I am the Empress and the Queen, after all. In fact, before you speak… As,” I turn to the centaur – addressing him directly, without saying his full name – so I can avoid debilitating pleasure.

“My Queen?” Asmodeus doesn’t even look me in the eye, as he speaks to the city man – but of course, even the title feels… indeed sounds, forced with notes of respect. Asmodeus was a Prince of Hell – so I guess he wasn’t used to giving authority away, even in another realm beyond the burning place below.

“Perhaps you’d like to address this man’s request,” I murmur, it would be a good way to test As’ loyalty.

“It is my belief,” the small man continues, “…you could both rule – Rey and you, Chyronex… somehow, on friendly terms, for the betterment of Swendula. I owe Rey my life you see, he saved my family from starvation by granting us royal land off a whim. Rey is not a bad King… Empress.”

“Talk to As,” I shrug a shoulder, “What do you think?”

“I think we should all take a walk to see Rey and allow the man to thank him personally,” Asmodeus finally catches my eye, “Perhaps I can educate you on the importance of a Vampyre, a Centaur, a Queen and a man. What is your name?” Asmodeus stares down at the frightened farmer.

“Ricard,” the man bravely nods at As, then looks away.

“Ricard,” Asmodeus speaks so fluidly, “If the Empress pleases, let us go see the Immortal King of Swendula.”

Testy.

Fucking.

Centaur from hell.

I keep a straight face, but really, were all my Venatores completely useless at obeying me?

I guess I am a little salty about Aisha… just a little – and now I’m a little bit angry.

And I guess Asmodeus was not officially within the group, so… I needed to relax a little.

“Rey is my prisoner,” I add to As, while standing from the throne. He watches me with a neutral expression demons possessed so well, to hide their true intent.

In honest truth, I am impressed Asmodeus is kind enough to wish to show the man to Rey.

Perhaps, at the very least, Ricard could thank him personally.

Then, I’d just throw the man out – and say that was all he’d receive.

Also, I had to show moments of generosity… hard… with my mind where it was.

Aisha.

Andoll.

Losing a friend, gaining an enemy.

Torrent’s words crash through me, have you considered if you can handle it, Chyronex, when every bloody death of an innocent, ends up being all your fault?

So, being an Empress meant… duty, over friendship, over lovers… hmm…

I was liberal anyway with my kindness – but I was rather blind with my inner workings of rage today.

Asmodeus, friend or foe, would be a better judge than me. Perhaps he would be good council.

As I lead the way to Rey, Asmodeus walks on my right, Ricard on my left.

“Disband until I return,” I tell the other’s waiting for an audience with me, while I find relief away from the public eye.

“Chyronex. I’m surprised you asked upon my judgement – dangerous, considering where I’ve been born and raised,” Asmodeus cracks a dark joke.

“Ricard would be burning in hell if he didn’t have your judgement instead, rather than I today,” I tell this to Ricard’s face calmly enough, and the man remains bravely stoic – even as sweat starts to drip from his forehead.

“As I said before, I owe Rey my life,” Ricard murmurs, “It is no disrespect to you – only a debt I wish to be paid.”

“You will pay it,” Asmodeus answers a little too quick – a little too bold.

“I wonder what lesson you will teach me about a Vampyre, a Centaur, a Queen and a man,” I add in, “Any hints, As?”

“The order of things, Draconess,” Asmodeus answers smoothly, but when I look up he’s looking down at me and his eyes are roaming up and down – all over me.

Rather… in control.

Of me.

I don’t like that.

I ignore the arrogant horse man, too.

“Your Venatores were entertaining that cursed woman around town – you approve a contender, Empress?” Ricard dares to ask me along the walk to the dungeons, “What kind of Empress are you if you allow rivals to roam? And Torrent, a rival King?” with confidence, comes arrogance and a slither of ignorant truth.

I do not answer at all, while Asmodeus seems to smell the dungeon and gallops ahead, to go down first.

“I have a high patience,” I hold out a hand to Riccard, he takes it in confusion and I lean down to whisper in his ear, “…silentium…” Riccard looks ahead numbly and follows, scratching his face as he ponders why he can’t seem to respond in words. Not my problem, “Follow me, Riccard,” I nod and walk ahead, taking him with me, my hand still clasping his.

At the bottom of the dungeon, is the cell I’ve locked Rey within – a personal spell only I can crack.

Asmodeus would not be able to free him without my willing consent to break the curse.

Rey is in chains, his arms spread high, wrists chained to each corner of the cell. His ankles are also chained. He cannot escape, he can only look on at his Empress, the Centaur and the man.

“Rey, you look well,” Asmodeus has a sense of humour and a brilliant smile? Hmm, interesting. Rey looks up from wet black locks of hair – wet from sweat and the damp cold, to look past his friend to me.

“Blood,” Rey rasps out.

“Riccard came to pay his respects,” I pull Riccard in front of me, “Talk now,” I pat Riccard on the cheeks – he can’t speak anyway. Cute.

“This man says you saved his life,” Asmodeus tells Rey, “He wished to return the favour –” there is a strange gushing sound next to me.

I blink and that’s how quick it’s done. Asmodeus has summoned a black sword from hell and silently sliced it through the left arm of Riccard, taking the short limb and throwing it through the bars – so that it lands in between Rey’s teeth.

A silent slash.

Another one is coming.

I watch in horror as Riccard stands, mouth open in a scream, yet no words come out as Asmodeus spins the man and cuts off his other arm – flinging that one through next.

Riccard falls to his knees and almost collapses – until Asmodeus hauls him back up by the hair and makes use of the rest.

I look away – each bloody limb is a meal for the Immortal King in chains.

I smartly do not react to the harshness of it, in front of the demons.

“Aisha roams the earth, you’re fed in chains and I still hold the throne; which is all that matters,” I drawl through the bars, I can’t help but appear wanton as I grab a hold of the iron and press my cheeks to them, smiling at Rey sadly, “…even your friend prefers my company…”

Rey spits out a leg, blood dripping down his chin as he sneers at me but says nothing.

“As, move aside, please,” I step back to see Asmodeus in front of the cell door, “I need to clean him up.”

Asmodeus says nothing as he steps back with all four hooves and I press my hand on the lock, opening the door to place myself inside the cell.

I walk up to Rey and I press my dry palm to his neck, swiping it along and choosing to squeeze his throat just a little with my small fingers, along his raging pulse.

“I could strangle you – or cut off your head,” I whisper, “…but as much as you stand between me and a throne – I do and have always loved your habit of being hospitable toward me, Rey, always entertaining to me – in that rather varied and selfish way of yours,” I smile sweetly at the Immortal King, “I’m sorry but you’re probably going to be down here for a very… very… long time,” and that was just the truth of the matter.

I spin to leave.

“…you’re not sleeping…” Rey finally speaks, but to my turned back, “…you should get some sleep… take my advice…”

I wait for the insincere tone – but he sounds rather… real.

I stare at Asmodeus as he keeps the door open for me.

“You do look tired, Chyronex,” Asmodeus mentions quietly, “You should get some rest, or your rival will have the advantage of wit and reliability.”

“You’re both… rather… correct, hmmm,” I sigh as I step out of the cell and elegantly close the door, locking it back in place. I ignore the crimson pool of blood and the leftovers of Riccard. There really wasn’t much left but a torso, “Asmodeus,” shit – I’ve said his name on impulse. I try to ignore the heating in my blood as I speak through gritted teeth, “You’re very extroverted for a herbivore.”

“I like that joke,” Asmodeus’ laugh is deafening at my side.

“I do need sleep,” I hurry along, “Feel free to stay guard of the King’s – I mean Queen’s – mmm, the Empress’ bedchamber. But I rather you not watch me sleep – just guard the door, let me know when the Venatores finally visits.”

“Shhh,” As’s hooves clomp next to me as I try to get ahead but he’s too fast to out manoeuvre, “Relax, Chyronex – I will guard you. I take pride in protecting my Draconess.”

“I am my own Draconess, thank you very much Asmodeus –” for fuck’s sake.

“My Queen – are you okay?” As has fucking spelled me – I don’t even notice him scooping me up after I’ve almost fallen from the hot flushes wracking my body and scattering my brain from the comprehension of what’s around me.

“I’m fevered,” I whisper in his strong arms while closing my eyes to ward off the dizziness of his lust consuming my soul, “Oh, my… my blood… where is Zarcar…?”

“Do you need him? I can call him,” As speaks over the top of me.

“Please do, As… I really…” I feel my truth ignite on a fevered tongue, “I really do hope he loves me this time. For real,” I start to laugh, a little hysterically, a little loud, “I do need sleep – perhaps Andoll will visit me, in my very guilt free nightmares,” that was the joke of the century.

She was dead again, because of me again.

Well, Andoll was dead from Torrent’s sword but… I asked him to take control.

“Sleep now, my Queen,” Asmodeus’ voice, calm and cooling, washes me down from this realm – and sends me into the cursed plane of dreaming ruled by the Prince of Lust.

Never say his name.

Or fall victim to his games in your dreams.

Asmodeus protects my physical form while I sleep – and taunts me in the veil of dreams.

After all – you were always lucid about what you lusted for.

What better place – than a fantasy, to be bedazzled by a Centaur who represented an entire sin, and ruled a part of hell itself.

All I know is – I’d rather forget all of it the moment that I awaken.

But at least he’s in the Venatores when I’m awake.

Which means one special thing – complete obedience in war. Useless 90% of the time… but… still a little victory to make my day just a smidgen better, before I face Aisha.

I need to work out what the hell to do with the Draconess everyone else lusted for.

The Draconess that may just kill me and replace me.

Today was going to be a big day, because today was going to define the rest of my life and my place within it.