“Come, inside.” Lephas opened a large wooden door and held it ajar for them to pass through. Raxx headed inside first, then Faye shuffled obediently after Indi and Lori. The door closed with a thud behind them.
“You are safe here for the moment,” Lephas muttered. “Take your hoods down.”
Faye’s hands shook, but try as she might, she could not steady them. She tugged her hood down from her head.
The room was dark, lit only by a lone fire at the one side of the room, and she waited for her eyes to steadily adjust to the dim light. It looked to be some sort of reception room – though no way near as grand as any she had seen before. A row of three simple wooden benches were lined up and an unmanned desk, with an inkpot and quill, stood at the far end.
Faye supposed this was where residents came to book an audience with their king. Her father had once attended similar meetings, but he had lackies to do so for him now. He hadn’t met face-to-face with members of the public for many, many years.
“Zelrus will already know we are here, certainly. I will go and see if he is—”
“Commander Lephas, Raxx – your presence has been requested. Bring the faeries.” Another demon appeared at the top of a stairwell and called down to them.
Try as the demons might to be confident and relaxed, Faye noticed Raxx and Lephas exchange a nervous glance. Sweat broke out on her palms beneath her gloves as a wave of nausea hit her.
The commander led the way up the wooden stairs. Lori scurried behind him and grasped his hand, but Lephas shot her a sad look over his shoulder and released her with a shake of his head.
Sensing her sister’s panic, Faye shot forwards and grabbed Lori’s outstretched hand. She squeezed it and Lori’s grip tightened in return. They glanced at one another before following behind the commander, still hand in hand. Indi trotted closely behind with Raxx.
At the top of the stairs, the demon who had summoned them stood aside and guided them into the room ahead.
Lephas entered first and took his position, still and to attention, as the rest of the group filed into the room. Raxx closed the door behind them before joining the line-up.
Faye’s legs shook so violently, her knees practically knocked together.
Sat behind a desk piled high with paperwork was another demon. There was no doubt in Faye’s mind, this was King Zelrus. He had an air of authority that was undeniable and there was a striking similarity between the king and Prince Oriel – though it appeared the king did not share vivid green eyes with his brother.
The king got to his feet and Faye had to resist shrinking backwards away from him. She thought Lephas to be of formidable stature, but the commander had nothing on his king. Zelrus was huge, at least a foot taller and considerably more muscular than Lephas. Zelrus leant forward and rested his hands on the desk.
“So, would anyone mind telling me what thefuckis going on?” the king bellowed.
Beside her, Faye felt Lori flinch. She squeezed her sister’s hand so tightly; it was almost painful.
Lephas lowered his gaze. “Has prince Oriel filled you in on—”
“The details? Yes, he has Commander,” Zelrus hissed. “And you know, this sort of behaviour I’d expect from him and maybe even Haros, but you?”
The king shook his head. He stood abruptly and began pacing back and forth behind his desk. The tension rolled off him in waves, the atmosphere thick with it.
“Zelrus, I—” Indi began, but was cut off as Zelrus raised a palm to her.
“Don’t. I don’t even want to know why you’re here Indi. As if I didn’t have enough to deal with.” He sighed and gestured to the guard still posted in the doorway. “Take the girl and put her in my chamber for the moment.”
“Zelrus, don’t be like that. I’m sorry, but—” Indi protested, pulling her arm away from the guard as he approached and attempted to take her elbow.
“We’ll talk about this later Indi.” The king’s tone was low and serious.
Indi hesitated a moment before allowing the demon guard to lead her away. Once she was out of sight, Zelrus began pacing once more. They all stood in silence for a long moment. Faye’s chest burnt, afraid to even breathe.
“What, in all of Hestaesia, are you thinking, Lephas?” the king growled. “You’ve made a complete mockery out of everything I – we – stand for, and for what? A pretty fucking face.” Zelrus turned his back on them with a scoff.
Faye’s eyes flickered to Lori at her side. Her sister had tears rolling down her cheeks. On the opposite side of her, Lephas had noticed and wore a pained expression.
The princess watched as the commander seemed to steel himself. He clenched his jaw tight and reached over to grasp Lori’s other hand in his own. Lori’s head whipped up in surprise, her eyes wide. Faye sank her teeth into her tongue as her stomach roiled.
“With all due respect, my king, it’s far more than that.”
“Don’t,” Zelrus spat. He didn’t turn around.
