"Yes. It is," he confirmed. The people of Abdera stared, looked and pointed. The prince lifted the hood of his golden cloak, giving everyone charming smiles and half smirks to the young ladies. His demeanour was more tense and I noticed how he kept sniffing the air slyly. And my gut was definitely telling me that this was not because of the smoky food aromas that filled the air. I decided to try my best to calm my senses and also breathe the night air in.
I froze. That scent. It was so familiar. So intoxicating. So alluring. Absolutely bone chilling.
It couldn't be.
The guard led us through another set of gates that opened up to a great manor, with old yet beautiful stone architecture portrayed, coppery brown stone that complimented the red trees and fern bushes. Adrion got off his horse then and summoned Inanov close. I followed on my own accord, where the guard led us to a great expansive garden. With the crimson grass trimmed short, and where all the different types of flowers were all blood red. Where round tables were scattered around containing wines and finger food for the guests around, dressed in extravagant clothing. There were soft small dark couches and cushions scattered across the garden where more lanterns were lit up, creating a beautiful scene in the dead of night. There was music, one of the three memorized songs. This one was called “The maiden’s love.” I frowned at the dull sound.
"They're here. Those damned bastards are still here in Abdera." I looked at the prince in confusion and then remembered the conversation I had with the prince in the carriage on our way to Viridis Aurum. He did not go to Abdera because his enemies were there. And from the way he had been scenting the air, it seems like they stayed longer than they should have. The prince dragged a hand through his platinum hair and released a breath. I had never seen the prince look this affected before, so out of character... so stressed. He then looked to me, down to my leg, then back to my eyes. He held my gaze until I was the one that looked away and back to the crowd of merry people celebrating. Wondering who could possibly be his enemy. I stepped closer until a sudden scent nearly knocked me off my feet. I looked through the crowd and was able to spot someone familiar. Lorian, he had made my armour. He had a man leaning against a pillar and was kissing him, teasingly atfirst and then passionately moving his mouth over the attractive stranger. But no, it wasn'tthatscent that had knocked me over.
I spotted a muscular man just then, covered from head to toe in dark onyx leathers. With something on hispointed ears,like two round globes. He danced rhythmically, swaying his hips, his abs working as he rocked his body. It was nearly entrancing; his dance didn't seem to suit the music he listened to, yet he held the round globe around his ear as if he was listening to his very own music.Perhaps he was...It was odd, seeing a man with such a body dance to music in that way. He wore a black domino mask that covered only his eyes. I sniffed and nearly recoiled.
Those pointy ears.
And from there I spotted a man—no... a wolf. Even more muscular and bigger than the man dancing. He had the body of a man but his face... it was the face of a great white wolf with sharp fangs. Arms folded, head down—the deadliest of wolves sometimes keep their heads down.My shadows whispered slyly.
And therehewas.
That scent I had gotten. Strong, foreign. The one that nearly had me stumbling.He sat comfortably on a dark couch, women fawning over him.
The man...
He was the beauty that stars held.
The scent of wet earth and fresh water against stone. The very force that held this earth together. And his power radiated. My shadows curled and spasmed, ready to be released. Everything inside me, all the loss and grief from my past came rushing through.
I was losing air.
This man...
His striking emerald eyes met mine then, as if he had felt watched. My body was frozen. I did not know where or who I was in that moment. He stared. And stared. Then offered asmirk. Those green eyes of his, even far away, made me feel like I was surrounded in moss. It had made this city of blood slightly normal again. Handsome. Beautiful.
Deadly.
Powerful.
All abraax demons were. And here they were. In the public eye. The wolf leaned over to whisper something in the man's ear. I immediately broke eye contact then and charged for where the prince was. He was watchingmewatchthem.I might have stepped over a boundary when I stabbed a finger into his chest.
"You.Youdid not tell me your enemies were abraax demons." My voice was dark, grave and everything horrible as I looked at the prince with rage.
Chapter 33
Devil Incarnate
Once upon a time, abraax demons were merely a myth. Scary tales that once disciplined young fae children who had not listened to their parents. Abraax demons—immortal deadly beings that had an immense amount of power that was used for evil and evil only. The undertakers of the underworld, made by the devil himself in the image of fae. It is now living proof that these supernatural beings exist, released by the Kinslayer of Duvessa. The young darkling who also released the deadly darkness that slaughtered everything in the Kingdom of Darkness. The Darkness was contained by the High King of Apollo, Solaire Gideon. However,the demons released could not be. They now roam the lands of Terran; free, mischievous, and carrying a sense of mystery that could never be untold.
Terran Modern Day History.
The following text has been transcribed in an oath of truth by Volda Keely Darkblood of the Darkblood Witch Coven.
Ialmost wished my eyes had burned the same colour as the prince's because of the anger gathering inside me.
"You chose me as your warrior. Someone to protect you. How is anyone supposed to protect a singleleaffrom demons likethem?" I spat venomously at the prince. His chest felt firm and warm from the finger that poked and accused. His soldiers had taken precautionary posts to the entrance of the lord's castle-like home and some had dispersed with Colfe to enjoy the festivities. Inanov, Hulin, and Akiel did not seem too scared at the thought of the demons who appeared to be enjoying the soirée. Red's face was a sheet of white. I had told him stories about abraax demons once. And here they were out in the open for all to see. The prince did not retaliate to my anger—no. He was silent instead. Looking deeply into my eyes, he blinked and suddenly was giving instructions.
"You men go enjoy yourselves. Ensure our horses are taken to the stables. Be careful of what you say, no talk of our conquests thus far." As if happy to be out of a pending argument bound to happen, they all left with no questions asked. Inanov narrowed his eyes at me, as if to say,watch your mouth.
"Tell me,Prince.When were you going to tell me your enemies were abraax demons?" I questioned him, looking fearlessly into his red eyes that burned into my own.
"Prince, huh? I really enjoyed when you called me by my name back in Litara." He was back to his teasing ways, and some part of me wondered if it was all just a coping mechanism for him.
