"Magnificent creatures. I doubt I would ever get used to seeing them. I see why they call you, "The Great Hunt." The lord ofAbdera smiled, although his smile did not reach his eyes. He was nervous.
Diavelo shrugged. "You could say so."
'The Great Hunt.'
Even Lorian mounted his beast. The man with the rounded globes on his ears bobbed his head, as if still listening to music, got atop his own horse. The stunning she-demon and the wolf-man got atop theirs, putting on out-of-this-world helmets that were dark and shiny. They all had been wearing leathers that seemed to be practical, sown into their exact fit and complimented the sense of danger around them. Diavelo was the last to put his on, his eyes bore into mine and I nearly lost track of time. I was brought back into the present when he looked to the lord. "Thank you for your hospitality, and you are most welcome for providing the arrival information of your dear prince." My eyes widened.That was how the lord knew we were coming.
These demons had told him, sensed us. "And prince," the demon darkly spoke, both green and red now clashed. Their eyes having a war of their very own. "I will see you at the golden castle. With the king." He smirked as if to say,Yeah, you'll be seeing me around a lot more.
The demon looked to me once again. "I was wrong to call you an angel. The more the light shines on you, the more you sink into the shadows you create. Until we see each other again, darkling."I took a shocked step back when I felt the demon's voice purr into my mind. The name he called me caused an unsettling nervous ache to coat my chest. The demon then swiped on his helmet. His horse reared up on its hinds and neighing aggressively. The demons laughed and their howls in delight carried across the surroundings as their creatures ignited in blue flames. Coating the demons in those same electric fire and not scorching them to death. No, they had looked moreinvigorated by it. And then they were gone. Their scent swiped from the area, as if they were never here. Except for the little blue flame that now slowly burned a patch of grass.
Chapter 35
Bargaining
"That was quite... entertaining. Was it not?" The lord nervously laughed and avoided the prince's fiery eyes.
"You asked them of my arrival. Tell me, Morvin, why the need?" the prince questioned the lord by his name.
"Why, to create a soirée in honour of your name." The lord seemed like he had more to say but the prince cut him off.
"Cut the pretentious bullshit, Morvin, and speak to me as if you were speaking to my father," the prince growled. Any look of welcome and gracious behaviour that was previously portrayed wiped the lord's face. It was as if he had been wearing a mask all along, it was mildly unsettling.
"Let us discuss these matters in private," Morvin said.
***
Morvin had five guards stationed in his private study, and I had taken note of two guards stationed outside, whereas it was only Inanov and I who accompanied the prince. Two lanterns were hung up by the doorway and one had been placed upon Morvin’s desk where the prince and I sat. I tried hard to concentrate on the meeting and not think about the close proximity of the prince. Of how his knees had brushed against mine, or how I could feel the heat of his body radiate from him. "Tea?" Morvin asked while pouring himself a cup, its steam slowly trailing up.
"Are you going to answer my question, Morvin?" The prince didn't need to voice out his threats in order for the lord to understand what the fire in his eyes meant.
"I needed to prepare my side of the bargain for when you request my land to be put under Apollo." The lord blew on his tea and then sipped.
"That is wise of you. But what did you do in exchange for that information? Abraax demons do nothing for free." The prince asked good questions and had good suspicions. It made me imagine him being very disciplined and intuitive during his classes with his royal tutors. Being thrown into a sudden political whirlwind with the prince had opened my eyes.
"The demons visited Abdera on their own accord, not really expressing what their business was, I granted them leisure, parties and grand rooms. I felt the least they could do was grant me an indication of your arrival from their talents." The lord gave a shrug and settled into his large, high back chair.
"And tell me. After wining and dining the demons, were you able to come up with your side of the bargain?" The prince kept his face emotionless, tracking carefully with the discussion. It was different from how he bargained with the vampyre king. Definitely different than how he wanted to deal with the Lord ofLitara. He was about to bargain with a man who was already well connected with Apollo and traded daily with them.
"Abdera has magnificent cultivations on our crops. The blood rubies we mine and send daily to Apollo is another factor. As you already know, we have everything we need. However, there is something I need. I want to be the king’s advisor." The prince did not show his surprise, and neither was he pleased.
"We already have a royal advisor." Adrion rolled his eyes at Morvin, no doubt referring to Colfe.
Morvin shrugged. "Kill him, then you'll be needing a new one. Or make me your advisor whenyoubecome king." The lord smirked.
The prince arched a silver eyebrow at him. "My father is rather... attached to our current advisor and when I am anointed as King, it will have to be done as a vote by the royal council for the next."
"Then unfortunately, Abdera will be the only land not under the king's rule," the lord plainly said as he drained the last bit of tea that was in his cup. The prince darkly chuckled.
"You rather risk a war? A war you will lose now that we have vampyres on our side?” Morvin looked like he might combust. “I might not be able to make you the royal advisor, but I can make you a member of the royal council," the prince thoughtfully brought the deal onto the table with his words.
Morvin did not have to think much before he said, "Deal."
"Uh-uh, wait." The prince raised a finger up. "All members of the royal council are there to aid Apollo. So this means you will be subjected to provide us with soldiers if need be." There was no way Morvin was going to accept that.
"Agreed. As long as I have direct contact with the king. I am at your service." The lord had a smile on his face that did little to ease me. It concerned me gravely.
"Yes. I am sure the king would like that, given that you two are currently working together on a project." The prince eyed the lord. This bargaining deal seemed too easy, I felt it in my gut just then. An awful feeling, something devastating. An oily feeling, like the one I had gotten in Litara. Filled with bloodshed... and savagery.
