The one true saviour
Where light battles the evil of death
One shall remain triumph
One shall wither back into shadows
This is the age of light,
Where light shall remain the greatest in the realm of Terran
Forever shall it reign.
And evermore shall darkness be unworthy.
The Apollons repeated word by word from the priestess, words that had me controlling my frown. I felt a hot pair of eyes on me from above, and I knew that if I looked, I would find the eyes of the king. The light in the room seemed to shine brighter with the essence of the king's power. "How boring." Diavelo stretched as if the prayer was something that could easily be wiped over witha shrug of his shoulders. The music started again and I looked over to see Izlana pulling Adrion by his hand to the floor where nobles danced to controlled yet boring music. "Can we talk now? Seeing that your prince is preoccupied with his betrothed," Diavelo asked, and my heart squeezed when he nodded toward the couple.
"No. I need to be on guard for the prince. And standing here talking to you looks a little too suspicious." I chose not to mention the part where I also simply did not want to speak to him.
"Your bodyguard and I shall also indulge in a dance, since you seem to be occupied,Prince." The demon was taking it upon his own hands, telling the prince instead of asking. The prince frowned and looked as if he were going to deny Diavelo until his father raised his hand in approval, no doubt sensing the tension arising between his son and the demon below him.
Adrion swiftly gave a charming fake smile. "But of course," he answered and swept Izlana onto the dance floor. She gasped and laughed when he twirled her. I looked to Inanov who held his hand out to hold my spear, I passed it to him begrudgingly. Inanov gave me a stern look, as if to say,'What have you gotten yourself into?'I almost wanted to reply that it was not my fault.
Diavelo gave me a victorious smirk for having gotten his way. He held out his hand toward me, a hand that was dotted and glittered with bright markings that looked like stars. I slowly reached out to accept his palm which felt cold yet welcoming. The touch of his palm ignited something sinister and powerful inside me, and it resonated in waves within me like a lock and key connecting.
Once my hand held his, the demon pulled me with him onto the ballroom floor. The drapes of my skirts swished around me as he pulled me sinfully close and breathed me in, holding onto me tightly as if he'd been waiting a very long time to do so.His chilled embrace had me shuddering while he took charge of the dance. A dance that would have looked formal and yet with the way he held me against him, it must have looked deliciously erotic. Eyes followed us, some in shock and others in envy. I could understand why, Diavelo was ethereally beautiful. Dancing with him felt like being within a stormy ocean where everything felt unstable and yet all felt hopeful because a strong set of arms held you. "What do you want from me?" My voice came out breathless, following the set rhythm he had created.
"It's not what I want. It's what I need," he answered, looking down into my eyes so deeply. I could not hold the eye contact; it was too much.
"Stop speaking in riddles," I snapped, growing annoyed. His fingers dipped down to touch the arch in my back. I couldn't help but shudder in his arms this time.
"I need you to leave Apollo with me," Diavelo simply stated with no further explanation. I gave him an incredulous look and then burst into laughter, he couldn’t be serious. The action caught the eyes of Adrion to my front, whose attention snapped to me. His red eyes seemed to burn in some unknown emotion.
I sobered myself when I looked to see Diavelo looking into my eyes as serious as ever. "What do you mean leave Apollo with you?"
Diavelo dipped me in a low bow, and whispered against my neck, "You have no idea what the Apollons are capable of. I need your help.”What was he talking about...?
"I have no idea whatyouare capable of. And why would I help you?" I spat and tried to resist the movement of dancing with him yet was steeled in an iron grip.
"There are too many watchful eyes and listening ears." Diavelo's face was solemn, I decided to continue speaking, not worried of who heard.
"Don't you have enough help from the powerful group you surround yourself with? Is the Great Hunt not so great?"
The demon darkly chuckled. "We are not in need of power and neither do we lack it."
Perhaps a topic change would be smart. I nodded toward the demon with globes around his pointy ears. "Why isn’thedancing? Last I remember, he quite enjoyed dancing in Abdera."
"This is not exactly his scene," Diavelo answered slowly.
"Well then maybe you all should leave. You demons do not belong here." My words were sharp and pointed like a sword.
"And yet you do? Did they not take you against your will from the arena? Don't you want to be free from their clutches?" Diavelo exclaimed in a hushed voice.
"And how would leaving with you purchase my freedom?" I argued with him. "And besides, the prince has invited the arena to Apollo. I will be seeing them soon."
"How true is that? Where are they now?" he argued back and it left me stomped, I opened my mouth to close it again. I wouldn't fall for the demon's tricks.
They are here...
