A Demon's Wrath Read online

  The young man was slim, tall, and quite attractive, and Gerick was pleased in more than one way.

  Gerick bowed to Cecelia and said, “Lady Cecelia Van Zandt, I am pleased to make acquaintance with you.”

  Cecelia’s response was, “Gerick.”

  Gerick nodded his head and then turned to Brian. “And you must be the real Brian Van Zandt.” He chuckled, his eyes glittering with interest.

  “Celia, who is this?” Brian asked his sister, not liking the way the demon was looking at him nor the fact there was that glint in his eyes that made Brian just a little bothered.

  “He’s Gerick McNamara, the king’s cousin,” Cecelia said.

  Brian widened his eyes in shock and uttered in disbelief, “He’s a demon?”

  Gerick laughed. “Aye, I am a demon and you are a human, young Brian. We are of different races, but nonetheless, we are still the same. Do you not like us demons?”

  “You killed our father and destroyed our land,” Brian spit out. “And now you’re here to kill my sister too?”

  Gerick cocked his head to one side. “I beg to differ. I don’t remember us ever killing your father nor destroying your land. Rosevalley, was it? Ah, yes, I remember the place. An island away from the main land. A beautiful place. We were there a long time ago. But trust me when I say we didn’t kill your father nor did we destroy your land.”

  Brian pulled his sister to his side again, after noting she was making her way toward Gerick. He said coldly, “Whether you and your comrade did or did not, that is to be decided on a later date. For now, get out of the way. I will not let you take my sister away to be killed.”

  At this point, Brian had his sword drawn and directed the sharp blade at Gerick. “Stand back, Celia. I will have to kill this demon to keep you safe.”

  Cecelia clutched at her brother’s arm. “Please, Brian. Gerick means us no harm.”

  “No harm?” he shouted out. “He bloody killed at least fifty of our soldiers.”

  “Eighty,” Gerick corrected. “Leon killed fifty. Adam one hundred, and Drake, well, you don’t need to know.”

  Brian was flabbergasted. He looked at his sister and said, “See how barbaric they are?”

  Cecelia was impatient. “Brian, please. I will return the pearl back to the king. That is what he is here for.”

  Gerick ignored the pointy sword at his belly by shifting it aside with his hand and walked toward Brian. “Come on now, Brian. Let’s be logical.”

  Brian wasn’t listening. All he worried about was his sister’s safety, and thus, he thrust forward, slicing his sword through the air toward Gerick.

  Gerick swung to his left, missing the sharp blade by an inch. He charged forward, sent his free hand onto Brian, and disarmed the young man in an instant. With his strong hand tight on Brian’s wrist, Gerick twisted him back against the cold stone wall of the castle. With his face close to Brian’s, he said, a smile on his lips as per usual, “Who taught you how to fence, Brian? It’s pathetic. You can’t even hold your ground against me. Now be a good boy and do as I say.”

  Brian was seething with rage. He glared up at the larger demon, his brown eyes dark. “I trained myself,” he said through gritted teeth.

  Gerick stared long and hard at the young man and, instantly, felt a warm feeling in the pit of his stomach. Demon’s blood! But he was attracted to the youth. Then something else caught his attention. The paleness in Brian’s skin tone. The dull color in his eyes. The poisonous aura radiating from within the youth’s body.

  Gerick cursed, long and loud. Brian was poisoned on the inside with the black rose elixir. He was slowly dying and he didn’t even know it. Pity shone in the demon’s eyes and Gerick slowly let Brian go.

  Brian fell to the ground, heaving from pain and exhaustion. Cecelia kneeled by his side, aiding him to sooth his agony. It was then Agnes finally arrived at the scene. She looked confused for a moment at the demon who’d been in the throne room before she’d left and wondered how he had gotten here before her so fast.

  “Agnes,” Cecelia said, looking up at the old maid. “What is it?”

  Agnes curtsied and said, “Please, my lady, the demon king, he’s asking for you.”

  Cecelia got up. “Then I must go to him.”

  Brian took his sister’s hand before she could take off. Still heaving with exertion, he said, “Then… then I will go with you.” He staggered up and turned his attention to Gerick. “Don’t you dare touch my sister. I can see it in your demonic eyes what you’re thinking.”

  Gerick understand Brian’s meaning. Any beings—humans, angels, or demons—would be a fool not to fall for Lady Cecelia Van Zandt, for she was an enchanting beauty indeed. But Brian missed the irony of his own accusation. Gerick wasn’t in the least bit attracted to Cecelia. He was interested in Brian himself. It was too bad, though, that the young man was dying.

  Gerick watched as, hand in hand, brother and sister made their way across the courtyard to the southern wing of the castle. He turned his attention to Agnes and said, “Pack Lady Cecelia’s belongings, maid, and be quick about it. She’s coming with us.”

  Agnes blinked thrice before Gerick frowned darkly at her to get a move on. In which case, she curtsied nervously and did his bidding.

  Gerick followed behind the siblings, his footsteps light. It wasn’t long before he noted Brian turned to give him another good glare. He returned the greeting with a playful smile that usually sent his intended soaring with happiness. But not this one. This one looked a little confused at his approach.

  Cecelia’s whole body was shaking the moment they were standing at the door to the throne room that held these uninvited guests. She took a deep breath and, before she lost her nerve, she opened the door and stepped in.

  The room was filled with Dardania soldiers with their swords drawn. To one side was her uncle King Leroi, Queen Eliza, and of course, Rosanna and Juliet and notable noblemen and ministers serving the court. On the other side, as she glanced in that direction, stood Drake the demon king, Adam, and Leon, and a small number of their warriors.

  The instant her eyes met those of Drake’s, her heart skipped a beat and her stomach flipped uneasily. With her head held high, she moved slowly into the room, with Brian and Gerick following closely behind her.

  Drake felt his breath snatched away from him the moment he laid eyes on his little thief Cecelia Van Zandt. He had known she was a beauty. To see her now in such an elegant gown, however, she was more than just beautiful. She was enchanting.

  Cecelia nervously came to a stop right in front of the demon king, looking up at him with her head tilted right back. Though her whole body was shaking from both fear and anxiousness, she was determined to face the king and right the wrong she had done. She’d return him his pearl and be done with the whole sorry business.

  Drake gazed down at her from his great height and snorted. “Here’s my pearl,” he said. His hand came to the back of her head, his fingers digging deep into her thickly coiffured hair as he nudged her to him. “You’re coming with me, thief.”

  The moment he said that, Cecelia caught her breath at the back of her throat. Brian took a step forward and was about to say something when Gerick caught him by the arm and pulled him back, a hand clasped over his mouth.

  “Shh! Brian, you don’t want to anger the demon king, do you?” he said softly into the young man’s ear. “It’ll be a bloody mess. Bloodier than it already is.”

  “I… I can’t, sire,” Cecelia said.

  Drake raised a brow at her as he moved his darkly scowled face closer so they were nose to nose. “You have no choice in the matter, sweetheart.”

  The warmth of his large being and the sensation of his words so close to her skin made Cecelia feel lightheaded and dizzy. Drake noticed and gave an arrogant smile that turned everyone’s eyes to him in pleasant surprise. He was quite handsome, and that was shocking to everyone except for his comrades.

  “What of my mother and brother?” she
asked. “I am returning your pearl to you, sire. Is that not what you want? Why would you want me?”

  Drake suddenly became quite impatient. He simply wanted to take her and his pearl and be away from here. “I want both you and my pearl. You are linked to it and to me now. You will make me another pearl, my dear.”

  She blinked. “How?”

  He roared out with laughter then, loud and long, causing everyone in the room to look at one another nervously and in confusion.

  When he stopped, he said, “I will show you.” He moved and claimed her lips with his in a scorching kiss.

  Rosanna and Juliet looked as though they were about to faint. Queen Eliza pulled her face in disgust. King Leroi crossed himself and looked heavenward in despair.

  Brian’s anger flared, and he rushed forward to stop the sexual attack. Gerick, however, caught him once again, imprisoning the youth in his strong arms. “Your sister belongs to the king now. Don’t interrupt them. It’s rude.”

  Brian shot Gerick a look and told the demon with his dark eyes that he’d punch him in the face when he got the chance.

  Drake finally stopped the kiss and moved his head back. “Now then,” he said, “get the pearl, Celia, and let us be off.”

  Cecelia took a step back and nodded. Before she turned, however, she said, “Please, sire. Allow me to see my mother one last time.”

  Drake impatiently nodded and headed out the door. Adam and Leon followed suit behind him. Gerick reluctantly let Brian go and said, “A pity you’re not coming with us.”

  Brian replied with a dark scowl, to which Gerick simply merrily laughed and headed out the door as well.

  * * * * *

  Chapter XVI

  ALONG THE CORRIDOR, CECELIA TURNED to her brother and told him to go and see to their mother whilst she fetched the pearl. Brian nodded without hesitation and headed in the other direction. Cecelia herself rushed up the stairs and headed to her own room. Once inside, she noted that some of her clothing was on the floor and some in a chest, as though she were packing to leave. Agnes looked up from her position and rushed up to her.

  “My lady,” the elderly woman sobbed. “The demon said you’re going with them. You can’t, my lady. You simply can’t. They are beasts. They will kill you.”

  “Hush now, Agnes,” Cecelia said, soothing the woman. “I will be fine. They will not kill me.”

  “They are demons. We cannot trust them.”

  Cecelia took a deep breath and sighed. “Agnes, I promise I will be all right. Please help Martha and Milan look after Mother.” When Agnes was about to protest again, she shut the woman up by putting a finger to her own lips. “I must get the pearl and then go to see mother before I leave. You must understand that if I don’t go with them, there will be war.”

  Agnes’s eyes rounded with horror at this realization. Then mutedly, she nodded her head.

  “Now go,” she said.

  Again, Agnes mutely nodded and then rushed out the door. Alone, Cecelia rested herself against the doorframe and slid down as exhaustion overtook her. She sat there for a few moments, her eyes closed. So it had finally come to this? To save the two kingdoms from going to war. To keep the peace.

  She sighed and got up again, quickly searching for the pearl. She found it in her bedside drawer. It was wrapped in the silk fabric, and she quickly put it into the pouch dangling on the side of her waist. It was then that Queen Eliza and Rosanna suddenly appeared at the door.

  Cecelia jumped in fright at their entrance.

  “You know you don’t have to go with those beastly creatures,” Eliza said softly.

  Cecelia moved away from the woman’s cold touch and said, “If I don’t go, there will be war. Do you want another war upon our kingdom, my queen? Bloodshed would be endless. They are demons. I have seen their soldiers. They are ruthless. They are powerful. You have seen them in battle with your own eyes, have you not? In a mere half hour, they’ve killed over three hundred of our men.”

  Eliza’s eyes turned cold as she said, “Of course I do not want another war upon our kingdom. But then again, you are of royal blood. No matter what, you should never be treated like a prisoner.”

  “What are you doing here, your highness?” Cecelia asked straight out.

  Eliza took out a silk handkerchief from within her bosom and said, “To save you.”

  Cecelia wasn’t prepared for what happened next. Eliza charged forward and covered the scented cloth over Cecelia’s face.

  Cecelia struggled to free herself, and it wasn’t long before the smell of poison overtook her, causing her body to go limp and her mind to become unconscious.

  Eliza dropped Cecelia to the floor and then busied herself searching for the pearl.

  “Is she dead?” Rosanna asked, her face paler than usual.

  “Of course not,” Eliza said in annoyance. “She’s just unconscious. She will be awake in an hour or so.”

  Then she found the pouch and chuckled. She quickly undid the string and took out the pearl. Her eyes darkened with desire as she stared at the gem.

  “It’s beautiful,” Rosanna said.

  Eliza clutched the gem against her breast so as to hide it away from Rosanna’s eye. “Quickly, get the guards. We must get her away from here before the demon finds out.”

  “Of course,” Rosanna said. She was about to rush out the door when she halted on her spot and stared with wide eyes at the man who was entering the room.

  Tall, big, blond hair, and bright-blue eyes with aquiline features, Marcus Arthur was the picture of an angelic prince in dark armor.

  The moment Eliza met the prince’s black, sharp gaze, she bowed and presented him the pearl. Marcus cocked his head to one side as he eyed the precious jewel, a slight smile on his lips. He reached out his hand, intending to touch the gem, but the force diverted him back with blast of energy, almost throwing him off balance. Aye, the Arthur’s line had been cursed to never again be able to touch the McNamara’s pearl.

  Marcus frowned darkly at the gem for a moment and then said to his manservant Hamish, “Take it and leave immediately to Rosevalley.”

  Hamish nodded and took the pearl from Eliza’s hand, who couldn’t seem to part her gaze from the gemstone. The servant then bowed low and rushed away toward his waiting steed.

  Marcus turned his attention to Cecelia. He casually crouched next to her and stared long and hard, caressing her cheek with the back of his fingers. Slowly, a smile formed on his lips, turning his cold face to one that was very handsome. In a flash of a second, he scooped her into his arms and took her out the door.

  * * * * *

  IT WAS HALF AN HOUR later when Rosanna ran out toward the demons in the courtyard, her breasts bouncing and her pale skin as white as the moon. She was playing her part well, she thought with triumph, as she took some deep breaths and came to her knees before the demon king.

  “Sire,” she said to Drake helplessly. “Please, sire, we have failed you. Lady Cecelia escaped. Please, I beg you. The queen and king beg you. Have pity on us. Allow me to replace that imprudent girl. Let us amend our wrong.”

  Drake narrowed his eyes dangerously at the woman before him, a dark scowl on his face. Ignoring Rosanna, he turned to his comrades and soldiers and barked out orders. “We’re leaving now.”

  His warrior saluted him and roared with affirmation. Adam and Leon took the lead and headed out of the courtyard within a second flat. Drake turned to Gerick and said, “Brian and the Countess Rosevalley, bring them.”

  Gerick raised a questioning brow at his cousin. When he saw the glint within Drake’s gray eyes, his confusion turned into enlightenment. Thus, he nodded his head with a hint of a secret smile. “My pleasure,” he said, turned on his heels, and headed back toward the northern wing of the castle.

  Alone, Drake returned his attention to Rosanna, who was still at his feet. She raised her face up to him now, hoping he would find her attractive. Well, she was, after all, one of the most beautiful ladies in all of
Dardania. She had no doubt the demon would find her pleasant enough to replace that useless Cecelia.

  “Where did he take her?” he asked coldly.

  Rosanna caught the breath at the back of her throat and blinked. “I beg your pardon, sire?”

  Drake bent down, wrapped his large hand about her small chin roughly, and said, “Where did Marcus Arthur take Cecelia? Answer me, my lady, before my patience runs out. And trust me, you don’t want to see me in my… What do you humans call me when I’m angry?”

  Suddenly, tears welled up in Rosanna’s eyes as fear threatened to suffocate her alive. “Wrath,” she whispered, her throat dry, her voice shaking. “A demon’s wrath.”

  He gave her a dark smile. “Good girl. Now tell me. Where is Lady Cecelia?”

  Rosanna blinked and tears did flow down her flawless cheeks. She said, “In the woods to the east. She is in a carriage, leaving the city as we speak.”

  “Thank you, my lady,” Drake said. With a blink of an eye, he was up and headed to his sinfully black beast Wildfire who had obediently returned to him the moment he stepped foot on Dardanian land. He climbed onto its back whilst Rosanna watched, her eyes large with apprehension as Drake pulled the stallion’s reins. In an instant, the beast flapped its wings and took off into the air.

  Rosanna watched until the demon and his beast disappeared from sight before she collapsed there on the cold stone ground, sobbing for her life. He was about to kill her, wasn’t he? She sobbed with relief that she’d escaped his wrath.