Pyrian POV
The swing of the sword in my hand calmed me. No matter how much I thought of other things, Zenaya was still on my mind. I did not understand, however, why she was at the forefront of my mind. My sudden fascination with a woman was, to say the least, unfathomable. As the king, or, current king, of this kingdom, it was unheard of. Maybe to keep her as a pet, but even then, I cringe at the thought. And then for me to just send her away with almost no regard.
But why bother beating myself up over something that is already done and over with? I make myself return to the present moment.
My legs sturdy themselves against the guard's sparring technique. I raise my arm so my sword clashes with theirs. The jolt that comes with the connection is a pleasurable feeling, one I welcome with the recent onslaught of thoughts. The distraction something I look forward to as well.
"Is that all you have Sire?" I smirk, for they know for sure that I am only getting started. I twist around their blade so that now they are left outstretched and I am at their throat. They smile in nervousness, knowing I was proving my point. Two more guards rush into the ring and lunge forward in an attempt to ambush me. They fail as I swiftly move my entire body into the middle of them both and trip the left while I raise my elbow and bring down the hilt of my sword onto the back of the right guard.
They both hit the ground with heavy thuds, the air knocked out of them. I sit smiling, as I tower over them. My wings spread out and I can feel the red in my eyes deepen as my demon side takes over, my claws elongate as I move forward. The natural order, however, does not allow my guards to advance. I sigh and put my sword down. Fun only lasts so long.
"You are dismissed." The six of them nod and exit the room. The sweat drips down my body as I wonder what to do until the ball tonight. My mother insists on throwing one every week. Why? I have no idea. As King, I think it a silly, trifle thing to have so often. Everything was taken care of within the last meeting. I suppose it would be best to try to maintain a safe area, retreat I suppose until my brothers killed each other off. Once they see that I have retreated they should turn on another. At least that was the only logical opinion.
POV Switch
" Did you find the girl?" I raise a hand to my face, inspecting my nails.
"No, I tracked her into Nymphoria, but could not get a solid trail from there, too many female scents." I look at the man, in disgust. "I thought you said you were the best." He splutters for a moment.
"If you cannot get me the girl, then get me someone who can." I raise my index finger of my right hand and he chokes on his spit as I mentally close his airways. He starts to struggle for breath. "Do I make myself clear?" The man frantically nods, now on his knees, his chest constricting as I get angrier. I will get what I want, and no one can get in my way.
I release the poor man's airways and he quickly gets to his feet. He throws his hood over his head and slips out of the room. I smile, I loved intimidating people. It was just, fascinating.
POV Switch~ Pyrian
I had an almost feral instinct to find Zenaya. I shake my head, I cannot. Not until this ceremonial rite is passed. Until I can kill my brothers, and any family with a right to the throne, she was not safe here. In the kingdom really, but I was not about to tell her where she should hide. If I tracked her down now I would not be able to let her go. I felt as if I needed to protect her. Even though I do not even know her, at all. I practically hit myself with self-loathing. I could not simply just, exist, could I? I had to be complicated.
I walk around into the courtyard and exit to the left so I could walk down the lake path to see Abuela. It had been a few days. I continue down the path, wanting to avoid any form of family. I could not really think about them right now besides Abuela.
I open the cottage door and there she sits, in front of the window, painting the scenery. Typical Abuela. She gets up once she sees me, " Oh! I wasn't expecting you today dearest." I smile, she was the best. I reach down and engulf her in a hug.
"So, what brings you out here?" I simply look down.
"I don't know what to do. I miss her, but the whole kingdom is against anything human or human women related. I don't even know her. I sent her away because it wasn't safe, but now I just want to find her to protect her." I put my head in my hands. I couldn't escape my own head for long I suppose.
She pauses for a moment, thinking I presume. " I am sorry indeed dearest. I cannot help you with this. It is for you to decide alone." I sigh, of course, it was.
POV Switch ~ Zenaya
The sisters look at me apologetically, but I understood. It was their kingdom or me. I was the stranger, the cause of the whole mess, or so they thought. The queen clears her throat. " Go on then."
The sisters hesitate, but Nora speaks up. "This is Zenaya, she comes from the Demon Kingdom. She wandered into our borders a few days ago. That is all the proof that we have of her being here connecting to the man's entrance." The queen ponders for a moment.
"Well, if that is all." I clear my throat now, better to speak up than to stay silent in this case.
"Do you mind if I speak your highness?" She smiles, "Not at all dearest go ahead."
" I do indeed come from that Kingdom, the king himself bought my freedom and told me to leave because it wasn't safe with him. I was wandering for few days when I came across the sisters, and they took me in willingly."
"I see, so the king is connected to you then?" I nod.
"That must mean they are in the midst of their ceremonial rite." She sees the confusion on my face. "All that means is that once the new king is instated onto the throne, there is a period of time when the throne is up for grabs by any direct sibling of the king, only by killing all the other siblings. The other siblings would most likely use you against him, demon's love their toys."
I almost tell her I wasn't his toy, but remember how he ordered me around and then told me to leave. I suppose that last part was him looking out for me? At this point I am unsure.
I turn to the Queen and await her next thoughts and so do the sisters.