People screamed and started to run for the doors as the Black Dog started to growl. But Zahanna snapped her fingers, closing the doors and locking them.
"No one is going anywhere."
Ptelerian court officials and nobles began to beg King Fenten to help them leave. But he didn't waver. Meanwhile, the Dog waited to feast on people. However, it would not move until she gave the command.
"Fenten," his Queen said. "She controls the Dog. She's the only thing keeps us from getting eaten alive."
"Admit it, Daphne, you've never liked the war with Salencia," he growled at her.
"Milah is my friend!"
'Hmm, maybe I can sway Queen Daphne to my side,' Zahanna thought.
"Milah is my brother's descendant. SO, she's family. Ergo, I'm also doing my family a favor."
The Queen gasped, remembering something. "I've heard Milah say something about a Davine Master."
"Yes. That was me. I give the Masters my Willow blood, and they promised to give the Davine bloodline help if ever need be."
"You're a mage!"
"Yes. The Mage Queen, to be precise."
Gasps rippled throughout the court. They began to murmur about the infamous Mage Queen.
"You're Liana Davies?" King Fenten asked.
"Was. I also used to be Princess Liliana Davine of Salenica, about two centuries ago now."
King Fenten said, "You're biased."
"Never said I wasn't."
"Leave. Now."
"No, and neither will my pet. Not until you recall your men from war. Ai tule!"
Her three hellhounds appeared and flanked the Black Dog. All four animals snarled and snapped at people, but didn't move a paw.
"Shall I say the words to let them hunt?" Zahanna asked innocently.
"No! Please, wait," Queen Daphne cried.
Zahanna smirked.
"Yes?"
The Queen turned to her husband. "Fenten, for our people, agree to her ultimatum."
He flashed an angered look at Zahanna.
"Fine. Just leave my country alone."
"Then end the war."
He groaned but agreed.
"Good. If I find out you did not recall your men or you have gone and done something behind my back, don't blame me if I go on a killing spree. You would only have yourself to blame."
She let her threat sink in for a few moments before saying, "Ti suq!"
Then, Zahanna and her pets disappeared in a cloud of black smoke before anyone could respond. She reappeared before Queen Milah and Crown Prince Troy.
"It is done. King Fenten should be pulling his men soon."
"Oh thank you!" Queen Milah cried.
"Good work."
"Well, as always, I fix what needs to be mended."
The two royals gave her an odd look but then shook their heads in amazement.
"Do you need anything in return or-?" Queen Milah asked.
"No, no," Zahanna smirked. "There's nothing save for sweet revenge upon those who'd like to see the Davines fall from grace. I would never let my brother's descendants come to any harm."
"Thank you," the Queen said again.
"You're very welcome. I'll be going now. Hell beckons me home."
Smoke began to surround her.
"Wait!" Crown Prince Troy called.
The smoke dissipated, and she turned to face him.
"Yes?"
He searched in one of the desk drawers and found what he was looking for. Standing up, Zahanna watched him unwrap a small object. She looked and saw it as her birthday brooch from centuries ago.
"That," she breathed. "Harmon gave me that for my eleventh birthday. When I left this world last time, I gave it to Harmon for safekeeping."
Crown Prince troy explained, "It's been passed down from Crown Prince to Crown Prince. I think King Harmon always meant for it to wind back up with you."
He held out he brooch to her. She gingerly took it from him and smiled, recalling fond memories of her blood family.
"Thank you."
He nodded.
Magic swirled around her, and she was gone. Zahanna returned to her bedroom in Hell and placed the brooch in a locked box, magically sealed by her blood. Then, she left her room and returned to the throne room of Hell.
"It's done."
"Good," High Lady Friste said. "now we can sit back and watch as souls come streaming in."
"How fun!" Viscount Drusan clapped.
"Queen Milah didn't want me to hurt people. But I could see the pride in King Fenten. Though he may have agreed to my terms for now, he'll go back on them sooner or later, believing I won't keep my word."
"But you will," High Lord Zenthe said.
"Yes, indeed I will."
"And we shall relish the new souls to torture here in Hell," Viscountess Roniv said.
"Oh, definitely," Duke Grejen added.
"You have made us very fearsome. After you deal with Pteleria, everyone will fear the Masters of Hell even more than they already do."
Zahanna chuckled and smiled.
"That was the plan all along, my Lord. That was the plan all along."