Startled by his own reaction, Zagan loosened his grasp but didn't let go. "Your father exhausted the nation's funds at one point and the backlash was severe. The poor became poorer, and the rich only grew wealthier." He refrained to add that he had been amongst the former. It was hell on earth for a demon who had to suffer oppression from both commoners and the nobility.
"What proof do you have of these accusations?" Akila demanded, tempted to twist around and glare at him.
"These aren't accusations but the truth from various experiences." He pointed forward, slowing Ares to a slow canter. "Over there is your proof. We've arrived at the heart of town or at least what used to be before the Great War. Now, it's a barren waste land where the poor are left to die and contagious disease spreads like poison in the veins."
She glanced towards the rows of dilapidated houses that were falling off the hinges with holes gaping as wide as windows, barely providing any form of protection against the elements. The unsteady foundation made it appear as if a strong gust of wind would send it collapsing into a pile of rubble. "What happened here?"
"The consequences of war and the actions of selfish men." His answer bored. Zagan knew better than most that he had no right to condemn the humans, because his hands were equally stained with blood.
"Why didn't my father do something about this?" she demanded, more to herself than to him. "Are you implying that while I've been enjoying lavished meals and attending parties...my people were...left for dead?" The last words came out in a shaky breath.
He was pleased to see that she was starting to grasp the seriousness of the situation. "Yes."
A hand shot up to cover her horrified whimper as her eyes absorbed the contaminated and poverty-stricken town. "I can't believe this…"
"Believe it, because this is only part of Cronoa's central region."
An insidious feeling of dread crept up her spine, and she swallowed hard. "T-There's something worse than this?"
"The castle sits upon central Cronoa, safeguarded by an impenetrable wall that boasts the strongest defense. The empire itself is divided into five regions that encircle the castle. The first region begins outside the castle gates, followed by the subsequent region numbers. The bigger the number, the larger the population but, it also signifies the region's status and condition. In other words, cross the second region and you'll step into a different side of Cronoa where the poor and destitute exist, otherwise known as the slums."
Absorbing those facts, she asked earnestly, "And which region are we currently in?"
"We've just entered the third region. Each region doubles in circumference from its antecedent. The population in this region is approximately ten thousand but given the recent bout of cholera..." he trailed off, grim faced. "I suspect the number will dwindle in the following months."
"Cholera? I've heard of no such thing!" She was aghast by how much information her father had withheld from her. Were her siblings aware of their nation's suffering? "I could have aided them." It shamed her to be confronted by her ignorance and spoilt upbringing.
Zagan refrained from mocking her. Before ambushing the castle, he had investigated the royal family and knew Akila to be a powerless princess. Without any supporters in court, her pleas would have fallen on death ears. No doubt, the old fossils in the council imagined her to be just a pretty face — such was the age they lived in.
"There's no use dwelling on the past. The only direction to look is forward because I intend to change Cronoa's future." Zagan's gaze penetrated hers, a challenging fire reflected within those silver depths. "Remember your helplessness now because soon you can make a difference. I won't keep you in the dark, little lamb. All you have to do is join hands with me, and you'll be as powerful."
Doubt and suspicion clouded her features. Her brows arched in blatant confrontation. "Are you asking or telling me? Given all you've done is force my unwilling hand, shouldn't you be acting more like the tyrant I know you are?"
Against his will, Zagan couldn't help but be amused. "Think whatever you like but, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you. A tyrant can be narrow-minded while I am going to be so much more." He bent closer, his breath hot against her ear. "Let us get one thing straight. With you playing the role of Florence Nightingale, it will elevate my disposition in the eyes of the public. Speaking plainly, I'm using your status to empower mine."
He straightened abruptly, leaving her oddly cold. "You were right, you know. In the eyes of society, you shall remain their princess forever, so why not use that to my advantage? When all of Cronoa catches wind that their beloved princess has become my concubine, they will gradually abandon Orsova's ruling and embrace mine — their future."
Those who valued their lives would submit to him because pride couldn't keep a man alive. It wouldn't put food in his belly or provide him shelter, just as it didn't when Zagan was a boy.
Begrudgingly, Akila admired the demon for his cunning but, another part resented him for being a devious bastard. "And you accused my father of being manipulative," she muttered. "What did you hope to achieve by becoming the emperor? What can" — her voice seethed with venom — "a demon like you do for Cronoa? You don't strike me as a vigilante. I don't believe you're doing this out of the goodness of your blackened heart. There has to be more to it."
He shrugged off her accusations with casual indifference. "Why does a conqueror need a reason to be at the top of the food chain? Some of us are natural born predators — born to rule at the pinnacle of power — and it's only logical for us to take what's rightfully ours."
She whirled around to castigate his twisted reasoning when something beneath the shadows of a ramshackle cottage caught her eye. It was a deep-dyed blue tartan — a regalia worn by royalty during official celebrations. It was also a gift bestowed upon her brother Garrin — the crown prince — by their late mother, Empress Lilja on his eighteen birthday.
Her heart soared.
Garrin was here! He must have received word at the border about the attack and came to rescue her. She was going to be saved!
Zagan noticed her reaction, drawing Ares to a halt. Since they left the castle, he knew they were being followed and waited to see what their pursuer would do. Now, he was certain it was the little lamb's acquaintance. Though prepared for an attack, he never expected the first strike to come from the princess.
Swift as lightning, Akila jabbed her elbow into his groin before nimbly swinging off the horse. She slapped Ares's hind and sent the animal bolting with its master contending the reins. Reassured that Zagan was temporarily distracted, she raced to the hiding spot where Garrin awaited.
"Garrin!" she whispered aloud, stumbling along the rocky path. "Brother it's me! Where are you?"
A pair of strong arms caught her from behind and she screamed.
"Shh, don't make a sound." Her brother's naturally gruff tone greeted her ears.
Without warning, she started to weep. The relief of knowing that Garrin was well and alive obliterated the fear and trauma of the past few days, making her believe that everything was going to be fine. Like their sire, Garrin was a man who took charge, but the difference between emperor and son was the ability to feel compassion for his subordinates. As legion commander, Garrin ruled with a firm hand but, he never forgotten the Empress's advice to always listen to the people's cries of help and hardships.
"Garrin!" She spun around and hugged him tightly. If her brother had been a small child, she would have crushed his bones. "I'm so glad you're alive! I thought you were dead!"
A smile lifted the corners of his lips as he gently stroked her hair, the familiar gesture calming her down considerably. "I returned from Agoria the moment I received word from Ywain that the castle has been attacked." Anger suffused his words. "By demons no less. Forgive me for not being there when you needed me the most."
Her head lifted abruptly, her eyes rimmed red with tears. "Ywain's alive?"
"He barely escaped with his life. If he hadn't been attacked and bitten; left bleeding to death when his men found him, I would have pummeled his sorry backside for failing to protect you." Garrin clenched his teeth angrily. "As your fiancé, he should have protected you with his life! I won't forgive him for that."
"Please don't blame him. It wasn't his fault I was in the gardens when we were attacked." Akila yanked on his shirt sleeves. "Where is Ywain now? Is he alright?"
"He's still recovering but, he explained everything to me. I came as fast as I could. I hate that I wasn't there to save anyone, especially father. Have you received word from any of our sisters?"
She shook her head ruefully. "No, and I don't know if they're dead or alive."
"If they're alive, my guess is they've gone underground to hide, possibly somewhere in Ouvla. You know how resourceful Sevia can be. Don't worry, I'll find out where they are. Our sisters can take care of themselves. It's you I'm worried about." He examined her from head to toe. "How are you holding up? Has the demon hurt you?"
A distressing sigh. "No, in fact he's been doing the opposite. Ever since I collapsed of starvation when I rebelled against my imprisonment, he's been...tolerable." Tears filled her eyes. "It doesn't change the fact that I-I couldn't save them...father, our guests, the servants...they were all killed that night..."
"Shh, don't cry, Akila." Garrin continued holding her, imparting his strength. "I have sworn to avenge their deaths and take back what's rightfully ours. With father gone, I'll do everything in my power to protect you, our sisters and this nation."
She stifled a loud sob. "But I can't let him kill you too! I've been so afraid!"
"You have nothing to fear, Akila. I'm here and Ywain will be too once he's healed." He pulled back a fraction, gently wiping her tears. "I planned to sneak into the castle when I saw you riding out with that demon." His countenance darkened, and he asked abruptly. "What are these rumors I hear about you becoming his concubine? Are they true?"
Akila hesitated, tempted to deny them. "Yes, but only because I was threatened with the lives of innocent children." Seeing the scowl on Garrin's face, she hurried to reassure him. "If he dares to try anything with me, I'll kill him first!"
Garrin doubted her gentle nature allowed her to hurt anyone let alone a demon. "He's not an enemy to trifle with," he warned, dragging her deeper into the shadows. "Zagan's infamous for his hatred of humans and he's revered amongst his kind for his ruthlessness and brutality — a murderer without remorse for anyone who gets in his way." His jaws locked in palpable anger. "I still can't believe he accomplished a coup d'état of this extent."
"Is he truly that frightening? How do you know so much about him?"
Garrin grimaced. Unlike their older sisters Sevia and Kyna who were heavily entangled in Cronoan politics, Akila and Errina were protected from the ugliness of war and suffering. He admitted it was poor judgement on their father's part. Ignorance wasn't bliss, resulting in Akila's predicament. "As legion commander, it's my responsibility to keep the peace between nations, and domestic affairs between humans and demons. Amongst the demon nobility — the antiquus — word has spread about an unruly lowborn who is climbing their ranks. I've only heard the rumors about Zagan but they were enough to convince me that he's trouble."
"I had no idea...." She shut her eyes with grief.
"Trust me when I say that he has to be stopped."
"I know he intends to use me to win over the people's hearts." A surge of pain made it hard for her to speak. "Our father's corpse isn't even cold in the ground yet." In fact, it was never found. She couldn't ignore the possibility of their father being torn to pieces — impossible to reclaim.
Garrin stared down at his dear sister, a plan forming in his head. From what little information she had offered, one thing didn't correspond with the rumors. The Demon King had no patience to tolerate a pampered princess but, if Zagan's original plan was to usurp the throne and annihilate the royal family...why was Akila still breathing?
His brows furrowed. Zagan wanted something from her and as much as Garrin hated the idea of leaving his sister in the enemy camp, she could be the set of eyes and ears he needed on the inside — a spy. To reclaim the throne, Akila was his key. Zagan wouldn't hurt or kill her, at least not now. His unsuspecting behavior proved that he was protecting his future investment.
Grabbing her shoulders firmly, Garrin bent down until their foreheads touched. "Listen very carefully, we don't have much time." The urgency in his tone made her stiffened. "Zagan will be here soon and it's not safe for me. I want you to stay with him and do whatever he tells you to. Earn his trust you, that's the only way you'll survive."
Confusion and surprise coloured her face, her mouth unhinging to protest but he cut her off. "No, I need you to become my informant. There's no one else I can trust inside the castle, and if we're going to defeat this demon, Ywain and I will need your help. I'll establish a way for us to communicate once I go into hiding. Wait for my message but until then, obey him and don't invite his rage. There's a reason why he's called the Demon King. He's a demon of wrath and there's no telling what he'll do if he goes berserk."
Her eyes misted again, her voice trembling with denial. "You can't mean for me to obey him! You don't know what you're asking of me!" She clutched his arms desperately. "Please, don't leave me. Take me with you! We'll runaway together and fight when the time's right."
Garrin shook her hard enough to rattle her teeth. "I'm serious, Akila! For the sake of our nation, please forgive a useless brother like me." He showed a pained expression. "I promised our mother that I will protect the four of you, but I've already failed our sisters. Here and now, I vow to protect you but, I can't do it without your help. As the crown prince I ask that you stand by me to protect Cronoa." A slight hesitation. "I'm aware that father has left you in the dark for many years and I should have done something about it. Some of his actions...the things he accomplished...they would have disappointed you."
"You knew?" Her question came out a broken whisper.
He nodded. "It pains me to admit it but, our father wasn't an honorable emperor. I've travelled to the fifth region and it's nothing but a barren wasteland. The people have either deserted their homes or are dead."
Akila's eyes widened, her heart slamming against her ribcage. "Tell me that isn't true!"
"It's the truth," he insisted, shy of despair and desperation. "That's why I have to restore and right our father's wrongs. The Demon King's an obstacle to Cronoa's future, and I can't achieve victory without you, Akila. Even if we're apart, we're still fighting together — in our hearts. We have to deal with one problem at a time, like mama used to say."
"If you can't get one thing right, you'll never be able to get anything done," they declared in unison.
Akila released a frustrated breath, knowing she would regret this. "Fine, I'll do it. I'll spy for you."
Garrin's shoulders sagged with relief. "Thank you, sister, I ─"
A beastly roar rented the air, alerting Garrin to the demon's presence. He shoved Akila behind him, drawing out his sword and blocking Zagan's attack with swift dexterity, countering each thrust. "Enmoi wyt ich sadar, Akila!" He shouted over his shoulder.
The dead language of kings! It was a forgotten tongue inherited by their deceased grandmother who sought to pass on her legacy to her grandchildren.
'Remember what I said, Akila.'
Garrin deflected another blow while retrieving a needle from his pocket. Demon suppressants were notoriously difficult to acquire despite their high demand. He managed to secure this one at an exorbitant price. High level demons were hard to capture, explaining why not much were known about them — not their traits, their habits, or weaknesses ─ except once, a demon was caught and experimented on until he or she perished from severe blood loss.
Garrin ducked and stabbed the needle into the demon's thigh, paralysing Zagan's movement. Seizing his chance, he flashed his sister a meaningful look before escaping.
Zagan collapsed in spasms of pain, repressing the agonising cry at the back of his throat. He broke out in cold sweat, writhing like a worm on a hook as lightning bolts streaked through his body. It dragged up unwanted memories of his tormenting childhood, his eyes zeroing on the cause of his suffering. "A—ki—la…!" he gurgled savagely, foaming like a beast around the mouth, his eyes flashing red.
Fear drowned out the world around her as she stared at Zagan's transformation. All the warnings about him flashed through her mind, panic making her light-headed.
Was this the end?
Without permission, a whimper escaped her.