Kobal's brows rose significantly at the possessive claim. In all their years together, Zagan never cared enough to covet something — or anyone — so passionately.
Cursing himself for letting his tongue slip, Zagan cleared his throat. "Besides, I never said I was going to play by the rules."
"That might trigger a war," Kobal stated, deciding to play the ignorant fool. "As the emperor you can no longer make decisions based on your whims. There are factors you need to take into consideration. I know you've never cared about consequences but, this time it's different. If you don't heed my words, you'll destroy Cronoa before we set our people free."
"So be it." Zagan's voice was unapologetically cold. "The humans are none of my concern. As a realist they are a means to an end. To create the dawn of a new era, war is unavoidable. Ideals are for fools and I'm simply abiding time. If these arrogant royal families believe they can destroy me, then I only have to move one step ahead of everyone." The demon in him thrilled with malice. "It's kill or be killed."
Kobal's lips twisted sardonically. "And here I was worried that you might find the role and responsibility troublesome."
Zagan failed to share his mirth, his fists clenching with resolve. "Every day we are one step closer to reaching our goal. I will not fail."
"Speaking of failure," Kobal uttered distractedly, his lean frame against the window as he stared outside. "Where is that stoic faced Balan? It's unusual not to see him clinging to you like a pet monkey."
"He's on a mission." Irritation furrowed his forehead. "Are you deliberately goading me by calling my trusted comrades a puppy and a monkey?"
Kobal couldn't stop his smile. "I thought you didn't care about anyone's opinion."
"I don't. But coming from you, it's downright annoying."
The smile grew wider. "Whatever Balan's mission is, it must be important."
Zagan hesitated, setting down his pheasant quill. "It's more of a precaution against Akila who has encountered the Duke of Ryre's man. It's a matter of time before that loathsome human tries to worm his way back into the castle. Before that happens, we'll be ready to catch and kill him."
Kobal's untimely chuckle broke the simmering tension, his attention riveted on the courtyard below. "Does your concubine happen to possess lustrous black hair?"
"Yes, why do you ask?" Zagan frowned, realizing Kobal's nose was pressed up against the window. "Remove your disgusting face off my window this instant."
As usual, the demon ignored him. "Because she's currently engaged in a heated argument with a fellow demon." An appreciative low whistle. "You failed to describe how beautiful she looks even from afar — you sly devil."
"What the hell is going on?" Zagan shot out of his seat and marched over, throwing the windows wide open. Down in the courtyard, the little lamb stood toe to toe with a demon thrice her size. Her body language conveyed anger but, it also suggested her protectiveness over the cowering maid behind her.
"The little fool!" he cursed, shoving off and running out the study.
Kobal watched him disappear at the speed of light, his lids lowering with suspicion. "How interesting..." He returned his attention to the unfolding scene below. "And here I thought you're still the same cold demon, Zagan."
---------------
A few hours earlier…
"Stop being foolish!" Akila chastised her reflection while combing her hair. "This isn't the time to be upset. You have to find a way out of this place. There must be another way to help Garrin without staying here indefinitely."
Except it was easier said than done, she sighed ruefully.
She had been worried sick that Zagan might have impregnated her but, relief came in the form of her monthly this morning. Her feminine pride was still bruised by his callousness, though she hadn't seen him since the night he took her virginity. She wavered between the need for a good cry or clawing out the demon's eyes. Perhaps both. It would make her feel much better.
Despite vowing not to let him hurt her again, it was hard to convince her heart not to care. Was she naïve for believing Zagan was capable of affection? Of love? It dwelled in the back of her mind — the gentle way he touched her…the way he caressed her and brought her to orgasm. Again, and again.
If he was pure evil, he would have raped her and be done with it. His actions failed to reflect his reputation. She couldn't accept it. He had to be lying or he truly wasn't aware.
A soft knock sounded on her door.
"Come in," she called out hesitantly, wondering who it was.
Bennu entered with a lunch tray, the female's expression uncharacteristically grim. Routinely she would walk in like a soldier headed off to war, her attitude higher than the tallest mountain. Akila wondered what bothered the demoness today.
"Are you feeling alright?" she asked gently, twisting in her seat.
"It's none of your concern!" Bennu snapped, her mouth curled in distaste as she forcefully set the tray down with a loud thunk.
Akila refused to flinch. "Are you sure? You look—"
"What do I look like?" Bennu marched right to her face; hands planted on her hips. "A pampered princess like you doesn't have the right to guess my feelings. Why don't you take care of your own situation before you stick your nose in my business!"
Taken aback by Bennu's hostility, Akila gaped as the demoness slammed the door shut behind her.
"What in the world just happened?" she breathed.
Her concern for the demoness was genuine but, Bennu's rebuke was a slap in the face. It was true she didn't have the luxury of worrying for others, however, Akila was raised by a mother who believed that no matter how badly she was treated, she should only retaliate with kindness and compassion.
"Channel your anger into an act of kindness," her mother had advised. "Revenge only begets revenge. The cycle never ends. A wounded soul makes the loudest noise — a cry for help even if they deny it. All you need to be is patient, kind and forgiving."
Suddenly, Akila experienced a revelation. Perhaps she had been going about this the wrong way. Her older sister Sevia once scolded her for being stubborn and unwilling to change. It was time to see things in a different light, not clinging to the past. History couldn't be unwritten, but the future wasn't set in stone.
An idea took shape in her head. The only way to confirm her theory was to test it out. After lunch, she visited the royal gardens to tend to her mother's rose bed. Thankfully, it was left undestroyed during the demon raid. As a child, she watched her mother care for her beautiful plants.
"Mama, why do you love roses so much?" the young Akila had asked.
"Because roses were the first present your father ever gave to me. You may not believe me, but your father wasn't always who he is today. Once upon a time, he was clumsy and suffered from bouts of anxiety. It was part of his foolish charm." Her mother stroke one of the blooming petals. "Roses are pure and beautiful. It reminds me of a different time — one without woes."
Back then Akila didn't understand her mother's meaning. Now, as she stood breathing in the sweet, sentimental fragrance of blooming roses, her loneliness abated. Pulling on her gardening gloves, she slapped on a wide brim hat and began to work.
Hours later when her back started to ache, she heard a loud noise that curdled her blood. A woman's strained voice carried in the wind followed by an angry man's shouting. They were arguing and clearly the female was being overpowered and browbeaten into defeat. Rising to her feet, Akila hunted the voices down, peeking over a tall hedge to see Bennu being manhandled by a beefy man.
She contemplated the sensibility of interfering when the male struck Bennu and sent the maid sprawling to the ground.
Akila saw red.
Her legs were moving before her mind could process her rashness. "How dare you!" she shouted furiously, dashing in front of the weeping demoness, her arms spread wide in a protective stance. "What do you think you're doing? I don't know who you are, sir, but you have gone too far by hitting a woman!"
"Shut your trap, human!" the male snarled, revealing the sharp points of his fangs. "This is none of your hoity-toity business."
"Of course, you're a demon," Akila scoffed, knowing not the source of her bravery. "Are you part of the castle staff?" she promptly demanded, her dislike for the demon intensifying by the minute. She didn't like how he was looking at her, as if contemplating his next meal.
"What will you do? Boot me out?" the demon taunted with mocking laughter. "I'd like to see you try, tiny human."
"Please leave the castle this instance or I will have you dragged out."
"Why do you protect her? She's a demon and you're a human."
Akila's brows furrowed, her expression puzzled. "Why does it matter? Bennu is my maid and it's only natural for me to protect her. I won't stand for your mistreatment. I may be clueless about demon culture but a male who abuses the weaker sex is nothing but a coward!"
"I'll show you who's a coward!" The enraged demon hauled her up by the collar. There was a sharp tear, but Akila had more pressing concerns than a ruined dress. Oh boy! What a mess she had gotten herself into.
Her feet dangled helplessly, trying to find purchase with the ground as she stared at the demon's sprouting horns. The same had happened to Zagan when he was angry. Fear — raw and brutal — bloomed in the pit of her stomach, but she was determined to uphold her sense of justice and belief even if she had to die for it.
The demon's eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared, breathing her in. "Woman, you have a peculiar scent. Are you a blood priestess?"
"Blood priestess?" Akila forced out, still struggling in his grip. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Is that so? Well, I guess I'll just have to rip your throat out to find out." The demon licked his fangs and attacked.
Eyes squeezed shut, Akila braced for the pain that never came. Cracking an eye open, she gasped at the sight of a tall, dark stranger with a blade against the demon's neck. With hair as black as midnight, cropped short to his ears, he exuded an aura of admirable stealth. Death too. Awe filled her as she realised he had stopped the rampant demon in the nick of time.
"Let her go," he commanded in a low, ominous voice.
The demon obeyed. Akila winced as her backside hit the ground and surprisingly, Bennu assisted her to her feet. They shared a bleak but thankful look.
"You dare to lay a finger on His Majesty's concubine, sparus?" Her saviour demanded in silent anger, having no need to raise his voice. "Your inflated attitude and vulgar morals disgust me. Give me one reason not to kill you where you stand."
"Lord Balan!" The demon seemed to shrink before them, paralyzed by fear. "Please, forgive me! I didn't know this human belongs to Zagan."
"His Majesty," Balan corrected, drawing blood with a nudge of his blade.
"I-I'm sorry! I meant, His Majesty. I had no idea." The demon gulped nervously. "I'm here for Bennu. I'm not here to harm the emperor's concubine, I—" His entire body exploded.
Akila flinched as something soft and wet splattered on her face. The scene that unfolded was a visual shock that sent her mind reeling. Bennu's screams rang in her ears, as a geyser of flesh and blood rained upon them, painting the courtyard red. "Wha—" She could hardly stammer out a demand. "What the hell just happened?"
Grimly, Balan turned to face his long-time comrade and emperor. "I wish you would refrain from using that unpleasant trick, Your Majesty." He shook the blood off his sword and plucked pieces of flesh from his clothes. "It's tedious to clean up this mess."
Following Balan's gaze, Akila found Zagan stalking towards them with a frightening scowl etched onto his face. It succeeded in chasing away her momentary fear, replaced by outrage. "How could you kill him!"
"He dared to touch you!" Zagan roared, looking ready to tear the demon apart all over again.
Akila blinked, feeling touched by his protection yet uncertain about his savagery.
Realizing he had said too much, Zagan took a deep breath, reigning in his temper. "What were you thinking? To confront a demon who was bigger than you! I never took you for a fool."
His ire ignited her own. "I haven't seen you in a week and this is all you have to say to me? I won't be bullied by you." She poked a finger into his chest, unintimidated that she was a head shorter than him. "And don't use that tone of voice with me!"
Startled by her outburst and aware they were being watched; Zagan muttered under his breath about troublesome females before seizing her hand. "Come with me, we need to talk."