I sit on the bed, with my hands resting on the mattress, and with a grim smile on my face, I look into the reflection of the mirror. For ages, I have been waiting for the moment when I would get my body back, and thanks to Sarahama's help, I am myself again.
It was my idea to hide her soul in a bottle of wine. I knew Abaddon wouldn't touch it, as he is a collector. He has separate shelves for liquor that serve as decoration in his wine cellar, and separate shelves for alcohol for refreshments.
My body spontaneously found the bottle. After opening it, I released my soul, which was my safeguard if I could not return to my body. Sarahama, as my faithful devotee, waited for me locked up for centuries before finally leaving. I had to hide her well, because Abaddon would have sensed her in any room, and no doubt would have gotten rid of her immediately, since she was the person he hated the most.
I throw my hair over my shoulders, as the door to the chamber is opened. My man steps inside, but stops at the threshold of the door when he senses something is wrong.
He looks at me with penetrating eyes, which brings a wide smile to my face. I rise from the bed and move gracefully toward him, waiting for the moment to embrace his body again. I miss it so much... I miss his warmth.
- Dearest, I missed so much. - My hug is definitely strong, as if I'm afraid, he will escape me shortly. - You are mine again.
- Mania... - His voice sounds anxious. I hear him swallow his saliva hard, and I close my eyelids, snuggling my face into his chest.
Its beautiful fragrance is what I missed the most.
- How did you manage to return to your body?
- For me nothing is impossible, dearest. The time has come when the two of us will rule the underground world again.
Abaddon is trying to push me away, but I am adamant, and I am not going to let him. I've waited too long for this moment to not be able to enjoy his proximity now.
- Don't even try to push me away, darling. You would rather not make me angry right after we met again, do you?
The man tightens his lips, wondering what could have happened that I managed to return to my body in such a short time.
- Let's talk.
- I would rather not talk now. I want to kiss you first. - I squeeze his chin in my hand, intending to press my lips to his mouth, but he turns his face away at the last moment. I look at his profile, forcing a smile. - Behave yourself, Abaddon. Remember that you must obey me so that I don't raise hell in the palace.
- It's been ages, and you still have an obsessive affection for me. It's not love. I thought that maybe after so long you would come to your senses, but you are still the same, Mania.
I stroke his face with my hand, unable to stop gloating at the sight of him.
- It's not obsessive desire. You are my destiny, Abaddon. We share a strong bond. We are more than a thousand years of marriage. That can't just be deleted.
- Have you already forgotten what hell I put you through before we were punished?
I press him against the wall, looking at him with frantic eyes.
- By me, Abaddon? Are you sure about that? And wasn't it you who broke my heart, falling in love with that innocent Angel? After all, you tried to protect me when you realized that it was because of you that I fell in love. So why do you claim otherwise now?
- It was your behavior that led me to get fed up with you. There was a reason I fell in love with a woman who was as delicate as a flower.
I throw a hateful glance at him, unable to accept the fact that he has just confessed to my face that Irene is as delicate as a flower.
- So she is the rose petals, and I am the thorny stem?
- You brought this about yourself.
I squint my eyes, then snort haughtily, moving away from him. I mirror him with my eyes, and it hits me when he doesn't even look me in the eye for a moment.
- Why do you avoid my gaze? Are you afraid of me, Abaddon?
- It's because of a sense of regret that I created a monster out of you.
I burst into artificial laughter, finding his behavior quite charming.
- So I'll get your heart back any minute, just let me take care of your mistress first. I'll get you writhing in my arms.
I'm about to leave, but a panicked Abaddon grabs my hand, not allowing me to leave.
- Irene is no longer an Angel. Now she is a powerful Demon who is prophesied to annihilate you. Don't start a war with her, Mania, because I will have to protect you, and I will probably suffer in the process.
I look at him obliquely, feeling amused when I hear the last sentence come out of his mouth.
- So we will die together. Even if I have to die, I will take you with me. I won't let you live happily by Irene's side. Never.
I snatch my hand from his grasp, then leave the chamber, smiling grimly as I head down the corridor, feeling the terrified gazes of my subjects on me. They sense that my soul has returned. They squirm with fear at the thought that I will unleash hell again, killing anyone who opposes me.
My long gown and hair are blown away by the wind as I open the main door and stand at the top of the stairs, looking at the gloomy surroundings with superiority. I close my eyelids and gloat in that gloomy air, feeling how much I've missed it.
This world is mine again.
*
It's a fantastic feeling, when I have the opportunity to spend time again in the company of demons that are part of my past. Sitting at the top of the table, I put grapes in my blood-red mouth, enjoying the view of chaos. Only Abaddon and his flower-delicate Irene are not among us. I know that he is now trying to protect her, terrifyingly worried that I won't get her.
Nevertheless, I feel fulfilled when I look at the woman I like as the only one in this castle. The presence of Sachmet and her brother, fills me with wild joy. Seth doesn't take his lustful gaze off me, and I'm only now realizing how much I've missed him.
My lover is the most incredible character in this world. He at least sincerely loves me.
I shift my gaze to the confused, handsome man, who stands at the threshold of the door, afraid to go inside. He watches us with confused eyes, and his mouth is silent. Apparently, he is disturbed by the diabolical behavior of Sachmet, who is all too sexually seducing the blond-haired demon sitting next to her. When her gaze finally finds the brunet, she pushes the hitherto harassed man away from her and focuses all her attention on Ariel.
She slowly rises from her chair, facing him. I take a bite of the grapes, not taking my eyes off them. I guess that in a moment a rather interesting show will unfold, since centuries ago they were dramatic lovers.
The lord of the wind, who is sometimes good and sometimes bad, betrayed the underworld at the worst point of the war, causing a powerful gale and fleeing like a coward. Now he has the audacity to appear before us as if nothing had happened.
I curve my lips in a tart smile, as he unexpectedly falls to his knees and lowers his face, looking at the floor.
- I don't know how I may have come back, but Mrs. I am not a traitor. I would never turn my back on you. The other day.... I simply disappeared.
Sachmet looks at him with painful eyes, and tears appear in her eyes as she turns to face me. I know she wants to beg me for mercy for him. He is still her weakness.
My loyal subject, a friend, actually turned out to be a scumbag, stabbing me and Abaddon in the back. Apparently, he reported everything to Lucifer.
- Take him to the dungeons," I announce, then shift my gaze to Sekhmet. - Don't look at me like that. This is my most merciful gesture. I'm doing it for you.
The demons take Ariel away under my command, and I sit down on the throne, no longer paying attention to Sachmet, who is distressed. She unexpectedly leaves the room, presumably following her treacherous lover.
Seth gets up from the table and walks over to me, and my breast is flooded with a pleasant wave of warmth, as I look closely at his beautiful face.
- Did you miss me? - I ask, stroking the boy's cheek. - Shouldn't I reward you for remaining faithful to me all these years?
The demon with a captivating appearance humbly lowers his head.
- My longing cannot be described in words. I would like to paint you again, dearest," he replies in a whisper.
A door that is opened too wide causes it to hit the wall, catching my attention. I raise my eyebrows, and my gentle gaze turns into a gaze full of hatred when I notice Abaddon holding Irene's hand. At this sight, I snort haughtily, thinking it's funny that he has already started protecting her.
- Will you watch her twenty-four hours a day?
- I don't need to. Now she is strong enough to defend herself from you.
I am so furious that it boils from the inside. At this point, I feel like throwing myself at Irene and tearing her apart in the most vicious way, but I am calmed down by a hand that covers my arm.
He has that effect on me again. Seth's touch makes me mellow. He is my medicine.
- Mania, you understand you have not loved me for a long time. It is simply your desire to have the best of everything that makes you fight for me. You wanted to kill Irene to get revenge for having the audacity to put you aside, and you wanted to be the most important one in my eyes. Is that not the case?
I force a smile because he hit the nail on the head.
- Your speech will not make me let you live happily by Irene's side. The title of Queen belongs only to me. I am the one who is your wife, Abaddon.
- And that will never change, but understand in the end that we both love other people. We should still rule the Underground World together, but as friends, and leave the amorous raptures to the people we really want.
Abaddon's words amuse me to tears, but I don't show it in public. I stew it all inside, intending to play a rather cruel game.
- As you wish," I reply with indifference in my voice, shrugging my shoulders. - If I remain your Queen, it's all the same to me who you will love.
I can see that my man is wrinkling his eyebrows, not believing my words. He is confused and doesn't trust me.
- What are you up to this time, Mania?
- Why would I? - I get up from the throne, still not taking my hand from Seth's grasp. - I'll decide to be calm for now, but I don't know what tomorrow may shoot into my head. I may feel like cruelly trampling your delicate flower.
Irene pierces me with a hostile gaze, which makes me feel excited about the upcoming fight.
- Mania, this time any cruel tactics can turn against you. A lot has changed.
- Excellent, Abaddon.
Pulling Seth behind me, I head in their direction. When we are next to them, I stop mid-step.
- The rose is the easiest to destroy. Just tear off the petals one by one," I say in a quiet but ominous voice.
With a smile on my face, I leave the room with Seth, intending to relax properly at the side of my handsome lover.