I hide behind a wall, stretching my lips in a smile as I overhear Abaddon's conversation with Ariel. I'm amused, because I assumed that my beloved wouldn't ignore it, and cut a chat with the demon who intends to help me.
- ...That's not true, Lord," the brunet explained, looking at Abaddon with terrified eyes.
- So why did Mania set you free? Everyone knows her nature. She would have killed you even if you actually turned out to be innocent.
Ariel is silent for a long moment. I'm sure he won't tell the truth. He will do it for the sake of Sachmet, who agreed to help me to protect her brother. He will not siphon off his beloved.
- You are right, sire. I agreed to the Queen's proposal, even though I didn't want it at all. I was simply afraid that I would drive her to anger.
- Be assured that I will protect you from her if you actually don't want to help her. You have my support, Ariel. Mania won't be able to do anything to you.
I feel like bursting into laughter, but I barely restrain myself. I put my hand to my mouth, suppressing the laughter inside me.
It's funny, really.
I quietly walk away so as not to betray my presence. Heading down the corridor, I stop mid-step when my attention is caught by a painting that is destroyed. This beautiful work of art that Seth created for me, immortalizing how I bathed in blood, has been entirely ruined.
- I've been waiting for the day when you get your memories back so I can start a fight with you. - I look to the side, and squint as I spot Irene standing with a knife in her hand. It was with this tool that she destroyed my beloved painting. - In the past, thanks to Abaddon, you managed to survive and meted out only punishment. For years your soul wandered and centuries later you were finally reborn. This time it will not be so, Mania. You will be annihilated.
I cross my arms over my chest and snort under my breath, looking at her haughtily.
- Your courage intrigues me, Irene.
- I should be the one to direct these words to you. You understand, I now have a huge advantage over you. You are an ordinary Faerie, while I have long ago attained the highest rank in hell. You should be concerned, Mania. I am not an ordinary Demon. Not for enemies.
I curve my lips in a tart smile.
- You have always been able to be crafty. As an Angel, you were the best guardian of heaven, so you are indeed ambitious.
Irene walks closer to me without looking away.
- As the highest-ranking Demon, I have superior knowledge. I was able to restore Abaddon when, as an angel, he gave his life for you.
- It's funny, because in the memories of my reincarnation I see that you did the same thing for him, that's why you became a Demon. It must have hit you when he decided to make such a sacrifice for me," I reply in an amused voice.
Irene nervously plays with the knife in her hand.
- You're right, it hit me when I found out what he was planning. I didn't give him my wings for him to do it for you. Fortunately, you shared that innocence with Seth, so it doesn't hurt me so much anymore. You are not an Angel, but only a Faerie.
I press my lips together, feeling the anger rising within me.
- The fact that I am Faerie in no way makes me weaker. I have no idea under what circumstances you will try to annihilate me, but know that I will not allow the prophecy to come true. This place, power, and Abaddon are mine.
The brunette mirrors me with her eyes. I can see that my attitude is driving her crazy. She would like me to feel fear.
Her misfortune. I am the Queen of the Underworld.
- Before I came here, I found information in hell on how to annihilate you. No worries, Mania. I appeared here, being prepared to fight you. - A strange feeling of anxiety overpowers my body for a moment. - It has reached me that you are trying to regain your former strength with the help of Ariel. That's what I'm waiting for, so that we can have an even fight.
- Why are you waiting for that? Then why don't you kill me right now if you know the way? As a Faerie, I am a fragile opponent.
- I'm the type of Demon who doesn't kill the weak. I like to have enemies as equals.
- Abaddon, however, is concerned that I will then become stronger than you. So why aren't you afraid of that?
Irene sighs loudly, then replies:
- He just loves me so much that sometimes he panics too much.
When she turns her back on me and walks away, humming a tune under her breath, I feel like attacking her, but I can't, because at this point I would be without a chance.
*
I need to get all the anger out of me, so as soon as Seth crosses the threshold of his chamber, where I have been waiting for him for a long time. I grab his hand and forcefully push him onto the bed. The boy does not react to this in any way, he lets me do whatever I want with him.
I sit on top of him with my arms around him and kiss him passionately, unbuttoning his pants.
- What's wrong, Queen? I see you are not in the mood," he says between kisses. Eventually, he spoils the mood, so I get off him and sit down next to him. I stare furiously at the wall in front of me.
- Irene, that crazy bitch had the nerve to threaten me," I reply, pulling my hair back.
Seth rises to a sitting position and looks at me with caring eyes.
- You don't have to be afraid of her, my Queen. Sachmet has agreed to help me to annihilate her. For you, we will do anything.
I look at his handsome face and force a slight smile.
- My Seth is always ready to do anything for me.
- I am able to give my life for you if it is needed. I just want the woman I love to be safe. Nothing else matters to me.
- I know you will do anything for me, Seth. - I stroke his cheek, proud of the words he spoke.
A knock sounds at the door. The boy opens, and lets in the guests, who look around before going inside. Sachmet and Ariel stand in front of me, looking concerned.
- What's going on? - I ask, looking at them suspiciously.
- The King thinks that I'm going to help you regain your former strength, Queen," the Demon speaks up. - I realized that it was a lie to conceal the truth, so I lied to the King. I told him that I was forced to do it because I am afraid to refuse you.
I like the fact that he doesn't hide from me the conversation he had with Abaddon some time ago.
- Bottom line. You told him well.
- So what is your plan, Queen? - Sachmet asks, glancing at his brother. She is only doing this for his sake. The twins' love is adorable.
- Irene thinks she is fighting a battle with me. Let her still think that. It will be a nice sight when she is attacked in the back.
Seth sits down next to me on the bed, but my attention does not escape the fact that he is watching Ariel at all times. Probably he would prefer that the man remain in the cell.
- You don't have to look at me like that. I know that it was you who talked nonsense about me to the Queen," the brunet turns to him. - I do not intend to harm you. You are the brother of my beloved.
Sachmet smiles slightly, and embraces Ariel's hand. I roll my eyes at this sight. I have no desire to watch their amorous rapture.
- I don't suppose you came here to present me with your love? Leave it to yourselves, damn it, when you are alone.
The girl lets go of her beloved's hand, reminding herself of my presence. She seems to have forgotten that she is just in front of the Queen.
- Sorry.
- I trust you and believe that you will protect me. At this point Sachmet is much stronger than Seth, who like me is Faerie, but you are twins and when you join forces, Irene will be without a chance.
- Is it actually enough just to have our strength? - Sachmet asks.
- No," I answer immediately. - We need the woman who centuries ago helped me disentangle a piece of my soul. I let her go, because it was thanks to her that we regained our memories. She is hiding from Abaddon, far from the castle.
- So how do we find it? It's going to be difficult," Ariel claims.
I cross my arms over my chest and raise my eyebrows.
- In my dictionary there is no such thing as: difficult - I announce. - No worries. I suspect where she is hiding and will go there personally.
- I can go, Queen," Seth claims, looking at me with puppy eyes.
- No, because Sarahama trusts only me. I, personally, have to visit her. - I get out of bed and head for the door without a word. - We don't have time. We have to start acting already.
- Should I go with you, Queen? - Seth doesn't let up. Occasionally, he is too pushy, which drives me crazy.
- After all, I indicated that I have to visit her in person," I answer him in a raised tone. - Stay in the castle and wait for further instructions.
*
With my hood over my head, I hurriedly headed through the forest, unafraid of danger. At this point, it is irresponsible of me as the Queen to take the dangerous path alone when the people of the Underworld want to kill me, especially since I don't have my mighty power. But this is the only way Sarahama will remain trusting of me.
I must take risks if I would like to annihilate Irene and regain my power. Otherwise, I will be the one who disappears for eternity, without the possibility of rebirth. I can't let that happen. The underground world is mine. I won't leave my place to the treacherous bitch, I won't let her take my throne, living happily by my man's side.
I am Mania. The legendary Queen who doesn't know what mercy is. It's time to regain your former power.
I look around before opening the door of the wooden house, which is located in the middle of the forest. This place is only visible to people Sarahama trusts. At this point, I am probably the only person.
- It's me, Mania," I announce as I cross the threshold of the dark interior. The light of the kerosene lamp that Sarahama holds in her hand flares up in the corner of the room. - I am alone.
- Queen. - The woman bows low to me to show respect. - Did the dust in the wine make the soul find you?
- Yes, I got my memories back.
Sarahama shows me a place to sit down. She kneels in front of my feet, looking expectantly.
- So what brings you here, Queen?
- Your help is the only thing I can count on. You probably know the prophecy that says I will die at the hands of Irene. I intend to change that. I want to annihilate her, but I no longer possess my mighty power as a Faerie.
- There is nothing I can do to give it back to you.
- I know, but annihilating Irene will restore my former strength. - Sarahama looks intrigued. - I would like to use the twins to sacrifice themselves for me. Together, they are powerful, and your power potion will make them stronger than Irene. They will win against her.
- And they will disappear like they did thousands of years ago," Sarahama adds.
- I know.
The woman's gaze becomes uncertain, but I know that she will not refuse me in any way.
- Queen, this potion has been tried in the past, and you know what it led to. Are you really ready to use it again?
- I have to take a risk, Sarahama, if I want to rule this world for all eternity. There is no mistaking it this time.
The woman rises from the floor and, holding an oil lamp, opens one of the dusty cabinets. My eyes flash with fire as I spot a vial with a red liquid inside. She hands it to me, then kneels in front of my legs again.
- But before you use it on the twins, Queen, think back to the past....