He was furious, all the while he had been nurturing his relationship with Stolas to keep him and use him to climb the rungs of royalty –now he had to share him with her sister, and worse; he would be doomed to only become a duke, and that with enough luck and the best of timings.
—What the hell?! —Stella and Andrealphus couldn't help but shout at the same time once Paimon left—.
Andrealphus knew he would have to be smart if he wanted to get ahead of his sister. But his mind was now focused on all the moments where Stolas mentioned marrying Stella, and he always interpreted it as a strange childish and foolish crush; so much in fact, that Andrealphus always thought that he was only interested in her to deny his interest in men, something that Stolas never left in doubt with his extravagant way of being. He was sure of this completely.
But now everything made sense, Stolas always knew his responsibility as Goetia. And now with his sister in the way, he had to tread carefully if he wanted to continue manipulating his future brother-in-law and use his future influence to get as high as he could, at the cost of death. He would walk over his sister if necessary.
However, Andrealphus had a certain affection for his sister –he saw her as inferior to him, and with a certain tenderness he cared for her. But all that affection disappeared the moment he knew the truth, now that she was his rival.
On the other side of the matter, Stella ran to her room trying to contain her tears while her mother went behind her, calling and crying out her name to give her an opportunity to atone for her sorrows, explaining the motivation behind such a cruel deception. But Stella refused to listen to her, slamming the door of her room in her mother's face and throwing herself on the bed to cry.
But the truth is only found in the little details, Stella wasn't sad about the lie, she wasn't crying about her recently revealed fate. She cried for Andras and losing him forever.
She loved Andras almost as much as she loved her parents and her brother, she was capable of whatever it took to make them proud of her; no matter what she had to do –even marry someone who wasn't him. But now that she must lose one or the other, the stake was too great for her, and she wasn't going to play it.
Stella had grown up almost all her life with one conviction in mind, to wear the Goetia name with pride, but she cared more for her family who had had the misfortune to be born so low in the chain of command. But now these convictions made her feel a million times worse with this pain she now felt -while another part of her mind reminded her of details from her past that now made sense, only making the way she felt an even stronger sorrow.
Her aristocratic studies, the cultivation of the different customs of each ring of hell, the etiquette of royal behaviour; her speaks and dress. She always thought that they were her parents giving her a special treatment and superior to that of her relatives for mere love and hopes placed on her, but she realized little by little that this was nothing more than part of her preparation for the predestined end.
She remembered the times that Stolas bothered her or tried to please her at family gatherings and parties. She remembered her brother taking care of her when she was fed up with his presence, she remembered how little she knew and wanted to know about him, and how she would now have the rest of her life to spare, to find out something she didn't even wanted to know.
She remembered her mother's words one day before that birthday «The tenth birthday is the most important in a Goetia», everything that had happened until now fell into her mind like pieces of a puzzle where the final image was herself. But one piece was missing to complete the picture. That missing piece was her heart.
Her mind went back to Andras and their times together. What would she tell him? How would she tell him? But the most important thing was, what will he say?
Andras is a violent demon by nature, and since he already had plans for rebellion –she was afraid that it would provoke in him a blind thirst for revenge that would cause her to lose him forever. Even from that moment she already thought about keeping her relationship with him a secret, even after she was married, but if she was discovered, the shame that would fall on her parents was a price that she was not willing to pay. The rest of the day she would spend considering her options, and Paimon's words. If she thought of disobeying, it would mean her banishment; Or worse yet, the possibility of losing her parents forever.
Her crying could be heard throughout the palace as night fell.
The days passed and Stella was avoiding Andras during that time, giving the excuse that her birthday was coming up and she wanted to plan something special with him, but she had to keep it a secret until now. In the meantime, Andrealphus did the same with Stolas, extending the date of his next visit on the grounds that they were making special arrangements for his sister's 17th birthday and therefore there was no time for his «classes».
Thus, the day arrived and overnight it was Stella's 17th birthday, and everyone would see each other once again for one last big celebration before starting the preparations for the future wedding. At Stella's request, this party would take place in her own home, this as a strategy on her part for what she had planned.
The entire Goetian monarchy would attend this party, it was surprising to see so many demons in one place, King Asmodeus courting everyone who spoke to him. Employee or royalty. Paimon showing off his most recent order received by Lucifer to the others close to him while they listened with disinterest. And all the aristocratic crap you can imagine was taking place at that moment.
A beautiful snow-white cake with delicate black and pink decorations adorned the centre of the event room. Musicians delicately played harmonious waltz melodies, and everything went in perfect harmony and order.
Stella's parents, meanwhile, entertained Crocell and told him how grateful they were for such an opportunity for Stella, praising his support and humility for them. Crocell wouldn't buy a word they said, but he pretended to care to keep them in a false state of security where he could spy on them more adequately without making them defensive.
Only one person was missing from this party, the star of the night and the reason why all this theatre was up.
—Stella, my love. I didn't make you out to be the kind of person who sneaks into the shadows of others for a little fun.
—Andras, I told you not to speak until we reach my room, if they discover us, it's the end.
Stella and Andras were outside the palace, hiding among the garden plants as they made their way to the birthday girl's bedroom window. Which, she had left open beforehand in anticipation of her crime.
Both couldn't help but let out a mischievous laugh as they entered the room in the most awkward way imagined by man, because of the ostentatious outfits they wore for the occasion.
Andras wore military garb from the time a thousand eternities ago, when the first war with God had been waged. A family treasure that he kept from his great-grandfather Bael, who helped in the final mission that would assassinate God himself.
Stella brought with her a beautiful black dress that in the light of the hellish moon showed a faint shimmering scarlet tint, with a neckline striking even for the purest of minds and for the lack of sleeves, gloves of the same shade that reached her elbows.
Climbing the window, Stella landed on Andras, and between murmured laughter they got up and ran to her bed.
—If you only knew how long I've waited for this, my love.
—All in good time. There is something I must tell you first.
—I'm sure it can wait. —He answered as he lunged towards Stella, kissing her neck and beak over and over without being reciprocated—.
—Andras, please. This is something you should know.
—Tell me while I make you mine, dear Stella. —Andras was still insatiable, forcing Stella down on the bed while she tried to push him to keep her distance—.
—Understand Andras, I will marry Stolas. —Stella said as fast as she could before he silenced her again with another kiss—.
While Andras was taken aback by what he heard, Stella continued talking as she finally got rid of him and they sat on the edge of the bed again, to talk about it.
—Paimon came to the palace a few days ago to ask how my relationship with Stolas was going, because seven years ago my marriage with him had been arranged, but my parents never told me.
—But this is unheard of! Besides, we already have each other.
—I know dear, but if I don't do this, it's sure he'll kill my parents and surely you as well. That's why I wanted tonight to be so special, so I ask and implore you, please, after today, don't see me again. If something were to happen to you, I would never forgive myself. And please abandon those ideas of power, I promise you that as soon as I am a princess, I will have you by my side and then we will see each other again and plan a new life.
—And be the second option? Of that... good for nothing prince? I will never leave you, Stella, much less my plans to destroy this foolish monarchy. So, stop being a Goetia, we will make a new family.
—Please love. Do it for me.
—You ask me for the impossible, I will always be by your side. Until my last breath. You are the infernal flame that burns in my chest on the coldest nights. And my hope in the darkest sorrows.
—My beloved Andras...
Stella finally kissed Andras again. It was a kiss of pain and agony mixed with love and care. A kiss so passionate, that words were few to describe the sensations that Stella felt at that moment, knowing that it would probably be the only time that she could be this way with him for the rest of her life. Little by little the kiss became more and more intense like the fire in which a Phoenix burns as they both succumbed to the emotions of the moment and began to undress each other. Their hands touched their naked bodies from top to bottom, feeling each other like a pair of blind people who, lacking their sight, wanted to see by touch everything in front of them. Their hearts beat intensely as they began to coordinate like two drops of water falling from the same faucet. The garments lay spread out like rags and the bedclothes became a mere suggestion due to their wild movements. Moans of pleasure came from Stella each time Andras found a new place on her body that he hadn't kissed yet. And this in the ears of her lover only told him that she wanted more, and that she was only his that night.
Little by little the flame grew more intense as Andras performed the most exquisite oral sex on her, eating each part until it was dry and moistened in place by his saliva. In exchange, Stella's body asked him for more while she was physically seen throbbing, demanding that he continued, to which Andras, like the perfect soldier, obeyed without question.
And as usual, on the other side of the palace, Stolas and Andrealphus were discussing recent developments in their lives and their studies. Andrealphus pretended to pay attention while Stolas talked endlessly about one thing or another.
During the previous days, Andrealphus had planned to use his sister's party to plan his final strategy to keep Stolas from her and take power himself.
Stolas had already been building emotions for Andrealphus more than for Stella, he just needed a little push to take the next step.
—And a human game that I discovered that is very curious, is that they take a number at random, and if it is even, they divide it by two and if it is odd, they multiply it by three and subtract one, then they would repeat the process with the result of the operation. A certain Collatz invented it or so I heard them say. The point is to find a number that doesn't give up on reaching 1, but it's impossible! A pity that in a few years they'll end up in war. Humans are so creative.
—So, you already master the use of your Grimoire, so young and you already fulfil your tasks of a Goetia. —Andrealphus seduced him with words of encouragement—. A toast to this.
—And Stella? My father will surely want to see the status of our relationship now that in a year we will be married. —Stolas asked as he drank another cup of wine—.
—Stella must be around being the centre of attention as usual.
And well she was the centre of attention, but of a single person.
—Andras, let me feel you, I want to remember the feeling of your body against mine before I never see you again.
Both continued their carnal act while the moonlight penetrated through the window and illuminated the dark room where only two shadows could be seen playing at touching and loving each other, two bodies that, as if they were going to disappear tomorrow, took advantage of the moment to please their wishes.
Hell had never seen such genuine love between two demons, making the union of these two beings sacrosanct in flesh and being. A piece of heaven in a land of the damned.
Stella continued her moans while Andras continued to take advantage of every part of her body in its entirety, and the music of the party served as a silencer, preventing Stella's moans from escaping through the main door warning the unwary.
Even upon penetration, Stella was completely ecstatic as a stubborn tear came out of her being. Enjoying what she knew would be the single best night of her life, and she delivered her first time; to her first love.
Stella's warm interior was enough to drive Andras crazy who showed his ecstasy with the subtle gestures on his face, while Stella smiled through mischievous tears at her lover, holding his neck even when she was resting on the bed. Crossing his legs against her, like wishing he'd never leave.
Across the palace, Andrealphus continued to slowly get his brother-in-law drunk, Stolas losing more and more of his logical awareness and giving way to his emotional self.
—Stolas, my poor Stolas. This family just treats you badly, just because of your clear superiority. Poor fools who refuse before your power.
Andrealphus dedicated himself to flattering him while little by little he touched him seductively. And Stolas, who was fighting between being nervous or not with Andrealphus' advances, tried to calm down with more alcohol, getting the opposite effect.
—The noise of all these people and the music have me fed up, aren't you too, Stolas? Let's go to my bedroom, to rest from all this fallacy.
And they both went to Andrealphus' room, which as if that wasn't enough, was on the way to Stella's. It was the work of a miracle that the intimate scandal of the two went unnoticed as they headed to their destination.
Entering the room, Andrealphus took Stolas' coat and cloak and hung them on the rack; and as Andrealphus closed the door, Stolas turned immediately and pinned his brother-in-law against it.
—Oh~ Stolas, you finally show your true colours.
Without answering a single word, Stolas began to kiss Andrealphus wildly as he spread his legs apart. And with one hand he raised one of them to grab his ass.
—My Stolas, you have kept these feelings so much that you cannot control them, right? So many studies where you barely opened the books just to get my undivided attention.
—Andrealphus, I...
—Silence my beautiful prince, I know what you need.
Andrealphus then helped Stolas grope him while he also did the same. He caressed the prince from the chest to the waist and slowly lowering to his crotch, while he felt how little by little an erection was presenting. Stolas found it hard to contain himself every time he felt Andrealphus' warm hands touching his penis through his clothing. Pushing his hip towards him every time he did it as if through it, he was trying to fornicate.
The kisses were more and more lascivious as the seconds passed, the drunken state of both made them move in an uncoordinated way through the room, throwing things to the floor until they finally found the bed.
Andrealphus fell on Stolas while they continued to eat each other with ephemeral but violent kisses. And they stripped each other naked with the same violence as two animals fighting to skin the other.
—How long have you been waiting to have me? Tell me how many nights you dreamed of my body, my beloved prince. —Andrealphus whispered in his ear—.
Already naked, their penises touched and brushed constantly as Andrealphus continued to seduce Stolas, and Stolas continued to cling to him.
Andrealphus felt no shame while shame ate Stolas' conscience, stroking his penis against his or with one hand, playfully playing with it. Although it seemed that Andrealphus was the one who enjoyed playing with Stolas and his drunken state, it was Stolas who; if it were comparable, actually made the most of the situation, finally unleashing his long-hidden emotions and passions to stay out of what his title allowed. And what his father would accept.
The fountain of bottled emotions in Stolas was finally open and would give no quarter.
At the same time, on the other side of the room –Stella was riding Andras moving her buttocks up and down, from one side to the other. Making sure to feel every possible sensation along with him. And as if they were two actors, acting the same scene, back with Stolas and Andrealphus. Stolas was already aggressively penetrating his future brother-in-law.
One would be able to imagine a thin black line separating both rooms, dividing the scene vertically down the centre while on each side was one of our couples who enjoyed their pleasures in the same ways and the same rhythms, the same positions. The exactness and precision of their identical acts was almost poetic. To the comical point that even, Andras and Stolas finished at the same time, complementing their partners until the last passionate orgasm and exotic delight.
What both Stella and Stolas thought would be their last chance to look after their own desires and ambitions had finally ended in the way they most desired, with the one they believed their heart truly belonged to. And they would treasure this moment forever until life brought them together again. In a night of sex, modesty and tears.
As the evening drew to a close, the four returned to the party as if they had never left the place. But there was someone who had noticed it all, and who would make sure to remind them of their place in the Goetia –and that things had to be done his way, or they wouldn't be done.
This last year would be eternal for both of them. Stolas' visits to Andrealphus would have intensified during the first few months after the affair, but Andrealphus would deny him most of his advances, again increasing the sexual tension Stolas felt, giving him far-fetched excuses that he had no choice but to accept. Andrealphus' strategy was clear, take advantage of Stolas' needs to keep him away from his sister, even if it were only in adultery, something that would also be a delightful fetish for him. During the meetings of both families for the preparations of the wedding would be the only opportunities that Stolas would have to be able to continue exploring his sexuality with his future brother-in-law; and it would not take long to identify that pattern.
During this time, an alcohol problem that Stolas had been carrying since a few years ago would become more present, pointing out that if the wedding happened –it would be a miracle.
Andrealphus' plan worked perfectly. And he took advantage of this weakness of young Stolas to increase the already existing tensions between him and Stella. Unfortunately, Stolas would be too drunk or hungover to notice, while Andrealphus continued to give him love and care as a cover for his genuine putrid intentions.
Andras would continue looking for Stella countless times, and although she turned a blind eye when he tried to have a breakthrough with her, the pain of leaving him was unbearable –so they reached an agreement and schedule where they could see each other; perhaps not intimately as they wanted, but in a way that allowed them to socialize as if it were anything else. This would also serve as a cover for the truth, since they were so close; a sudden separation would have raised suspicions to more than one.
And on certain occasions, in the embrace of the night they would see each other once again. To remind themselves of their love for each other as their beaks met again in the moonlight.
As the months passed the wedding approached, in Stella's room laid a beautiful wedding dress, an almost transparent black fabric with handmade embroidery in the form of black rose prints formed the part of the sleeves and with a beautiful metal bow of a dark burnt red, were united in the neck of the mannequin. A wine-red corset with a huge black ribbon in the upper centre of the neckline and granite-coloured embroidery accentuated the upper and lower base of this, from the base, like long folds of fabric came the cup of the dress of the same red that reached the floor and leaving a tail behind, while other black folds came out below and in the middle to the front. On the mannequin's wrists were two small bracelets similar to patterned fabric that completed the set.
Stella had to devote her time more and more to the wedding and the bureaucracy. Making her miss Andras' company more and more, and this was beginning to show as she suffered from a bad mood that only disappeared when he was near her. This was quickly starting to annoy the wrong people.
A few days before the wedding, Stella and Andras would see each other one last time in their bedroom, the same one that saw them finally join as one in true love, it would also be the place of their last farewell. But something didn't add up, because he was late for showing up. The night progressed and sleep began to fall on her, but she did not give in, she just kept waiting for her love. Stella numerous times looked out of her window looking for him from one side to the other while she called out his name in secret.
—Andras, where are you Andras? Where are you that I don't see you?
Suddenly a dark shape formed behind Stella.
—This is not your book, Juliet.
Stella was petrified and opened her eyes completely, her heart stopped beating for an instant and the air left her body in its entirety. That wasn't Andras' voice. And as she slowly turned around to face who spoke, his voice continued.
—I think I was never clear enough with my instructions.
—P-P-Paimon... —Stella finally said trying to regain her composure—.
Paimon was in the shadows of the dark room, his silhouette, a terrifying dark amalgam in which only a pair of grimly lit red eyes could be seen. As he walked towards the moonlight his body was taking the natural shape of his being.
—Can you remind me of the instruction I gave? Surely you know the consequences of disobeying.
—I-I don't know what you're talking about. My wedding is on its way. No one has challenged you.
—And isn't that tone of voice enough of a challenge? Insolent brat.
Paimon raised a hand towards her, and a dark force began to subdue her, forcing her to kneel before him, bowing her head. Next thing, Stella saw a bloody feather fall slowly in front of her eyes, it was almost destroyed, but you could see its original colour.
—Andras won't be a problem anymore, and I hope you won't be either.
The king approached Stella and took her by the chin, raising her gaze as he crouched down to meet her eyes with a penetrating and frightening gaze that would intimidate even the bravest being.
Stella's gaze was shattered, but not all the terror in the world would let him see it. She wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.
—He never was; your highness.
Paimon did not believed a word.
—You know, he called your name when he died. Poor sucker, he apparently had a whole plan to finish me off. He had this among his things. Make it a reminder of what happens if you try to get out of the line.
Paimon moved away from Stella and dropped something on her bed. It was a long case, on impact it opened by itself to show that it had a weapon inside. A unique weapon that had the power to kill royalty. As Stella stared at the weapon, Paimon approached her again, forcing her to stand up with his magic.
—Honestly, as stupid as my son can be, I think he could have had more success killing him. He would have died anyway, but I could stop worrying about you and your stupid family. And especially about him. — Paimon continued his story—. Apparently, his main plan was to steal Asmodeus' ring. I don't know what made him change his mind, to try to kill me; but I thank him, otherwise I could not have punished him myself. Asmodeus is too benevolent compared to me, he would have turned him into an incubus or some other stupid thing. You should have heard him scream as the fire ripped the skin off him, he screamed your name and how much he loved you. Did you know about healing magic? It's a blessing really, it allows the torture to go on forever, to experience new ways of having fun with your prey.
Paimon began to touch Stella's face as if analysing her, holding her chin tightly while making her look to the sides as part of his inspection. Seduced by her beauty and not hesitating a moment to take advantage of his position of power –he began kissing her neck lasciviously.
—The correct thing would be to kill you too as an accomplice, but my son needs a wife; And since your only redeeming quality is your beauty... it would be a waste.
Stella wanted to let go, but Paimon's magic was too strong for her, and it wouldn't allow her to move unless he wanted to.
Tears began to flow from her eyes as Paimon tested her body with each kiss and touched her completely as she stood petrified in front of him. Stella wanted to scream for help, but the fear that he would hurt her further silenced her completely.
Paimon also kissed her beak, even when she didn't reciprocate. The kiss mixed with her tears gave Paimon the taste of her pain as he began to undress her. The scene now was completely different from what she had experienced months ago.
Stella felt more and more desperate as she lost her clothes, her whole body began to shake from the fear that flooded her being. And Paimon enjoyed every moment of her desperation, as if he dealt out a punishment equivalent to that; according to him, she deserved.
Finding herself naked in front of him, Stella closed her eyes as she tried to pretend that she wasn't there, that she wasn't hopelessly trapped in the force of an evil being who stripped her naked and now took advantage of her vulnerable body. She pretended not to feel his hands touching her on her waist, on her breasts. She pretended not to feel his cold beak against her, and she pretended not to feel them through her skin.
With her eyes closed, Stella tried to go to some happy place that would give her enough strength, but she could only remember her beautiful love. Her talks and her moments of true love. She remembered the day they met and the days that followed where she would cultivate her love for him. Her first secret dates where in the sight of everyone they appeared to be simply close friends while behind their backs they declared their mutual love for each other. She remembered the feeling of his beak and the warmth of his chest, she made an effort like never before in her life to replace the terrible things she was experiencing, with those of the days when the one she loved the most reminded her that there was something more to life than just titles and politics.
Paimon would drop his pants and breeches, ready to continue his nasty sex act, raping Stella again and again as the night went on.
After a couple of hours that seemed like an eternity, Paimon would leave with one last warning.
—Try not to humiliate yourself further and serve the Goetia as you have been ordered.
The night passed while Stella was finally able to cry. And she hugged her naked, desecrated body in dead hope that it was just a bad dream, and that when she woke up, Andras would be by her side, watching over her like he always did. As he promised her that he would.
But no one would come, no one would wake up from that dream. For there was no one to come or a dream to wake up from.
Stella was finally alone, and she would have to live with a secret that would haunt her for the rest of her life.
But one thing is for sure, he had learned the truth of being part of the Goetia, and what would happen if she disobeyed Paimon's orders again.
When the day of the wedding arrived, we would have a completely different Stella at the altar, without emotions, with a stoic and cold look. She accompanied by a Stolas with the same dead expression. Both would consummate their marriage, and the cycle of the Goetia hierarchy would continue on its course as it always has been.
As is tradition, immediately after the marriage was consolidated, the intimacy with Stolas; though decadent in emotion or intent, it was performed at least once a week, until –in Stella's words «An egg came out of her, and she could stop pretending to want to fuck that scrawny ass».
Stella always hated Octavia, who would bear that name in honour of her grandmother, Stola's mother. And she would leave the parental duties to her husband, while she would take care of the public relations of the marriage that Stolas deplored so much.
For a long time, Stella always wanted to carry out her revenge. Keeping Andras' weapon as an eternal memory of what she must do if she were to one day take back what was taken from her that night.
She would eventually meet a mercenary named Striker on one of her aristocratic journeys through the Circle of Wrath. Her shared hatred of royalty and bureaucrats made them fit in in an instant.
They would agree that he; as payment for his services at her whim, would keep the weapon and use it to eliminate whoever was necessary. And the first target would be Paimon, who during a meeting in the ring of Treason; the last of all the circles of hell, he would finally see the end of it. Leaving an empty throne and a hole in her heart, because even with him dead, her husband would be a daily reminder of what she could have been.
In this way, and for the next 17 years, Stella would fulfil the role that was given to her, making her parents proud and leaving her family on top of Goetian chain.
Everything had turned out as it should and happened as it should. At the solemn price of the life of a love; that, forbidden by fate, would never see its happy ending.
***
Returning to our current time, Stella had returned to her palace.
She walked quietly to her room, peeked out the window one last time, and lay down to sleep.
The darkness of the night gave way to time as the scene darkened, as the moonlight travelled one last time through the room that had witnessed so many misfortunes.
Finally, Stella lay down to rest, hoping she wouldn't have to wake up tomorrow.
It is then that I ask you reader, is it justifiable to sin when they sinned against you in the first place? When life keeps slapping you and spitting in your face, isn't it fair to spit back? Pay with the same currency? Eye for an eye?
What in us humans really dictate the edge of what is the right path and the virtuous path, in contrast to the path of evil and perdition?
And in a world where sin is law, is everything justified? Is this the absolute truth?
And how do we separate ourselves from these dark beings when in pursuit of our desires and ambitions we are capable of worse atrocities?
When the pure heart of a girl becomes tainted because her life dictated it, the only thing left to do is blame the system that forced her to take this path; or her for not being strong enough to fight against it.
But we lose sight of the fact that there are no guilty parties in this life, we are all victims of the circumstances in which we were born.
Now time goes on and customs change, what was good before is now bad and vice versa.
The search for virtue stops at nothing in this world of the living, and we may never reach it. But we will keep trying, the road will continue.
It only remains to wait to see what new paths remain to be travelled, and to travel them hoping not to lose our identity, our being and our beliefs along the way.
And review the consequences of our actions.