Hayle Coven Universe: Sassafras

Chapter 2: Ruler

The crowd parted for me and I had to smirk. The stink of their fear smelled sweet. Nothing could be better, actually. I reveled in it, purposely sidling up to a few of my fallen foes, laughing to myself when they realized I was there and scuttled off to avoid a confrontation.

Like I was going to challenge anyone here. Now. With Ruler watching from her throne, that slug Vandelarius slouched in the Second Seat next to her. Not likely. While I chose to ignore Ahbi's order to behave myself outside in the city, the idea of pushing her under her own roof dulled even my need for excitement.

Honestly, there were only two demons present I even had a remote interest in challenging anyway, and both of them sat, in their safe little chairs, at their royal father's feet. Tanasharia actually blew me a kiss, one I accepted with my usual flair. Nice to see her scowl as I wiped the imagined kiss from my shoulder with disgust.

Her lurking brother, Cypherion, had no such offerings for me. As much of a worthless moron as my brother and equally as big, the heir to Second Seat glared in my direction, though his father's hand on his shoulder was enough to hold him back. Vandelarius smiled at me, showing teeth, before sinking back into his throne to scratch at his wide stomach, his belch audible from where I stood.

So much class. I could hardly stand it.

The disgust on Ahbi's face was almost an invitation. I was well aware she despised the demon who sat next to her, but she refused to act against him or do anything about it. The reason for her stubbornness grasped my shoulder in one large hand and turned me to face him.

Haralthazar, Lord of the Seventh Plane, grinned down at me. His curving horns shone in the light of the suns reflected through the rooftop shielding as he turned me gently away from the tempting target of Cypherion. One of his strong hands steered me toward the banquet table.

"Another day, perhaps," he murmured.

"Most definitely," I said with my finest smile.

Haralthazar handed me a glass, filled it with his own hands. "I understand we recently became plane mates." His amber eyes glittered with amusement over his own glass as he saluted me and drank.

My shoulders shrugged, pulling against the tight jacket my sister forced me into. "Being an Eighth was such a bore." I faked a yawn, winking.

Haralthazar laughed, soft and deep, though our old family friend seemed less amused and more sad. "Clever boy," he said. "Just make sure you're not too clever one of these days. I'd hate to lose you."

"How kind," I said. "But I have no intention of taking my leave any time soon."

"Sassafras." Haralthazar's hand settled on my shoulder again, face now very serious. Which told me some kind of well-meant lecture was coming. Typical of my father's friend. "Theridialis asked me to speak to you."

"Of course he did." I set my glass down, already turning away. "Because he cares about me that much." Anger bubbled inside me as Haralthazar's hand tightened. He'd always been an ally, someone I could turn to. The favored son of Ruler was as much a rebel as I was, denying his mother's wish for him to take Second Seat. And though I rarely asked him for help, he understood me, so we got along for the most part.

But as his thick fingers squeezed my shoulder, I shrugged him off in a surge of temper, my magic snapping a spark of rage between us. Subtle enough only the two of us would notice, but a slap in the face nonetheless. Haralthazar backed off, nodded, expression so full of worry I immediately felt terrible, though I crushed my empathy with bitterness before he could see it.

"Perhaps some other time," I said, keeping my words light, my tone bright as I turned from him. He didn't follow me as I lost myself once again in the press of the demon ruling class.

Time for some fun. There was just way too much seriousness going on for my liking. Within a few moments some delightfully attractive young demon girls stood captivated by my battle stories. I happily imbibed Ahbi's finest nectar while my throng of admirers oohed and aahed over my tales of prowess.

When the band struck up, I was the first on the floor, blood buzzing with the addictive and power-enhancing nectar, three girls alternately swinging from my arms. How easy to tell myself I was having fun, that this was all there was to life. Endless years of nothing.

Curse it, curse all of them. My happy mood, carefully cultivated, shattered, the thin veneer of my need to hide behind laughter and drink and the facade of civility crushed as I released one of my partners. Who were they to me? Who was I to them? Horrible, relentless, the pressure of my existence surged inside me, fed by nectar and the press of so many of my peers, all as useless as I was.

There had to be more. Life couldn't be this endless dance of emptiness. My eyes rose, met Ahbi's.

A desperate need to feel, to act, to perform and be seen, drove me forward. A huge smile split my face as I tossed back the last gulp of my present goblet of nectar, throwing the stone glass to the side. Three strides took me to the thrones where I beamed up at my Ruler.

Time to push my luck.

I swept into a deep bow, arms outstretched before I winked at Ahbi and held out one hand.

"Most glorious of Rulers," I said, "may I have this dance?"

Well now. That got their attention, didn't it? Even the band paused, the whole room watching, waiting for the lightning strike of power, my untimely demise for having the audacity to approach Ahbi in such a manner. I could practically feel Mother's wrath, Father's disappointment.

But they didn't matter to me, not while Ahbi sat with her expression of stone, staring at me with her amber eyes.

Was that the hint of a smile? Indeed, it was. Ahbi rose, taller than me, taller than Haralthazar, her long, silver braid swinging over one shoulder, the rest of it piled in elaborate curls. I think her fancy coif was part of her show, making her appear even larger. While the entire gathering gasped, she shed her royal robe, exposing her muscular bare arms, broad shoulders and the lean, powerful body she still had after all these centuries. My heart quivered in a mix of anxiety I was getting away with my pertness and excitement as she descended the three steps to the polished stone floor and accepted my offered hand.

I wasn't sure if I should laugh out loud in victory or be afraid. But she smiled for certain this time and, not surprisingly, took the lead, pulling me out into the center of the rapidly emptying dance floor with a nod of command to the band.

"Well, my naughty Sassafras," Ahbi said, voice deep and low, light glinting on her horns curved in three spirals, a mark of her great age, "what mischief is this?"

"You simply looked bored," I quipped as she led us through the steps of a dance I'd never done before, trusting she would never allow either of us to look foolish. "I thought to lighten your mood, dearest Ruler."

Her laughter rumbled, fed by her incredible power. "Don't for a moment think I will ever underestimate your need for trouble making," she said. "But in this instance, I will tolerate it. Because I was bored." One wide eye winked slowly at me.

If there was anyone I could love, if there really was such an emotion, it would be Ahbi. If only because she didn't judge me. "How do you do it?" My words came out in a rush, unbidden, unchosen. "Survive this. For so long." Bitterness burned down my aching throat. "What more is there?"

She didn't answer right away, only danced the last few steps before the band wound down. When she stopped, she didn't release me immediately, instead holding my hand in hers while her cold face softened ever so slightly.

"Darling boy," she said in a whisper only I could hear, "I wish I could answer you. Power calls, duty." Her fingers squeezed. "You are so powerful, have so much ambition, confidence in your magic. You could be a force to reckon with, a valued advisor someday." Such a compliment I'd never received. Until the sparkle left her eyes as she went on, a warning flaring in them. "I fear for you, though, for the arrogance your lack of direction drives you to. It will be your downfall. And I will be very sorry to see you fall, Sassafras."

Ahbi left me then, sweeping her majestic way back to her throne while the stunned group of demons slowly went back to their pretend jocularity, leaving me to stagger to the outer rim of the room while my heart hung heavy inside me.

Duty I cared nothing for. But power? That I understood. I seized on her words, shoving aside her warning, and took my leave of the farce she'd created around her.

Avenesequoia met me at the platform, her tiny body quivering as she grasped my hand and pulled me to a stop. "Stay with me," she said. "Sassafras, please. No fighting tonight."

"Enjoy the party," I said, jerking my hand free. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Let him go." My brother joined her, Jabuticabron overshadowing her as he always did. "He's out to ruin himself and we don't need to go down with him."

And I was arrogant? Please. My brother wore the label as well as I did. I saluted them both as the elevator descended, turning my back on them to stare out over Ostrogotho, but not seeing the vast city stretching out below me. Not while I found myself lost in the need to hurt someone just to feel anything but despair.

Ruin myself? That had already been done.

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