DARE THE DEVIL

Warning for the king

SUPERNATURAL REALM

Devin strode into the mighty castle of the demon king with the same silly, playboy, stubborn brute smile he always had on his face. In fact, this had more to it. He looked ecstatic, excited and the anticipation that gleamed through his eyes was not to be hidden. With his hand behind his back and his garment sweeping the floor behind him, he looked slightly regal and important. He had to see the king after all and their king hated simple and casual outfits. He was always formal and liked everyone to do accordingly. As the very commandant of his warriors, he could do whatever he wanted when he was outside, but once he was within the huge fortress and glory of the demons, he had to behave. Slightly.

“Sir…” Warriors stamped their feet mightly against the ground at the sight of their commander and saluted as he walked through the marble red hallways filled with beautiful paintings, statues made of gold and lamps and chandeliers glistening in silver. It had been ages since the world, their world was built and so far, the castle still had the very look it had on the day it was built. It never faded away, never got ruined and never lost its glory. The indebt of the castle was built with a lot of vigour, patience, money and power, magic, all combined for the sake of the whole supernatural realm. Each painting, chandelier, lamp, statue, floor and door carried the very heart of the entities who years ago decided it was best to live together. It carried their stories, their pain, their loss, their strength, their abilities, magic and power. The fortress was truly magnificent and it always captivated hearts each time they stepped into it.

Devin strode through the hallway and towards the study room. His warriors saluted each time they saw him and staff and maids alike paid respect when it was due. However, he cared for none of those things and simply maintained the smile on his face. On his way to the study room, his eyes caught the huge magnificent door made of pure gold and black marble, translucent markings all over it. It was a very magnificent piece and the true home of every king. He paused and started towards it. The guards standing at both sides of the door stared at each other as he came walking towards them. No one entered that room, not even their king wanted to be in there and he avoided it as much as possible. They stood guard but never got to work so much since it was the forbidden room of the entire castle. Seeing Devin coming towards them, made them confused and sceptical. However, he was still their commandant and they saluted and greeted each other loudly when he stepped closer. He nodded in acknowledgement and stared at the magnificent door again. He remembered the first time he entered the castle, he remembered the first time he saw the throne room. It was however the last time he had been there. He recalled every feeling of power, strength, control and ultimate power he felt. He remembered the surge that swelled from the depth of his heart. He remembered the surreal feeling and he recalled how it felt like a sudden strength possessed him that day. It was so surreal, yet he felt whole, complete, safe and powerful. Like a Velaryon. He remembered the very feeling that place brought like the taste of ham and cheese he just had that morning.

“What would it be like to have such a feeling again..” his thought whispered to him.

“What are you doing here?” a voice pulled him out of his thoughts and he whipped his head to the side to find Adira staring at him.

“What kind of question is that? I work for the king and our great nation.” He started back to the direction he was heading. Adira rolled her eyes and followed behind him.

“You never take your job seriously.” She chastised knowing her best friend too well. The king was lenient enough to allow Devin do what he wanted but she was not. Not anymore at least. She would be the queen of such a great nation too and her safety and rule should be secure, no matter what the case was.

“Yet, the kingdom is so secure and so is the castle,” he flashed her a grin.

“That’s because no one had attacked ever since….” She paused, stopping herself from speaking the forbidden word in the castle. Devin halted as well, knowing exactly what she was going to say. Then he resumed walking again.

“You should take this seriously now. Words are going around and the other factions seem to want the throne.”

“Those are just rumours, Adira. Should the crown quiver over rumours?”

“The factions had made it clear from the beginning who they supported and wanted as their rulers. It was never the Rellyaks, Devin. They had chosen who they wanted and…” she lowered her voice and looked around to be sure no one was listening.

“Now they are no more…”

“They have been gone for years,” Devin replied, refusing to whisper as she was.

“And now, it seemed like they had a whole plan in their head all this while. These rumours started then, and till now it hasn’t died down, Devin.”

“It keeps growing instead and there is never smoke without fire. You taught me this.” Adira kept going on and on.

“That’s why you have to take this job more seriously. Find out if the rumours are true and start thinking of a countermeasure or attack rather than playing with this.” She kept on. Devin ignored her and maintained the nonchalant look he had on his face like nothing she said mattered. It agitated her more and she pulled his hand, stopping him.

“Listen…I will be queen soon and I would rather not have a short reign.” Her eyes were wide and vicious. His smile widened and he pulled her hand gently away from his arm.

“Don’t let the castle see something to whisper about. You are soon to be queen and should act like one. Don’t go about holding just any man and pulling him this close.” He turned back to where he was going. Adira’s eyes widened, because she understood the mistake she made. But she could not help the frustration she felt. She looked around, making sure that no one was looking at them, then she started following him again.

“Devin….”

“I take my job seriously, Adira. And matters like this should not be any of your concern, till you become queen at least. So stay beautiful, regale, poised and sexy for the king.” He interrupted and increased his pace, to get away from her. She stopped walking, seeing the need to since he was close to the king’s studies and sighed heavily. Then she turned away.

Devin breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed that Adira stopped following him. It was on cue, he stopped in front of the king’s studies when a familiar scent grazed his nostrils. Just in time, the door opened and a familiar figure came walking out.

“Devin….” Alpha Dorian smiled ever so widely at him.

“Alpha Dorian…” he smiled back.

“I never knew that you were here,” he added.

“I had to come as early as possible. I and the king had a lot to talk about,” Dorian explained, smiling ever so broadly. With his huge physique and dark eyes, it was hard to not feel intimidated by him. He was the king of alpha’s after all.

“And you. What are you doing here?”

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?” Devin smirked.

“I work for the king and our nation. Am I so little to be easily forgotten?” Dorian laughed at his joke and slapped his shoulders.

“That’s what you get for being so unserious, boy.” He walked past him.

“But don’t keep the king waiting,” he added. Devin’s eyes turned a few shades brighter and a dark glint settled in his eyes the moment Dorian moved away from eye sight. But just as immediately, it returned to its normal colours and he walked into the king’s studies.

“My king,” Devin bowed in respect and shut the door the moment he walked in. A man who looked to simply be in his early prime sighed and lifted his both legs to the table in front of him.

“All these formalities, they are tiring. Why do you keep doing that when I had asked you to stop it already,” his voice boomed with youthfulness and playfulness, unlike a king should have.

“Because you are a king. And my head would roll off if I don’t pay such respect,” Devin smirked at his childishness and drew himself a seat.

“Plus, you should stop acting like you are as young as me, already. You are old and you know that.” He added. King Atticus frowned and flashed Devin a glare.

“How dare you speak to the king that way?”

“This is why I pay my respects no matter what. You might turn on me one of these days and my head would roll off,” Devins sighed and relaxed into his seat like he owned the place.

“True..” Atticus smiled and took off the heavy crown on his head. Gently he placed it on a stool beside him and relaxed properly into his seat.

“Did you see Dorian on your way out?” he asked. Devin’s eyes glimmered and he nodded his head.

“Of course, I did.”

“He believes that in the coming months, I would be in danger…” he turned to Devin. They might be years apart, but Devin was like a son to him. He had looked after the boy when his father died, and had kept him by his side ever since.

“That is a nice forsight for him, don’t you think?” If Devin was surprised, he didn’t show it.

“It is indeed.”

“The werewolves are worried about my safety…”

“That is a first..” Devin smirked.

“Why do you think he gave you such a warning, anyway?”

“There will be a black moon in the coming months…” he simply explained. Devin’s smile for the first time disappeared since they began their discussion and worry consumed him.

“That isn’t what I …..”

“Don’t make me talk about it. You know I hate the reminder,” Atticus growled, bringing his legs down from his desk.

“Yes, my king,” Devin lowered his gaze, knowing he was getting annoyed.

“Alpha Dorian thinks you are in danger. From who?”

“Oh! He had a lot of speculation. The vampires, the witches.”

“Of course…” Devin nodded his head.

“He thinks they are in cohorts. Something about an oracle, a girl with red hair and how they desperately want her. Says she is very powerful and she might be their weapon…” the king added.

“And that is how the story was twisted,” Devin’s mind began wheeling, seeing a major conspiracy in the air.