FREE NOVELLA CHAPTER - Demon Heart Chapter Four
Zachary lifted Domini into his arms. He should have known she wouldn’t withstand the rigors of Demon Realm. He studied her heart shaped face, fearful for her simplicity. This woman, who held the fate of his home inside her, looked as though she would break if squeezed too hard.
At a loss of what to do with her, he glanced around. The snow offered little inspiration. Perhaps he should take her to the nearby village. There, Domini would receive the medical attention she needed, and once well again, they would continue their important journey.
Zachary took a step toward Gagan but stopped. Isha, the village’s high priestess, tried to marry him off every time he visited. He looked at Domini. Was she poorly enough to risk marriage? He ventured another step, still unsure. The union of man and woman was an honored event, a blessing savored by both parties. Zachary closed his eyes and drew in a long, cleansing breath to clear his mind.
His decision made, he gently laid Domini across Gagan’s back and mounted to sit behind her. Isha would sense his presence. She always knew hours before his arrival. If the high priestess already knew he needed her, he’d best keep going lest she cursed him with golly warts. Mercy Stone help him. He certainly didn’t need golly warts marring his masculinity.
“Gagan, Oasis,” he called as he pulled Domini into his arms.
Gagan followed the sun until he reached the border of the snow wasteland and the desert. In two steps, he crossed the line between ice and heat. A hot breeze warmed Zachary's face. Domini stirred in his arms. Her skin, which glowed with life only a short time ago, now grew sallow and grey. He didn’t know what the shadow specter had done but he knew her precious soul would not withstand the punishment.
A fire torch marked the edge of Oasis. Moments later, an escort appeared from behind a clump of boulders carrying a stretcher made of tightly plaited straw. Isha’s sixth sense amazed Zachary. Not only did she know of his arrival, but also of his injured charge. Dressed in fur loincloths and vests the two men placed the stretcher on the sand and lowered to one knee to show Zachary the respect his title commanded. For eighteen years he had watched his father demand respect as Demon Lord. His tyrannical father bullied and intimidated anyone who dared defy him. Zachary would never rule as his father had.
He slid from Gagan’s back and carefully transported Domini onto the stretcher before he turned to the men. “Please, there is no need for formalities,” he said. “This woman is ill and needs Isha’s help.”
The older man nodded. “Isha expects you. She has organized a great feast.”
Zachary rubbed his brow and gazed in the direction of Oasis. “Who is she marrying me to this time?”
“My lord, there are several offerings.”
“Several?” Exasperated, Zachary shook his head. “Then lead on. I shall meet my fate with honor.”
“My sister is one of the offerings, my lord,” the second man said. “You should meet your fate with fear,” he muttered as he lifted one end of the stretcher.
Then fear my fate, I shall. Zachary buried his misgivings deep inside and followed the men down the rocky decline. Oasis stretched before him, a mass of huts and animal shelters tucked against the shore of the only lake in the desert lands. The alto pitch of a bullhorn announced his arrival. He walked the centre path and nodded to each villager, acknowledged their presence, appreciated their loyalty.
Before his rule, dictators had visited each village and demanded allegiance to the Demon Lord. Villages were burned to the ground and their occupants slaughtered as punishment for their rebellions. Dorian wanted to step into the shoes of former demon lords and create a dictatorship rather than a peaceful land of cooperation.
Zachary straightened his shoulders. He would fight for Demon Realm until his spirit became one with the air. He stroked the key that hung around his neck and gained confidence from the demon strength it represented. One day, he would find enough courage to part with the key.
“Demon Lord, Oasis is honored and we embrace your presence.”
He turned in the direction of the husky female voice. Isha, the tiny high priestess of Oasis stood by her hut. A bevy of veiled females surrounded her. He counted nine women ready to pledge their lives to him.
He lowered into a bow. “Thank you for accepting me, Priestess,” he said as he straightened.
He raised his eyebrows in a question as he embraced her slender body. Sulfur and peppermint wafted from her clothes, two ingredients of a potent love potion. He suppressed a sigh. She would do anything to see him live a life of domestic bliss.
Isha held him at arm’s length and studied his face, her bright blue eyes shrewd. “You are different, my lord.”
“I think not.”
Isha grunted. Her gaze moved to the stretcher as the two men carried it to a nearby hut. “What do you bring me?”
“An injured warrior,” he said carefully and indicated for her to approach the hut. The nine women behind Isha surged forward. Each woman struggled to walk beside him. “I have brought a woman,” he said a little louder.
The women shuffled to a halt. Unified groans of disappointment filled the air. Isha flicked her hand and they dispersed, yanking away their face veils, casting him dismayed glances. Isha pulled the curtain aside.
“A woman, you say? Her aura feels different. She is not from Demon Realm, yes?”
“No, she’s not from Demon Realm.”
Isha grunted again. “There are plenty of women right here who would serve as fine wives. Yet you crave a stranger.” Her tone became coolly disapproving. She stopped by the stretcher and peered at Domini through narrow eyes. “You ravished her into unconsciousness, yes?”
Zachary laughed and shook his head.
Isha sighed. “Pity. You disappoint me. You cannot go on the journey of life without someone to share your thoughts.”
“I share my life and thoughts with Gagan. I am content.”
The priestess snorted a laugh and slapped his arm. “Some things Gagan cannot do.” She kneeled beside Domini and grasped her hand. “I will find you someone to love, Zachary.”
He shifted uncomfortably. “Please refrain from this folly. I will never marry. I made the vow nineteen years ago.”
“The passionate vow of a ten year old boy is far from binding.”
“Under the circumstances more than passion forged my vow.”
Isha glanced at him. “Vengeance?”
Zachary lowered his gaze.
“Why is this woman so special that you bring her to me?"
Zachary didn’t raise his eyes. Isha already knew his answer. She only asked the question so she could hear the words come from him.
Isha faced him squarely. “Tell me why this woman means so much to you.” Her voice had turned cold.
“She holds the Hope Stone inside her.” He finally looked at Isha and wished he hadn’t. Even though her head barely reached his chest, the woman intimidated him.
“She has sacrificed herself for Demon Realm?” she asked.
“Domini doesn’t understand the extent of her selflessness.”
“Demon Lord, what have you done?” Her voice rose in surprise.
“I have done naught. The Hope Stone chose her. The prophet knew of her. She is the woman from The Unknown.”
A small frown creased Isha’s brow. “What happened to her?”
“The leader of the shadow specters attacked her.”
“Hmmm. Even though easy to defeat, Prite can be fatal.” She pressed her hand to Domini's forehead. “You have brought her here just in time. I will make her strong again so she can love you, yes?”
“Yes,” Zachary replied.
Isha’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“No,” he added quickly when he realized his error. He raised his hands to placate Isha’s curiosity. “Yes, please make her better. No, she will not love me.”
Isha’s lips spread into a slow, secretive smile. “We shall
see.”
****
Familiarity penetrated Dominique's misty mind. Female voices.
Laughter. The smell and homey crackle of a fire. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Silhouettes loomed over her. Shadow specters? Not strong enough to fight, she
readied herself to take flight.“Green! I told you. Pay up, ladies.”
Several disappointed groans answered the voice.
“That’s the last time I’ll listen to you, Tash. Nobody has pink eyes.” The voices faded as the women left to congregate outside the door.
Dominique's fear subsided but her heart still thumped uncomfortably. Where was she? Her last memory consisted of worried grey eyes and strong, safe arms. She rose onto her elbows. Where was Zachary?
The scent of peppermint hung in the air, and lavender. She blinked, fog lifting from her vision. She lay on a straw bed in a roundhouse with clay walls and a thatched roof. Dominique breathed a little easier.
“There must be something special about her.” A female voice drifted through the door of the roundhouse. “Imagine having the Demon Lord as your champion.”
Sighs of longing reached Dominique's ears.
“Isha concocted a love potion.”
Dominique strained to hear the woman’s whispered words but the group had moved too far away. Only their laughter lingered. She sat up and peered through the doorway. Two men carried clay pitchers, their voices excited as they passed. Smoke from nearby fires floated by. Male voices echoed from somewhere beyond the door.
A small, slender woman entered the hut. Dreadlocks bound her bright copper-colored hair. Black robes flowed from her shoulders to skim along the floor as she walked. Dominique couldn’t determine the woman’s age. Her bearing described a woman in her twenties but the creases in her face and the worldly glow to her stunning blue eyes spoke of an age beyond years.
“Ah, you are awake I see.” The woman felt Dominique's forehead. “I am Isha, High Priestess of Oasis.” She pointed to the door. “I am getting him good and drunk for you.”
“Who?”
“The Demon Lord, of course.”
“Why?”
“Marriage is something Zachary has avoided for many years. If he is drunk, you can wed him and he’ll be none the wiser. Good plan, yes?”
“What?” After that bombshell, Dominique struggled to pull her thoughts into order. Her future flashed through her head. A handful of tiny demons tugged at her skirt while she mopped bear dung from the floor. “Oh my God! I can’t marry him!” she blurted.
The high priestess sighed impatiently. “Another who objects to love and marriage?”
“I don’t object to love,” Dominique replied quickly. “Besides, I’m already married.”
“Already married?” Isha’s eyes narrowed. “I sense sadness. Your husband is no longer with you, yes?”
Dominique shifted her attention from the woman’s softening features. “That doesn’t matter. I’m still married to Jaye, and I want to go home.”
“Home is far away.” Isha sat on the edge of the bed. “Inside you lies Zachary's every hope. In you, Zachary believes. He will give his life for you.”
Dominique avoided Isha’s probing gaze. “His hope is misplaced.” She didn’t want the responsibility of Zachary's life.
“You are stronger than you believe, and Zachary's love may help mend your heart.” Isha handed her a clay cup. “Drink. It will make you better.”
Dominique sniffed. The drink smelled like peppermint.
“The drink will warm you, will send fire through your veins and cure what ails you.” Isha nodded her encouragement and tipped the cup to Dominique's lips.
As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t refuse. She sipped the drink. It tasted a little like peppermint tea. Dominique drank the entire cup. As she handed the cup back, she didn’t miss the amusement in Isha’s wise gaze.
Chapter Five
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