The Demon Prince

The Demon Prince

By Ariana Tempest

He stood high atop a sheer cliff which broke away into a deep rugged raven far far below, one of SZandor’s highest points above sea level, a secluded island one part dense and thick with forestry, and the other part lush farmland that is not simply accessible, yet wholly accessible by a single mode of transport, a boat or any sea going vessels. The island is largely inhabited. Beautiful, and harsh in equal measures. Secluded, away from the prying eyes of the world, just as he wanted. Just the way he felt. The Demon Prince…as he is known. The strong winds pulled at his cloak and hair, as if dragging the very essence from his soul. Around him the clap of thunder and howls of the wind persisted. The heavens beat down on him, pelting him, stinging like a viper’s bite. He stood. Firm and proud against God’s elements of distruction. His clothes wiped against him, outlining a magnificent piece of manhood in total sublimation. Dark and compelling, his eyes shooting daggers into the heavens, his mouth moving yet no words can be heard. His faithful familiar paused under a dense thicket, buffered from the booming from above.

He was feared by all, yet revered by all who inhabited the island and beyond. His lonely self-imposed exile was noted. No one dared approach him. Many whispered of his dark bold rugged handsomeness with the same breathe they feared his wrath. It was whispered that he was a wizard, and dabbled in the dark arts, they were afraid that he would enchant them, and damn their souls for all eternity. If they had thought about stepping into his realm, his ever present familiar will bewitch them with her fierce nature, and fiercer strange gold-flecked eyes.

A crystal garde hung around his neck, and every so often his eyes gleamed frenetically, the crystal glowed brighter, bluer. And reflected in his eyes. Whenever the skies ripped with shards of light or the water claimed the land from the torrential downpours he was right in the eye of it, arms out to the skies, his entreated epiphanies lost to the forces. The people genuinely believed that everything unpleasant that had ever befallen them was his hand in malice. Thus he was often referred to as the Demon Prince.

A young woman was making her way, braving the elements in search of something so much more. The fog thick, Serena faltered she wasn’t sure if she could go on a moment more. Her feet were sore, Her arms pulled from grasping trees to shove out of her invisible path. She came up against something hard, something unresponsive. Her fingers skirted along the ridges and decided it must be stone. It was hard and cold. Maybe some sort of shelter she thought optimistically. Her fingers moved until she struck a wooden panel then an opening appeared. Please please holy spirit, let this be what I think it is. She fell in. Lying sprawled on the floor, the heat licked at her like a tongue sweep. She spied a flame burning in the hearth. This will do, she thought, for a little while anyway. Curling up on the floor where she lay, she gratefully fell asleep, exhaustion overcoming her.

Serena awoke with a start sensing she was not alone. She was spread out on a soft bed, the smell of pine pricked her nostrils. She imitated a statue, as something moved against her leg; it was small, furry and growled low in it’s throat. She squeezed her eyes tight, mentally willing it to go away. Hot breath scorched her hand; she jumped up and raced for the door, pulled it wide open and ran bang into a very large body filling the space where the door was. She screamed loudly in fright then her world went black. She was sure she had fainted for the first time in her life.

She came to lying on the self same big soft bed in a large room. Beautiful Old World furnishings embellished the room from wall to floor to ceilings.  

There! It came again that low grumble. It definitely wasn’t  her stomach, even though she was very hungry. Her knees drawn up to her chin, she held on dearly.

“It’s just Oden”, said a deep voice “She thought you were a mouse” She looked up toward where the voice had come from, the man was in shadows “A very big mouse. He is just a harmless kitty” he added scratching the “kitty” behind its ear.

“Come?” His hand beckoned, the shadow slowly moving away from him to reveal the man. Serena looked. And looked, and looked again. He was singularly the most beautiful man she had ever clapped eyes on. Tall. Strong. Muscular with no ouch of spare fat. He was simply “well made”. He must be a God. His eyes were still shadowed, so the true color not evident. Mesmerized she stepped forward, oddly curious to see the rest of him, but he only took her hand and sank it into the luxuriant fur behind the cat’s ear. The cat purred softly “No one has gotten close enough to touch her like this before. No one had gotten to the front door of my abode. Hmmmm. What makes you so different, I wonder.”

She snatched her hand back. Her eyes searched for the windows. It must be evening she thought everything was in shadows and blurred.

“I will leave you to your supper” He confirmed her suspicions. “You do look quite worn out. You may turn in early. I may answer all your questions that I see reflected in your eyes come tomorrow. Have a good night. Oden!” He commanded, “your dinner is awaiting you too, my lady” What questions was he referring to, she didn’t have any, she just wanted to leave this place. That man and his cat made her nervous. Once she had had a good night’s rest…first. I wonder what the colour of his eyes would be, she mused.

Before Serena knew it, fingers of light were slowing crawling towards the bed refreshing the whole room with its earthy warmth. She stretched her muscles feeling invigorated.

Shadows moved near the window. Drat! The man again. Did he come back after she was asleep to stand guard, so that she did not escape? He moved closer. The cat - want for a better term - was still splayed where it was the previous night, as if it never moved.

“Oden made sure that you didn’t get lost wandering the hallways. ” Once again giving answers to her unspoken questions. Not that she would’ve moved an inch with that ferocious looking cat looking on. Although she would’ve been hard-pressed to ignore her body’s needs should she require the privy. She supposed she would’ve had to howl for attention. “No howling. Just stating your needs, Oden would’ve shown you.” Oden snorted as if to say “as if” and Serena wasn’t too sure about that. “She is simply fascinated by you. Probably because she has never seen another human up close. And a woman at that.” The way he said “woman’ brought goosebumps along her arms. The big tabby sat, Serena could see her clearly now in the light of day. Kitty wasn’t the word to use. She was anything but. She looked like a fully grown leopard, yet not quite. Burnished brown with a lighter shade spotted in between like a leopard’s. Her ruby red eyes with the streaky gold looked on knowingly, assessing.

Though Serena was naturally an animal lover, she was afraid to pet it, so much for approaching it. It looked ferocious, and gave her a wicked smile, and licked it’s lips.

“What kind is she?” she ventured tentatively

“A bobbin” he said “she was given to me by a fellow traveller, he forgot to mention where he got her. But she much prefers to be the only female in my life” He finished with mild laughter taking her aback even more. Mmmmm…funny guy. She warmed to him a little. Just. His laughter was so light and bantering, it hit just the right note. Her spine soften and relaxed, then stiffened once more when she watched him watching her with a predatory gleam.

Oden bared her teeth in an off colour smile, “No need to be nervous. She won’t bother you again” was all he said.

He brought in the food. The delicious aromas wafted up from the tray as he set it down on a low table. Serena ate with flourish, she was famished. Her eyes followed the tall stranger as he moved around the room. He was fairly tall, his long shaggy hair punctuated at his shoulders. His hair was damp and curly, as if he had walked in the rain. Sensing her gaze, he turned piercing her with the eyes of coolest blue steel that could be mistaken for quicksilver. He looked every inch the rumors purported she shifted uncomfortably beneath his gaze. He looked daunting. Regal. Was that humor around his mouth, or tension?

“Ah…so you have finally realized who I am. People think I am unaware of the nick names I am being saddled with. What is it now? The Demon Prince? Ha!” He lifted his eyebrow inquiringly. She flushed diverting her eyes to her food.

“Why do you seek me?” he asked gently.

“I needed shelter from the storm”.

“Why are you here?” he persisted, disbelieving.

“I told you. I was passing through. I needed shelter,” she said sharply.

He grunted, as if accepting her words.

“I thank you much for your generosity but I must be on my way.” She reached for her shoes donning them. Lucien’s lips lifted in an amused smile, it had been a long time since he had met a woman with spirit. It was in every inch of her frame, it breathed from her. What was she hiding? Her eyes refused to meet his. She was afraid of him too, yet there was a sense of pride and admiration there too. Many people were too afraid to confront him for various reasons and none of them plausible. It was refreshing. It made him feel alive. This feeling she had for him. Yes. He can feel her temperature rise. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Her cheeks flamed beautifully. He missed having company. He didn’t want to let her go – as yet. He was alone for so long in these mountains, that he could’ve been mistaken for a part of the countryside. Her essence was strong. She attracted him like none other. His eyes glowed with interest. She had a hidden streak of stubbornness, and beauty combined. She amused him. Serena felt like the mouse to his cat. She felt cornered, yet not overpowered. He had not moved an inch. Was he toying with her.  

“Wait!”

“Sorry. I must rush off like this. Got a long way to go before nightfall.” She skirted him to reach for the door.

“It is much too dangerous beyond this castle for a woman alone,” he said authoritatively,

“Yet I must go forth,” she countered, pulling the door open.

“No.” he pounced, like a cat. With a flick of his wrist the door slammed shut.

“How….What…is it true?“ she backed away staring at him with eyes wide and fearful. She strengthen he spine, “What do you mean no? You can’t mean to keep me here? Against my will. I will not be your prisoner. I must reach the end of the wood.” She didn’t care now whether the myth was true, she had a mission, and she meant to see it through, even if it meant going through him.

“Not only is it foolish to pursue this course. But there is nothing on the other side of the wood but vast open plains. Nothing lives or grows there. Only much turbulence from the geysers” he disregarded her moment’s fear and hesitation to his magic. Her acceptance of what he was was instant, and comforting, he didn’t like hysterical women.

“That’s impossible. Surely you jest” sounding panicked backing toward the wall.

“I never – Lady, I have been there many times. If I say nothing grows there. My word is good”, he veritably roared.

She saw the truth in his eyes, “Oh God No!” she muffled against her tight fist as she collapsed on a heap on the floor, the tears that threatened, spilled over in abandonment. “It was all for naught. The end will come swiftly now. It is only a matter of time.”

“What do you speak of, woman?”

“It’s no use. It makes no difference anymore,” she softly ejected

Rough hands reached out and pulled her close until her sobs subsided, then held her away. “Tell me!”

She nodded slowly; her pain palpable as she related the events that brought her here.

“I need to seek a flower. A flower not found anywhere else. It has reddish black leaves and blooms once a year with small white flowers.”

“Why do you need such a flower?”

“It provides healing properties once the flowers are harvested.”

“Are you a healer?”

“No” she put in “no. I am just a simple woman who tends to the house for my father. I have someone at home who is very ill with the Midas Touch.”

“The Midas Touch?”

“It is the yellow fever that draws the blood from the body leaving the body, a husk. People are dying with this disease. It takes but a few weeks to run it’s course and the people are gone….” she said desolately

“How is it that you have not contracted it?” He looked searchingly into her eyes.

“I do not know.” She said shaking her head for emphasis “That is why I volunteered for this quest. The attending healer had run out of her usual supply, there was too great a number of people falling ill.”

“Is it your father, Serena?”

“Yes. But how… ”

“How did I know? I am the Demon Prince remember?”

She staggered back a pace, she had forgotten. “Your father doesn’t have the Midas Touch. But an illness of the heart.”

As he was talking he sketched a circle in the air. “How….”

“The Demon Prince…remember” The mist cleared and Serena could see her father prancing around the yard of their house, he was calling for her in an excited voice. His eyes were alive with mischief and love. Then the vision dissipated.

“What foolery is this? My father is lying on his death bed” she said forcefully, “you dare play with my feelings. Showing me not that is true. You are a demon. I did not give you leave to address me so. How could you…”

“Serena! Serena! You are blinded by falsehood. He is alive and well. There was a loss in your house a year ago.” He said quickly.

“My Mother,” she said barely above a whisper.

“Your father’s whole world was shattered in that moment, he withdrew into himself, he was in the deepest darkest despair and he was helpless to help himself.”

“He loved my mother much”

“I gathered that. He also had a daughter who was grieving too. Who needed him.”

“I don’t know what to say.” She fell backwards onto the bed “Then I am lost. I don’t know how to help him if this is true.”

“You still doubt my words. No matter, come. I will show you what is to be done.” Nudging her off the bed Lucien steered her into the garden.

What she saw stunned her. There were hundreds of white flowers everywhere covering trees and barks and arbors. They all had one thing in common. Long reddish black stalks.

“These are known as argosis nepharelia. Yes, they do bloom once a year. In addition to curing the Midas touch, they clear the mind of bad antibodies that cloud a man’s perception from reality. It is good for many things” He said as he began to pluck the white flowers and place them in a basket at his feet. Serena was trying to understand what he was saying, but failed. All she knew was he said that the flowers will help cure her father. That he does not have the Midas Touch. What is it about them that is making them immune to the disease that is taking so many? “The leaves of this plant are especially beneficial. You need to crush them and make a hot tea. The taste can sometimes be sharp – douse it with some sugar. And get your father to drink it.”

“Tea?” she said more confused than ever “You want me to give him tea?”

“Of course that will be the best way” He looked up from his gathering to see her confusion. “I will come with you to administer it?” She nodded her agreement, when he smiled at her.

“Who are you?”

“I am just a man who knows too much” he remarked flippantly.

“No! Really? Why did you help my father?” she asked earnestly

“Ah!” He said shaking a finger under her nose “The rumors, are they true?”

“Rumors be damned. I can understand now how they can be bandied about.”

“Don’t give me more credit than I deserve. I will help whom I choose.” He walked away Serena was stung by his abrupt manner. Obviously the rumors about the Demon Prince were greatly exaggerated. The fear that was rising in her at their first encounter slowly transformed to respect and admiration, and something quite different.

“I ask only one thing.” His voice clearly resounded in the companionable silence as they worked.

“What is it?”

“That I have one night with you.” The feelings of insecurity returned, he was the devil indeed.

“For my father – Anything,” she bravely injected, appalled at his suggestion yet unwilling to consider the alternative.

“Come then…we must hurry before despair becomes death.” She flew to his side; he held on to her and chanted a few words. She gripped the basket tightly as a whirlwind lifted up and whipped at her hair and skirts. The garde on his chest was glowing and throbbing, arcs of light darted out and around them gathering into shimmering dust that swirled about them like a million fireflies until they were outside her father’s house.

She opened the door and went in; her father still lay where she had left him so many days ago, looking more frail and listless. The healer had come and gone, the dirty dishes proof to that. She placed a pot of water over the still crackling coals, she fan the coals into a fire throwing more wood over it. When she heard the gurgle of the water and the hissing steam of the pot lid, she added the crushed leaves to the pot as the stranger had indicated. She could feel his presence in the room, he moved silently about.

He was in her father’s room, stuffing more pillows under his head he crossed over to the windows and flung them wide open to let the light reach the darkest corners. He moved around the room muttering something in a language she didn’t understand. The blue light glowed once again at his throat, he stopped when he heard a step. She brought the cooled tea on the tray, and held it while he stirred in the sugar. “Thank you, Serena. You made it exactly as I would” he said encouragingly. He went over to the bed and sat down beside her father; held onto the back of his head and forced the liquid between his lips. Her father gagged, his eyes now open in shock. “usually the smell is enough from the tea, I felt he needed to restore his strength. He was fighting the stranger now trying to tip the contents of the cup onto the floor but the stranger’s strength held him in check.

Fleetingly, Serena feared for his health. She had allowed a perfect stranger into their home and to administer god knows what to her father her only kin in this world. She was afraid that this might not work. It could make her father worst. What had she done! “Stop! What are you doing to him? I should not have…”

As if sensing her turbulent and uncertain emotions, he smiled to reassure her, and handed her the empty cup.

“Calm down,” he gently ordered her his eyes kind and forgiving, “Give him a few hours. He should be fine.” He clamped his hand onto her arm to steer her away from her father’s bedside, ”He will be fine.”

He walked her out to the yard. She grew apprehensive about leaving her father alone wandering what the potion is doing to him, she looked up at him and his stance had not changed. She let out a breath and walked around pacing back and forth worrying nonetheless.

“Have you lived here long?” he asked trying to divert her thoughts.

“Yes all my life. What about you?”

“Me?”

“How do you know so much about healing?”

“I come from a long line of druids” he finally said.

“Druids! As in Wizards?”

“Not really.” He was looking at her as if he expected her to run away and shut the door on his face. “Druids are mostly healers and are deeply religious people. I am a half-breed. Born of a druid and a witch we are called “the other ones”. We can heal, perform sorcery and look into the future.” Lucien didn’t know why he was revealing so much, but he instinctively felt he needed to share a closeness. A bond. To keep her close. He instinctively felt she could be trusted. He felt her from the first, that she was important to him. That this was the moment, the beginning of something. The druids part of him is very acute in their perceptions, they could have the eyes of the seer if they so choose. “But we cannot predict our own futures,” he said as an after thought. “I am the fortunate few.”

“Why is that?”

“Many who are born out of such unions are born with defects.”

“Defects? What does that mean?” growing curiouser and curiouser.

“It simply means that they are born with imperfections. Many loose their minds and perish because there was no healthy balance between the parents” he tried to explain, they are usually raised by one or the other parent, the darker side usually beckons.”

“Then you are indeed fortunate,” she reiterated.

“You are not afraid” he said matter-factly,“ after all that I have said, you are not the slightest bit nervous by my presence.”

“Was it your intention to scare me? I also have a gift to sense people. Call it a sixth sense.”

He was pleased with the turnaround. “When we are mated, there is one other thing that we “others” can give to our mates.” He was looking right at her then.

His eyes on hers, her lips pressed together, waiting

“And that is….?”

“The gift of youth and longevity” he finished.

“What! You have the secret of being forever young?” She laughed spontaneously “Every woman’s’ dream? Surely you jest? How is that possible?”

“I do not jest, my lady?”

“Clearly…” she murmured

“I – “he looked shocked but continued “I will leave that for another time.”

Her father, standing at the door of the house, interrupted them. “Father?” She turned in his direction. His eyes looked lucid and clear, a tiny smiled kicked up the corner of his lips. His eyes were filling with tears…of joy “My baby girl,” he sighed and opened his arms wide as she flew into them.

‘I am so sorry my child. Can you ever forgive me?” he whispered into her hair “So sorry for leaving you alone to face the world. I was so lost…”

“Shhhh! I know father. I miss her too.”

“You look so like her, daughter” He held her face in her hand “I will not leave you again – “

“Father? It was not I who cured you but the goodness of this wonderful man.” She held out her hand toward the young man who came forward.

“Then I have much to thank you for young man” Her father enfolded him an affectionate hug. “My home is your home, son.” Lucien flushed uncomfortably at the display of affection. “I am going to get us some mead to toast to our good health. Please come in children!” He looked from one to the other, and said as a after thought “Whenever you are ready.”

He scuttled away in a spry and robust manner.

They looked at each other and burst into laughter “The old reprobate!”

“I like your father” he said

She replied with, “me too.”

“Serena?” he started, ‘I will not hold you to that promise.’ She looked up then, searching his face. She knew what he meant by that. “You are so beautiful……I couldn’t resist…..I didn’t want to let you go then…..just a moment more. I didn’t want you to be afraid of me either. I didn’t want you to turn me away either.

“So you strong-armed me, instead” she admonished

“Do you regret it?” he counteracted

“Not just yet ”she admitted.

“Does that mean there will be more times,” his eyes never leaving her face.

She nodded, “after I saw you – I couldn’t believe that those rumors were true. You are nothing like that at all, are you?”

“Not completely true. But I won’t say which parts, just now” He leaned forward in expectation and she shyly looked on.

“See! It is always good for things to come to their natural conclusion…don’t you think?” he whispered near her ears. She blushed prettily but didn’t say anything.

“Serena do you understand now how “the others” gift their mates with youth and longevity?” He winked suggestively. She blushed harder, finally getting his meaning.

 “I wish one more thing from you.”

“Granted!” he said as if waving a magic wand.

“Who might my savior be?”

He held his hand to his heart, “How remiss of me….carrying on a “grand conversation with a lady and not introducing myself. Lucien, lady mine, at your “most eager service.

“Lucien.” She breathed softly, “It suits you” Serena kissed him on the cheek and thanked him. “As my father said you are most  welcome here.” She shyly looked up at him, a fervent interest burgeoning in the depths of her eyes.

He took her face in his hands, and slanted his lips across hers. The fit was perfect. He kissed her deeply as if he never meant to stop, he felt her smile and acceptance as her arms circled his waist, he drew the breathe from her….and gave it back to her. His arms stole around her in a tight clinch. When he moved back they looked at each other - awed, and laughed into each other’s eyes. Yes this was a promising start.

The End.

NB: The contents, the characters, the names and scientific facts are all fictitious.

Terms

Garde - Talisman