Page 43 of Her Demon Daddy
Her eyes are sunken, and she has bags underneath them. Her skin looks pale and dry, and I begin balling my fists as I wonder what’s happened to her. She didn’t look like that yesterday. I look back at Vag’thimon and sneer, trying everything to hold back the rage that shakes my core when I wonder what he’s done to her.
I grit my teeth and shake my head slightly at him as images of him hurting Siara rush through my mind. Was she punished for talking to me in my cell yesterday? Did she reject his advances and his pride got the best of him? Worse, did he lose control of himself and harm her while they were in bed together?
The last thought is the most painful, and my chest tightens as I try to continue breathing. I want to choke him out, rip him off his throne and slash his throat in front of all his followers. I want revenge, not for anything he’s done to me, but for what he might have done to her.
The guards holding me push me down. I try to resist their force, but I fall to my knees under their force. They hit the golden tiled floor, and I keep my head high, staring at Vag’thimon dead in his eyes. I refuse to bow before a tyrant.
“Asmodeus,” Vag’thimon says as he looks at his hands, apathy still heavy in his expression. “You have been charged with kidnapping over five-hundred demons, impersonating the one true demon King, and treason.” He sighs and looks at me. “Do you have anything you would like to say?”
Yes. There are a million things I want to say,I think as Siara’s tired and grave face flashes in my mind. I exhale deeply as I maintain my glare with Vag’thimon.
“If you lay a finger on Siara, it won’t matter if I’m dead or alive. I will come back to find a way to kill you slowly myself,” I growl lowly.
The courtroom gasps and I still don’t break my gaze. I don’t want him to think I don’t mean that statement with every bone in my body. I have no idea how I would return from the dead, but I will find a way if he takes advantage of Siara in any form.
“Well,” Vag’thimon says lowly as he shakes his head and cocks his lips to one side. For a second, I swear I see sorrow in his eyes. “If that’s all you have to say for yourself, the laws are clear.”
One of the guards draws his sword from his sheath, and my muscles tense. I close my eyes, hoping that Siara knows I love her, despite my not saying it in the dungeons. At least now I can die knowing I did everything I could to protect her, even if my all wasn’t enough. I make a vow to myself as I hear the guard's clothes scratch against each other, thinking he must be readying the sword above his head.
I vow to come back for you. Ipromise Siara silently as I scrunch my face, preparing for the swift pain of the sword slicing through my neck. The guard screams, the traditional battle cry made before a courtly execution.
“Wait!” I hear Siara scream from behind me.
I open my eyes and turn over my shoulder, seeing the guard lower his weapon and turn toward her. She bolts out of the crowd and beside the guard that almost killed me. She looks at me briefly with an odd expression. I want to tell her she’s stupid, that she should get back in the crowd, but I’m too stunned to speak.
25
SIARA
Ican’t let this happen. I’m fucking angry. I’m furious at Asmodeus for lying to me, at Vag’thimon for doing this to his own cousin, and partially because Asmodeus is lying down and taking this punishment. His last words had nothing to do with his own defense.
It also breaks my heart to see him so defeated and worn. My only option is to be the one who has to stand up for both of us since he’s too deep in a hole of self-pity and hatred to see clearly. Does he really think he can let himself die and I’ll be alright without him? Despite all his actions, that might be the dumbest thing he’s done yet.
The nervous energy surging through me propels me forward like I’m being catapulted out of the crowd. My heart thuds in my chest as I open my mouth.
“Wait!” I scream as I push past the xaphan guards and run to the side of the guard who wielded his sword over Asmodeus’ neck, not more than a second ago.
I feel hands on my arms and try to jerk away from them. I look to my sides and see two xaphan scowling at me. I fight them, knowing I can’t resist their grasp. I look at Vag’thimon with a fierce glare.
As if he can read my mind, Vag’thimon motions for the guards to release me. I quickly take my arms out of their grip and look at Asmodeus. His eyes are wide and brows furrowed like he’s surprised I stepped forward. Did he really expect me to sit back and do nothing? How clueless and idiotic can he be?
I’m hurt that he’s shocked. I told him how I felt about him last night. Did he not hear me? Did he think I was lying to him? I’ve never known a love like this, and I’m not going to give up, despite his atrocities, because he’s the man I always wanted to exist in my life but never thought was real.
“Voice your objection, human,” Vag’thimon says, mockingly waving a hand at me. “Since you clearly have one.”
My mind sputters out like an old automobile. I’m trying to find a reason, any reason, that Asmodeus shouldn’t be executed. He didn’t deny his crimes, he wasn’t forthcoming when we first arrived in Ikoth, and there’s no use for him in the kingdom now that his name has been slandered. Then, the idea hits me, the only thing that might be his saving grace.
“You can’t execute him!” I shout as I walk toward Vag’thimon’s throne.
Guards step in front of Vag’thimon, but he waves them off. He motions to the floor, and I walk in front of Asmodeus and look at the real demon King sprawled on his throne like a lazy dictator.
“He was carrying out Oltyx’s will! He was granted leadership over his people and the continent of Galmoleth by a God, and not even you…” I look at Vag’thimon with disgust. “Your Highness, outrank a God.”
The crowd gasps again, and I hear whispers behind me. Vag’thimon looks over the group for a second, and I can feel the panic washing over him. He quickly collects himself before anyone else notices and stands from his throne, waving his hand over the crowd.
When they quiet, he looks at me with a ghost of a smile on his lips. My mind races, wondering what dispelled his panic so quickly. Was he expecting me to say that? Am I too uneducated on the roles of Gods and demons that I’m wrong? Regardless, I know I had to try something. Even if he disagrees and Asmodeus dies today, I know I’ve done everything possible to save his life.
Vag’thimon remains silent, and I realize Ihaven’tdone everything. I begin to play my statement in my mind, and details wash in like calm waves. I piece together my puzzle and step closer to his throne.