RaTED 18+
If you're not eighteen or over please don't read it. Okay I did my part, if you read it's on you.
From Ambriel cast, in darkness they roam, the Hellions reigned in their shadows alone.
To cleanse their sins in hell’s warm embrace, awaiting redemption to reclaim their grace.
The morning arrived with a ruthlessness that Thaddeus would have gladly fought off if he could. During his time under Hex's hidden care, dawn had never been so cruel. There had been no insistent rooster to drag him from slumber, no unrelenting bell to shatter his dreams.
It seemed a cruel twist of fate that now, when he craved just a few more hours of rest, the clanging bell echoed through the shack, summoning him like a common house slave. The Seraphs never showed him respect, but this was a new low.
With a heavy sigh, Thaddeus slipped into his stark white robe, its purity a sharp contrast to the gray coat he threw over it. He stepped out into another stormy day, though the Netherwood’s tempests rarely reached their tiny home. A protective ward dome around the small villa kept the relentless rain at bay, preserving a deceptive calm.
As he trudged through the courtyard, Thaddeus clung to a fragile hope that Aizel might venture out on another hunt, granting him a rare moment of peace with Hekaia. She was the one who needed him most, her demands far gentler than the menacing Nightfang's. Even a brief respite would soothe his trembling nerves.
"Morning, little dove!" The voice was sickeningly cheerful, dripping with mockery. Thaddeus turned, his gaze meeting Aizel’s grinning face. The young warrior extended a cup of tea, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling blend of amusement and something darker. There was a predatory glint in those crimson eyes that made Thaddeus’s skin crawl.
“G-good morning,” Thaddeus answered, reluctantly accepting the tea. He breathed in the rising steam, trying to sniff out any hint of poison. Finally satisfied, he took a sip, the liquid warming him as it sailed down.
Seeing the Seraph’s face twist in fear as he accepted the tea gave Aizel a sick sense of satisfaction. The Seraphs were godlike in their power. Having this one weak and at his mercy was simply lovely. Why had he ever considered throwing him out?
“We had a deal, didn’t we?” Aizel reminded the young Seraph, his grin only growing more sickening. “On your knees.”
“For what?”
“You swore to side with the prince of devils, no?”
“Yes, but—”
“The only prince in this villa is me.” Aizel gripped his shoulder, shoving him to his knees with a chuckle. “Well, go on, make your oaths.”
Thaddeus glared up at him, ready to spit. “You said I’d swear myself to your gods.”
“Hex and I are the only gods you need to concern yourself with,” Aizel’s smug grin was making it difficult for Thaddeus to contain his anger. “See any temples or shrines here? We’re our own gods. Now swear it or lose your head. I’d go with the first option; your face is rather pleasant.”
A pleasant face…dear gods how long before he was dragged into their carnal festivities? “I…I swear it,” Thaddeus finally said, bowing his head in defeat. All he had to do was survive; that was easy enough.
“You swear what?” Aizel asked, lifting his bare foot to press down on the boy’s shoulder. “Details, little dove.”
“I-I-I swear to serve your every…uh…need and desi—request!” His ‘oath’ only brought a laugh out of Aizel, who stepped back, pulling him up.
“Was that really so hard?” Aizel asked, watching as sweat poured down Thaddeus’ ivory cheek. “You’re all soggy!”
This wasn’t about loyalty; Thaddeus knew that much. Humiliation. To make him kneel before a demon spawn and swear himself. “I’ll get started on breakfast sir.” he said, biting his tongue as he half sprinted towards the house.
When he ran, Aizel laughed. He needed a sip from his own tea to calm down.
“Pathetic,” Hex spoke up from the patio chair, narrowing her eyes at him.
“He is rather pathetic for a ser—”
“Not him—you!”
“For what? Enjoying myself?” Aizel challenged her, stepping over the deck to join her on the porch sofa.
Hex rolled her eyes but allowed his arm to slide around her. “Enjoying it? You’re feeding off it.”
“I’m still hungry…”
“Humiliating the Seraph boy makes you feel better,” Hex pointed out, seeing through his power playing. “That’s pathetic.”
Aizel’s grin faltered, but only for a moment. He leaned closer to Hex, his voice dropping to a whisper. “And what would you have me do, my dear? Play nice with our pet?”
“My pet. I found him first remember?” Hex’s eyes sparkled with a cold amusement. “Are you jealous, Aizel? Afraid the Seraph might steal me away?”
Aizel’s laughter echoed through the courtyard, masking the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. “Hardly! I’m…teaching him humility! Building some character,” A lie, and he didn’t bother to keep a straight face.
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From the kitchen window, Thaddeus watched, unable to hear a word. Those wards were awfully convenient—they kept him from eavesdropping, but not from overhearing their nightly escapades. He stared for a moment, watching as they stood, and Aizel’s arms closed around her.
He was taught these Hellion’s were incapable of love and yet the look in their eyes said otherwise. Thaddeus watched as Aizel's fingers slid through Hekaia's long locks of purple and black as if it were the softest thing he'd ever touched. The look the demon had in his eyes was full of longing and she returned it with a grin up at him. There was nothing carnal about their embrace; they simply held each other.
When Aizel turned to spot him spying, Thaddeus quickly returned his attention to the pork strips he was laying out on two plates.
“None for you?” Hex spoke beside him, causing him to jump and stumble over. Their laughter brought a deep blush to his cheeks.
“I…I’m welcome to?” He asked, knowing one wrong move could cost him his head.
“No, starve.” Aizel said stepping past Hex to snatch a plate and walk off.
Hex rolled her eyes and nodded to Thaddeus, “We have plenty.” She assured him, shuffling past with a plate to join Aizel in the living room.
Thaddeus wasted no time filling up a plate for himself. “Thank you!” he said and stood in the kitchen by the edge of the living room, his heart pounding in his chest. He watched the two demons as they ate, feeling a mixed bowl of fear and gratitude that turned his stomach.
“Oh, noble dove!” Aizel spoke in a chipper tone that only left Thaddeus’ stomach turning even more.
“Yes?”
“Yes…”
“My Lord…” Thaddeus forced the words past his lips and stuffed his breakfast in to get the taste out.
“Lord? Hm…too common,” Aizel threw his feet up on the table and hummed. “Majesty…no, we’ll come up with a proper title. I’m curious though…what is your plan of escape? I was gone for two weeks, in that time I’m sure you’ve discovered something.”
Hex shoved his feet off the table and threw herself into his lap. “The seal spell is layered, specifically targeting anything not Seraph.”
“Which we already knew,” Thaddeus continued for her, “But with my blood…well…nothing is certain but…I know how their spells are cast. Every lock has a key, their blood. If we reverse the spell where it’s strongest there’s a chance it’ll work.”
Aizel turned to the boy with a wide smile, full of surprise. “So, you are useful after all.”
“You think so?!”
“Cleverer than the court, they dropped the key to our freedom thinking we’d destroy it.” Aizel explained. All that power made them arrogant. It didn’t take a genius to see that, only a keen observer.
Hex leapt off Aizel’s lap with a blade in hand. “Well?” She said looking between the two boys, “Let’s get it over with!” She more than anyone was itching to be free. Aizel could explore the Netherwood from river to river, but she had never seen the world past their little villa.
Aizel shook his head, pointing a finger at the knife. “Not that easy,” He explained having dealt with the court himself. “They can fly from the castle to the Netherwood in under a minute. Once that veil is lifted…we need another escape plan.”
“How many Hellions live in this wood?” Thaddeus asked with one eye on the knife in Hex’s hand.
Hex tapped her chin with the point of the blade. “Uh…a hundred?”
“Four hundred,” Aizel corrected her having met many of them in his travels.
Thaddeus nodded his head with a small smile, “Few hundred Hellions are barely a match for one Seraph.” He pulled back his glove to reveal a large white stone ring. Six wings were plated upon it with a sapphire in the center. “But you see…I stole this. This holy ring can command a celestial beast.”
Aizel choked on his pork and shoved the plate down. A celestial beast. The court had three in their command. Gifts from the Ethereal Vale. The sky dragon Helel whose bolts of red lightning could decimate a city. Leviathan, the sea serpent guarding the rivers around their prison. Lastly, Behemoth, beast of the land whose charging hooves would topple any army opposing them.
“But—how?!” Hex demanded as he hadn’t revealed this ace before. He kept it locked away until the right time. No command could escape the barriers.
Thaddeus threw her a grin and stepped back. “They never thought much of me, easy to steal when no one’s watching.”
With one of those beasts under his power, Aizel could conquer a kingdom for himself. “You are our savior,” he said, trying desperately to hide his glee. “First we need to test your little theory.”
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If the Seraph could break the spell surrounding the Netherwood, surely the tethering spell on Hex would be an easy one. He seemed confident as Aizel watched, retaining an air of skepticism. Inside he was hopeful, excited even, but he couldn’t show it. He couldn’t allow the Seraph to see his glee or trust. Aizel treated him the way the Seraphs had treated their kind for centuries.
Thaddeus laid a circle of salt and his blood around Hex. The salt for protection and the blood to free her. They all stood at the edge of the villa while she looked around herself with a smile. As he worked, Hex gave him steady direction on the spell.
He was more than he seemed, more than a broken Seraph. In his time at the palace they paid him no mind, saw no threat in him, and left him on his own. Thaddeus had spent all that time studying, learning. While they were flaunting their power he had been using other strengths. If the court had valued knowledge as power, they would have watched more closely.
Aizel was certainly impressed; it seemed he knew the spell from memory. A few inclusions from Hex were apparently all he needed to complete it.
“The circle’s cast,” Thaddeus said as he wrapped a cloth around his bleeding wrist.
“Now what?” Aizel asked in the most uninterested tone he could manage. He drew his wrist up as Hex inspected the boy’s work. Seraph blood had a sickeningly sweet smell, one that left him nauseous. Even Hex seemed to cringe away. “Now we cast the spell. One from within.”
“And one from outside.” Thaddeus finished for her, stepping and speaking in a tongue Aizel had never heard before. From inside the circle, Hex mirrored his words.
Their chant rose higher as a strange collar formed upon Hex’s neck. It was a swirling vortex of black and purple. The faster it swirled the thinner it became. The ward between the Seraph and Hellion began to splinter like broken glass until it all came crashing down. Hex fell to the ground, gasping for air. Aizel shoved Thaddeus aside to check on her. By the time both boys were on their knees she was breathing normally.
“Did it work?” Aizel asked as he brushed strands of blood and amethyst out of her face. She shoved them both away and ran towards the clearing outside the villa. There she stopped looking around at everything as if it were the first time she’d seen it.
“I’m free…” Hex muttered, looking back at them. “I’m free!!” She cried out and jumped from one side of the old barrier to the other. Little giggles escaped as she gleefully hopped around the invisible wall that once held her captive. She ran as Aizel opened his arms, but she threw her own around Thaddeus to hug him tight. “Thank you…”
“You’re welcome milady,” Thaddeus said and slowly brought his arms around the Hellion.
Aizel hid his jealousy when she embraced the Seraph. Instead, he clapped Thaddeus on the shoulder. “You made her dreams come true.” He said and stepped away before one of them tried dragging him into their embrace.
“I intend to make all your dreams come true,” Thaddeus said with a turn to Aizel. “All of you deserve to be free no matter what you are.” He didn’t care if they were demons, half demons, or whatever word the court used. They were people of the land, a land that preached freedom.
“Such philanthropy!” Aizel said and hid the genuine smile growing by turning his face away. He felt the hand on his cheek pulling his gaze down to a pair of purple hues gazing up at him.
“When we’re free you can show me all the places you’ve seen.” Hex said with her hand still gripping Thaddeus’ arm. Aizel had told her about the world beyond their little villa. So many cities and creatures she’d only read about or heard about from him. Now she had the chance to see them all.
Aizel let his smile show and ran his fingers over her cheek and through her hair. “See the world, that’s what you want?” He’d promised she could leave when she was free. It was always assumed she’d leave him behind. “I’d love that.” He said and turned to Thaddeus, “You’re welcome to come.”
“As a servant I assume?” He asked, crossing his arms.
“As a friend,” Hex corrected him, turning to Aizel who nodded.
“If you can really free us, you’ll always be a friend.” Aizel agreed. That display had earned his trust even if he wouldn’t say it out loud. He had the chance to free himself and leave them, but he’d kept his word. It touched Aizel in a way he didn’t quite understand himself. Honesty, integrity, even loyalty weren’t things he was taught to value.
The Seraph’s couldn’t let a pawn value such morals. He may become morally upright, and they couldn’t have someone like that questioning them.
Thaddeus bowed to them both, “I would like that.” He said as Hex ran out beyond the barriers again to twirl around.
“Let’s invite our other friends to dinner tomorrow night, they’ll be itching to meet you too.” Aizel said. They would need all Netherwood on their side if this was going to work.
Hex was listening and waved at Aizel, “I’m coming!” She cried and ran back to the house, slamming the door shut.
Aizel and Thaddeus heard her rustling around excitedly beyond the walls. The two boys began laughing until their eyes met and abruptly stopped. “We’ll be gone ‘til tomorrow. House is yours, enjoy yourself.” He said and left the Seraph to help Hex pack her things.
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Aizel expected her to be excited. Hex broke away to look at everything at every turn. It was all so fascinating to her. Before she came to the Netherwood she had been blindfolded always. The Seraph’s considered her unworthy to look upon the splendor of Serafia. This forest surrounded by a miasma of darkness was paradise to her.
She refused to take the horse and wanted to explore on foot. It wasn’t a difficult journey. The barrier she conjured kept them clear of any falling rain. A thick film of purple aura hovered above them as they walked.
“Where are we going first?” Hex asked once she returned to Aizel’s side.
“Emberstone manor first.”
“What about the Maeve?”
Aizel stopped, his hands trembling slightly. The Maeve was the closest thing they had to a queen in the Netherwood. Maeve Carmilla was the only Hellion the Seraphs didn’t look upon with disdain. She followed their orders like a loyal dog and kept all Netherwood in line.
“What’s wrong?”
Aizel pushed her out of sight, into the shadows. “She can’t be trusted,” He hissed into Hex’s ear.
“Why not?” Hex hissed back, hiding her disappointment. She thought he’d pushed her into the darkness for something else.
“The Maeve won’t risk her position on a gamble like this,” Aizel explained as his fangs raked across her neck. The disappointment faded into purrs and gentle moans.
If it failed, she would see herself beheaded or given away as a concubine to the highest bidder. That’s only if she were lucky. He’d seen worse from the Seraph court. They may have feigned respect for her position, but in the end, she was a demon.
“I see—” She was cut off by the piercing into her skin, falling back against his chest. “B-but…will the others betray her?”
Drops of blood dripped from his fangs when he pulled away, hissing softly. “Everyone pretends to love their local lords and ladies, but in their heart, they detest them. Won’t be hard to convince the others.” He’d seen how the people spoke of their leaders in secret.
“A secret movement then? Sounds exciting!” Hex rubbed her neck as the wound stitched itself back together. “Our destinies entwined; we ride to glory as one!” Her voice mimicked a great hero, raising her hand to the heavens in triumph.
In a flash she was down the road waving to him. “Come my prince! Let us embark on this noble quest to free our shattered clan!” She had read many of the books in Aizel’s collection, every story and fairytale. In those stories the people rose from below and toppled the regime oppressing them.
Aizel laughed and ran, throwing her over his shoulder. He had never seen her this spirited and it sparked him to life. She squealed and let him carry her. “We shall, my princess. I will carry thee to glory!”
A swift kick to his groin freed her. He crumbled to the ground, and she landed on her feet. The tip of her boot took his chin lifting his gaze to her. “I don’t need a knight to carry me. I need a partner by my side. Will you be that man, noble hero?”
“I-I will, my princess.” Aizel said after a brief silence, staring up into her sparkling amethyst eyes. They shimmered down at him with a confidence he’d never seen. He played along, bowing his head to the floor.
“Then rise, noble hero.”
When he stood, she was giggling, “Emberstone manor?”
“Aye milady!”
At some point in their journey, she’d begun to skip down the road. He wasn’t interested, but her joy was contagious. It didn’t take long for him to begin skipping beside her. By her side the world wasn’t such a dark unforgiving place. In the tempests of Netherwood she had always been a source of joy, someone to comfort him.
Eventually they reached Emberstone manor. It rose three stories above them adorned in red and guarded by miasma of crimson death. The mist was poison, breathing it in would liquify their organs. From beyond the mist a shadow approached, “Hark! Who goes there?!” A voice boomed and tapped something on the hard ground. “Speak knave! Or die.”
“Shut up Balaam!” Aizel called out, crossing his arms.
“That’s not the pass phrase!” It spoke again earning a fit of laughs from Hekaia.
“Devils…oh mighty Balaam we seek an audience with thy greatness!”
“Aizel!” Balaam ran out of the mist to greet them, removing his runed mask. He was a large man with deep red hair falling in curls around his shoulders. Every inch of him was muscle, enough to intimidate most at first sight. His face held a bright grin complimented by his ivory skin. A spear was held in his hand which he set down to greet them. His father had passed years ago. Many believed he’d beheaded the Emberstone patriarch, but no one cared enough about the old man.
“You knew who it was...”
“That I did! Saw you coming from the balcony,” Balaam turned to Hekaia, shocked to see her out of the villa. “Look at you! Figured out the spell?”
“That’s why we’re here!” She spoke.
After he invited them inside, clearing the mist, Aizel explained everything. Balaam had set out wine and cubes of elk meat to snack on. He sat silently listening to the whole story. Aizel and Hex shared details in turn keeping his head turning to one then the other.
Balaam was surprised he didn’t kill the Seraph. When he heard why he stroked his long beard. “He broke their intricate spell craft and no wings…”
“Says he can take down Netherwood’s barrier, set us free.” Aizel went on.
“If he can’t we’re dead. Carmilla will scorch us all or worse, turn us over to the court.”
Hex threw her feet up onto the table and laid against Aizel. “That’s what Aizel said, she wouldn’t risk her position.”
The purr from Balaam sent goosebumps up her arms, “That’s the problem, she’s promised her daughter to me. Her heir. Why should I risk that on the slim chance your Seraph slave can free us.”
Aizel narrowed his eyes and kept them on the spear. “A glorified husband with no real power? Not a title worthy of the mighty Balaam.”
“I’ll be rich beyond measure.”
“Hated by all of Netherwood.” Hex added with a sly smirk. “You’re an adventurous fellow, no? How does life trapped in a palace sound to you?”
Balaam’s purr fell to a groan, imagining his life in a gilded cage. Netherwood’s nobility was matriarchal. Men were welcome for one reason, breeding, continuing the line.
"If you help us toss Carmilla on her ass, we’ll give you a better position. General! No…Sovereign General. Commanding the great Hellion army!” Aizel reached out to take his spear as he stood. With one swift movement he swung it dramatically around himself. “Now isn’t that a position worthy of the mighty Balaam?” The pole was pointed at the larger man, beckoning him to take it.
The red headed man’s eyes changed, gleaming with desire. He reached out and held the spear in his hand. It was as if he could see the armies behind him, the glory of slain enemies and conquered lands. To see the world and make it their own. What a grand life that would be. It was truly a dream worth risking it all to attain. Carmilla was despised by her people. All they needed was the right push. “You intend to be king, yes?”
“The Seraph is ours as is the plan. It’s only fair don’t you think?” Aizel set the spear in his hand and sat back on the plush velvet sofa. “You won’t be forgotten when the spoils roll in. After all, I need you loyal. Armies are loyal to their commanders first.”
“True enough!”
“Tomorrow night we’ll have dinner at the villa. We need everyone there.” Hex said to a nodding Balaam. “Excellent, I’ll send word to everyone we can. Secret meeting at the villa!”
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A Hellion gathering, Thaddeus had never expected them to be so jubilant. Surrounding the courtyard fire were dozens of horned and devilish figures. One had shining red hair like a fire and more beautiful to look at than any Seraph he’d known.
They were all beautiful in their own way now that he could truly see them. Many had dark hair and glowing eyes, horns, talons, and fangs. Each resembled both the ferocious demon and the ethereal fae they hoped to become one day. Their magic was dark, playing with purple balls of energy passed between one another.
He expected there would be some terrible mortal sacrifice while they feasted on flesh and drank blood. Instead, they laughed and traded stories of their time apart. Most were busy dancing around the fire, trading partners. It was no different than the celebrations in Serafia. The same vibrant spirit in another form. Maybe there was a difference between darkness and evil.
Hekaia seemed more excited by the gathering. She traded dances with everyone around the fire as her grin only spread. Not the deviant grins Aizel displayed. It was the smile of a girl with her friends, nothing sinister behind it. Living behind these wards must have left her feeling lonely.
Their host, Aizel, was busy drinking and fidgeting with something in his hand. Thaddeus thought he looked nervous. Tonight, Aizel would unveil his plan for their escape. He didn’t imagine Aizel was the type to suffer from stage fright. The young assassin sat on a rock speaking with a large man with long deep red hair, Balaam Emberstone.
These weren’t the monsters he’d been taught to fear. They were just as fae as the Seraphs ruling over them, kinder even. None of them berated him for having no wings. The demons were fascinated by him. They had even invited him to sit by the fire after all the food was passed around.
“Gather around!” Balaam cried out and waited for everyone to gather around the fire. Aizel followed behind him, that deviant grin spreading on his lips. “Seraph boy! Get over here!” Balaam yelled for Thaddeus grabbing him by the hand to pull him close before throwing an arm around his shoulders. “Here’s our man, our gift from hell!”
“P-pleasure to meet you all!” Thaddeus squeaked out like a mouse in the presence of hungry cats.
“Gifts from hell are rare so…our time has now approached!” Aizel said his own voice cracking as all eyes turned to him. This wasn't another long story around the fire. He needed them to betray everything they knew, risk a brutal death, and follow him to a greater future. His stomach was turning, twisting into nausea.
Hex was suddenly by his side, running a hand over his arm. “Thought I was your gift from hell! Are you replacing me?!” she said, nudging him playfully. The laughter seemed to break Aizel’s frozen frame, allowing him to laugh a little.
“No one replaces you.” Aizel sighed and looked at all the eyes with a soft gulp. He chugged his whiskey bottle to the last drop and chucked it at the rock. It’s shattering sent many jumping from their seats. “These forests are a prison. But look what we have, a Seraph. The one being capable of breaking us free of our prison.”
“Forfeit our redemption?” Someone in the crowd spoke, echoed by others. They still dreamed of returning to Ambriel. What else did they know, it’s all their clans left them with. The one hope they’d be free again.
“What is redemption?” Aizel jumped onto a rock and addressed the one who’d interrupted him. His red eyes bore into her amber hues as he stroked her dark hair back. He then spun on his heel addressing the others. “I’ll tell you what it is! Just a word. A word they invented to make us believe we need to be changed, that we’re not good enough as we are! So, our ancestors started a war that killed millions, what does that have to do with us? I’ve killed dozens in the name of those Seraphs! Murder is wrong, except in their name. Convenient, eh?”
“You really think we can stand up to the Seraph court? If we leave, they’ll hunt us down!” Others echoed similar worries.
“Who says we're leaving?!” Hex interjected, “We can hijack the barrier spell, keep the Seraphs out. Only non Seraphs can come and go freely.”
“Our own kingdom, our own laws!” Aizel continued, “We should be the masters of our destiny, not the Seraphs! What’s in Ambriel for us? We’ll be foreigners, no better than slaves to their whims. You think they’ll welcome us with open arms, even the Seraphs abandon their own. What place do we have among the people of Ambriel?”
The crowd fell silent, pondering what Aizel had said. No one knew what waited for them on the other side. They were told a great celebration awaited them and a place among the high clans. Who among Ambriel’s fae would so willingly accept foreign clans, give them positions of power? As they thought more, it did seem a bit unrealistic to assume this.
“We have one weapon even the Seraphs can’t overcome,” Thaddeus assured them, revealing the ring on his finger. It shined against the dim light of the fire. “With this I’ll command the great dragon Helel to strike the oncoming Seraphs while we build a new barrier to repel them."
They all looked at the ring with a symphony of oo’s. “We’ll set it free once it’s finished decimating them!” Balaam spoke, spinning a large spear in his hand. “I’ll ride the dragon into battle myself, Aizel and Hex will remain behind to oversee the spell.”
It didn’t take long for the reluctant crowd to begin nodding. They had a slim chance and what was the point of pining for Ambriel when they could find their own destiny here. One decided by them, not by a court a whole realm away.
“Follow me my fellow Hellions to a brighter future!” Aizel drew his sword pointing it dramatically into the sky. “We’ll find our own redemption out there!”
A clap of thunder complimented his declaration and before they could answer the miasma of darkness cleared. A woman clad in a black dress strode into the courtyard. The firelight illuminated her light brown skin and emerald. When her hood was removed it revealed the thick curls in her hair, falling down to hover over her shoulders.
“You hosted a party without me? Poor manners Nightfang.” Her presence silenced everyone, even Aizel as he beheld the Maeve. She appeared as young as him, though she was centuries older. “But I knew that when you denied my proposal.”
“Proposal?” Hex took Aizel’s arm, “She proposed to you?”
“I-.”
“I did, but he turned me down. Now I see why. She’s lovely, Nightfang.”
“Wasn’t interested in becoming a pampered stud. Nothing personal.” Aizel finally spoke, keeping a hand on the blade at his side. “It’s good you’re here, we were just getting to your abdication.”
“Abdication? Are you mad?” Carmilla eyed all the people present, then turned to see the Seraph. “So, this is the Seraph boy. Thaddeus, was it?”
Thaddeus nodded, “Yes milady.” He answered with a bow.
“Such nice manners. I’ll give you a better offer, leave them and come with me. Having a Seraph as a son in law will be a great honor. My bloodline will be rich with power, untouchable.”
“I…” He thought about it, tempted to take her offer but shook it off. “Sorry, but I’ve sworn an oath to serve Aizel. I never break my oaths.”
Aizel ignored the two and looked towards the knights behind her. “Only six? You’re awfully confident.” Did she believe six of her knights were a match for the dozens here? He didn’t know or care. She had come like a lamb to the slaughter, why question it?
“You offered your daughter to me first,” Balaam challenged, gripping his spear.
“And here you are among these traitors, I’m afraid that offer is rescinded. So sorry.” With a wave of her hand Balaam’s spear flew into the wall and he was sent in the other direction to the heated water. The knights branded their swords, ready to slaughter anyone who came near. “As for you Seraph, you’ll be coming either way. I promise you my daughter is quite lovely. You’ll be content in my palace.”
Thaddeus shivered and backed away to help Balaam out of the water. “If you take me, I’ll kill your daughter. Then you.”
"You're sounding like a Hellion." Aizel smirked at the Seraph then turned to the others who were still unsure who to choose. “Freedom or slavery. Make your choice.” His gaze drifted to the knights as well, waiting to see what they’d do.
“That's adorable Nightfang,” Carmilla thrust her hand out, catching Hex’s throat with an invisible grasp. The girl gasped and fought, kicking her legs but none of her spells could save her. “Here’s my offer. All of you, kill that Nightfang brat or die with him.”
Aizel reached for Hex, but she was lifted into the air. “Bitch!” He rushed Carmilla next only to be cast away into a bush.
“She doesn’t have long, now choose.”
“Celestial winds!” Thaddeus cried out. A gust of wind burst from his palm sending Hex flying across the courtyard out of reach. Carmilla’s grasp fell, and she growled at the Seraph. “Wingless cur!”
Hex gasped when she hit the grass and rolled to her feet again. “Your magic is shit!” She cried out and twisted her own black and purple aura around herself. Her body ached from being thrown. Every bit her power was summoned up, all or nothing.
Carmilla looked at the girl with a grin as darkness swirled around her. “I’ll show you magic, little witch.” She sent her shadowy tendrils straight for Hex, but the girl’s own blast arched as she stepped aside. The purple and black aura shot up and came crashing down on the Maeve. The scream echoed through the forest. Knights came to her side but found themselves thrown back by the tendrils spreading out of Hex’s blast.
Aizel and Balaam were both running back into the fray. Everyone around stood back and watched, unsure how this battle would end. The knights rushed to stop them but the two were too quick. Balaam’s spear shattered their defenses while Aizel’s blade cut them down.
“Better than you,” Hex said as she approached the Maeve who struggled to stand. “Cheap spells…” She groaned.
Aizel’s blade was at her throat and Balaam’s spearpoint was pressed against her back. “Give it up, your highness.” Aizel growled as the crowd circled the Maeve. “You should’ve stayed home, prepared your defenses.”
“I will never surrender to you, any of you.” A swirling mist surrounded her and a shadowed wind followed. "We'll decide this on the battlefield." Everyone surrounding her was flung to the edges of the villa. When they regained their footing she was gone.
All of them had seen her bested. She wasn't nearly as formidable as they had believed. The one with bright red hair approached the spot where Carmilla was nearly slain. "You almost killed her..." She threw her head up at Thaddeus and the others. "The Redwoods will stand with you."
"And the Grovewoods."
"The Ravenmoons too."
One by one each of them fell to their knees before Thaddeus, Aizel, Hekaia, and Balaam. "We will break the seal, but first we deal with Carmilla." Aizel promised. They needed her out before the next imperial inspection of the wood.
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