Chapter 9: Mouthpiece

Though I'd accomplished a minor victory, it wasn't as long-lived as I would have liked. In fact, within moments of

releasing control over Henemordonin, confrontation came, not from him as I expected, but from one of the gathered court.

When my cousin, Tanasharia, stepped forward, I had no time to stop her before she spoke up. My teeth ground together as I

held my peace while her false charm oozed forward.

"Ruler," she said, silken voice barely hiding her contempt, "when can we expect to see you move ahead? Or is this a plan

you have for some later date?" She glanced only for a moment at my grandfather, long enough for Ahbi to hiss in my head.

He needs a new mouthpiece, she sent.

She was the perfect choice to oppose me, and often did. With the death of her brother, Cypherion, and her father, the

former Second Seat, Vandelarious, at Syd and Dad's hands, Tanasharia had made it her mission to do everything she could

to make my life miserable while remaining outside my ability to punish her for her actions. Subtle social bullying,

outright confrontations disguised as family concern, and barbed jabs during court engagements were regular fare from her.

I used to lump her abuse in with my grandfather's attacks, allowing her to pile pressure on me much as he did. But as I

stared down at her, seeing through her thin attempt to be noticed, to stand up to me, I actually felt sorry for her.

"When you need to know," I said, dropping my tone to a deep rumble fed with power, the floor rippling under her feet in

answer, "I will inform you." I allowed her to feel the pressure of my magic and watched as her normal smirk faded as I

added weight until fear flashed in her eyes.

Enough playing, Ahbi sent. She is not important.

Oh, I disagree, I sent. They are watching, are they not? The entire court observed, silent and focused. I've not only

allowed Henemordonin to push me around, I've permitted it from one as lowly as Tanasharia. Mind you, she was a Seventh

Plane Lady, but she'd fallen far from Second Plane and I knew longed for her former place of glory and honor.

Tanasharia finally bowed to me, backing off. "Your will, Ruler," she said.

I flicked my fingers in her direction, a nuisance fly dislodged from my presence. I had no doubt she would continue to

challenge me, but seeing how easily she was defeated, I knew I could handle her. Which gave me much more confidence

Henemordonin was a tacklable problem as well.

"It is your Ruler's will," I said then, "all demon males of eligible age and rank come forth at this time to be presented

as a possible suitor."

They weren't expecting immediacy from me, I could tell instantly. It took a full minute before anyone came forward,

though once the first demon set foot in the center of the aisle, a rush of tall, broad-shouldered males joined him.

Henemordonin shifted subtly in his throne. I knew it was probably best to resist poking the angry bull, but I couldn't

resist.

So eager to be removed from power? I didn't meet his gaze, simply allowed the question to sit between us. I'm happy to

oblige you.

Ahbi hissed at me, but Henemordonin's reply was as softly delivered as my query.

I only want what is best for Demonicon, he sent, stiff and formal. The fact you've never understood that tells me your

grandmother's influence has been detrimental to our cause.

This time I did meet his gaze as he went on.

You see me as an enemy, he sent, with more softness than I knew he possessed, and I wonder if Ahbi hadn't been between

us, kept us from doing what we needed to, would things be different now? Wistfulness didn't become him, in my opinion. I

suppose we'll never know.

He looked away, leaving me with the sick feeling his words had been meant either as some kind of warning or just the

opposite-a threat. I wasn't sure which troubled me the most.

My grandmother's silence spoke to her own concern, but instead of chastising me for prodding Henemordonin, she instead

sent, Ram isn't here.

I hardly needed the reminder, I sent. And this is a delay tactic, remember? My gaze scanned across the cluster of faces,

each increasing the churning regret in my stomach until I felt so nauseated I was certain I would lose all control of my

digestion. They can't be serious.

Ahbi didn't need an explanation to understand my statement. Most of these are cousins you would never consider, she sent.

Either too close in bloodline or not powerful enough.

And just disgusting. I allowed my lip to curl up, to express my disdain as I held onto my poise with all of my strength.

Most of them have, at one point or another, made it painfully obvious they either consider me too weak to serve as Ruler

or too mis-bred. As if I would choose any of them.

Only one stood out, literally and figuratively. Not only was he leaner than the rest, he didn't carry the typical

massiveness of most demons. Instead, his body was more compact, his clothing tailored to subtlety instead of excess, no

spikes or sparkling gems or even plate armor sewn into leather to accentuate his frame. I found his open, quiet gaze

rather disconcerting, to be completely honest, and heard Ahbi's musing hum as I looked away from his handsome face.

I know him, she sent. Elphremantic, I believe. Parents are Fifth Plane. Not the brightest demons, but he could suit the

part if need be.

How have I never met him before? I continued to sweep the gathered males with my gaze in silence, watching them shuffle

in discomfort, though my face relaxed as much as my stomach as I dismissed them one by one.

Why don't we ask him? Ahbi prodded me gently and I found myself speaking, though with my own voice.

"Come forward." I gestured to him, maintaining my level calm. He did as I bid him, bowing deeply, but without the

overly-fawning supplication I dreaded. "Your name and rank."

"Elphremantic, my Ruler," he said in a melodic voice, soft but firm. "Lord of the Eighth."

"You've been missing from court," I said. "What brings you back?"

"I had the honor to be enrolled in Teris Haralthazar's enrichment program, my Ruler," he said. "Ten of us were chosen to

leave Ostrogotho and live among the lower Planes for several years, in an effort to teach us good leadership and

understanding of the lesser classes."

I had no idea, I sent to Ahbi.

Neither did I. She grunted.

"I have just returned from Bilhaeder, my Ruler," Elphremantic said. "I'm honored to finally stand in your presence." I'd

heard such declarations before, but his was the first that came across as genuine.

He's a possibility, Ahbi sent. If Ram says no once and for all.

We can at least present him as such, I sent. Showing interest might create the illusion we need to uncover Henemordonin's

plan.

Very well, Ahbi sent, her approval clear in her mental voice and flare of magic. A word of praise for him should be all

the seed you need to plant at this time.

I bowed my head ever so slightly to him. "Welcome home," I said. "I will be very interested to hear what you've learned

in your time away from the Seat."

Their murmurs of interest were all I needed to tell me Ahbi was right. That simple statement gave the gathered court the

rumor fodder necessary for me to now act with whatever speed I saw necessary.

Now, if only the way he looked at me didn't raise more of my interest than I'd intended in the first place, I might be

able to actually get some work done.

***

Court went much more smoothly after my announcement. For whatever reason, the challenges and petty arguments either

stopped bothering me as they usually did, or they really were fewer in number.

It was a lovely surprise to discover only two short hours took care of the bulk of the issues and I wondered if this was

what things were supposed to be like as Henemordonin stood.

Depends on the day, Ahbi sent. But I do recall having more time to focus on study and investigation.

You mean snooping and spying, I sent, though with a laugh in my mental voice.

She snorted as my Second Seat spoke, deep voice carrying with a hint of power.

"Our Ruler shall host a dinner this evening," he said while I swore inwardly at his presumption, not that I was really

all that shocked to find he side-stepped my attempt to control things. He'd proved himself adept at such matters and I

really had to be resigned to the fact I wouldn't be able to avoid his manipulations completely. "All eligible suitors are

required to be in attendance."

He turned to me, flames rising in his eyes. "Ruler?"

I hate him, I sent to my grandmother as I stood and moved past him, already descending the stairs.

"Court is dismissed," I said, half-way down the center aisle on my way to the elevator before the chattering could start

up again.

I don't know what you're so upset about, Ahbi sent as I sent the platform dropping toward the next level. It's just

dinner.

I know. I stepped off, pausing to catch my breath as the guards straightened into attention. I think I'm so ready to be

done with him, anything he does from now on will tweak my temper.

Which he'll attempt to use to his advantage, Ahbi sent. There was a time, only a few short days ago, I would have taken

her heavy tone as oppressive and controlling. Now, as I walked the long hall to my office, I, instead, chose to interpret

it as an attempt at an education.

Thank you, she sent.

I was about to respond when I spun at the sound of footsteps following me. I expected Sequoia perhaps, or even Pagomaris.

But the sight of Tanasharia's smirking face put me on instant guard even as I longed to use all the power of Demonicon to

crush her out of existence.

You really are very much like your sister, Ahbi sent.

"Ruler." Tanasharia dipped into a curtsy, though barely deep enough to convey any amount of respect. Instead of saying

anything, I stood there, staring at her with heavy-lidded eyes, waiting her out. Her fake smile faded as the seconds

ticked past until, visibly flustered and not so sure of herself, my cousin went on in a rush of hasty words. "How

delightful you've finally decided to choose a mate. Might I offer you some recommendations?"

What cold vault of frozen hell had she emerged from she thought I would ever, in a million years of rule, consider her a

confidant?

This must be your grandfather's influence, Ahbi sent, her amusement back again, heavily brushed through with contempt.

How pathetic of him.

And how very little he really knows about me, I sent. Maybe the past four years have served me after all. I think I've

rattled him.

Tanasharia shifted from one foot to the next, hands now clenched in the layers of gauze overlaying her skin-tight gold

dress. I watched as her chest rose and fell more rapidly, eyes tightening around the edges as I continued my conversation

with my grandmother and went on ignoring my cousin.

It might be wise to confide in her, Ahbi sent. But even I wouldn't encourage you to such falsehood. Neither of us would

be able to maintain the subterfuge for long.

I had no idea how effective simply staring at someone could be. Tanasharia had worked herself up to licking her lips,

shoulders shrugging as though in an effort to shake free from my glare.

You might want to cut her loose at this point, Ahbi sent. Too much of a good thing?

I hated to waste the chance to crush my cousin, but my grandmother was probably right. "I'll take your offer under

advisement," I said, my tone leaving absolutely no question I would do so only under the harshest of duress.

Tanasharia cracked, snarling at me. "You think you're so powerful," she hissed. "We'll see how long that lasts."

It would have been simple to gesture to one of the guards and have her arrested. I knew the new laws wouldn't allow me to

have her stripped and killed any longer, but I could at least have put her into an uncomfortable position until someone

finally rescued her from beneath the Seat.

Instead, I let her go as she spun and stomped off, turning my back on her and continuing to my office with a growing

worry in my heart.

An empty threat, Ahbi sent, though even she felt hesitant.

Of course, I sent.

I pondered my cousin's words that afternoon in my office and into the evening as Pagomaris dressed me for dinner, alone

when Ahbi retreated from my conscious mind as she sometimes did. Tanasharia was in Henemordonin's confidence, that much

was clear to me, though how much he told her remained to be seen. If I were my grandfather-the elements preserve me from

ever becoming like him-I wouldn't have told the nasty, impulsive demon girl very much. Knowing Henemordonin, he was

smarter than that, but I could hope to wring some further benefit from her if the time came for a full-on confrontation

with my Second Seat.

It shocked me when I realized what I contemplated. War between Henemordonin and myself. And yes, I really did think it

could come to that, if I let our conflict go too far. I'd eased up on my own guilt, but my anger at Dad and his foolish

attempt to change the way demons were ruled rose as strong as ever.

Sequoia entered after a few moments, bowing to me. "I thought some insight into your suitors might be welcome?"

I nodded, grateful for the distraction, though I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose at her as she sat on the edge of my

window seat, feet swinging beneath her.

"If we must," I said. "Tell me this dinner won't be a complete disaster?"

Sequoia laughed, brightening my mood with the sound of her chiming voice. "No promises, Ruler," she said as her hand

traced a path over the air beside her. While my work was all done on paper for posterity, most demons kept track of their

day-to-day schedules with magic. Sequoia's smooth, flowing hand writing appeared in glowing amber lines as she perused

her hovering notes.

"Let's see," she tapped a line of writing. It shifted and reformed, the image of a demon appearing next to her sparking

words. "Most of the cousins are out, am I correct?"

I shuddered as two minions slipped a silky pair of fingerless gloves over my hands, but not from the feel of the fabric.

"Please."

Sequoia bobbed a nod, her horns appearing through the pile of curls bound in two grape-like bunches over her temples.

"That leaves six candidates," she said. "Two are, I believe, unsuitable due to age." She flicked past their images, the

demon's faces appearing and disappearing in her magical Rolodex. "And two are previously mated, though now single again."

She met my eyes. "While there are no laws against it, I'm thinking perhaps an unwed suitor might be more desirable?"

There was nothing wrong with marrying someone who'd been mated before. But I did feel my bias leaning toward someone who

had as yet to experience being partnered.

"And someone young, please," I said, turning as Pagomaris guided my body, her demons hard at work.

Sequoia sighed, hands dropping. I looked up to find two faces hovering in front of hers. One I knew very well, had kissed

his lips and longed for more from him. Rameranselot might have been Eighteenth Plane, but he was in the running, I was

happy to see.

The other sent a tingle of surprise and a thread of guilt down to my belly, if only because I hoped he'd be on the final

list. Elphremantic's enigmatic smile flickered in amber flame as Sequoia waved both demons out of existence.

"Well," I said, "nice to know I have such a wide selection to choose from."

Sequoia's little smile hurt as much as Ram's silence. I hadn't intended to ask her, but the question slipped from my lips

none the less. "Is there any word?" He'd only been gone since breakfast. I really was a silly ninny. But all of this

agreeing to mate talk had him in the forefront of my mind all over again.

"Nothing yet," Sequoia said.

Which meant he would be missing this evening's festivities, leaving me to deal with a pack of demons I wanted nothing to

do with. Scowling at my reflection as Pagomaris offered a full-length mirror, I vowed to myself to have an absolutely

horrible time.

***