CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

"My Queen, the great demon Samhain is here," a servant rushed to the throne of Elphaba, bowing before her in fear and reverence.

"Stand up, you pitiful servant. A feast must be prepared to celebrate my triumph," Elphaba said, rising from her imposing throne. Her wicked laughter echoed through the grand chamber, sending chills down the spines of those present.

"Summon my granddaughter, Ursula, and bring forth the demon Samhain," Elphaba commanded, her voice dripping with malice. The servant scurried away, eager to fulfill the queen's demands.

"So, Samhain has finally arrived in my realms. With his power, I will make Drucilla bend to my will," Elphaba muttered to herself, a sinister smile curling on her lips. The prospect of wielding even greater influence thrilled her.

Shortly after, Ursula entered the chamber, followed closely by the enigmatic demon Samhain. His presence exuded an air of mystery and darkness that perfectly complemented Elphaba's wicked domain. She studied him intently, her eyes narrowing with suspicion and curiosity.

"So, this is the great demon Samhain," Elphaba sneered, eyeing him from head to toe. His appearance was deceiving, for he seemed more human than demon. The absence of horns and the normalcy of his features perplexed her.

"Greetings, my esteemed Queen Elphaba. Is this how you welcome those you have summoned?" Samhain's voice oozed with an uncanny charm as he approached Elphaba's throne. He bowed gracefully and brushed his lips against her outstretched hand, a gesture meant to deceive.

Elphaba's eyes bore into Samhain, searching for the truth behind his facade. She had expected a monstrous creature with grotesque features, but instead, she found a seemingly ordinary man. The realization unsettled her, yet a wicked grin formed on her lips.

"Do not be fooled, demon. I am well aware of your true nature," Elphaba hissed, her voice laced with both caution and fascination. "You are not what you appear to be."

Samhain's smile widened, revealing a set of sharp teeth. "Indeed, my Queen. I am not as tales would have you believe," he admitted, his voice a seductive whisper.

Elphaba motioned for a servant to bring a lavishly decorated chair for Samhain to sit upon. As he settled into the seat, Elphaba dismissed Ursula with a wave of her hand, desiring privacy for their sinister encounter. "So, why do you summon me?" Samhien asked.

"Arrrrrgggggg!" Malaska let out a startled cry as he abruptly awakened, his three beautifully decorated eyes darting around the dimly lit tent. His gaze landed on Drucilla, who stood before him, her penetrating stare sending a shiver down his spine. "You scared me," he managed to utter, his hands clutching at his chest, his elongated nails grazing the fabric of his tattered cloak.

Malaska had constructed a makeshift tent for himself and Drucilla after her small hut had been reduced to ruins by the very act of summoning him. In the stillness of the night, he had found himself watching over her as she slept, eventually succumbing to slumber himself.

"You're awake," Malaska stated the obvious, his gaze fixated on Drucilla's captivating eyes. A smile graced her lips as she continued to observe him, an intensity lingering in her gaze. Unsettled by her unwavering inquiring, Malaska shifted uncomfortably and sat upright. "Why did you summon me?" he inquired, his curiosity tinged with caution.

"I am Drucilla, one of the most formidable witches to have ever graced this realm," Drucilla declared, her voice dripping with confidence. However, it was a blatant falsehood. Drucilla was well aware that her powers paled in comparison to those possessed by true witches of great renown. She had fabricated this persona in a desperate attempt to attract the attention of Samhain, who was said to only possess those with exceptional magical prowess. Yet, as she spun her web of lies, Malaska, a weak demon with the ability to sense falsehoods and read minds, saw through her deceit. Despite his insight, he chose to remain silent, opting not to confront her about her ruse.

"Very well, Drucilla, as you know, I am Samhain, the most powerful demon to have ever walked this plane," Malaska replied, his voice laced with deception. In truth, he was far from being the pinnacle of demonic strength, but he saw no harm in perpetuating the illusion of his might. Before he could react, Drucilla had unexpectedly drawn him into an embrace, her arms encircling him tightly. "Thank you for answering my summoning, great demon," she expressed, her happiness palpable in her voice.

"Okay, great witch, you don't hug a demon like that," Malaska said, gently pulling Drucilla out of the embrace. His tone carried a hint of amusement. "Why? Is it because of your magnificent horns?" She asked, her voice laced with a playful chuckle. Malaska was taken aback by Drucilla's response. He, the most beautiful demon in all of hell, with his wings adorned in intricate patterns and his majestic horns symbolizing his exceptional beauty, couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise. "Do you mock me?" He asked to be sure he hadn't heard mockery.

Drucilla,unable to contain her laughter, shook her head. "Mock you? Oh no, dear great Samhien, I assure you, I am not mocking you. In fact, I find you even more exquisite than I had ever imagined," she replied, her eyes sparkling with genuine admiration.

As their conversation continued, Drucilla's attention was suddenly drawn to her own attire—or lack thereof. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she realized she was wearing nothing but intricately arranged leaves. The delicate foliage adorned her body in an enchanting manner. "What is this?" Drucilla exclaimed, her eyes widening further. She blushed deeply, feeling a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability as she remembered the rituals she had performed, had left her naked on the floor.

"Oh, great witch, I had adorned you with leaves after seeing you naked," Malaska began to explain, but before he could finish his sentence, Drucilla interrupted him abruptly. "You saw me naked?" she yelled, her voice filled with a mix of shock and anger. At that moment, she finally took a good look at her surroundings.

Inside the tent, which had been constructed using the roof of her humble hut, Drucilla noticed an extravagant display of her own jewelry adorning the interior. The precious gems and intricate designs sparkled in the dim light, creating an atmosphere of opulence that clashed starkly with her initial expectations. Drucilla's shock and anger intensified as she surveyed the unexpected sight before her. "What have you done, demon?" she bellowed, her voice resonating like thunder.