Kapitel 13: Chapter Seven - Forging Bonds (Part 1)
Seven tormenting days.
That was how long he'd gone without feeding. It was drawn out battle of will and desire to sate his new-born hunger for Akila's blood, but he resisted. One taste and he became addicted, craving it constantly. No one else's would do. Mara's blood only made his stomach cramp with aggravating hunger — after — he expelled everything.
This never happened before.
He also found himself making excuses not to see the little lamb, feeling uncertain of what to say. Akila wasn't an experienced seductress like Mara, so it was natural for her to confuse sex with affection. Although...if her heart softened for him, wouldn't it work in his favor? He'd awakened her passion and was hard-pressed not to hunt her down and take her right there. His mind was obsessed with nothing but feeding and sex with her. Every evening, he wrestled with his beast for control. Even Mara noticed his recent absent-mindedness and Balan questioned if he was feeling under the weather.
"I've only been gone for a month and here you are with such a murderous look on your face." An annoyingly familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Is someone about to die or have you put the poor soul out of his misery?"
Zagan glared at the flamboyant demon leaning against his study door. Tall and lanky with hair as red as flames and a pair of downturned, twinkling aquamarine eyes set into an oval face, Kobal was called passably good-looking by most. To Zagan, he was a pain in the arse. "What are you doing here? I thought I lost you for good this time."
Closing the distance between them, Kobal threw his hands wide open. "Is that any way to greet an old friend? You'll never be rid of me as long as you live, Zagan."
Complementing Kobal's bright colouring was his vivacious and amicable personality that was unusual for a demon. Zagan assumed it was related to the nature of his power. Brows slanted in annoyance, he remarked, "I don't remember accepting your friendship. The only friend I acknowledge is Balan."
"How cold you are!" Kobal accused without heat; his mouth stretched into a wide grin. "I came as soon as news of Orsova's death circulated the nations. Rumor has it that your concubine is the former princess of Cronoa. Which one is she? I heard the princesses are renowned for their beauty. It can't be the Crown Princess because she's married to the King of Ouvla."
"That's none of your business," Zagan snapped.
"Hmm…although I can't imagine that possessive she-demon accepting another female in your life. After all, she is a maleficent wraith…" Kobal prattled on while casually observing his surroundings. Masculine and refined, the study was decorated in shades of walnut, from the oak panel walls to the neat fireplace tucked across the room, complete with a cream-colored settee. The master of the castle himself sat behind a mahogany double desk; his shoulders silhouetted by the sunlight spilling through the Palladian windows. "Speaking of the demoness, where is Mara? It's rare not to see her trailing behind you like a lost puppy."
Impatience tightened the corners of Zagan's mouth. "I'm not her keeper. I don't track her whereabouts day or night. If you're here for Mara, get out. I'm not in the mood for meaningless conversation."
"Are you certain?" Kobal drawled, throwing him an errant look. "Because I have news from the south that might interest you." He then added in a sing-song voice. "You'll regret it if you kick me out now."
Zagan sighed, rubbing his pounding temples. "Fine. I'm listening."
Excitedly, Kobal dropped onto the cushioned settee, kicking up his boots and folding his arms behind his head. "I heard the Ephalonian King wishes to make an alliance with Cronoa now that you've become the emperor. Ephalon's a rich nation that capitalizes on crude oil and gas distribution. In other words, King Zen holds tremendous power that could secure your position." He gestured languidly with his hand. "Unfortunately, Zen's infamous for his interchangeable moods and tendency to betray his allies. I won't claim he's an evil sort, but he prioritizes his nation's fortune above loyalty. Resorting to underhanded means is his skill set. You have to admit, there's an appeal to working with him."
Zagan digested this information. He had planned to make the Great Five Nations bow to his power but with Cronoa's prestige at risk, its position as a leading nation would be usurped by ambitious leaders like King Zen if he wasn't careful. With that in mind, he realized the other kings must become loyal to him. "And the other nations? This is an excellent time to prove your worth, demon." His words turned deliberate. "I doubt your intel is limited to Ephalon."
"Certainly not," Kobal agreed with a seriousness that rarely graced the lines of his face. "But I concede there is challenge ahead. King Henrik of Ouvla — the late emperor's son-in-law — and King Garrus of Avoria have officially declared war against us. It appears the Avorian king is Orsova's ally and he's out for blood. In the north, Vregia's flourishing under their new monarch, Queen Aegaris and they're fast overwhelming Avoria's annual profit. Lucky for us, the queen's a passive individual who minds her own business. She only makes an appearance at official meetings but beyond that, she's usually unaccounted for."
He levelled a pointed look at Zagan. "Right now, our best option is to be diplomatic and secure the smaller nations' trust or we'll be devoured alive." His smile turned downright vicious. "It won't be an easy win after what you have done. No one's going to put their faith in a killer much less in a demon." He paused for effect. "I'm excited to see how you will cross this hurdle."
"I've given it some thought," Zagan said smoothly, sounding unconcerned.
Kobal eagerly straightened, his eyes alight with curiosity. "Oh? As expected of you. You're always one step ahead." He arched a brow. "Care to enlighten me about this grand plan of yours?"
"It's a logical plan," Zagan corrected. "My concubine exists to win the hearts of the other kings. She's bred for this life and knows the rules of court better than we do. I will rely on her to put in a good word or two. It helps that she's acquainted with the nobility."
Kobal frowned, finding the plan to be flawed. "How can you trust that she — a human — won't betray you?"
"Because she knows lives are at stake and I'm not above using her bleeding heart for my gain." Zagan's tone was a blade of pure steel, like his eyes.
It was the same eyes as before, Kobal mused.
The memory of their encounter was forever branded into his mind, and it always made him shudder. Long ago, as a wandering demon, he earned his coin by telling adventurous tales while travelling from town to town. His anonymity allowed him to feed from willing warm bodies or paid prostitutes. Contrary to popular belief, demons didn't possess mind control powers, though he wished they did. It would save time and effort, especially when not all demons were blessed with good looks, charm, or charisma. Kobal didn't think he was ugly but compared to Zagan's dark allure, he was often easily dismissed.
That fateful day, his luck changed when a noblewoman offered to share not just her body but her blood too. He'd agreed and gone home with her, taking his time to enjoy this rare treat. After several rounds of hot sweaty sex, he lingered with a full belly and was surprised when her husband returned earlier than expected. They were more startled by the blood on his ripped clothes than the fact that they'd been caught. Her husband had crumpled to the floor, blood spurting from his torn jugular.
"My lord, what has happened?" The wife screamed in horror. "Someone call the physician!"
"There was a…a-a…demon—" he croaked; his tan parlor bleached white.
"A demon!" she cried, her guilt-reddened eyes darting to Kobal who shrugged indifferently. "My lord, where is this demon now?"
Before her husband could respond, a wild creature crashed through the main entrance, having broken the front door to splinters. The woman released a terrified scream and swooned, leaving Kobal to face the berserker demon — an alpha.
Hair standing on end, he witnessed the magnificent beast killing its prey with a clean bite off the man's head. Blood painted the walls and drenched the carpets. Despite its overwhelming rage, the keen intelligence behind blood-red eyes bespoke a man's conscience.
Their eyes locked.
If someone were to ask a human if a demon was beautiful, they would call you insane. But ask a demon if his own kind was beautiful, then yes, a berserker demon that retained his senses and wasn't a slave to his beast was...rare and mesmerizing.
Young Zagan's demonic appearance held a majestic quality that drew the eye and Kobal was entranced. He was further convinced of Zagan's superiority when the young demon shifted into his human form and sneered. "Leave now if you value your life."
Farfetched as it sounded, Kobal knew Zagan was going to rule the world one day.
And he was right.
After killing his master — the nobleman — Zagan paved his own future and climbed his way up regardless of consequence or actions. Content to watch over him from the shadows, Kobal didn't introduce himself until a few years later.
Jumping to his feet, Kobal paced to the window overlooking the immense courtyard. "Tell me, how do you intend to proceed?"
"I'm going to gather every nation's leader under one roof to determine my allies and foes. A ball would be the perfect opportunity to observe everyone in their natural habitat. I'm unwilling to take any chances given Cronoa's crumbling authority." He sorted the paperwork on his desk. "Akila will make the proper introductions and even out my status. To the royal families, I must be no better than a roadside mongrel." A soft snicker. "But once their former princess acknowledges me, I can begin to secure the smaller nations' approval."
A glint of amusement reflected in Kobal's eyes. "Ahh, so it's the third princess that has caught your eye? An exquisite dark beauty."
"She was there so I took her," Zagan said gruffly. "Don't assume too much."
Kobal responded with a disbelieving snort. "You know it's not that simple. Princess Akila's betrothed is the Duke of Ryre. Everyone knows she's being coerced by you. What if the nobles won't acknowledge you?"
"Then I'll kill them and anyone who gets in my way," Zagan growled, his gaze a little wild. "And the Duke of Ryre is dead. He will never have Akila again. She's belongs to me!"
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein