Chapter Thirty Three (Sin)

“Sire?” Merula questioned.

"Yes? ... What is it?" I snapped as I continued to pace the length of the throne room. I wanted to go see Amaya and make sure she was okay, but if I did, I could ruin my own plan. Damn it, I hope this worked. If it didn’t, then she would be executed along with Abigail, and everything would be for naught.

“Your brother Rook is here to see you.” Merula stated, his voice shaking.

“Send him in.” I replied as I stormed over to the throne and sat down, agitation ate at me and I really wanted to get this over with.

Rook entered and bowed just as Merula turned to leave.

“What news do you have?” I asked him as he shuffled uncomfortably.

“I’ve overheard some of the demonesses talking about Lazarus taking over when he comes back with his fated mate, but I overheard my mother talking to one of her guards. She is working with the pastor to sentence and kill witches, what I can’t figure out is why. Why would she be interested in a mortals affair?”

“She is going after Amaya; I wonder if Lazarus knows that she is trying to kill our fated mate.”

“What would be her purpose in doing so?” Rook asked, confused.

“This is just a theory, but because everyone that Lazarus has gotten close to relationship wise has died or disappeared. My theory is that she is trying to keep him single for something, we know she has plans for making him a puppet king, but maybe it goes farther than that. It makes no sense that she would risk his fated mate when she is the key to Lazarus becoming King, unless she has something else up her sleeve.” I thought out loud.

“What could she possibly need him single for?”

"I don't know, pick two guards you can trust and have them follow her and see if they can find out what she is up to. It’s just a theory, it could be that she wants him with someone she can manipulate.”

“She does like being in control and from what you have told me, Amaya is no puppet. So how are you going to protect Amaya?”

"I’m not, not that I don’t want two, but two things are stopping me. One that bitch of a mother of yours has sealed any access to her location so no one but your mother and Lazarus can enter and two I need her to summon me with the stone I hid in her shoulder for my plan to work, if she summons me no amount of magic can keep me away from her."

“So, you are grumpy because you are playing the waiting game. I thought you have been around a lot lately.” Rook laughed to himself.

“Yeah, yeah, rub it in, I went to the human plane for a reason. It is so boring down here sometimes and people are just too predictable. Who would've thought that even hell could become dry and boring?"

“You could always visit the hell gates, never a dull moment over there. It's really only the castle, and its court, that have become dry and boring.”

“I thought things were running smoothly?”

“They are, but they are getting a little crowded. There have also been rumors about a rebellion and the demons over there do like their parties.”

“Really? And who would dare rebel against me.?” I asked, anger eating its way into my stomach.

“I don’t think there is much to worry about, I believe it is Hellebore who has started it and once everyone sees you in your full demon form with your fated mate, it will quash any rebellion.”

“That is, if she chooses me.” I point out, annoyed.

“Simple, keep her from dying and see if she does.”

“Very helpful.”

“Or you know you two could just share. Her and the crown.” Rook smiled, knowing it would piss me off.

“Are you mad?” I roared at him. “What you say is treason!”

“Just saying it worked in the past for previous kings to have multiple wives, you would just be doing it in reverse.” He laughed.

“Over my dead body, would I share her with Lazarus? She is mine!” I roared, anger surged through me at the thought of Amaya and Lazarus together.

“I hear you loud and clear, brother. It was just a suggestion.”

I glared at him, knowing he liked to push my buttons.

He put his hands up placatingly chuckling, "I’m sorry, ok, poor joke.”

“No shit.” I mumbled.

“Come on, let's go find something to stay busy.” Rook suggested as he headed out of the throne room turning at the door to look at me, “come on sitting here pouting isn’t doing anyone any good.”

“I guess you're right.” I sighed as I got up and followed him from the throne room, he headed out of the castle and towards the training grounds. It was an extensive field with a razor wire net that covered the open space as protection from the dragons that liked to circle above. They attached the net to four watch towers that were placed at the corners of the field.

 Surrounding the field were large stone bleachers that stopped a few feet from the bottom of the net, an archway was the only way in or out of the space. On the lowest level was the armory and weapons storage, as well as a room filled with training equipment.

“You really want to train right now?” I asked, a little annoyed.

“What else would you be doing?” he asked as he picked up his sword and threw it to me, I effortlessly catch the blade by the hilt.

“Okay fine.” I retorted as I took a stance and squared off against Rook.

We circled each other, watching for any openings; I feigned an opening as Rook lunged at me like I had planned. I dodged his attack and retaliated, hitting him on the back with the flat side of my blade. He grunted and adjusted his stance to face me again.

“Why is it that I train day in and day out and you are still better than me?” He fumed.

I shrugged, grinning at him, “Natural talent.”

He attacked, and this time landed a blow with a big grin on his face as he backed off.

“Yeah, right, you train when no one is around. I know you. You refuse to be weaker than anyone around you.”

I paused and looked at him, “A Kingdom is only as strong as its King, would you not agree?”

He paused and contemplated my words, “You have a point.”

“I know, that is why I train in secret, so no one will learn my weaknesses and use it against me and the people of my kingdom.”

I heard a voice calling me; I looked around, seeing no one.

“Your hands.” Rook pointed out, alarmed, as my hands disappeared.

I looked at him and smiled, “Show time.”