Chapter 411: Ahbi's Plan
It didn't take Grandmother long to make things even more official. Within an a few hours of the battle, the mess was cleaned up, the two empty demons carted off and Dad's coronation was underway with all the pomp and majesty the court could muster under the circumstances.
We had that short time with Dad, but it wasn't enough, not even close. Not when I again had the sense with every word he spoke he was telling us goodbye. No, he never came out and actually said it, but something about the sadness in him, the way he held my hand, the tone of his voice, made me think I didn't have a dad for much longer.
Probably just my overactive imagination.
It didn't take long for the demon aides to descend on him, for us to be chased off by Pagomaris, hurriedly dressed. I didn't fight her this time, let her drape me in some kind of massive feather thing with giant plumes sticking out of my head. I just didn't have the heart to fight anymore.
I'd had enough fighting for the day, thanks.
Two small thrones had been placed below Dad's, to my shock. The cold stone wasn't my first choice for a seat, but again I didn't argue when Meira and I were guided to them, Sassafras firmly in my lap.
This isn't usual, he informed us. Ahbi isn't done playing.
The coronation itself seemed to take forever as Dad strode up the concourse and bowed to Grandmother. He went through a series of oaths, up and down from his knees several times, had to drink three kinds of wine and eat three kinds of bread. A choir sang, their droning melody actually bringing tears to my eyes before he bent to accept a massive crown, weighed down with a robe crusted in jewels, a deadly looking scepter in his hands before he once again sat on his throne.
"Hathenemeira, Lady of the Seventh Plane, rise and come before us." Grandmother gestured to Meira who did as she was told, her own feather headdress bobbing over her. She actually looked kind of cool, like a showgirl or something.
Gave me hope I didn't look like a total idiot.
"You have fought bravely and acquired much power," Grandmother said. "Because of this, we now declare you Princess of the Second Plane."
Equals, huh? Meira was smiling, so I was happy for her. Not like we had much competition left, so she was safe enough. I had no doubt she could kick anyone's ass that came along.
Power surged to her from the thrones. Meira bowed and retreated.
"Sydlynhamitra, Princess of the Second Plane, rise and come before us."
My turn. I stood and set Sassy down, but he hopped off the stone seat and came with me as I stood before the Rulers, ignoring the family around me.
"Your prowess is unparalleled," Grandmother said. "Your power now without peer beyond the thrones themselves." Well that was shocking to hear. But as I thought about it, I agreed with her. Cypherion had been Vandelarius's heir after all.
Uh-oh.
"We declare you heir to Second Seat," she said while Dad scowled like a thundercloud and refused to look at me. "Future Ruler of Demonicon."
I didn't know whether to thank her with as much sarcasm as I could muster or keep quiet.
Quiet won.
Things wound down quickly after that. The family trooped off to the dining room two floors below while Grandmother rose from her throne, Dad next to her, and led us away. I followed, partly because I wanted to be with Dad and partly because I needed a chance to tell her where she could shove her status.
We sat near a window, Grandmother's power forming a bubble around us as the rest of the sycophants called "family", those that hovered and hoped for favor, were totally cut off.
Syd's making friends on every plane.
"I want to thank you, my girls," Grandmother said with warmth in her voice. "I've been waiting for a very long time for your father to finally come to his senses and challenge Vandelarius."
I scowled at her, temper clenched like a burning knot inside me. "Don't you dare," I snapped.
Even Meira looked pissed.
"Hear me out," Grandmother said. Sighed. Sat back as she looked out the window. "I grow old, dear ones. My life has been long and prosperous. But, unlike yours ever will, my very special granddaughter, the time of my passing finally draws nearer." She turned back, met my eyes even as Dad shifted beside her, grim, no longer full of rage, but acceptance. "Your father," she took his hand, squeezed it and he squeezed back, "is the best of my children, I've told you so."
"I never wanted this, Mother," Dad said.
"Which makes you the only choice for the throne." Grandmother's smile was the first real one I think I'd ever seen on her face, her expression open, eyes full of kindness. "I don't trust anyone else. That in itself, from an old politician, should be enough praise for you, my son."
Dad nodded, smiled a little back. "I know."
"Please, believe I had no choice." She seemed genuine. Stressing the seemed. "Things aren't as they appear here on our plane."
"The civil unrest?" I crossed my arms over my chest.
"You will make a fine Ruler someday," Grandmother said. "But yes. Uprisings are more common than ever, politics turning to murder with alarming frequency. The laws that have held us together all these millennia are contracting, falling apart. If we are to preserve our home, we must have strong leadership."
Dad grunted softly. "Maybe the old ways aren't the best any longer, Mother."
She looked like the very idea pained her, but she nodded. "I'm well aware," she said. "Which is why I need you so desperately, Haralthazar, and why now is the perfect time for your ascension."
His entire body relaxed and, for the first time, I saw Dad give in to what he'd become.
"We'll work this out together," he said.
"I know we will," Grandmother said. "And I will have you to carry on the legacy when I'm gone."
Sassafras's snort startled me. "Excuse me, Ruler," he said with great sarcasm, "before you go and get all weak and frail on us, I highly doubt you'll be stepping down any time soon."
Grandmother laughed, reaching out to scoop Sass into her arms, hugging him to her, hands stroking his fur.
"Impudent child," she said, eyes sparkling. "I still have a few centuries left." She let him settle in her lap. "But things must change slowly if they are to be accepted and Haralthazar needs time to establish himself."
I know I should have been a good girl and let my anger go. After all, the fate of Demonicon seemed to be at stake. But I was tired of the manipulation and political maneuverings.
"You can forget about me taking the Second Seat," I said. "Forget all of it. I'm going home, one way or another."
Grandmother nodded. "None of us are immune to the ways of our plane, Sydlynhamitra," she said. "Even I am a pawn in this endless game to keep our people safe. But you are correct in one thing. Your task is done for now. It might be best if the three of you," she smiled at Meira while handing Sassy back to me, "were to vanish until things settle down again."
Dad stared at her, face pale, hands clenched on the arms of his chair.
"Mother," he rumbled. "What have you done?"
She shook her head, gesturing as the veil parted before her, the cold, dim sight of the family basement clear on the other side.
***
