Chapter 529: Imprisoned (Again)
When I woke back in the same cell I'd occupied in Ostrogotho, I'm sure they heard me swearing all the way up on the Seat.
We could simply go home now, my vampire sent, her anger a cold fire in my heart while my demon snarled and paced inside me, Shaylee vibrating with rage. They were all in agreement, even my witch magic, longing to be let loose at last.
They were right. I stopped my own travels back and forth the short distance from one side of the cell to the other. I had enough power, unblocked this time around, I knew I could break through the veil and leave on my own. I waffled back and forth between just leaving the whole ungrateful demon race behind and holding on to the need to make sure Dad would be okay. Though, why I cared at this point, after being stuffed into a prison for the second time for a crime I didn't commit, I had no idea.
If nothing else, my worries for Meira held me in my cell, fuming. Pacing. Fuming some more.
My door groaned open, a small, silver ball of fur trotting inside before it slammed shut again. At least they knew better than to restrain my other magicks. That would have signed someone's death warrant. I glared at Sassafras as he hopped delicately over the dirty floor and onto the metal bench, shuddering as he landed on the cold platform.
"This place is hideously familiar," he said. "I hoped to never see the inside of a cell again."
"You and me both," I snapped. "What the hell, Sass?"
He sighed, swiping his pink nose with one paw. "Harry's working on it," he said. "Just be patient."
"I'm done with patient," I said, pulling my in my energy, feeling, as I did, the hum of the Node through the magic I held inside me still. Theridialis. Tara. My grandmother was gone, lost to saving the Node, but those two remained, with Tara's brother Todd for good measure.
I couldn't leave yet. Not without restoring their magic.
Damned conscience.
"I need to find Ameline." Ahbi's geas might have been broken with the loss of her magic, but my drive to track down the girl and help her find her Maker hadn't lessened. Maybe Ahbi finally rubbed off on me.
"I know," Sass said, purring his soothing way to try to calm me.
Good luck with that.
The door opened again, two Guards on the other side glaring at me. Sassafras let out a soft growl of displeasure.
"Jabuticabron," he said, words as sharp as glass shards.
"Sassafras," one of the Guards answered in a rumbling voice. "It's been a long time, little brother."
Sass snarled and swiped one paw at the hulking Guard while I tried to keep my jaw from unhinging in shock. This was his brother? Avenesequoia's brother? Wow. I was starting to understand Sassy's unhappiness with his parents. Talk about experimenting with the gene pool. "Enough with the platitudes," Sass spat. "I take it Her Highness has been summoned to the Seat?"
Was it just me or did Jabuticabron's face crumple just a little? It was clear from Sassafras's reaction they had been far from friendly with each other. But from the way the big Guard reacted, I wondered if things had changed since Sassy's banishment.
"Princess Sydlynhamitra," Jabuticabron turned to me with a little bow. "Ruler is ready to see you now."
How nice for Ruler. I stormed past Sassy's brother and his fellow guard, my furry friend at my side, ignoring the pair who trailed behind me, following Sass's lead down the corridor and into a round chamber with a lift in the middle. I shuddered, looking up, imagining the weight of the whole mountain above me as the Guards mounted the platform and it began to rise.
I bent and scooped Sassafras into my arms, holding him close as he began to purr again.
It's going to be fine, he sent. I promise. Just go with the theatrics.
My favorite.
It was a long climb to the surface, the air heating from chill damp to warm again as I stepped off the now-immobile elevator and onto a narrow walkway along the edge of the mountain's base. I saw the Parade up ahead, the wide expanse marking the entry to the Seat and felt myself calm a little as the familiar sight of the main platform greeted me, a weeping figure standing on its edge.
Pagomaris hugged me the moment I crossed onto the elevator, sobbing into my hair, squashing Sassafras between us.
"Forgive me, Your Highness," she wept. "I was overcome with grief. I should have known you would never harm Ruler."
I pushed her gently back, forcing a little smile, patting her arm as she dabbed at her tears with the hem of her elaborate cuff.
"I would have doubted, too," I lied, still furious with her, before turning my back and facing the city, forcing myself to confront my fear of falling as the elevator began its majestic rise to the top of the mountain. Sassy's purring helped a bit, my sheer stubbornness refusing to allow me to step back or look away.
It really was beautiful, Ostrogotho, red-tinted skyline fading into deep red and green and gold, the rising moons bathing the edges of the horizon with cool silver. Safe, stable, in balance, did the people of Demonicon know how close they'd come to total destruction?
Did I care?
I felt the elevator stop, the soft touch of Pagomaris's hand on my sleeve, but I waited one last moment, taking a long, quiet look over the city, before spinning and marching forward, Sass still in my arms, down the length of the throne room and to my father's Seat.
The family had crowded the edges of the central walk, alternating pushing close to see and pulling back as though I'd turn and attack them. The thought crossed my mind, my temper rising again as I stomped in my heavy boots over the polished stone under the exposed, darkening sky.
Matched my mood. Perfect.
I almost missed a step as my eyes settled on Henemordonin standing at the foot of the thrones, facing me with his hands clasped behind his back, face calm and welcoming. My gaze flickered to Belkni, hovering close, looking none the worse for wear. Dad watched, as stony and still as Ahbi had ever been, though I knew, for him, it was an act. It would be centuries, I figured, before Dad's soul was crushed completely.
Happy thoughts, Syd. Gotta love them.
I came to a stop beside my grandfather, staring up at Dad who nodded slowly to me.
"Sydlynhamitra," he said. "Welcome home, my daughter."
I grit my teeth and held back a rude comment. "Thanks," I managed.
Humor flashed in Dad's eyes. Still alive and kicking in there, as I thought. Instead of addressing me further, he stood from his throne, amber fire cascading from him as he reached out to the family with the power of the Seat.
"Our old ways have almost brought us to ruin," he said in a booming voice, the floor shaking as the mountain answered Dad's words with sympathetic vibrations. "A new day begins for Demonicon, thanks in part to Her Highness, Princess Sydlynhamitra, and the brave souls who fought beside her."
Thought you were a goner, I shot at my grandfather as Dad went on with a flowery speech I was sure would put me to sleep otherwise.
You underestimate me, Henemordonin sent. I'm hurt. His mind grinned. Turned out your father had more loyal Guards in the bunch Sekaniphestat brought with her than not.
How's the war going? With you in custody and all? I couldn't resist the jab.
Oddly, he sent back with a bit of confusion in his tone, I was invited.
Really.
What was Dad up to?
It seemed he'd tired of his own speech, because as I refocused on his words, Dad gestured to Henemordonin with one big hand, a fall of sparks spraying outward to bounce from the polished stone floor. "Second Seat has stood empty since the death of Ahbi Sanghamitra," Dad said, grief coloring his voice. "Henemordonin. Father." Dad's eyes locked on my grandfather, his power reaching for the demon before him while Henemordonin actually gasped. "I ask you, for the good of all demonkind, to ascend to the throne and take your place at my side."
I thought, in the next few seconds, half the family would die of collective shock. The outflow of their magic, tied to the gasping and swooning actually made me grin.
Clever, Dad. Oh so clever.
Henemordonin finally gathered himself as I prodded him with my magic.
Seems I'm not the only one underestimating today, I sent.
He didn't respond, instead frowning thoughtfully while I felt his mind churn, physically disguising his rush of thoughts as he tried to understand what was happening and how to turn it to his advantage fully.
"My son," he finally said. "I'm not an aristocrat any longer." Pride rippled through him, through his power where Dad's reached for him. The idiot. "I work for the people."
I would have kicked him in frustration if Dad hadn't had it covered.
"You want change," he said, eyes glowing amber, magic softening as he continued to face his father. "Start from the inside. Help me reform our system peacefully. Bring change all demons can live with."
Don't be an idiot, I shot at my grandfather. It's the best of both worlds, and you know it.
Henemordonin's eyes flickered toward me before he laughed softly and took his son's hand. "A novel idea," he said. "Well done, my son. I accept."
"The war is over then?" Dad leaned back, pulling his father up the steps before Henemordonin turned, back to his new-well, old since he'd sat there once before-throne.
"It is." My grandfather sat slowly as Dad did, the two of them landing at the same moment, magic whipping out from the First throne to engulf my grandfather. He didn't flinch, accepting it as it embraced him, absorbed into his body in a flash of light so bright I had to look away.
Dad didn't waste any time or let the family recover from this new development. "Hathenemeira," he boomed. "Come forth, my daughter."
I turned with a sharp intake of breath, looking for my sister, guilt and shame rushing back to me. I'd done a good job smothering it, keeping my heart safe, but I now had to face the fact I'd let my sister down.
Ready for the worst, I was shocked to find her looking even more herself than I hoped, though she hadn't returned all the way, more my age in appearance. She focused on Dad, walking to my side, looking straight ahead, refusing to meet my gaze as she raised her chin, now at my height.
"Father," she said, voice soft, but carrying.
"My child," he said, "I need an heir to Second Seat."
She blanched just a bit, only enough for me to see because I was beside her. "I am not worthy," she said. "But I will serve my people with all the honor and power I possess."
What was Dad thinking? Meira was clearly damaged, needing time to recover from her ordeal. My protective big-sister thing kicked in. But before I could say anything, Sassy's voice broke through.
Leave her, he sent. Syd.
I missed the extra gasping from the family, only catching the tail end of it as I heard someone whisper, "Sydlynhamitra."
Oh yeah. I thought I was heir? Not that I wanted the damned title. No thanks.
Neither did I want it for my vulnerable little sister.
"Sydlynhamitra," Dad said to me as Meira strode up the steps to join him, standing at his side, glittering with power for a moment as his magic linked with hers. "The Seat absolves you of all wrong-doing, knowing you are the savior of your people." Well, finally. "You will be celebrated through the ages, not only as our protector, selflessly putting yourself in danger to protect Demonicon, but for your continued vigilance for all races."
When he put it that way...
"We know you have a different destiny to fulfill," he said. "And we wish you well, promising you all the support Demonicon has to offer you in your struggles."
I bowed my head to Dad, feeling his mind brush mine. I love you, cupcake, he sent ever so softly. Let me watch over your sister.
Okay then.
"I thank Ruler for his generosity," I said, doing my best to be diplomatic.
Dad nodded to me before looking up, face hardening. "Now," he said in a voice of stone, "bring the traitor forward."
I felt Sassafras tense, hugging him close as I turned, backing off a step as two Guards, one of them her own son, led the stumbling, furious form of Sekaniphestat forward.
Payback's a bitch.
***
