When a Stars Teardrops Become Jewels: Eclipsed Garden

| 8 | Dance of Desire

Siren was going to rip that spineless leech Pogue into a thousand pieces with his teeth.

That kingsguard had confidently stated that he would be guarding at King Rune's side. However currently, the one who occupied the position was none other than the beast general himself. Argon's glare turned to his direction. Siren reached up and pulled down the metal helmet which was obscuring his hair and eyes. Looking down he saw the snake-wrapped sword on the general's hip, which was no doubt as sharp as the general's senses. Perhaps it was the snake itself who had whispered words of warning into the ears of its master, making him search the crowd of nobles and knights.

The starry-haired demon swallowed his bitter taste for blood. There would be time to murder Pogue later. Focus on the task at hand. Stay hidden. Wait for the signal.

When the snakes gaze finally shifted from him, Siren peeked back upwards. The general was now watching his cousin walk the water mirror. The demon grinned inward without the expression reaching his face. His disguise was more lucrative than he had presumed. He had procured a kingsguard's garments and armor while passing through the eastern gate. Said guard of the gate was now unconscious and permanently tied to his post with the chains meant to hold the gate closed. The helmet of the large-headed kingsguard had covered more than enough of his hair and even shaded his eyes as long as he kept his gaze low enough.

Cherish had doubted his decision saying even the oafish general would know the faces of all his men and single him out in an instant. Siren would have her eat her words.

The general was keeping an eye out for conflict of disagreeing nobles, ready to remove them by force if necessary. He would never suspect that there was a hidden insurrection about to bite off the head of the silver dragon. The general most certainly would never fathom one of his own men was a demon in kingsguard clothing.

Soon it would begin, at the slightest scent of smoke.

Siren's sight settled on a different fire as he kept his head lowered. Coiled flames of emboldened red burned on the head of the demon in front of him like celosia flowers that grew on the cliffsides of dragon's caves. Siren narrowed his eyes as the demon raised his palm over a bowl, blood dripping from a self-inflicted cut.

He was a demon, but this demon was not Siren's kin. He belonged to him. Raised by Prince Asterlos like a dog. Trained to be loyal and submissive, to listen to those who claimed to be his superiors.

Siren unknowingly shifted his view to where the king was sitting. Where another demon stood behind him as a jade-hued statue. Another fire, hotter and shallow and blue, arose in his chest. His blood simmering in a low-boil. He would free them. He would bring all his people into the light. Tonight.

As if the Goddess herself had heard his conviction, a bright light saturated the entire palace. Siren gasped and took a step backwards. The light disappeared as quick as it had lit. It left the palace in shadows darker than when it had arrived.

From the left a voice asked him, "Is this your first bonding ceremony?"

Siren turned his head, meeting eyes with the woman. Time had treated her well, leaving little grey streaks in her hair and few wrinkles on the gentle features of her face. Marriage had not been as kind, as made clear by the lyrics of the song that was shouted out by her soul which could have been heard by Siren in his sleep. A song which sang of a need for something to ease the boredom from her dull husband. A song which she danced to in the irises of her brown eyes. Siren was willing to join the jig, as long as it meant keeping his cover. He nodded his head while one of his hands reached up and pulled down the helmet covering his night-blue hair.

The noblewoman took a step toward Siren. She leaned her body onto Siren's arm and whispered into his ear. "The old man, Master Mensa, is the oldest of the Council of Masters and is said to have mystical powers of divination that surpass even the Saint of Stars who-" She stretched her neck out surveying the seats where the royal family were sitting, then sighing while leaning further into Siren's arm as if the action had exhausted her. "-isn't here."