Hell of Earth

Chapter FOURTEEN

Her spoon didn't have a chance to scrap the bottom before another steaming portion was poured into the deep wooden bowl. Opal couldn't say she minded as she took another bite of the clear broth. Yue seemed to be the only one not eating, his smile thin as their feathered host prattled on and on about his trip to the arctic years ago likely before Yue was even alive.

Once the first demon dropped to her knees at the gate numerous others came to see what was going on. Yue attempted to stop them, saying he was just here to enjoy the sights and was not here officially but the group swelled with onlookers, some of them bold enough to ask for favors, a few offering them in exchange for royal acknowledgement and some who just seemed to want to get a look. This caught the attention of a demon of importance as it wasn't a few minutes later that a sharp crack filled the air, not unlike a small clap of thunder, and a demon with iridescent black feathers dropped from the sky down in front of them. His wings folded up against his arms. Opal could see his fingers had long sharp black nails. Unlike the others he did not go down to his knees but did offer a small bend of his legs. He called himself Corax and immediately insisted they come to his home for conversation. Yue didn't seem surprised by this. He agreed with a forced smile that made the feathers on Corax's throat ruffle proudly.

The front wall of Corax's home was covered in multi-colored objects, mostly rocks but some other curious artifacts including what looked to Opal like a human spoon.

Conversation meant much more than Opal anticipated. The second they entered the towering building a number of other demons appeared, trying to usher them in all different directions until Spark jabbed one in the stomach with an elbow as it tried to show him through a door. Yue intervened to explain this was normal and to let themselves be attended to. Opal and Kait were led to a room made of white stone, in the center was what looked the fountain in the courtyard but this one only had one stone mouth with water flowing. A bath, she found, was even better than a shower. A girl offered them a tray of differently scented oils and a comb. She seemed anxious when they both decided to tend to their own hair. They were then given fresh clothes, light and airy. Opal was pleased to see although hers was white it shimmered purple when she turned.

"Why didn't Yue want to let everyone know he was a Prince?" Opal whispered as they were escorted back. "This is amazing!"

Kait looked at her sideways. "Now he's kinda trapped. He won't be able to move freely around the territory anymore. Plus we are going to be stuck here awhile. I bet he's disappointed."

"Are you disappointed to be stuck here awhile?"

Kait gave her a sheepish look. "I wouldn't say that."

The room they were led into had a ceiling that spiraled high up with a pattern of blue and white that made her head spin when she looked too long. Corax's likeness was on the walls, along with a lot of what looked like naked human women eating fruit while looking wistful and some depictions of people in brightly colored outfits, carrying baskets on their heads under the shadow of mountains. There was also fabric, white and orange patterns. In between the walls were again covered in glittery objects.

"Human art. One of the interesting things they excelled at even without demon assistance."

Kait knelt down in front of the large glassy table with the other girls that had assisted them in getting ready. Opal joined only to hop up a moment later when the others did as Yue entered the room. His expression was wooden. Instead of the light, flowy material she and Kait were given he had on a thicker garb, brightly colored like some of the tapestries on the walls. The white collar appeared to be some kind of fur. Proga and Spark seemed to have more similar attire to them although Proga's reminded her of Corax's feathers and Spark's seemed to have a golden tint. To her surprise Proga wasn't smiling. He definitely figured out how to look intimidating. Opal tried to catch his eye but he was looking over at Yue. Spark on the other hand no longer appeared menacing at all. He kept fidgeting with the long material draped on him and didn't seem to know what to do with his hands now that he had no pockets to shove them into. Opal was impressed that his hair wasn't as straight as she thought and wondered if he ever had been clean at the prison.