Hell Bound

CHAPTER 12

Alithiya fidgeted uncomfortably under the scrutinizing gaze of her parents. 

After that explosive revelation, Ricardo had wasted no time in alerting their parents about her situation, and of course, it took no genius to figure out that her situation included the prince of hell  as well. Not that Dragon minded. He enjoyed the attention. Be it with good intention or bad intentions. He just kept his cold smirk in place and acted like nothing was amiss. 

But this was not the case for Alithiya. She felt guilty for keeping her betrothal a secret from her family, and most of all she felt guilty for worrying them so.  

When she met her father's gaze, she looked away, worried that he would scold her for being so reckless. 

But you weren't reckless. You only learned about your own betrothal just a week ago, the voice spoke, indignantly.

Oh, great. she thought sarcastically. 

I knew you'd miss me, honey, the voice said smugly.

Tristrian narrowed his eyes at the demon. Lord or not, his supposed intended was still his daughter. And he was willing to face death for her, if that meant keeping her safe. 

Are you sure about that wolf? A new voice spoke in his mind, taunting him. His beast growled. Tristrian scowled at Dragon, who was looking at him with a smug smile on his face. Bastard! 

Get out of my head, demon!  his beast roared, when he felt him filtering through his memories and thoughts. He concentrated hard, trying to block him out but the demon, it seemed, was a powerful one. Dragon smirked at him. 

Now why should I? There seemed to be pretty interesting things here. 1976, ah yes, and you were on the side of the rebels in the great purge, and what else, hmm...well this looks interesting.....

Without giving him another chance, he concentrated hard and slammed the door to his mind shut, mentally, with a loud bang. He felt more that he saw or heard the demon's presence receding from his mind. The demon sat back, satisfied, and Tristrian felt violated beyond belief, and he struggled to keep his beast calm, for it wanted to rip the demon to shreds. He ran a palm down his face, exhausted, and very much aware of his wife and children's concerned gazes directed at him. He straightened his shoulders and looked at Dragon in the eye. He was satisfied to see surprise flicker in his gaze but that satisfaction was short lived when he remembered the situation at hand. He grimaced. 

"AlrIght then, we heard your side of the story then, demon. And now I want to hear it from my daughter," he said and looked at Alithiya who was looking anywhere and everywhere trying to avoid his gaze. Then with a resigned sigh, she met his gaze. His face softened. "What say you, my daughter? Did you agree to his deal? Did you know about it?" he asked, softly. 

She visibly stiffened and she shot a panicked look at Dragon who was gazing at Tristrian, thoughtfully.

"Oh...umm..." she stammered but steeled herself. Taking a deep breath and pushing her shoulders back, she met her father's gaze head on and answered with a firm, "Yes," Beside him, Amalia whimpered, and unconsciously his hand reached out and took her hand which was clenched into a fist on her lap, in his and stroked it softly. She calmed down, not by much but enough for him to concentrate on his daughter again. 

His gaze saddened as he looked at her. He still remembered that day when he had first held her. She was but a tiny bambina who was giggling and cooing at anything and everything, and he had felt such love and protectiveness towards her even though he knew that she was not of his own blood, he treated her like his own. She had been his little princess, and he had spoiled her greatly as she grew up, much to the displeasure of Amalia who always said that she was going to drive her future husband into a mad house, because he spolied her too much. But Alithiya was a wonderful child. She never took anything he gave her for granted and always treated her mother, brother and him with respect and she had made them proud. So very proud.  He smiled at her, tenderly.