Darkness has an heir

Chapter 9

Neev Sage

This demon, the same species of the female I currently despise, or at least half of the same species, is my mate. I don't love him yet, but a part of me will do whatever it takes to protect him. I won't allow him to die on my watch, and a terrible thought just struck me...will he die leading Raine's armies?

Raine Dark

I was pacing my chambers trying to figure out how I'd grown so distant with the people I care about most. How and when did I start pushing them away? Why did I do it? How can I come back from this beast that they all see?

As I ask myself these questions I realize that I don't want to be like a vulnerable mortal...

Why should I go down to their sympathetic, caring level? I will outlive them all anyway, there wouldn't be any valuable reason to get attached to something or someone that will eventually fade away. Why should I put myself through unnecessary pain and sadness?

A memory flashes in my mind of Sam and I remember how our first encounter before Sam became our friend...Amy was crying while Trina and I were on duty, so we helped her look for her brother. Eventually, we found a frantic Sam running up and down the beach screaming for his little sister's name when I ran up to him, Amy in tow, he almost -no he did- cry eyes out and-

I shake my head, fighting the memories and tears welling up to the surface. I don't have time to think about things that'll only cause me pain. I lay down on my bed taking calming breaths, focusing on the cool material against my currently heated skin. A knock on the door returns me from my thoughts." What is it?" I snap annoyed at being disturbed when I'm positive I said I wanted an hour of peace.

" Princess, Empress Valeska summons you to the council room..." I sigh and dismiss the servant getting into something more appropriate for a meeting. I appear out of a portal when I step into my mother's council room.
" Yes, mother?" I ask through clenched teeth. As usual, she ignores my irritation towards her and just starts talking.
" Raine, I need you to spy on the Rose territory, we've discovered where they live."
I clench my fists." Can't Alika and Aliki go? They were born to spy and kill silently."

The twins share a mischevious look before their faces went blank again." Very well...but only if you start coming to at least 4 court meetings a week." I think it over for a minute then nodded, she wants me to know how to run the political side of the empire too.
" Once a week mother, not four, I still wish to train." She growls and we argue back and forth till we agree on two times a week.

For a while now Trina has been sleeping on the couch in Josh's room, I want her to come back but talking isn't something I do too well, so I've left her alone. I have more important matters to focus on at this point anyway, just like mother said; one's love life must never affect the well being of one's empire. I smile to myself as I enter the military quarters, everyone bows as I enter and I just have to wonder how much longer will they show respect to a half-breed who has done nothing to prove her strength and cunningness?

"General Safire and General Cresent, I want you and your three main captains in my council room. Now." I snap before vanishing already seated when the others appear in their appointed seats. I was seated at the head, my two generals seated at my left and right, and finally their three main captains in ranking order.

"I want to hear how you would be ambushing the now discovered Rose territory," I smirk when their only reply is silence." Why, may I ask have we not made a plan already?" There it is the first to lose respect. I'm going to make a wonderful example of them.

"You may be the crown princess, but that doesn't mean you can expect us to make miracles." I turn my head to the second-ranking captain, their name is-was-Robin, and smile widely at them.
" Oh, but as the crown princess I can and I will." I purr strolling over to their seat resting my hands on their shoulders." My dearest Robin," my grip on their shoulders tighten until they yelp in pain," what on earth makes you think there won't be a price to pay for questioning my authority?" I tangle my fingers in their hair, pulling harshly and ripping their head off, flinging their head across the room, fire consuming their body before it can heal.

"Anyone else that wishes to question my authority?" I smirk when no one replies," Good. Now back to business, I want an ambush, back up plan and an in case of the backup plan failing plan. I want how we will be attacking from land, sea, air, and underground. See you all in a week, oh and General Cresent you might want to get a replacement for Robin." I leave walking out the door for once informing the servants that they're going to need a mop.

I smile to myself, that meeting was mainly to make an example out of one of the captains, making sure that they think twice before stepping out of line again. General Safire runs after me "Princess! Please wait a moment please!" I turned to the red-eyed demon, motioning for him to speak."May I make a request majesty?" My brow intrigued."Can the fae prince, Neev, join my legion as my second in command?"

I growl lowly."His loyalty must be proven first, yes he is my friend but at the moment I can not trust any of my friends...not even my precious mate..." I whispered not trusting myself to talk normally without my voice cracking."I will think about it,

I do not care if you are mates or not, either you're giving me weekly reports on his behavior or I'll get someone else to do so."

His only reply was a bitten back snarl.

"I-I will do as you ask majesty..." He bowed down to the waist, turned and left walking back to the council room.

No ones P.O.V

My mate or my future Queen? The demon fae thought as he walked to his room on the lower level of the castle where the main army officers reside. When the demon arrived at his rooms he was pleasantly surprised to find his mate curled up on the sofa, a book lying near his head still open while he slept peacefully.
The general swallowed hard having made his decision...

Can anyone, and I mean anyone guess the Generals' choice? Comment what you think!
Word count: 1150