Saving The Devil

Running Stilettos

Hernando's POV

"I could not care less about said matters. Your problem is not with my service but with me. Your problem is that, not only I am woman who rules, but that I am a black woman who rules, is it not?"

Arnof knew better than to answer Amaali, even with his ties around the world, Africa could damage our House without a second thought.

"My belief will not falter nor will my business, I merely find your service too costly in comparison to the product." Silence fell amongst the group as we awaited a reply from the princess, but none came. "Your Highness." Arnoff added as if it burned every cell to do so.

"Princess Amaali, I think what my Papa is trying to say, is after paying a hefty sum, the women we receive would rather be beaten to death than abide by our rules. And yes" I continued before she could speak, exerting alittle dominance but not enough to cause a scene "we could beat them into obedience -as is in our right- but then no one would want battered goods, would they?"

Unlike before, this was meaningful silence, the type that happened when someone thought long and hard about what tosay next.

"Everyone. Leave us!" ordered Amaali.

"Nein! (No!)" Arnof cut in.

"Es ist gut Papa (it is okay Papa), I'll handle this." I gave him the look he would have given me and to my surprise, it worked.

"Sit" she motioned to a pillow at her foot on the floor, once we were alone.

"I cannot do that Princess."

"Chauvinism has you too" she sipped from her bejeweled rimmed glass, with a look of disappointment on her face that was gone the moment it came, but I had caught it.

"Believe me Amaali" my voice was laced with seduction "I have no problem kissing a woman's feet or her legs or anywhere else for that matter."

Princess Amaali choked on her drink.

"But I am, before all things, 2nd in command to my people. Whether or not I practice their ways is out of the question. But as such, I bend, bow, or sit at the foot of no one, but my own" I looked to Arnof and Amaali followed my gaze.

"Hmmn..." her eyes moved from my face to my waist to my face again "That Mr. Hitler, I can agree with. Tell me this, have you bedded her?"

I almost let the shock evident on my face. "Excuse me your Highness?" she looked at Deandra, who seemed to be doing her best to hold down vomit.

What the hell was her problem now? "I have no clue as to-"

"Don't try to insult my intelligence Mr. Hitler. I may only be 18 but I've been planning and carrying out much bigger things than a mere fancy."

I clread my throat as she continued "In my 6 years of attendance you have never taken anyone to this, or any event for that matter, so, is she the reason I can't seem to hold your attention?" she brought the glass to her lips again.

"Princess, listen me this darling, I have not and would not bed a captive. I needed her to be seen in public as to have her picture taken. Her parents are somewhat, well known, and if she is thought of as missing, then that would pose a problem. And I will not lose my property before the big auction."

I sent a prayer that she believed this horse shit because as the words left my mouth not even I was convinced.

Smiling she signaled a slave to retrieve her empty glass. Once again, I glanced over to said captive, who no longer stood beside the potted plant.
Where the hell did she go?

"So to answer your question Your Highness, though you were introduced as an equal at 12 years old, you were but a child. And no matter my companions, I do not affiliate with children."

"And now?" she stood to her full height, making sure I saw just how much she had grown, then stepped directly in front of me.

"Consider my attention held" I whispered against her skin.
"Until next time Amaali" I gave her a final nod and strode over to where I last saw Deandra.

"Where is she?" I asked one of Maxwell's new servant "I asked you a ques-"

"Here I am dammit!" Deandra's voice came from behind the plant. "There's no need to shout."

"What are you doing behind a plant?"

"Hiding" I smiled.

"I summed up that much, what gives me difficulty however, is why?"

"Because you are all worthless, condescending assholes! Why would you bring me here? I have already apologized for hurting your feelings in the grocery store! You killed my bestfriend! And now you bring me here? Is that what I am now?"

"Come here!" Silence. "Come here now!" I demanded.

A few heads whipped towards me and I saw the look on their faces.

But I didn't mind. I would have looked the same way if I saw a man getting angry because he told the immobile plant to move and it didn't.

When the heads gave up and went back to their conversations I spoke again.

"Come here." It wasn't a command, it wasn't a shout. Just me genuinely asking her to be co-operative. "Deandra."

As slow as snails on their journey, she inched herself into view. I saw in her eyes that she had been crying rivers, but she had taken care to dry the evidence off her face.

"I have never begged anyone, for anything before. I fight my battles myself and I always come out on top. But I will not fight you anymore. I am yours."

Straighten her dress she held her head up and met my eyes.

"But please, don't do this. I'll be anything you want me to be. All I ask, is that you do not brand me. I couldn't‐"

And she went silent turning her face away.

When I saw a single tear began making its way down her cheek. I began stretching to wipe it away "I would nev-"

But before my hand could reach her face, I heard gunshots ringing in my ears and the horrified screams that followed.

I heard a nasty thud as well.

Then all I saw were quick legs in running stilettos which made me realize, that it was my body that had hit the floor.