Demon Bordello

The Demon Falters

Darius watched Lethia sleep, much more peacefully now. His heart ached for the things he had done that he could not take back and the things he had failed to protect her from.

The soft knock on the door was enough to shake the man free of his thoughts. Wrapping Lethia into a neat lite burrito to preserve his heat he slipped out of the bed and and out the door, not wanting to wake her again.

The smell and feel of the woman had been enough to shake all but the barest traces of pheromones from his system, which is how he knee his anger for the woman before him was true. "Yes?" His voice remained even and polite despite his feelings.

"I'm sorry... is she alright?" Jezella said seeing the anger telegraphed through his face loud and clear. She knew he was pissed but she couldn't be bothered with his feelings at the moment. Lives were on the line.

"I know I am the last person you would ever give advice to, let alone talk to outside of this situation, but I need an honest opinion of someone who is not my crew and can remain unbiased."

"She's torn up, It's my fault and I know it." Darius stated, his attitude deflating. "She has a big choice but I will support her no matter what she chooses. If she wants to keep them I will care for them both the same."

The prince ran a hand through his hair as he let out a breath he felt like he had been holding for hours. "What do you need?"

"What... what if Lorelai didnt want to get off when we landed in the homeland...  would that cause an intense amount of issues?"

"More then you could possibly imagine." Darius voice turned gravely serious. "She is a long sought after princess whose family has been looking for her for over a decade. The man who dedicated his life to finding her no matter the cost is sealed below deck, and the love of my life would never leave without her. Which again would be a separate royal issue especially since I will never leave Lethias side again. If she were to stay, you would have no less then 3 royal families sending people out to find her."

"Even if it's what she wants? To stay here..."

"Look royalty makes things difficult, that could be handled however. What would never change is Roman willing leaving her side. He would swim after this ship till he drowned. Lethia also, those girls have been through and lost so much since I found them.   Have you even talked to her about what shes lost in just a few months time? Why she feels so lost and adrift? If she chooses to stay so be it, but you will be gaining 4 not 1."

"Can't have men on the ship, makes the girls uneasy... to many bad run ins... most of which involved the island we got you guys from. Hence why they are all locked in the barracks while you are topside. I guess, despite how I feel... I have to let her go." Jezella said softly.  She looked heartbroken.

Darius felt bad for the woman despite his initial welcome aboard. "Let me give you a brief rundown on what she has been through. In the last few months her home was stacked, destroyed, and everyone she knew sold into slavery. She herself was caught up in this despite Roman's best efforts to ensure she wasn't. She wasn't found till some weeks later below deck with the other slaves. Then when we stopped in Faranse to dock and handle business she was kidnapped by the king with the intent of keeping and breeding her in order to gain control of multiple lines. Once we were free we were struck by a storm, no doubt Rylens doing since he was also searching for her. There he caused her to view something that shattered he deeply until she submitted just enough for him to have his way, then when he came to kill Roman she used her body to lure him away again so we could escape before landing here."

Jezella was quiet for a minute before speaking. "She went through all of that... and she still cares for him? How?"

"Because... I love him," came a soft voice from behind them. Ryni was with Lorelai who was still wrapped in the blanket Jezella had given her.