A Demon's Wrath Novella: One Night with the Demon King Read Online Free Page B

and
lavender and honeysuckle. I remember our castle, our bedchamber
looking over the vast blue ocean. I remember seeing Father’s grand
ship, the Lady Emerald, sailing into our harbor with goods from
other kingdoms. I remember riding my mare, Snow, all white and so
beautiful and so gentle. I remember many things, and I wonder,
Brian, if we will ever have those things again.”
    “Will the king restore Rosevalley for us?”
Brian asked, closing the book.
    “I hope so. He has promised.” When she said
that, she knew in her gut that the king would not help them. He was
too busy trying to sort out the war between his kingdom and Virdis
Kingdom to have time to think about anything else, least of all the
building of Rosevalley.
    “He has done naught but promise. I do not
trust him.” Brian turned to look at her, his hands clutching the
book.
    “You are wise,” she said. “The last I heard,
the king has ordered the rebuilding of Rosevalley Castle. But why
he didn’t allow me to go and see to its progress, no matter that
I’ve asked him many times, I do not know. He said I am a woman and
do not know these things. He has a lord there working for him. I
wonder, I just wonder if he was ever going to let us return to our
homeland.” Cecelia sighed after she had said that.
    Perhaps, she thought, her suspicion of the
king trying to imprison them here had gotten to her imaginative
mind. Why would he want to keep them away from their home anyway?
Sure, Rosevalley was a very rich island. Could that be the reason?
Because the king wanted to control their vast wealth? By
controlling them here?
    “I only wish we didn’t have to live here.
The place is big and nice, but the people…”
    Cecelia turned her attention to her brother
then. “I know,” she said, knowing those other youths who were sons
of the princes, lords, and ministers living in the palace had
bullied him, as had both Lady Rosanna and Lady Juliet who had
always been bullying her. Not to mention Queen Eliza herself.
    “Brian?” she started.
    “Hmm?” The youth turned to her, his brown
eyes very much like their father’s, large and warm.
    She swallowed hard because she was afraid to
tell him what she was going to do, afraid he would suffer without
her here.
    “I must leave for a time,” she began.
    “Why? What for?” Brian frowned.
    “Will you promise not to tell anyone?” She
touched him, her hands clutching onto his shoulders.
    “What’s this, Celia? Why are you being so
secretive? Why are you leaving?”
    “Just promise me, please?”
    Brian stared and then nodded. “Aye, I
promise.”
    She took a deep breath and said, “I am going
to the Demon Kingdom.”
    He just stared at her as if she were
mad.
    “What? That’s suicide!”
    “To fetch the Pearl of Life,” she explained
quickly.
    “But, Celia, ’tis dangerous!”
    “I know, but Mother’s life… The king, I have
pleaded with him. He would not agree.”
    “Don’t go. You will die and Mother will die.
I will have no one,” he said in anguish.
    “Do not speak of such, brother. I will not
die. Mother will not die. And you, Brian, will not be alone. That
much I promise you.” She touched her fingers to his face and looked
deep into his eyes. They stared at each other as they read each
other’s thoughts and feelings.
    “When will you leave?” he said at last.
    “Tomorrow, at dawn.”
    “So soon?”
    “Promise me you will look after Mother.”
    “I… I promise.”
    “Study hard. You are going to be the next
Earl of Rosevalley. I love you, Brian.” She hugged him tight.
    “And I you.”
    “Now go.” She pushed him away. “I must get
some sleep before the sunrise.”
    Brian stiffly got up, clutching the book in
one hand and the other still holding on to hers.
    “You must go,” she said.
    He nodded and lowered himself to kiss her
forehead. “Good night, Celia,” he said and left her.
    Cecelia went to her wardrobe and took out
her packing. Her satchel wasn’t large. It