Chapter 7
"Descent"
---Before---
-1-
I walked quickly through, the never ending crowds of useless things. They were all standing in just the perfect place to get in my way. Nobody was walking at all, as if they had all damn day.
Well, I guess they did.
I snapped open my pocket watch. I wasn’t making very good time.
The wine from last night had done me in. It was the last time I drank anything my bastard brother gave me. If it hadn’t been for the thunder I might not have ever woken up.
I made it to the promenade center, an already large crowd had gathered—I easily pushed my way through them until I was standing at the front.
I had made good time, they were just marching him up to the execution spot. He was a uninteresting human, he was almost as big as me—he looked powerful. I enjoyed watching him about to get put into his place. Tears rolled down his face like a child.
My eyes caught a pathetic little human girl standing to the side. She was staring at him defiantly. She was most likely his victim or atleast that one that had survived. I don’t think she was worth it, she was plain and ugly. Her face alone was full of imperfections and such sadness.
“Gregory Abermale, human and landscaper.” The executioner announced.
The man’s trembling neck was placed in the rusted over lunette. I bit my lip in livid anticipation. Abermale made eye contact with me, a silent pathetic plea for me to step in but, I wasn’t here to give second chances.
I was here for the show.
“Gregory Abermale is charged with 4 counts of rape, 1 count of murder.” The executioner announced.
The executioner took out a piece of paper and read.
“Abermale’s last words; um, . . . ‘Fuck the King’”
There were some low laughs I was supposed to ignore, but I found the choice of last words quite amusing. If I wasn’t so eager to see his head rolled I might have asked for his mercy.
Abermale was calming down. He didn’t fight like I would have thought. I imagined he could easily overpower the executioner if he tried.
Once his neck was secure, the executioner pulled the déclic and the blade barreled down making a clean cut—no drop of blood was spilled. The decapitation went perfectly-- no real show.
I stared into his eyes as his head detached. Within the second of his death I was sure I could see a shade leaving his body.
Farewell.
A man standing next to me made a cross on his chest. I had seen so many humans do that. I turned back towards the guillotines, but the cleaning crew comprised of prisoners was already cleaning up. The head was being gathered by a stoic thin prisoner with blood splattered shoes.
“Was he the only one today ?,” I asked
I was met with silence.
“Yes.” The man who had made the cross answered finally.
I sighed. I was hoping for a full afternoon of executions.
I wondered though the cobblestone streets, the sky was already beginning to get dark even though the afternoon had barely started. No doubt the usual rain would come down, making it another dreary and melancholy day. Most of the humans were smart enough to get out of my way. I had nowhere to be, nothing planned for the day. I decided to add to the hangover and headed for the taverns.
Just as I rounded the corner to the only Tavern in town that rarely served humans, I saw Quinn pacing outside. Holding on to either side of him were two lovely young human ladies. Both just average enough for a fellow as average as Quinn.
Quinn was a ‘family friend’, he loved doing my father’s bidding, even though he wasn’t much of a Demon. Quinn was born with no wings and looked altogether too human. He was hardly a friend, just good at being in the right place at the right time.
As soon as I stepped close to him, he handed me the white envelope. The two girls on his arms looked me up and down silently, drinking in every detail.
“Have you been waiting for me ?,” I asked him.
“Yes,” Quinn smiled, “I know you never miss an execution and rum .”
I snatched the note from him and broke the seal.
“It’s lunch invitation from your mother.” He told me crossing his arms.
On his wrist dangled a pair of gold bracelets. A gift from Mother for him being her errand boy.
“Lunch with the queen ? How rare.” I sighed
I didn't even know my mother was eating nowadays.
I read over the note. I was already late.
“Would you like some company ?,” he asked.
The girls exchanged hopeful looks.
“It says it is just for me. Maybe some other time.” I said. ”It looks like you already have some company.”
I gestured towards the average girls to his side
Quinn was in good with my father. Now he was looking into getting in good with my brothers and I. Especially me—the one Father can’t trust.
I quickly took to the skies and flew to the main house. Flying wasn’t the easiest thing to do drunk, which is why I had resigned myself to walking among the humans earlier. I swooped down through one of the open skylights and walked briskly to the dining room as the plainly dressed servants quickly averted their eyes.
I opened the dining hall door to see my mother alone in front of a large banquet of food.
My mother could be simply dazzling at times.
Her dark features are set perfectly into her powdery complexion. Her dark hair pulled into a very long ponytail she keeps adorned with gold. The light hit her white wings in a way to make them appear to be glowing. It almost detracted from how they were wilting, graying and smelled of ash. It was a shame the King--my father rejected her so. The bastard has forgotten the joy the 8 sons she gave him used to bring.
Now she was always sad and usually in her bed chamber. All the once marvelous plants around her dying. I couldn’t stand to be around her.
I took a seat and the servants immediately filled my plate.
I noticed a glass vase with a dozen pure white daffodils in the center of the
table. They were so lovely and full they could have been from my own garden.
The petals were monochromatic and creamy white, the stem had been picked and
cut perfectly.
“Grilled Duck and stewed root vegetables. Fresh stone ground bread,” Mother said. “Your favorite , right?”
“Yes.” I said, “ Will anyone be joining us ?.”
“No.” she said,
I had barely picked at the salad when she put her fork down.
“There has been a death in Eden. Of the Tuilleres family’s only son, Gabriel.”
I paused. This was certainly news
“How did he die ?,” I asked
“They haven’t released it. They are hosting a funeral. As you know someone has to go to represent your father--,”
“Let him go.” I challenged
“Now, now.” She said,”I advocated to him and He has agreed for you travel to Eden and attend. I have sent in your RSVP.”
“I have no desire to be around those Angels or travel all the way to Eden. Why not send Cassius ? He likes to play peacemaker.”
“Cassius is busy. You are the only one with no other straining responsibilities--,”
“Because Father gives me none. I will not attend this funeral on behalf of a man who does not respect me. Who won’t admit he fears me--”
“Enough,” she said in a hushed tone
The pained look on her face unfortunately brought me some delight. I decided to let it go and ran my hand over Cronus in it’s sheath on my belt.
“You will go. It is done. Disobeying will not help your cause. . . You know your father is just being cautious--”
“He is walking closer to his grave--,”
“Melchoir !,” she shrieked looking wildly at the servants pacing around.” You can’t say things like that. We must revere the king and we must love him. We are his family--,”
“We are his captives,”
I was furious. I had enough with the lunch and stood up to leave.
“Melchoir, please.” Mother whispered.
I turned to her.
“I have lost my appetite.” I said
“Atleast take the plate with you. For later ?”
I turned on my heels and kissed her on the cheek.
“This was a beautiful lunch by a beautiful woman.” I lied.
I took the plate and carried myself to my cottage on far side of the royal lawn. I crossed through the garden and went into the front door and heard a squeak of my bed as Echo sat up in my bed. I imagine she had been napping there. I slammed the door hard just to see her shake.
My appetite was lost, so I tossed the plate to the stone floor and she scrambled off the bed to eat it. I watched her eat in disgust. I resisted the urge to kick her in the face.
She carefully shredded the duck with her stubby fingertips while simultaneously shoving vegetables into her mouth. I picked up a gold coin out of my collection and launched it at her, but she was unaffected. I threw another and she was still unresponsive to it. I began to regret not eating the lunch myself.
Once upon a time, Echo was Mother’s most prized and cherished choir member. My mother loved music with all her heart—even in her depression, she said it brought beauty to her life. Echo’s melodious voice was a true gift, made for singing. She could sing to any instrument and created so many beautiful ballads and lullabys just for mother. And because of this talent she was treated well. Whatever beautiful gown or item Echo requested was hers.
And then mother discovered father paid Echo extra to put on long and doting concerts to distract Mother so he could bed his many mistresses. She was even sure Echo had taken my father’s company in her own chambers.
Unable to punish Father, Mother punished Echo. Disgusted by her betrayal, mother sentenced the girl to a half-hanging in the courtyard. And afterwards the corpse was to be strung up to be pecked at by crows. Mother never attended such things but, it was so rare to see a young girl hung so I was there-- as were most people. The noose was so tiny for her little neck.
As they strung her up in her fine lavender gown, I realized something.
She was a pretty girl.
A very pretty girl and it would be a shame to have a body like hers rotting and decomposing. So, I called amnesty and the executioner was forced to halt, as I decided to keep Echo in my charge.
At the time, I intended to still see her hanged. I was just making sure to strip all of the beauty away first.
I had my brother Juno, strip her of her musical gift and make her dumb so, she could only Echo what she heard. And as a bonus--if anyone was talking about her she would be forced to repeat it to herself.
I hardly remember the day it was some years ago. Echo was just ugly and stupid now. It pained me to even look at her face, but she had been such a loyal, submissive servant. She put herself at my knees and will. Something no one else in the Underworld did.
I folded and unfolded the funeral notice in my hands wondering what I should do about it.
“Gabriel Marachi De Tuilieres,” I read the name flipping a corner of the paper, “A fine name. No doubt he would have made it to the head council position. I wonder what killed him ? There certainly must be a reason, don’t you think ? ”
“ . . .Think,” Echo responded
I crumbled the letter and threw it beside my bed. It appeared I was going to be going on a little vacation.
***
-2-
The smiles were encroaching, the shams blatantly obvious as I ascended into Eden. Everything felt fake and intentional. I was in a crowd listening to a speech that had been going on for too long about what honored guests I was to be here at the mansion for Gabriel’s memorial.
I knew the other guests wanted to stare at the Demon among them, at my marvelous wings, but they dared not to do it.
I clapped my wings back, making myself less noticeable and very easily slipped through the crowd. Drinks and small talk really didn’t interest me in any way. I wandered through the stifling palace until I found a room that was sparkling and shiny. Finally something befitting of people of their stature.
I gazed over the family portraits and finally laid eyes on the not so dearly departed. I suppose, I hadn’t imagined him so young. I gazed to the left at a picture of his sister, an immediate stark contrast. I had never seen a picture quite so breathtaking. The painting looked alive, I could almost see the blood pulsing through her veins. The artist had clearly take some liberties with the image.
The guests were being herded into a dining room so, I took the time to wander off outside, I could smell the sweet scent of flowers nearby. I was curious if any of the Amaryllis grew here and how they differed from the Underworld plants.
There were some common place lilies, nothing exception. I wandered deeper into the isolated woods, perhaps I could find some rare plant as a gift for mother. I saw a lily with a rather pink-ish hue and took out Cronus to cut the stem. Hopefully, I might find something better later.
I heard the splashing and giggling to my immediate left. In the distance was a small lake and a pile of women’s clothes. Some little Angels were about to get a very handsome surprise. I walked closer to the lake.
The artist hadn’t gotten it wrong.
She emerged from the water like a wet dog. Even covered in water and dirt I saw something befitting and beautiful. The features were undeniable. The straight laced chin the wide set mouth and narrow eyes. She didn’t seem to be mourning her brother’s death in the slightest.
As I watched her I realized I needed her. I just wasn’t sure for what.
***
No one noticed my nightly departures from the Underworld. I stole away at night as not to alarm any guards in the King’s castle. Rin’s voice and her face were constantly playing in my mind. I could see something with us , I was just unsure of how it was going to work .
She did not seem to agree. Still, I was resilient and knew if I talked to her enough I could charm her into my proposal.
She would be the beautiful prop I needed in my life.
The path to Eden took my an hour by flight. Once the palace was in view I would slow down my wing span and perch by her window.
Corrine de Tuileres was a light sleeper.
“You sleep with one eye open ?,” I greeted her on one ocassion
“You never know who is watching,” she responded,“ Dark, you do know I am involved with someone and this needs to stop ?,”
“Or what ? He will kill me ?,”
“Dark.” she said impatiently ”You cannot possibly expect me to agree to go to Elysia with you. You need to know--
“Why so resistant ? Do you like your life here ? You and I are very much alike. Outcast by our families.”
“I am not an outcast. I’ve never expected anybody to give me my place. I find it on my own.”
I clinched my fist.
“How un-noble,” I jeered at her. “People like us-- royalty, we are not supposed to do any work. Our place in society were supposed to be given to us. It was new ways of thinking that were bringing on nothing but chaos.”
I sensed her impatience, that I was pushing a button. If I got to close to her and offended her I knew she would have me taken by security.
Without so much of another word I took off. I heard her calling after me.
***
Soul Lyre.
I knew very little about him. Just what I knew from the stories. His father was a human, still alive somewhere in the human world oblivious to what was going on here.
I flew back to the Underworld and over the region to the edge of town, where the poorest and most misfortune humans lived. There was a small dwelling where my brother Cassius resided. I had no invitation, but I had not time for the formalities. I bounded into the house and found him enjoying an evening tea in his gardens with his wife, Cassandra.
“Melchoir, this is quite unplanned-,” he greeted me.
“I need to speak with you regarding a certain . . . half demon.”
He looked partially up at me.
“You mean Thea Lyre and her son ?,”
“Yes, how did--,”
“Don’t worry no one is making you attend. I will be going.”
“Going where ?,”
“To the wedding,”
Anger and realization washed over me.
Something as beautiful as Rin should not end up with such an abomination like the half human.
“Melchoir,” Cassius called, snapping me out of my anger.
“What ?,”
“How is Father ?,”
“I wouldn’t know.” I answered,” I do not speak to the King.”
“You should be honoring him,” Cassius said,” The fact he allows you such comforts . . .”
It was Cassius’s usual speech, but I wasn’t listening. All I knew was I was losing Rin.
***
The wedding day arrived and I found something propelling me to her. After our midnight argument I perched under the window until morning, unable to give up. Her last words echoed in my head
The world will change at my will. Do you not see that ?
If she was just being with the demon/human to change the world, she could do the same with me.
I slowly rose back up to the balcony and prepared to open her window when I was paralyzed by the sight in front of me.
Never had I seen anything so beautiful. Rin truly was a painting come to life. Her lips were deep red and plump, her eyes looked so large and black, her cheeks flushed to a perfect hue.
I heard footsteps and quickly hid in the trees as Soul Lyre walked out of the garden. I watched with growing envy as he made her laugh with his music. Her smile was the finishing touch on her physical perfection. She was happy. They were happy.
So happy it sickened me. My heart felt as if it were leaving my body as I watched her joy. As if to add insult I watched as she discarded a pink hued lily on the floor like common trash.
In mere seconds I had come up with a plan to take what was mine.
I flew to Elyisa and finally offered Quinn an opportunity to earn my approval.
***
And like that I had her.
I have her.
She lays on my bed on the other side of my bedroom door.
I admit I am panicked now. I have made an awful impulsive mistake. A beautiful mistake though.
Still, I have broken a multitude of laws. Unspoken ones, but, to pin it on me would be difficult. As I was the 8th son everyone forgot about they would most likely blame Cassius-- a fitting punishment for him.
I stood on the other side of the door. I could hear her crying. It was a phase, no one particularly enjoyed being here.
She is in good company.
-------------------------
A/N
So, here's another fact. This chapter, Chapter 6( The wedding) and Chapter 3 (from Seraphim's point of view) were all in line to be first chapters. More on this later.
Also, if you look on the first cover is says twisted paranormal romance. Well, as I'm editing I'm realizing it is living up to that name.