A Demon's Wrath Novella: One Night with the Demon King by Alexia Praks Page B

don’t give a damn.”
    Drake released his cousin in an instant and
snapped, “I’m a king. That boy is my responsibility.”
    Julius and Adam once again looked at each
other, wondering if Drake were truly attracted to Brian. Leon
didn’t know what to think.
    “I warn you, Gerick, keep your hands away
from Brian,” Drake said as he walked out the door.
    “And what if I don’t?” Gerick asked merrily
after him.
    “Then I’ll kill you,” came the reply.
    Gerick laughed loudly and teased, “I’ll
challenge you, cousin.”
    “We’re doomed,” Leon said under his breath.
Then to Gerick, he asked, “Are you truly going to challenge Drake?
Sorry, but I’m not going to be your second.”
    Gerick raised a brow at his comrade. “Don’t
be ridiculous. I won’t last five minutes within Drake’s hands if he
uses his demonic power.”
    “Precisely three minutes,” Julius gladly
pointed out.
    “What about Marcus? How long do you think
he’d last within Drake’s hands?” Adam asked curiously.
    “Ten minutes if Drake uses his demonic
power,” Julius said. “Then again, if Marcus got his hands on
Drake’s pearl, that’s a different story.”
    “Drake is a strong warrior even without his
pearl and demonic power,” Leon said.
    “Aye, but Marcus is cunning and resourceful.
He knows dark magic and strange spells.”
    “If that war starts before Drake has himself
an heir,” Leon said, “our kingdom is doomed. We’re all doomed.”
    “Nothing is ever doomed,” Julius said,
returning his attention to his precious book and continuing
reading.
* * * * *

Chapter VIII

     
    CECELIA WAS READY THE NEXT morning when
Lucifer came to her room, running and jumping as though he couldn’t
wait to see her and show her around the palace. As they were having
their breakfast, which contained an array of delicious fare to
choose from, such as toast, hot rolls, baked savory cakes, grilled
asparagus and potatoes, and of course, tea to wash it all down, she
wondered about the demon king and his comrades. Were they like her
uncle and most of the nobilities and ministers residing in the Van
Zandt Palace, still abed this late in the morning? Or were they
like her father? Up even before dawn, training his small, loyal
armies—an army that had died with him the night they had been
raided by the demons.
    It wasn’t long when Lucifer hastily came
around to her and excitedly pulled her off her chair, leading her
toward the door. Vera chuckled and followed closely behind
them.
    “You’ll love Storm,” Lucifer said
cheerfully, his bright-blue eyes twinkling. “He’s my pony. Uncle
Drake gave him to me last year for my birthday. He said he’ll grow
very big if I take good care of him.”
    Vera said, “Lucifer, my love, why don’t we
show Brian the library first? Then we can show him the
stables.”
    Lucifer practiced his dark scowl with a
pursed lip at his mother. “Do we have to?”
    Vera couldn’t help but chuckle at her son’s
funny face. He was trying to look like his father and uncle, of
course, who, more often than not, sported a brooding scowl on their
faces. Most of the women found them intimidating and wouldn’t go
near them. Oddly enough, Vera found herself attracted to her
husband, even with that dark frown on Adam’s face. She, however,
couldn’t say the same for Drake. She loved and respected Drake as
her in-law and her king, but at times, she still felt intimidated
by him.
    “Yes, love,” she said to her son.
    “Why?”
    “Because Brian is a good student. He studies
plants in different kingdoms, and he would want to explore our
library,” Vera replied. “And you, my love, would do well to follow
him.”
    Lucifer groaned, his lips downturned. “I
don’t like studying. Julius makes me study so hard. I like going
out hunting with Uncle Drake and Uncle Gerick.” He grabbed for
Cecelia’s hand and then steered her reluctantly toward the library
instead of the door that would lead them outside.
    “Hey,