“Shan,” I said softly, “if I seem different down the line…it’s the strain of trying to keep us safe.”
I didn’t want her to know how schizo I’d become. I couldn’t stand it if she hated me. Or worse, feared me.
“Dude, I get it. I can’t imagine what it’s like to deal with all those demons, trying to keep them all in check.” She shivered. “It’s so crazy that your bullshit is all that’s standing between us and a hideous death.”
I hugged her…until I didn’t know why I was. I had work to do.
Pushing the girl back, I smiled coolly. “It was a pleasure.”
“Yeah.” Her expression seemed sad, though I didn’t understand why. “It was.”
The Spell of the Ball
I should have seen it coming.
For all my memories and experience, this was brand-new; Xibalba had changed in my absence. I struggled to build, but whispers came to me of discontent. I listened and nodded, and I stored them away. Certainly I did the best I could to safeguard the palace compound.
On the fourth day after my téte-à-téte with Shannon, I summoned Greydusk to the courtyard. “What do you see?”
The Imaron scanned the area. “Broken stones and decaying wards.”
“Precisely. And both represent a threat to our security.”
“I’ll have a crew repair the walls and the parapets.”
“Thank you. With your help, I intend to reinforce the protections.”
Athame in hand, I opened to the astral and assessed the eddies of ancient magick. These runes had been laid so long ago that I had no recollection of them. Ninlil first created them, but queens were always named so as to give the illusion of eternity. Purebred demons had long lives, but they were not immortal. Not even demon queens.
“Of course. What can I do?” Greydusk asked.
“These wards are old …and powerful, even in decay. I need to use you as a source. Are you willing?”
That required absolute trust, as it left both of us vulnerable. I could kill him if I pulled too much magick through him, and he could do the same to me. It was a two-way connection.
“Certainly, my queen.”
Though it was possible to form the link without touching, I found it easier to do so through personal contact. And it formed another layer of trust binding us together. One did not seal a palm against an Imaron’s without calculating the risk that he would use his inborn drain. The gravity of Greydusk’s expression said he grasped the breadth of what we did. The energy came in a sweet, thick surge. I could have done this for days—without a partner—at the Saremon complex. Here, I needed a boost because the stone was inert, not a hidden wellspring of power.
Unexpectedly, the bond also formed an emotional connection. His awe and adoration flowed into me in unsettling waves, along with his magickal potential, but it wasn’t romantic in nature. It felt like a worshipper in the presence of a goddess. I exulted in it, but the silent human observer recoiled, horrified by the prospect. She was growing stronger, harder for me to dominate. Soon the girl might be ascendant as often as I, and that would be disastrous for my ambitions. She didn’t give a damn about ruling in Sheol.
Hand in hand, we walked to the gates. First, I restored potency to the sigils on the gate, the ones that prevented anyone from entering unless they bore my mark. All of my servants had been interviewed and then tattooed with a magical crest that gave them right of passage. Anyone who came through the gates without my mark died a painful death. Early on, a few had tried, and the weak wards hadn’t been enough to end them—just make them wish for a quick and merciful death once the Hazo took them into custody.
More layers of protection against offensive spells. Harmful intent. Weapons. Mind-altering charms. It took the rest of the day to renew the wards, infusing them with my personal strength. Greydusk was exhausted, as was I, but I’d been careful. Neither of us would suffer lasting ill effects from this day’s work.
I offered a grateful nod. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done that without you.”
A queen never said that sort of thing to a lesser creature. Unquestionably, my human half weakened me, but it was the sort of softness that roused a reaction of shocked pleasure in my subordinates. It served to keep them off balance, at least.
“It was an honor.” Greydusk swept a credible bow. “There’s much to arrange before the ball, my queen. I believe Heartsblood is on your calendar for the morrow.”
Ah, yes. “I’ll be ready for him.”
Once I parted from the Imaron, I used my remaining energies to add a layer of protection to the bracelet Tia had given me. I knew some demons found it odd that I chose such humble personal adornment; I was never without it. Viewed in the astral, the item was layered in wards, and they were compelling, beautiful, with the flickering energies intertwined for my benefit. But they were missing one crucial factor, and I remedied the oversight with painstaking care. I wouldn’t be surprised by an offensive spell again.
For the remainder of the day, I read in thick dossiers about how the various castes were responding to my rule. Outwardly, the city had accepted my return. Trade continued, factories produced goods, and feuds ran their usual courses. Beneath the external quiet, though, dire and threatening whispers fomented.
Heartsblood was reliable in his reports. “The Saremon bear watching,” he told me the next morning in my office. “I don’t trust their quiet. I hear rumors now and then that they’re planning something.”
“Do they have sufficient numbers?”
“I don’t know. I wish I did.”
“Is there any word on who their allies may be?”
He shook his head. “The Eshur, along with their servants the Obsir, stress their neutrality.”
That didn’t surprise me; they were concerned only with maintaining order. “Did they rule in my stead?”
“No.” Heartsblood paused, obviously seeking an analogy. “I suppose it’s more accurate to say that each caste territory functions like a self-governed city-state. If there are disputes or laws broken, borders violated, then the Eshur step in. Their judgments are enforced by the Obsir.”
“Their power has increased in my absence.” In my day, the Eshur attended only to petty matters, too small to be worth my personal attention, and the Obsir, also known as the Hidden, had been my enforcers. “Would it be worth my effort to woo the Hidden away from their quiet masters?”
“I think not, my queen. The Obsir and the Eshur have been hand in glove for such a long time. If you fail, it would only weaken your position.”
“Truly spoken. You’ll come when you have more intelligence?”
“Assuredly.” Heartsblood bowed and let himself out of my study.
When the knight left that day, I was uneasy. At length, I pondered the implications…and all the data I’d received. In the end, I proceeded as I had in the past—with lavish spectacles to distract the masses. The formal coronation ball would strengthen my power base, terrify my enemies, and introduce Chance as my consort. The plans had been ongoing for some time, and now was the moment to strike.
The day of the ball I spent with my dressers. It took hours to curl my hair just so, apply cosmetics, and tweak my gown so that the fit was flawless. In this game, appearances mattered. I must prove that the Once and Future Queen had ascended and that they could dislodge me from my rightful place when Sheol froze over.
Hours later, I stood in the ballroom with my hand on Chance’s arm. He was resplendent in black and silver, his suit tailored to match my ornate gown. I wore my father’s heart about my throat—an enormous ruby fit for a queen on a hammered silver chain. Its bloody shine brought out the highlights in my artfully arranged hair. Together, we watched the assembled crowd. The Hazo stood at the perimeter, scrutinizing the guests.
Along with the knights, I’d also invited a mixed swath of important persons, those who had influence within their castes. Some hadn’t been born when the archangel stole me from my rightful throne—therefore, they could not look on this frail form and find it lacking in comparison—but I saw flickers of doubt in the countenances of old demons, who had known me before.
“…pretender,” I heard someone whisper.
But when I turned, the crowd was too close and thick for me to make out who had spoken. My nails bit into Chance’s arm. In an easy motion, his palm covered my fingers, stroking lightly.
Then he spoke in my ear. “You are their queen.”
It was enough. I lifted my chin. When the guests paused, I led the way through the crowded ballroom to where Greydusk stood. He too had donned black and silver for the occasion to differentiate himself from other Imaron in attendance. Before the festivities began in earnest, I had two important matters of business to conduct.
“Greydusk, step forward.”
The Imaron did so, hands clasped behind his back. We had rehearsed for the occasion, so this should go off without a hitch. “Before these gathered nobles, I do formally commission you as my Baron of the Exchequer, responsible for all matters of trade and finance pertaining to Xibalba. The title shall be hereditary, passing in perpetuity to your heirs. Do you accept this office?”
“I do, my queen. On behalf of my son, I thank you.” He sank to one knee, dazed with delight, though he had known this was coming, formalizing his reward for believing in me when I had been a stupid, worthless human of uncertain potential. As our work together had begun with a pledge of faith, I did not ask for the ritual that bound him to his promise; I trusted that his loyalty was absolute.
“Greet your new baron.” I stared out over the crowd, registering the waves of hatred and envy.
I’d created a higher rank than knight; now Greydusk, once a lower-class Imaron, had leapt over those older and more powerful. It would goad them—and I intended it to. From their subsequent treachery, I would uncover those conspiring with the Saremon and decapitate them all in one stroke.
From the crowd, Heartsblood began the applause with loud, deliberate slaps of his oversize palms. Part of me thought I should be shocked at the monstrous faces staring back at me. I was at a ball full of demons, acting like it was no big deal. Deliberately I shut that voice down, but it was a little harder each time; the human girl gained purchase each time I let her in. Others joined the ovation until the room rang with unwilling approbation. Greydusk rose and accepted his due with a nod.
“Before I release you to enjoy my hospitality, I present to you the king consort, Chance Yi.” A rumble of mixed reactions ran through the crowd. I spoke over them. “Thus the succession is secured. There may be an heir on the way, even now.” I touched my belly for effect, noting the way Chance tensed beside me. “Now enjoy the party!”
The newly minted Baron Greydusk cued the players at the far end of the room.
When the musicians sounded the first notes, I stepped into the first turn with Chance. The court let us dance alone for a few moments in a gesture of respect and then they joined us on the floor. Tension buzzed along my skin as he spun me. I registered the dark looks and speculative, watchful eyes.
