The Demon Prince

Alara: The Throne Room

When my hood is first removed, all I can process for a moment is the sudden flood of light. Fairies can normally see in the dark, but the enchanted hood removed all sense of light completely.

I blink rapidly, trying to adjust my eyes while simultaneously getting the best look at my surroundings possible before it's too late to do so again. I am not where I expected to be.

Instead of the dungeon, I am in the throne room. Four royal thrones sit in front of me, one raised slightly higher than the others. The throne chair to the left of what is obviously the king’s, sits on the same pedestal, only a few inches lower, presumably the queen. Then there are two smaller thrones on a lower pedestal, one to the right of the kings, the other on the left of the queens.

The room seems unnaturally bright and after a moment, I understand why and I shiver.

The thrones before me are intricately woven black metal pieces, fitted with overflowing crimson silk cushions. The curtains that drip down the walls are thick crimson silk as well, but the rest of the room is white. White granite with faint swirls of gray and black covers the floors and walls all the way to the ceiling. In various places spaced out along the granite floor, including directly under me, are drains.

I am struck by the sudden realization that this throne room doubles as a torture chamber and that, likely, there is no dungeon. They do not take prisoners. The stark white walls are evidence that they enjoy painting with blood in this room. I imagine the entire design was Queen Serphia's, the Vampire Queen.

I am being forced into a kneeling position by the strong arms that dragged me here, not allowing me to take in much more surroundings than those directly in front of me. My situation is less than ideal in any case.

I am able to maintain my stoic, calculated thought process even while being painfully held down, staring directly into a drain meant for my blood. I maintain my composure still as the doors to the room creak open loudly.

They must be large and heavy, I think, as I have not been able to see the doors for myself. Very thick wood, probably oak.

I maintain my composure still as feet file in. Focusing on each set of footsteps individually as if I could discern weaknesses from them. Then focusing on the feet themselves just as intensely. The first set to file into the row of throne chairs are clad in very stylish black men's leather dress shoes. Pointed and polished with intricate leather and thread designs on the sides. I can tell from the footsteps that these feet belong to a male of medium build. These shoes stop in front of the first chair on the lower pedestal.

The next pair to file in are softer. Deep brown and less pointed. Still a very nice pair of shoes, but more practical. These steps sound a little heavier than the first, so I assume they belong to a bulkier man. These feet go past the other chairs and stop in front of the last throne, also on the lower pedestal.

The third set of feet to come in are easy to discern. They make the signature clack clack of silhouettes all the way down the marble room until they appear in front of me. A pair of bloodred, six-inch heels encompassing the dead pale feet of the vampire queen-turned interior decorator herself.

That only leaves one pair. The last pair. The king.

These footsteps approach with more authority than the others. They fall heavier and slower, almost agonizingly slow. Or am I imagining that? No, my hearing couldn't be wrong even in my situation. Could it?

After what seems like an eternity, these feet take their place directly in front of me. He wears black dress shoes, but less intricate than the other pair here. Just plain, oil-slick black dress shoes.

It isn't until I hear the deep, rumbling voice of a powerful man say, "Look at me", that I feel the first sliver of fear begin to crack my resolve.

I steel myself. I don't know what to expect, no one outside this castle has looked upon the Demon King's face and lived to tell the tale.

I take one long inhale of breath—then look up.