Demon Empress

Chapter 4 - Wager

Luracin thought the woman had gone mad.

Iara, she said her name was — she gave no last name, and didn’t behave or speak like a prominent demon slumming in the Fifth Ring. Despite her overwhelming beauty, she dressed rather plainly, and wore pants instead of a dress, as working-class demonesses often did.

A flamboyant personality was a flamboyant personality, but to covet a master’s things — and a human slave at that — was insanity. Where did this woman get the courage to challenge a noble to a duel?

Luracin cursed her internally. He had already called her his wife, and he had only meant to protect her throughout the meal from announcing dangerous statements, but at this rate, he would have to reveal his identity if he wanted to save her from this mess.

Incredulity painted Rona Aluva’s charming face. “You? You want to challenge me to a duel?” She did not even sound offended, but as if she was in disbelief.

Iara grinned cheerfully, seeming completely relaxed and unaware of the disaster she had spoken into her life. “Every demon has the right to challenge another to a duel. You cannot refuse… unless, Lady Rona does not dare accept…?”

Before C’Rus could express his indignation, Rona sneered at Iara’s provocation and rose from her seat slowly. “No need to get angry, C’Rus,” she said coldly. “No demon may refuse a duel. Not even the Empress is exempt from this law. Since it’s unavoidable, we should just get it over and done with.” She brushed past Iara’s seat, heading out of the booth first. “I am willing to entertain her. Pity — without considering the minuscule chances of her winning, even if she won, does she not realise that she has made an enemy of the masters of the Fifth Ring?” Turning back slightly, she said pityingly to Luracin, “You two young lovebirds are a well-matched pair in nothing but looks.”

Rona and C’Rus continued on, smug condescension draped across their figures. The human slave silently followed after. It was only for a brief second, but for a moment, Luracin could have sworn he saw the slave’s eyes glinting through his black hair as he stared Iara predatorily. But his hair fell back over his feral eyes just as quickly, and Luracin almost questioned his sight.

Just as Rona’s foot crossed the threshold, he heard Iara audibly muse, as if to herself: “Funny, that. I thought the true master of the Fifth Ring was the Empress.” He almost choked.

He saw Rona stiffen, but quickly relaxing, she left as if nothing had happened.

Finally, Luracin turned to face the oblivious demoness still lounging comfortably in her seat, her eyes on him. She smiled when he met her gaze.

Luracin blinked. “Are you insane?”

Iara’s smile stretched wider, revealing her delicate, pointed incisors. “No.”

He growled. “Then why would you challenge Rona Aluva to a duel for a human slave? Do you have a death wish?”

She scoffed. “Of course not.”

Luracin rolled his eyes. “Surely, you don’t think you can win? And she’s right. Even if you did win, you would never be able to safely stay in the Fifth Ring again. What will you tell your family?”

He saw her tilt her head to the side curiously, her eyes glittering. “First, you call me your wife, and now you meddle in my business. What does it matter to you if I duel for a slave and anger the Aluvas?”

He felt like he was communicating with a beautiful i***t. Was she an i***t? “Why would you risk all that for a slave?”

A smile curled Iara’s lips. “Because he’s a human slave, and he’s pretty. I don’t know where you are from, good sir, to not think much of a human slave—”

Luracin flinched.

“—but a human slave is worth a duel. They are truly immortal in Hell; they can not die twice, and their souls are bound to the master of their Contract, imperishable until the death of the demon. But in Hell, a Contract is an exchangeable good. They will live bound to a new master each generation of demons, and they can only stay completely loyal and obedient in hopes that their master would let their souls perish with them. Such death soldiers are rare here. After all, it’s not easy for regular demons to Contract with a living human.” She finished her long explanation with a grin. “This is why I want to duel for that slave.” Almost as an after-thought, she added: “And he’s pretty.”

Luracin shook his head in disbelief. “You’re mad. This is madness. You’re too weak to Contract a living human being, but you dare duel Rona Aluva?”

She stretched her arms above her, smiling, and rose from her seat. “Well. It will be good exercise, with a pretty face as a reward. Are you taking the back door, or will you come and watch?”

Luracin’s curiosity got the better of his sensibility. “Coming.”