18. Off To The Palace
1095 Words
The wind whistled as the creatures tore through small branches and crunched sticks to bits with their thunderous clapping of hooves against the ground, urging smaller animals to take cover as we rode swiftly through the forest. Annoyingly, the speed at which we were going kept my hair active and caused it to scatter in all directions, partially obstructing my vision.
The uneasiness brought on by being unable to see clearly was what prompted me to lift my hand in an attempt at relocating my rebellious strands elsewhere. But for the umpteenth time, the fear of harshly falling back against the forest floor manifested and my hand quickly flew back to its place, tightly gripping the horns on the creature's head.
I breathed heavily, eyes squinting as I tried to keep myself from falling into the clutches of panic. I looked down at the hands wrapped around me when Delari's grip tightened for the very first time since we started our journey. She had been very silent along the way and unlike me, she showed no signs of uneasiness. As odd as it was, I wanted her to feel atleast a tinge of fear that would force her to grip unto me like her life depended on it...but currently, her fingers were loosely wrapped around me as if she held no fear at all.
It was a given that things would happen this way, but it was still quite disappointing.
It's not that I wanted to look like a knight in shining armour, rather, I wanted to seem like a reliable person, someone she could rely on to protect her. Jumping behind her a while back was instinctual. I'm new to this place, I'm supposed to be scared of a creature ten times my size! ...Though I now wish I never did such a disgraceful thing. I'm not one to go all out when trying to make good impressions but this case was different. I can't say exactly in what way, but I know it's different, she's different.
"Sire, are you alright?" She questioned, her hot breath fanning my skin as she tried to peep over my shoulder so she could look at my face. I shivered.
"I am fine." I squeezed through my teeth, craning my neck to the right to prevent my neck from falling victim to the distracting tingling sensation her soft breathing generated.
She eased back a little, thankfully deciding not to pry any further.
The ride went on in silence. The further we went, the more at ease I became, but there were still dreadful moments where broad trees or branches made our path impassable. In those situations, the creature would then wait until the very last moment to shift out of harms way, causing my nerves to skyrocket and my heart's galloping to be on par with theirs.
After getting countless slaps left and right from drooping, slender branches, the trees finally started getting less dense. It was clear to me that the end of the forest was getting nearer and nearer by the minute. It wasn't much further until I could actually spot houses up ahead through the spaces between the leaves...one in particular that was quite different from the rest. It's distinguishing features were its height and its elegance. Compared to the other houses, it was a giant...a big, extra large and effortlessly beautiful giant.
I didn't need to ask to know that it was the exact place we were heading. The biggest house of all is normally where a king resides. I sighed in relief. We're almost there.
Another leap over a fallen branch took me out of the forest and into an open area. But as we continued on, I came to realize that the palace only looked delusively near, for the only big change that occurred after leaving the forest was the shift from grass to dirt.
My displeasure, however, lifted a little when we finally neared the small houses we had spotted while uphill. For all of my stay, I've been secluded from the demons whom I am to rule over, and now, I was finally getting to meet them. I was kinda excited to see them, though it was merely a passing glimpse of each.
Rain would soon pour so it wasn't surprising that most doors were already closed. Half of the few demons outside were small kids running around with each other, pretty smiles on their faces. The others were going about their business or simply talking amongst each other.
It was nice to see that demons actually had families.
The sound of us approaching drew their attention but what drew my own was the igniting of a fire. Gylador who was riding upfront, had his hand flailing around and above his head, fire began circulating until it shaped itself into three words: 'Lucifer Has Returned'
Like all these people probably were, I was astonished. Where the hell did this stupid idea come from? This isn't what we agreed on. I thought we were going to declare my reincarnation at the conference Darkus was holding!
This doesn't even seem very beneficial to us...And even if it is, couldn't someone have the common courtesy to warn me beforehand?
"Why is he doing that? I thought we were waiting until the conference?" I asked Delari, unable to keep my worries at bay.
"He wants to alert everyone of your reincarnation incase Darkus decides to take the easy way out by killing us all at the conference. I'm not sure if he would bribe or kill the few who witness his doing, but I am sure that you and your whole existence would be eradicated from this world without a trace. However, if we make your presence known to all these demons, he cannot make such reckless moves since everyone will speculate that he is trying to hide the fact that you are truly Lucifer's reincarnation."
I understood from her answer that what Gylador was doing was for my benefiit, but I couldn't hold back a frown at the news, my eyes sweeping across the demons who watched attentively as we passed by. "I see, but it would be nice if he had told me of his plans beforehand, so I could atleast prepare in advance for the stones that will definitely be thrown at my face."
I could feel Delari's chest rumble against me but she didn't let my ears take the pleasure of hearing her laughter. "I agree. The looks they are sending our way is already boding misfortune."
...She was definitely right about that.
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