Ultimate Temptation

~Chapter 1~

Arya gently placed her daughter in the bath tub, cooing to her to still her sobs. Her personal maid and close friend, Lisa tried to take over but Arya won't hear of it. Gently, she scrubbed of dirt and soot from Aris body then thoroughly checked to make sure she was unscathed, only then did she hand her over to Lisa.

"I'm done now. So what happened?" Aris asks, taking a seat on one of the sofas in her and Agyris room.

"Okay.. Aris insisted on going to the garden to greet her bunny-"

"She has a bunny?" Agyris asks interrupting Tessa.

"Yes..I mean no. Just one among the rabbits living in the garden"

"Okay, so?" Arya asks impatiently drumming her fingers on her laps.

"I know you told me not to let her leave my sight but I got carried away for few minutes talking to a..a friend. She ran into the garden and it was all calm till I heard her cry. She was screaming that the rabbit won't play with her and threw a fit. I went to console her but before I could even get close, I was thrown backwards with force. If not for the help of my witch friend who created a ball of shield around me, I'd probably be on the garden floor like those poor birds. Even my eyebrows and lashes are singed." Tessa says feeling about her face.

Guilt floods into Arya as she realises she has been ignoring her younger sister ever since the birth of her child.

"I'm sorry, Tessa. I didn't even ask how you were when I saw your scorched clothes. I've been a terrible elder sister", Arya mutters looking at the ground in shame.

"No..no. You've been the best sister anyone could ask for. I guess we just grew up", She replies shrugging as she pulled her sister in for a hug.

Agyris tapped Tessa as he cleared his throat, "Enough of this sappy lovey dovey. What can we do to help Aris?"

Silence descended the room as everyone became lost in their thoughts. This was the first time they knew of a witch losing her powers at such a young age.

"What about Agnes? She's the only one coming to my head right now." Agyris states.

"I'll send a message to her. Tessa pass me that piece of paper on table" I say.

Writing a quick message Arya neatly folds the paper then clasp her hands over it whilst whispering a small spell.

The paper soon disappears in a burst of green flame, startling Agyris.

"I don't think I can ever get used to that" He murmurs.

"You better because I'm not stopping anytime soon. Its the fastest way to send a message" Arya replies shrugging.

Not long after, a piece of paper pops out of the air and gently flutters to the table.

"I'll come tomorrow at first light, your Majesty" said Tessa, reading out the words on the paper.

"I guess that settles it. Agnes will be arriving tomorrow. Tell a maid to prepare a room please" Arya said to Tessa.

"Okay, goodnight sis. And you too, your highness" Tessa said, then smiling mischievously, she teases "You can go back to what you were doing before i interrupted"

"Tessa!" Arya screams, her face flushed pink. Giggling and wiggling her eyebrows, Tessa runs out of the room.

"That little-" Arya pauses, "What does she even know)?"

Letting out a laugh, Agyris wraps his hand around her waist.

"Who knows? All I know is that I want you" He mutters against her ears. "Lets take your sister's advice and continue our business.

The hard ridge of his enlarged shaft presses into her ass making her chuckle.

"I'm tired and too filled with worry. Let's go to bed" she says shrugging from his grasp.

Changing into a night gown, she pats the space near her on the bed.

"Come. Let's cuddle"

Laying her head in the crook of his arm with his other arm wrapped around her, they both drift up to sleep.

***

The sun had not yet risen when Agnes got to the Palace. She was a woman who had more grey hair than brown hair but that was the only indication of her old age. She was still so beautiful with skin almost flawless as if she was still in the peak of her youth. She had a limp which was supported with short staff with the head of an eagle. Witches and demons both bowed in respect as she walked past them to the waiting room. The castle was a familiar place to her.

Signalling to a male servant, she asked him to inform Her majesty, Queen Arya of her arrival.

The door burst open and a body flung itself at her, startling her so much she dropped her walking stick.

"My King" she said laughing when King finally released her.

She had saved him years ago from the cold hands of death and nursed him back to health after which he came back from war and freed the people from Drusus, a demon would had stolen the throne from him.

"Agnes, how have you been?" Queen Arya asks after hugging her too.

"I've been fine, my Queen. I apologise for not attending your wedding or replying your letters. I was held down by responsibilities."

"We understand." Agyris says. "At least you answered for the most important one."

"How couldn't I? When my Queen demanded my presence or else she'll have my head"

"Arya!" Agyris says shocked.

"What? It worked didn't it? She might have ignored my letter otherwise." Arya says shrugging.

"I wouldn't have. I could hear the urgency in the letter. What is wrong with Aris?"

"Yesterday when she was in the garden, she threw a tantrum and flared up, killing half the garden and almost hurting Tessa"

"Let me see the garden" Agnes say as she limped out of the room, her staff clacking of the tiled floor. The king and Queen followed closely behind.

"Hmm" Agnes said carefully studying the black marks from the day before. She noted the outward marks and the dead grasses. Thankfully, the dead birds and bunnies had been cleared away and the garden was filled with life once again.

"This is unusual" Agnes begins.

"How so?" Arya asks.

"Most witch come into power at the age of dix. The earliest I've ever seen is four but apparently,  your daughter started hers at two years old. It usually begins the shattering of a cup, throwing an object a few inches back, a tiny burst of flame but this, this isn't tiny, this is huge. Your daughter has huge, raw power and I suspect its because of her blood. Demon and witch don't mix well, no disrespect meant" Agnes says inclining her head. "Its simply just nature. I'll like to see Aris"

"She is an energetic kid, she should be in her play room by now. Let me lead the way" Aris says.

Aris was playing with her toys happily, yesterday's incidence totally forgotten. Lisa sat beside her, watching over her when they came into the room.

"Mama! Daddy!" Aris chortled, her small legs breaking into a wobbly run towards them.

"How's my cupcake doing?" Agyris laughs, catching her as he sweeps her off her feet.

"I am ghoot" Aris replies, playing with her father's severed horn. It had been severed by in the last war that shook the kingdom Demonia for years. Playfully, she touches the little bump of a horn lost among her black curls, simultaneously touching her father's while hooting with laughter at how alike they were.

"Meet Agnes" Agyris says handing her over to the witch.

"A-gi-ni?" Aris says looking at the elderly woman suspiciously as she was passed.

"Yes dear child, Agnes" She said, pressing one hand to the child's chest.

Handing her back to Lisa, she ushered them out of the room and into the corridor.

"It is as I guessed, her powers are very unstable. She has no control over them as she is still too young. The best solution right now, is to isolate her from people. I suggest she comes to the island to stay with me and-"

"What? Stay with you?!" Arya shrieks.

"Yes, my Queen. I know you do not want to part with your daughter but she is a danger to not only herself but others as well. Her next tantrum or outburst is going to be more powerful than this and it will keep growing in intensity"

"But she is still so young" Agyris whispers.

"I know your Majesty but you're not only her parents. You're charged with keeping every one in the three kingdoms safe. You're responsible for every life in this castle and the kingdom of Demonia as a whole. What if she hurts someone because you want to keep her close? The island is a place where I've trained hundreds of witches, it is isolated with only few population of people. It is the best place for her little highness.

"But-" Arya begins.

"It is the best option, Arya. Think of the people too. This way, they can all be safe." Agyris cut her off, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

Despair hungs heavy in the air as the both parents are lost in thoughts. Suddenly, Arya perks up as an idea pops into her head.

"What if I seal her powers off  Then at 6 which is the right age for a witch to have come into power, I will send her to you" Arya says looking expectantly at Agnes.

"Hmm, for a witch with powers as unstable as hers, I'm not sure you can keep her powers in check for that long"

"I will make make it work" Arya says, determination and resolution written over her face. "You may go now, thank you for your time."

"Lisa, please bring Aris to my potion room. There is much work to be done" Arya says opening the door to the playroom.

Leaving Agyris and Agnes in the hall, she leaves in search of available herbs in the garden.

"Well, I best be on my way your Majesty" Agnes says with a smile, bowing as much as her weak knees could allow before also taking her leave.