Chapter 35

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

T he gardens were beautiful, and the air brisk as Prince Aeralis ate his lunch. Twin fountains filled the air with a mist, crashing from over twenty feet above before circulating back up and hitting bells placed at the top. He found the melody chaotic yet serene. It represented the magic the Light Queens once held in the City of Spice, now his city.

Drumming his fingers on the table, he moved his plate aside.

“May I get you anything else, my Prince?” said one of the servants, bowing low and keeping her eyes to the ground. “Or perhaps you would like some entertainment?”

Sighing loudly, he flicked his hand in the air. He could hear her running back to her station, even over the rushing sound of the fountains.

“If you’re not pleased with your food, Vesmona, why didn’t you send it back with the girl? You’ve been picking at your plate all morning.” Taping his foot to the same melody as his fingers drummed, he narrowed his eyes.

“It’s rare!” She tsked. “You would think the servants realize by now that just because I’m a demoness doesn’t mean I like my food bloody! Shit, if that were the case, I’d eat them! ”

Now, this got a good laugh. “I’ve seen you lick bones clean, and here you’re complaining you want your meat cooked!” He laughed, slapping his knee. “You’re just nit-picking today.”

Rolling her eyes, she pushed the plate to him as her eyes narrowed in a challenge.

Sucking in a deep breath, he said, “Fine!” He stabbed the meat with his clawed wing, flinging it into the fountain.

“Vrex, my Prince! Was that really necessary?” Vesmona jumped up as the bloody water sprayed her with a light mist. Prince Aeralis cackled, hitting his knee again.

“We must be absolutely bored to be complaining about my preferences for how I want my meat cooked!” She stood laughing, wiping her short dress as she approached him.

Sitting on his lap, she put her arms around his neck, whispering, “How should we spend our day?”

She smelled good and felt even better as she shifted in his lap.

“I have a ton of reports to go through. And I need to inspect the pods again. The science lieutenant has called twice, saying they need my security imprint.”

“They need it again? You just entered your retina imprint a few weeks ago.”

“Some new protocol to test my patience, I’m sure! I must inspect and imprint every two weeks, or they’ll assume the hibernation chambers aren’t working as they should.”

“Do you think it means a war is imminent? That they want the slumbering army to be ready?”

“No, it’s just the council of the Red Fae Court being overly cautious. They’re meddling busybodies who want to control the army, even from afar.” He smiled, gripping Vesmona’s hips and rubbing her against his erection.

“I don’t know why they’re worried. The House of Vralgari will take over the galaxy as ordained. Our rise is inevitable. ”

Vesmona yelped, jumping from his lap when his coms vibrated. Smacking her on her ass as she stood, he looked at his coms.

“Vrex! It’s the Vralgari King.” Standing, he straightened his uniform, ran his fingers through his hair, and grabbed his crown from the table.

“Father, good afternoon or night, given you’re halfway around the galaxy.” He bowed low. The Vralgari King appeared as a hologram in front of him.

“Where are you? It looks like you’re standing in some god-awful garden. Shouldn’t you be checking on our hibernating army?”

“I do need to eat, Father.” Prince Aeralis’s jaw twitched as he tried to restrain himself and not sound annoyed. “I check on our hibernating army daily if you must know. I take keeping our army ready very seriously.”

“Hmm. Is that right? Then why am I hearing rumors about Vralgari being seen in a vicious fight on a mining colony? A mining colony where thousands trade! ” his father yelled, his crown on fire.

“If word spreads across the galaxy about strange red ships, our element of surprise will be gone. You twisted idiot!”

Prince Aeralis looked at Vesmona, then back at his father. “It was nothing more than routine security exercises. I’m just keeping our ships?—”

“Our ships?” the Vralgari King shouted. “The Red Death flies under my banner—King of House of Vralgari—not the Prince!”

Swearing under his breath, Aeralis continued, “I’m just keeping your ships ready for when you —the good and powerful Vralgari King— finally gives the order to awaken the Vralgari slumbering army to take over the galaxy.”

“You dare suggest that I’m old and slow? Is that why you test me, son?”

“I’m not testing you, Father!”

“I didn’t think so. Because only a fool would awaken an army with no food to eat!”

Prince Aeralis paled, knowing it was another jest about him feeding off and killing all the Crelentians and their dragons. They had been the intended food source for the Vralgari army that now slumbered.

But he knew how to play the political game his father equated with parenting. With the opening, he questioned his father about the Vralgari military movements, learning where they were stationed and where others were headed.

“You must have a plan for when we will attack the galaxy. I’m in the dark here and need to know more about what is happening if you want me to succeed. After all, I am the Prince of the House of Vralgari.”

“All in good time, boy! You’ll be given instructions. But for now, I need you to do your vrexing job and keep a low profile!”

His father hung up as Prince Aeralis threw the table across the garden. “I should lead the military movements as the Vralgari King’s second in command. Yet, I’m still being punished for something I couldn’t control!”

The servants dashed past him to clean up. Unfurling his wings, he clenched his fists. He wanted people to know he was powerful. But he couldn’t do that if he never got to flex his muscles in combat. It was why he rebuked his father’s warnings to stay under the radar.

The Vralgari King didn’t want the demigods and other powerful beings in the galaxy to know the Vralgari were out there. He wanted the same element of surprise he’d used against the Crelentians, once just as powerful as the demigods.

“Stay under the radar, good little Prince! Don’t exert your power, good little boy!” He threw a chair. He was a caged animal with sleeping prey in front of him. He was poised to strike but couldn’t.

Deep down, he knew his father had a point. They couldn’t bring too much attention to their army until they were ready to strike. It was the element of surprise that allowed them to defeat the Crelentians.

“Vrex it! I knew it was only a matter of time before my father heard that our forces were in a skirmish on the mining colony. ”

He paced as Vesmona rubbed her hands together.

“Do you think he believed you when you said it was only routine security protocols? It wouldn’t be a good sign if your father should send more Vralgari here to keep an eye on you.”

“We can’t give my father any reason to send his spies here to watch me. We must be careful!” He continued pacing.

“I’ve had the Vralgari and demon horde scouting everywhere for Warlord Jaxxon and the amulet. There’s been no sign of them since we nearly captured two dragon riders and their ungodly dragons!” He paced back toward Vesmona.

“I must find the amulet before the Vralgari King learns that a Crelentian still lives and that he holds a powerful weapon. A weapon that I let slip through my vrexing fingers!” He pounded his fist into his chest.

“My father will see me as a fool and will cast me out, the bastard child of one of my father’s many mysterious mistresses.” He pounded his fist into his chest again, sending his crown ablaze in red fire. “I won’t give my father or his petty Red Fae council a reason to punish me further.”

He walked to the statue of the Vralgari King they had erected in the palace.

Bowing low, with Vesmona on his side, he rose. “I must prove my worth to the Vralgari King.”

“You will, my Prince. You’re great, and in time, your father will see it.” Vesmona’s voice was soothing. She’s right. I am great. He steadied himself, letting the heat of his crown’s flames fuel his confidence.

“All will bow down to the House of Vralgari, descendants of gods. And until the Vralgari King arrives, they will bow to me, Prince Aeralis of House of Vralgari.”

Vesmona bowed before Prince Aeralis, and everyone within earshot did as well. He loved their reverence, and knew he was meant to lead them into a new era. And no one would stop him.

Afterward, he and Vesmona talked as they checked on the hibernating army. Running his fingers across the sleep hibernation pods, he walked row after row.

It’s the same as every day, just as it’s been for the past decade.

Prince Aeralis walked through the hibernation chamber, knowing full well that nothing had changed with the pods—not since the first time he’d set foot here. It was a pointless exercise, a reminder of the cruel punishment handed to him for one mistake. He ran his fingers along the pods, the constant, rhythmic beeping of the lights taunting him.

The pods blinked like indifferent stars in a frozen sky, silently mocking his existence. Each pulse of light reminded him that his army—his grand achievement—remained suspended in time. Thousands of warriors who should have been fighting for his cause—loyal soldiers who should have been breathing and feeling the weight of his command—all trapped in stasis, just as he was.

“Day after day, month after month, year after year, they always look the same,” he murmured bitterly. “Not aging, not caring that I’ve been walking down this row for over a decade of my life!”

They were his legacy, now reduced to a silent, frozen punishment for a sin that only he was being punished. But as he turned down another row, the weight of years of pointless punishment pressed down on him like an invisible chain, one he could never escape. It wasn’t just the pods frozen in time. I am too!

A smile twisted his lips. “I am Prince Aeralis of the Vralgari,” he whispered fiercely, straightening his back and drawing on his innate pride. “You won’t break me, Father. Not with this?—”

He laughed, excited at the prospect of finding the powerful amulet and proving his worth to his father. Besides, the hunt for Warlord Jaxxon and the amulet allowed him to go to war without his father even knowing.

He was giddy with excitement as he stopped before a chamber. Vesmona came to his side. Bending down, he looked into the pod of a Vralgari soldier .

“Why do you think he’s smiling?” said Vesmona, furrowing her brow as she peered over the pod.

“He’s probably dreaming about war and sex!” Prince Aeralis laughed, pushing Vesmona against the pod, face down.

Tugging her skirt, he eased it off, licking every inch of her along the way. With one swift movement, he pulled her panties down, leaving her bare before him. She moaned as he kissed in random places on the way back up. He took his time, getting her drenched and ready.

Moving her legs apart, he straddled her from behind. He slipped his finger gently into her as she arched her back. He rubbed his thumb against her clit, as he pushed a second finger into her. Using his free hand, he struggled to undo the flaps of his uniform pants before finally yanking them down around his ankles.

“Shift,” he barked, pressing his cock against her. His cock lengthened as he felt her body begin to change. Holding her tight, he moaned as he felt her skin ripple and shake against him. Her bones cracked as she shape-shifted into her demoness form, growing taller and more powerful. Jet-black fur grew until it covered her.

“I love the demon in you.” He shoved his cock into her slick folds as she howled. Grabbing her curvy hips, he set a fast pace.

Her fingernails scratched across the surface of the pod as her claws lengthened. Turning her head to the side, she looked at him with gorgeous purple eyes that radiated pure energy.

“Harder, my Prince!” she snarled between spiked, razor-sharp teeth. Her body tightened. Where her skin was once soft, it was now hard, lean muscles beneath silky fur. Her fur tickled his chest, which only made him desire more. Moaning softly, she circled her hips, giving him full access.

His clawed wings unfurled, grabbing onto the sides of the pod, keeping her firmly in place. Each deep thrust had her howling. He pumped hard, lifting her from her clawed feet.

“You feel so vrexing good!” he panted. “Yes, serve me!” he demanded as she shook beneath him .

He loved taking his demoness from behind, each thrust setting his soul on fire. His body was drenched in sweat from the heat of his crown and Vesmona’s body. He lifted his face to the ceiling, screeching the Vralgari call of power. The shrill sound echoed through the chambers, blending with the beeping of the pods and Vesmona’s howling as his wings held her down over the pod.

“Vesmonaaa!” He chanted her name with each thrust, nipping her neck with his fangs. She howled, writhing against him as she came undone. They were going at it so fast and rough that the pod shook, pounding on the steel floor like an army ready to wake.

And the entire time, the Vralgari soldier smiled.

Later, he strutted back into the throne room like a new Fae. He felt refreshed, though Vesmona could barely keep her eyes open. She wanted to sleep the rest of the day, but they had work to do. Back in the throne room, several of his men were waiting in line to give him reports. It was all routine stuff.

“Prince Aeralis, you’ve received two urgent calls from someone named Seafangs.”

“Who is Seafangs?”

The lieutenant shook his head. “He said he found what you’ve been looking for.”

“Seafangs is the mer captain,” said Vesmona. She yawned as she lay across a chaise lounge.

“Oh, now I remember him,” said Prince Aeralis, looking down at the stack of reports. He signed the report on top. Looking back at the waiting lieutenant, he asked, “Did he say anything more?”

“He was excited about something happening today. Something out of the ordinary and wants to make a trade.”

“Hmm? Get him on the coms.”

A short while after, the lieutenant looked up. “I got him on the line,” he said as he patched the call to the throne room.

A burly voice came through the speakers. “Prince Aeralis, thanks for taking my call,” said Seafangs. “I’m carrying cargo that I think will interest you. ”

“I’m listening,” said Prince Aeralis.

“I know you’ve been searching for the shadow masters,” Seafangs’s voice lowered, “Warlords Jaxxon Hammer and Zade Axelrod are both on my ship now. They’re crossing the Sea of Cadence.”

Prince Aeralis stood, moving closer to the speaker, as Vesmona jumped up and ran to his side. Two of his lieutenants also came closer.

“That’s ridiculous!” said Prince Aeralis. “Why would Jaxxon risk crossing the Sea of Cadence when he could ride that vicious dragon of his?”

“Because he’s not alone.”

His wings ruffled with power as he smiled. “Tell me everything. And don’t leave out any details.” Prince Aeralis couldn’t remember the last time he was so excited as he listened to Seafangs tell his tale.

“The shadow masters are with a group of beauties I’ve never seen before. There’s over a half dozen females with them,” said Seafangs.

“Jaxxon keeps them covered, but damn if these women aren’t beautiful. The shadow masters seem quite attached to these women. They’re known to enjoy the sexual pleasures of females everywhere they go, but this... this seems special. I’ve never seen Jaxxon and Zade so fucking nervous!” Seafangs chuckled.

“Describe these women,” said Prince Aeralis. “Is there anything...special about them?”

Seafangs paused. “It’s been hard getting a good look at the women because Jaxxon has kept them covered in long clothes or concealed behind his shadows. But we got a chance to mingle with them. One woman is named Tiara. She seems like their leader. She’s gorgeous and quite shapely. Jaxxon spent more time with her than the others.” Seafangs whistled.

“But there’s another woman they call Maya. Now she’s feisty and hot. We nearly had to break up a damn fight between the two of them.”

He continued, “Tiara seems loyal to the shadow masters, but Maya—I saw the way she was looking at me and my men. Now, she wants grandeur and wealth. And she wasn’t quiet about letting it be known. She wasn’t happy that the warlords had little to offer.”

Seafangs cleared his throat. “Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think these women are for sale. Something is going on here, and I will continue to watch them to figure it out.”

“What language did these women speak?” he asked. “Is there anything else you can tell me about them?”

“They speak Crelentian. But they have accents I’ve never heard before,” said Seafangs. “I was already certain they weren’t from Crelentia, but then one of the young ones said she’d been on a goddamn spaceship!”

“A spaceship?” Prince Aeralis snarled, looking at Vesmona and his men. They were all nodding. The women had to be from the mining colony. Impatient for more information, Prince Aeralis and Vesmona peppered Seafangs with questions. No detail was too small.

What’s the connection between Jaxxon and these women? These women have magic and a powerful amulet! Could Jaxxon be planning to use them against the Vralgari?

Prince Aeralis had to capture them. Jaxxon was becoming a real threat—a threat with unknown capabilities.

He’d always known Jaxxon had a few working spaceships that he used to raid others for supplies to maintain his meaningless existence. Oh, how I’ve longed to blow his ass out of the skies, but that would’ve been a quick death. Jaxxon doesn’t deserve a quick death. I want to make him suffer.

But to know Jaxxon was bold enough to use his spaceship to thwart Prince Aeralis’s plans was a game changer.

The Vralgari destroyed the Crelentian space program in their first strike, ensuring they couldn’t escape the culling. But it seemed they’d missed whatever spaceships Jaxxon had found. He would destroy them just as he would destroy Jaxxon. But first, he had to find him.

Seafangs told them the coordinates for Jaxxon’s destination but had no idea why Jaxxon was going to the location or what was there. Placing Seafangs on hold, Prince Aeralis consulted Vesmona and his lieutenants, who already had laid a giant map on a table .

“We must intercept them.” He looked at Vesmona. “Are any of your demon horde in that area?”

She ran her clawed hand across the map. “Yes, my Prince. We have a legion of demons who could get there soon.”

Prince Aeralis hatched a plan, telling Seafangs precisely what he wanted him to do. He promised to reward Seafangs with a fortune along with something else he wanted.

“You’ll be able to do what the Mermaiden hasn’t been able to do. Broker a deal with me and make a fortune at the same time. Imagine being able to rebuild your grand cities once again?” said Prince Aeralis, smiling as he walked around the throne room, his wings held high.

He could hear Seafangs salivating with greed as he promised to do as instructed, accepting the deal.

“Oh, and one more thing,” he said. “Are the women carrying anything...unusual? Something that might radiate power?”

“I haven’t seen the women carrying anything that looks like treasure. But I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for it!”

Prince Aeralis could hear the greed in Seafangs’s voice. He knew firsthand that greed made men do stupid things.

“Now, don’t you go thinking about doing anything stupid, Seafangs. I’d hate for anything to happen to your brother down in my dungeon. He doesn’t look so good.” He could hear Seafangs swear.

“You know what they say about a fish out of water!” Prince Aeralis laughed, disconnecting the line.

He then contacted the demon horde, giving them their orders. “My soldiers, Vesmona and I will meet you. But it will take several days for us to arrive. Don’t vrex this up!”

His soldiers gathered around, ready to head out.

“The Vralgari King will be proud when I deliver him the powerful amulet,” said Prince Aeralis. He threw his fist in the air, thinking about the mer kingdom that had remained out of reach. “And he’ll love when I announce I’ve gained more rich feeding grounds!”

“Cunning as ever!” Vesmona laughed .

“I’ll have to be more than cunning to catch Warlord Jaxxon Hammer and these women!” He looked at the stained glass windows, bearing scenes of the Light Queens—Jaxxon’s and Zade’s mothers.

Could the women with Jaxxon be Crelentian?

Prince Aeralis’s heart pounded. Lifting Vesmona into his arms, he pumped his powerful wings into the air. An army of Vralgari flew with him.