20. Zylpha

20

ZYLPHA

I take a deep breath, steadying myself as Volezimir and I approach the massive doors to the ballroom. My heart races, a mix of excitement and anxiety coursing through my veins.

His hand on the small of my back is reassuring, grounding me in this whirlwind of new experiences. The warmth of his touch seeps through the thin fabric of my gown, a stark contrast to the cool air around us.

I feel panicked having left Kaelox with two of the other servants. My son's face flashes in my mind, and I fight the urge to turn back. Volezimir assured me that he will be fine, but I still feel on edge.

My fingers fidget with the hem of my sleeve, a nervous habit I can't seem to shake. And I know he can tell. His golden eyes flicker to my restless hands, concern etched in the set of his jaw.

"Ready, Sunshine?" he murmurs, his golden eyes searching mine. His deep voice rumbles through me, soothing some of my frayed nerves. I take another steadying breath, drawing strength from his unwavering presence beside me.

Nodding, I muster a smile that I hope appears more confident than I feel. "As I'll ever be," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

I square my shoulders, preparing myself for whatever lies beyond those ornate doors. With Volezimir at my side, I feel like I can face anything – even a room full of demons.

The doors swing open, and we step into a scene straight out of a fever dream. The ballroom stretches impossibly high, its ceiling lost in swirling shadows and glittering lights.

Demons of every shape and size mill about, their conversations a cacophony of guttural growls, lilting purrs, and everything in between. The air itself seems to pulse with an otherworldly energy, making my skin tingle and my heart race.

My gown, a gift from Volezimir, shimmers with subtle enchantments. It's beautiful, hugging my curves in all the right places and flowing like liquid starlight, but I can't help feeling more like I'm a spectacle to watch than a guest. I swallow back my nerves, my fingers instinctively brushing over the scar on my left forearm – a reminder of how far I've come.

Volezimir told me that normally a servant wouldn't be invited here, but for a volvath demon, especially one that has the royal family's favor, he exists outside society's rules.

And I'm grateful for his presence, a towering pillar of strength beside me. His golden eyes scan the room, ever vigilant, and I draw comfort from his protective stance.

As we make our way through the crowd, I feel eyes on me. Some gazes are merely curious, others openly hostile. A particularly nasty-looking demon with serrated horns curls his lip at me in disgust, and I have to fight the urge to shrink back. Instead, I lift my chin, determined not to show weakness.

Volezimir's presence beside me is a constant reminder that I belong here, human or not. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever this night might bring. After all, I've faced dark elves, minotaur pirates, and being orphaned and survived – I can handle a demon ball. Right?

"Volezimir!" A booming voice calls out, and a towering demon with spiraling horns approaches us. "So good to see you. And this must be your... companion."

I feel Volezimir tense slightly beside me. "Lord Malathrix," he greets, his voice carefully neutral. "May I present Zylpha, mother of my son and cherished partner."

Well, I guess that's one thing to call me. Better than slave, though we've never really talked about how I would be introduced.

Lord Malathrix's eyes narrow as they sweep over me. "Charmed," he rumbles, though his tone suggests anything but. "Tell me, human, how are you finding our little gathering?"

I swallow hard, acutely aware of the weight of this moment. "It's quite impressive," I manage, proud that my voice doesn't waver. "The architecture alone is breathtaking."

A flicker of surprise crosses the demon lord's face, quickly replaced by a calculating look. "Indeed? And what would a human know of demon architecture?"

Before I can respond, Volezimir smoothly interjects. "Zylpha has been studying our culture extensively. Her insights are... refreshing."

I squeeze Volezimir's hand in silent thanks as Lord Malathrix grunts noncommittally. The conversation is short, and soon, we are moving again, more and more people turning to us.

I try to keep my composure as we move through the crowded ballroom, but it's hard to ignore the constant murmurs and stares. Volezimir's hand on my back is reassuring, but I can't help feeling like a curiosity on display.

"Did you hear? That's Volezimir's human," a silky voice whispers nearby.

"I heard their child is quite... unusual," another replies, their tone dripping with disdain.

My cheeks burn, but I force myself to keep my head high. Volezimir notices my discomfort and pulls me closer.

"Pay them no mind, Sunshine," he murmurs in my ear. "They're just jealous."

I manage a small smile, grateful for his support. But the whispers continue as we make our way through the crowd.

A tall, elegantly horned demoness approaches us, her golden eyes gleaming with interest. "Volezimir, darling! You simply must introduce me to your... companion."

Volezimir nods politely. "Lady Buer, this is Zylpha, mother of my son and my cherished partner."

Lady Buer's eyes widen slightly. "How fascinating! I've heard such intriguing things about your little one. Tell me, dear, how does he fare with his... unique heritage?"

I stiffen, unsure how to respond. Before I can formulate an answer, another demon chimes in from nearby.

"I heard the child can already manipulate shadows," he says, his voice a low rumble. "Quite impressive for one so young, especially given his... lineage."

I feel a surge of pride mixed with unease. Kaelox is indeed gifted, but I worry about the attention his abilities might bring.

"Our son is developing well," Volezimir replies smoothly, his tone brooking no further discussion on the matter.

As we continue to mingle, I notice some demons giving us a wide berth, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright disgust. Others approach with forced smiles, offering congratulations that feel hollow and insincere.

"You must be so proud," a serpentine demoness hisses, her forked tongue flicking out between sharp teeth. "A half-breed child with such potential. How... unprecedented."

I clench my jaw, fighting back the urge to snap at her. Volezimir's grip on my waist tightens slightly, a silent reminder to stay calm.

"We are indeed proud," I reply, keeping my voice steady. "Our son is a blessing, regardless of his heritage."

The demoness's eyes narrow, but she says nothing more as she slithers away.

As the evening progresses, I can't shake the feeling of being watched. My eyes keep drifting to a particular demon - tall, imposing, with obsidian skin and piercing red eyes. I don't know his name, but his gaze feels like a physical weight on my skin.

"Volezimir," I whisper, leaning close to my partner. "That demon over there... he keeps staring at us."

Volezimir's eyes flick in the direction I indicate, his expression hardening for a moment before smoothing out. "Ah, yes. Try not to pay him any mind, Sunshine."

But I can't help it. Throughout the night, I catch glimpses of this mysterious demon moving through the crowd. He speaks in hushed tones with various attendees, his conversations seeming intense and secretive. And always, always, his gaze returns to us.

After I catch snippets of a few of his conversations, I get put even more on edge. Who is this demon and what is he up to?

During a lull in the conversations surrounding us, I observe him more closely. He's speaking with a group of demons, his back to us, but I can see him gesture subtly in our direction. The demons he's talking to look our way, their expressions a mix of curiosity and something darker.

A chill runs down my spine as the demon turns, his red eyes locking with mine. There's something predatory in his gaze, a hunger that makes me want to run and hide. I quickly look away, pressing closer to Volezimir.

"Are you alright?" Volezimir asks, concern evident in his voice.

I don't want to worry him further. But I can't shake the unease that's settled in my stomach. Throughout the night, I've found myself constantly aware of where this demon is, my body tensing whenever he draws near.

So instead of brushing it away, I pull Volezimir into a quiet alcove, away from prying eyes and ears. My heart's racing, and I can't shake the feeling of unease that's been building all night.

"Volezimir," I whisper, gripping his arm, "something's not right. I've been hearing things... whispers about Kaelox."

His golden eyes narrow, focusing intently on me. "What kind of whispers?"

I take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. "They're talking about his abilities, how unusual they are for a child his age. And that demon, the one with the red eyes... he keeps watching us. Every time I look up, he's there, staring."

Volezimir's jaw clenches, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "Azrathel," he mutters, almost to himself. "I knew he was..interested…"

"You know him?" I ask, surprised.

He nods grimly. "We have... history. He's always been jealous of my position, and now..." He trails off, his gaze distant.

"I'm scared," I admit, hating how vulnerable I sound. "The way they're talking about Kaelox, it's like he's some kind of... of specimen. And this Azrathel, the way he looks at us... at me... it makes my skin crawl."

Volezimir pulls me close, his massive frame enveloping me. I feel safer in his arms, but the fear doesn't completely dissipate.

"Listen to me, Zylpha," he says, his voice low and intense. "I swear to you, on my life and my honor, that I will protect you and Kaelox. No one will harm our family, not while I draw breath."

I nod against his chest, wanting desperately to believe him. But as I peek over his shoulder, I catch another glimpse of Azrathel across the room. His red eyes lock with mine, and a chill runs down my spine.