23. Volezimir

23

VOLEZIMIR

I stride through the gates of the gates, Kaelox's small hand clasped in mine. The day's excursion has left me feeling lighter, more connected to my son. His eager questions and wide-eyed wonder at the world around him remind me of the beauty that still exists, even in the darkest corners of Galmoleth.

But as we near the main entrance, something shifts. The air feels heavy, charged with an energy that sets my teeth on edge. My demonic senses flare to life, picking up traces of powerful magic lingering in the air. It's not the familiar warmth of Zylpha's human magic, nor the raw power that Kaelox is just beginning to tap into. This is something else entirely - cold, calculating, and unmistakably dangerous.

I tighten my grip on Kaelox's hand, pulling him closer to my side. My eyes scan the courtyard, searching for any sign of disturbance or threat. Everything looks normal, but the wrongness persists, making my skin crawl.

"Dad?" Kaelox's voice is small, uncertain. He's picking up on my tension, his mismatched eyes wide with concern.

I force a smile, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's alright, son. Let's get inside and find your mother."

We quicken our pace, and I can't shake the feeling. The magic in the air seems to cling to us, a silent warning of something I can't quite grasp. As we reach the massive oak doors of our wing, I pause, placing a protective hand on Kaelox's shoulder.

I guide Kaelox through the winding corridors of our wing, my senses still on high alert. The boy chatters excitedly about our day, but I can't shake the unease that's settled in my gut. Something's off, and I need to find Zylpha.

"Let's get you settled in your room, son," I say, trying to keep my voice light. "I'm sure Mara will be happy to hear all about your adventures."

We reach Kaelox's chambers, and I knock on the heavy wooden door. Mara, a trusted servant who's been helping care for Kaelox, opens it with a warm smile.

"Welcome back," she says, bowing slightly. "Did you have a good day with your father?"

Kaelox nods enthusiastically, already launching into a detailed account of our trip. I catch Mara's eye over his head, silently communicating my need for discretion.

"Mara," I say, my tone carefully neutral, "would you mind watching Kaelox for a bit? I need to speak with his mother."

Mara's eyes flicker with understanding. She understands the importance of secrecy. "Of course. We'll be just fine here, won't we, Kaelox?"

I kneel down, bringing myself to eye level with my son. "I'll be back soon," I promise, ruffling his hair. "Why don't you show Mara that new fire trick we practiced today?"

Kaelox beams, already summoning a small flame to dance across his palm. I give him one last squeeze on the shoulder before stepping out of the room, my mind racing with possibilities of what might have happened in my absence.

I leave Kaelox in his room, my heart racing as I search for Zylpha. Our bedchamber stands empty, the sheets still rumpled from this morning. A chill runs down my spine as I catch a whiff of that same cold magic from earlier, stronger now.

I bolt down the stairs, taking them three at a time. My footsteps echo through the halls as I make my way to the gardens, her favorite refuge. The scent of demon roses and nightshade fills the air, but it's tainted by something... wrong.

As I round the corner, time seems to slow. There, beneath the twisted branches of an ancient tree, stands Zylpha. But she's not alone. Azrathel looms over her, his tall form casting a shadow across her face. They're close. Too close.

My breath catches in my throat. From this angle, it looks... intimate. Azrathel's hand rests on Zylpha's jaw, his fingers curled possessively around her chin. Her eyes are wide, but I can't read the emotion in them. Fear? Or something else?

A surge of jealousy rips through me, hot and violent. It's quickly followed by a wave of cold fear. What is he doing here? What has he said to her?

Before I can call out, Azrathel's head turns. His eyes lock with mine, and a slow, triumphant grin spreads across his face. He drops his hand from Zylpha's face and takes a step back.

"Ah, Volezimir," he purrs, his voice dripping with false warmth. "What perfect timing. I was just having a... lovely conversation with your mate." He snarls the word, making it sound twisted, and I don't correct him. Technically, Zylpha isn't my mate.

He strolls towards me, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face. As he passes, he claps a hand on my shoulder, leaning in close.

"She's quite... reactive," he whispers, his breath hot against my ear. "You should keep a closer eye on your treasures, old friend."

With that, he's gone, leaving me frozen in place, my mind reeling. I turn to Zylpha, desperate for answers, for reassurance. But the look on her face only deepens my unease.

My chest heaves with barely contained rage at what I just witnessed. The garden suddenly feels too small, the air thick with tension. My eyes blaze with demonic fire as I struggle to control the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

"What the fuck was that?" I roar, my voice echoing off the stone walls. The plants around us tremble, leaves rustling in response to my unleashed power. "I leave for one day and come back to find you and Azrathel... What? Conspiring? Getting cozy?"

Zylpha flinches at my tone, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and indignation. Guilt sputters through me. I know I shouldn't be angry. I know that that is what Azrathel wants.

But I can't get the image of them together out of my head. I can't get the way she was staring at him throughout the ball, barely paying attention to little else, to leave my mind.

I can't stop this unease rooting through me, begging me to answer, how well do I really know her? I spent a week with Zylpha before she disappeared, and I assumed she was kidnapped by those minotaur but she was walking across the deck — free and unchained — when I saw her.

Have I been played for a fool?

She takes a step back, her hand instinctively moving to where I know she keeps a hidden dagger. The gesture only fuels my anger.

"It's not what you think," she snaps, her voice tight with emotion. "You have no idea what just happened here."

I advance on her, my towering form casting a shadow over her smaller frame. "Then enlighten me," I snarl, baring my fangs. "Because from where I'm standing, it looked like you were awfully close with a demon who's made no secret of his ambitions."

Zylpha's face flushes with anger, her green eyes flashing dangerously. "How dare you," she hisses, jabbing a finger into my chest. "After everything we've been through, you think I'd betray you? Betray our family?"

Her words sting, but the image of Azrathel's hand on her face is seared into my mind. It does something to me, unleashing the pit of anger and violence that appeared when she disappeared.

This woman is the only one that can get under my skin and make me act this way.

I grab her wrist, my grip firm but not painful. "Then why was he touching you?" I demand, my voice dropping to a low, menacing growl. "Why did he look so damn pleased with himself?"

Zylpha tries to wrench her arm free, but I hold fast. "Let go of me," she says, her voice trembling with anger and.. fear? "You're not thinking clearly, Volezimir. You're letting your jealousy cloud your judgment."

Her accusation cuts deep, and I release her arm as if burned. We stand there, chests heaving, the air between us crackling with tension. I can see the hurt in her eyes, mirroring my own, and for a moment, I falter. But the doubt, the fear of losing everything I hold dear, surges back.

"Tell me the truth," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "What did Azrathel want?"

"He didn't want anything," she snaps, and I snarl at the response. "He wanted to come over here, to mess with you, and it's working!"

I glare at Zylpha, my chest heaving with barely contained rage. "That's why he was so cozy? Why you were letting him touch you like that?" I take a step closer and she steps away to keep the distance. "Why you keep staring at him, talking about him, every time he is around?

Zylpha's face contorts with disbelief. "Are you serious? I was watching him because he was staring at us all night! I was trying to protect our family!"

"Protect?" I scoff, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is that what you call letting him put his hands on you?"

"He threatened us, you idiot!" Zylpha shouts, her eyes blazing. "Even you have said as much."

My mind reels, but the jealousy and fear won't let go. "And why should I believe you? I barely know you, Zylpha! A week together before you disappeared for years, and I'm supposed to trust you completely?"

The moment the words leave my mouth, I regret them. Zylpha's face crumples, tears welling in her eyes. "How dare you," she whispers, her voice trembling. "I endured years of captivity, raised our son alone, and you have the audacity to question my loyalty?"

"And how do I know that's even true?" I roar, my demonic nature surging to the surface. "You were walking free when I found you on that ship! How do I know you weren't working with them all along?"

Zylpha recoils as if I'd struck her. "You think I'd willingly stay away from you? That I'd choose that life for our son?" Her voice rises, matching my intensity. "You have no idea what I've been through, what I've had to do to keep Kaelox safe!"

"And you have no idea what it's like to live in this world!" I snarl back. "The constant threats, the politics, the danger that surrounds us every day! How am I supposed to protect you both when you won't even tell me what's going on?"

Our shouting echoes through the garden, neither of us noticing the small figure that's appeared at the entrance. It's only when a potted plant crashes to the ground that we turn, seeing Kaelox standing there, tears streaming down his face.

"Stop it!" he cries, his little hands balled into fists. "Stop!"

To our horror, we watch as various objects around the garden begin to levitate – rocks, gardening tools, even a small bench. They shake violently in the air, mirroring Kaelox's distress.

"Kaelox," Zylpha gasps, taking a step towards him. But her movement seems to upset him further, and a pair of pruning shears whizzes dangerously close to her head.

I move instinctively, pulling Zylpha behind me. "Son," I say, trying to keep my voice calm despite the chaos. "It's okay. We're not fighting anymore. You need to calm down."

But Kaelox just shakes his head, more objects rising around him. "No fighting!"

Mara drops down to a kneel next to him, looking up at me. "I'm sorry. He wanted to see the gardens, and I didn't…I didn't realize."

I shake my head, looking over my shoulder back at Zylpha. "It's okay, Mara. We're finished now."