"Long live your majesty!" The cabinet members bowed deeply as King Damon entered and took his seat.
King Damon was terrifying,his eyes blank and dark, lips the color of dried blood,draped in a flowing red garment. His horn jutted sharply from his forehead, and his long hair was braided with a red snake.
His skin was a deep, unnatural blue, like all demons under his command.
He scanned the hall with a cold, unyielding gaze before speaking.
"We fought and conquered the vampire world, taking some as our slaves. Now it is time to send them to Earth," His voice echoed like thunder. "They will taste human blood and this will lure Demetrio from his hiding place!"
"Long live your majesty!" the ministers repeated, bowing again.
"All of you may leave," He commanded coldly, and one by one, the ministers departed.
Minutes later, Queen Damoness entered. She was equally striking, her blue skin glowing under the torchlight, her long hair flowing over a red garment. She approached her husband and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
"How was your journey to Earth?" Damon asked, his voice icy.
"It was… enlightening, my king. Perhaps it is time you yourself visited Earth?"Damoness suggested.
"Never!" He hissed. "I despise Earth. My only goal is to seize Demetrio."
"And that will be achieved through Arianna's son, Dario. If he continues to avoid the girl, his demon side will strengthen,eventually drawing Demetrio out," Damoness said with a sly smile. Damon laughed, low and evil.
"Interesting."
"And yet again, that girl Thana, whom we forbid Dario to be with, is somehow special. She will serve our purposes as well," Damoness continued, and Damon's gaze flickered to her.
"I know," he muttered.
"This is why I have a very important request one from our children," Damoness said, snapping her fingers.
From the shadows, Prince Agas appeared, dark and imposing like his father, though without a horn.
"Greetings, father," he bowed. King Damon inclined his head.
Princess Asin followed, her features mirroring her mother's.
"Our children have a request, your majesty," Damoness said, smiling.
"Go on," Damon's voice rumbled.
Prince Agas and Princess Asin exchanged a glance, then spoke.
"I wish to have Thana as my woman," Agas said.
"And I wish to have Dario as my man," Asin added.
"What?!" Damon's eyes darkened to coal.
Agass and Asin lowered their heads, but Damon rose from his throne, thunder in every movement.
"How dare you wish for such things!" he thundered.
"My… Ki—" Damoness began, but he snapped at her.
"Shut up, woman!" he roared.
She looked at their children, then spoke softly, "Leave,I will talk to your father."
Agass and Asin bowed and disappeared.
Turning to Damon, she said, "Your majesty, we need to speak."
Damon stared at her, tension coiling in his shoulders, before he returned to his seat.
"How could you, woman? How could you poison their minds with such desires?" He hissed, fury crackling.
"My king, calm yourself," Damoness said, her hands on his cheeks. The touch, magical and gentle, worked to settle him but only slightly.
"This magic will not sway me. Go straight to the point," Damon snapped, turning away.
Inwardly grinning, Damoness said, "I did not convince them. It was their own choice."
"Why choose humans or vampires? They should seek their own species," Damon retorted.
"It is where their hearts lead them. Remember, I was not fully demon when you married me,I was human," she said. Damon's eyes narrowed, but she only smiled.
"Our case was different; you were a sorcery," Damon muttered.
"But still, we were of different races. Please accept our children's wishes. It benefits the kingdom and will help capture Demetrio," she pressed.
At the mention of Demetrio, Damon's eyes darkened further.
"I need time to think. This is a serious decision," he said, rising from his seat.
"I will await your favorable reply, my king," Damoness whispered, bowing gracefully.
He inclined his head and departed.
Asin and Agas headed to their chambers. Agass was fuming, while Asin's smile remained serene.
"You'll explode soon, Agas," Asin said lightly.
"Shut up!" Agas cursed, pounding his fist against the wall.
"Father will accept my request, whether he likes it or not," Asin muttered.
"You know we should work together," she added. Agas froze mid-step.
"What do you mean?" he growled."You want Thana, I want Dario. Mother is working toward that, so stay out of my way."
He scowled and turned to leave, but Asin pressed on.
"Thana should stay off my man or else…"
Before she could finish, Agas was before her, hands around her neck, eyes blazing.
"Get your hands off me!" She struggled.
"If you touch even a strand of her hair, I will kill you," he snarled, then disappeared.
Asin collapsed, trembling."I will be the one to kill you, devil!" she yelled, rage and fear mingling in her voice.