Vengeance Painted With Lust

Chapter 10

“Ettiene, I think you should pack a few things to take with you,” Araih spoke, noting that the little prince only had the rat on his shoulder. Tadajh was chewing on the smooth strands on his blond hair.

“Everything I own is back there. I don’t need anything,” Ettiene spoke.

Enil had seemed anxious the past few days, like he expected his master to leave and stay gone. Some of it was probably the same anxiety Ettiene felt about Surian.

“Araih will take good care of you Enil,” the young prince spoke, running soothing fingers through Enil’s fiery hair. The little slave slumped at that, and Ettiene set Tagajh in Enil’s lap. Taking him on the trip probably wouldn’t be the best idea. Oddly, he felt the little rat would be safer here.

“Go get your horse ready. Surian will be waiting for you,” Araih then spoke, looking out the window as Narsis let himself out of the stables to wait for his master.

Ettiene hurried to the stable, although he wasn’t really looking forward to saying goodbye to everyone. He wondered how long he could drag it out.

The prince’s mare was in her usual stall, only she didn’t have her muzzle on. He had been bitten by several horses, but he was sure this one would do the most damage. He opened the stall, bridle wrapped around his arm, and stepped inside. She threw her head around, but eventually he hooked the bridle in place. He was thankful he wasn’t bitten in the process.

He pulled her out, and found the saddle and blanket he was used to riding with. Blue eyes portrayed annoyance as he tightened to girth, but other then that, she behaved like any other time. Ettiene thanked her, because he was definitely ready to leave.

Surian was outside, waiting atop Narsis.

“You have a way with everyone Ettiene,” Surian spoke with a small smile.

The prince wasn’t sure what the comment was supposed to mean. His mind was going too fast for him to stop and pick it apart anyway. Instead, he tapped his mare’s side.

“I’ve never asked. What’s this horse’s name?”

“Camoni, I believe,” Surian spoke, looking at the horse's face closely. He nodded after a moment, affirming that.

A second later, and they were back in the human world.

Camoni balked for a moment, obviously not used to being transported in such a way. She side stepped widely, like she had suddenly seen a snake in the grass. Narsis simply stood there, waiting for further instruction.

After Ettiene got her under control again, they started traveling up mountainous hills. In the distance, the little prince could make out a castle. He wished that he could have traveled to the estate he had grown up in, instead of this foreign territory, but wasn’t about to push it, especially if it was going to keep his family safe.

He noticed familiar faces, belonging to that of his family’s royal guard. They took a defensive stance as they focused on Surian. Word must have traveled fast because his father rushed out before the two even reached the castle, followed by Ettiene’s mother, Lady Sedna.

Surian took hold of Camoni’s reigns, pulling her nose up to Narsis’ neck. He didn’t want things to get disorderly. Ettiene looked to his family, then Surian. The look the demon lord sent back halted him from dismounting and running for his mother.

“I have allowed you your goodbyes, and for your prince to retrieve some of his things, but we will not be staying long,” Surian spoke, wanting to explain how things were going to be before Ettiene said anything.

Lord Ambren’s face turned angry once again.

“Do not forget, I am the reason you still have your life,” the powerful demon reminded as he guided his horse and Ettiene’s to the barn. The little prince slumped as he was turned away from his family. This hadn’t been the reunion he wanted.

Surian pulled all the tack off the horses, and set them in two stalls next to each other. The other horses seemed terrified of the strange beasts, and probably not without their reasons.

“Ettiene, do not mope. I need to make sure that things are understood with me and your humans. I thought they were between us. You will have your time, but let me make our terms clear.”

The blond looked up at the demon, and nodded. While he didn’t think the overall situation was fair, he needed to take what he could get.

And Surian did allow him his space once the terms were understood. Ambren agreed to allow the two to stay for however long they wished.

The entire first day Ettiene spent it talking with his family. The castle rang with laughter, and there was a celebration held. Surian stayed out of the way, and come time for everyone to retire for the night, the demon went outside. He knew he would not sleep in that castle, so instead he went to check on his mount.

“Are you staying out here?” Ettiene questioned.

“I belong in the demon world. Not in some human’s castle.”

“Then why do I belong in yours?”

“Because I wish it so,” Surian stated.

“And if I wish for you to be inside with me?”

Surian looked at him closely, his brows pulled together in thought.

“Bribery is only going to make us leave sooner,” the demon warned.

“Surian,” Ettiene started. “I am being sincere. I only wish to share my world with you.”

The demon still didn’t trust that completely, but once he was finished with his horse, he followed Ettiene up to his room. He didn’t sleep, as he already knew. Ettiene didn’t go to sleep right away either. Both seemed rather contemplative that night.

When Ettiene woke up, Surian was looking at some of his things. He hadn’t touched anything, but was trying to get a better idea of what the boy liked. His last trip to the market with the prince hadn’t exactly been successful.

The rest of the day was a lot like the previous, only not so rushed. Everyone seemed a little more settled, even knowing that there was a demon in the castle. After dinner, Surian was even asked to sit at the table with Ambren, Sedna, Ettiene, and one of the royal guards, Joven. The hostility that rolled off the larger man was thick.

“I have asked many times, and I will ask many times more if I have to, but please return my son. Surian, anything and anyone, you may have, but please give my son back,” Lord Ambren pleaded, calmly and sincerely this time.

“There is something that you do not understand. I could have anyone and anything along with your son,” the demon spoke, not taking any pity on the human family, even as Sedna began to sob.

Surian stood up and walked to stand behind Ettiene, placing a hand on the young man’s shoulder possessively. Joven shot up from the table, grabbing Surian’s wrist, and jerking the little prince away. Ettiene slid into the table, grabbing a hold of the wood to steady himself.

The demon lord had a hand wrapped around Joven’s throat in and instant. Anger swirled behind his emerald colored eyes.

“It is not wise to put your hands on something that is not yours, especially when it belongs to me,” Surian snarled.

Ettiene took hold of the demon’s clothing, urging him to let go.

“Surian, enough,” the little prince spoke softly, and Surian finally let go. Joven brought his hand up to his throat, his other hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

The two headed outside, and Ettiene seemed troubled.

“I don’t think me coming here brought anyone any closure. I think I just stirred things up,” the blond spoke.

The next morning Ettiene packed his things and said goodbye to his father. He wrote his mother a note, knowing she would not take his leaving a second time very well. He had Camoni out and ready to go even before Surian was ready.

Oddly enough, Ettiene was eager to see how his demon companions were doing.