Chapter 8: To What Purpose

I joined my friends in my office and quickly filled them in on the revelations I had over the last twelve or so hours.

Ahbi grumbled a little over it, but I refused to listen.

Your reticence is what's put me in a corner in the first place, I sent to her. You just said yourself friendship is a

foreign concept. Well, it isn't to me. And trying to do things your way has just made my life miserable. So, if you don't

mind, I'm going to go back to what's worked for me in the past. I hugged her power gently with mine. It's not like I can

make a much bigger mess than I already have.

Jabut's look of absolute satisfaction at my plans to finally combat Henemordonin on my own terms filled me with more

confidence than perhaps I'd earned, but it felt good to see my friends smiling and nodding. Though, when I brought up my

concern about my grandfather's maneuverings around my mating, Sequoia was as perplexed as I.

"I have found this part of his strategy most curious," she said, tiny body pacing rapidly before my desk. "As you

yourself said, Ruler, encouraging you to mate simply places him in a position to lose power, not gain it."

"Perhaps he grows tired of the responsibilities of Second Seat?" Pagomaris's weak smile faded as she shook her head, the

tinkling of crystals dangling from her coiled hair counterpoint to her denial. "Forgive my foolishness," she said with

some heat. "I know your grandfather better than that."

"Until we know what he plans," I said, standing from behind my desk, "I want all hands on deck, eyes and ears wide open.

Any hint of his strategy will help us combat it when the time comes."

Henemordonin may simply be pushing you to choose a mate of his choosing, Ahbi sent. I shared this with the others, to

which Sequoia frowned.

"But to what purpose, Ahbi?" My grandmother's adoration for the little demon surged. She was one of the few who addressed

the former Ruler directly without thought. "We will find out what he has planned, never fear. For now, might I suggest

you allow him to lead you further down the road than you have in the past?"

The shrewd tightening of her brows in her diminutive face made me grin. "If only I was half so sneaky," I said. "You

think he'll reveal his plan if I start to submit to his suggestions?"

"Not just submit," Jabut grinned at his sister, chuckling. "Make it your idea, Ruler."

Sequoia laughed, her amusement ringing through the large room. "Excellent, dear brother," she said. "How delicious. By

taking his thunder, but doing as he wishes, you will undercut his authority on the matter and redirect power back to

you."

Ahbi grunted. Exactly, she sent.

I didn't hear you suggest it. It was hard not to snap at her.

Probably because you refused to listen, she shot back before clearing her mental throat. Sorry.

Me, too. This was going to take some getting used to, our little alliance. And yet, I had much more optimism this morning

than I had felt for what was the Age of Awful. Could it be I was entering a new phase of my rule? One where I was

actually able to enact change and positive forward motion?

"I love it," I said, shaking out the heavy, jewel-crusted robes Pagomaris and her minions squeezed me into earlier. My

hair coiled over one shoulder in a thick plait wound with the leathery hide of a fulshur. The giant, gentle beasts of the

plains were known for their supple, yet iron-hard hides. If nothing else, I could use it to club my grandfather into

submission.

"Jabuticabron," I focused on him as he pulled himself to attention. "Do what you can to watch Henemordonin over the next

few days. I've given him a bit of a shock, waking up like this. And Ahbi seems to think he may be desperate enough to try

something physical if I'm not careful."

Jabut's face darkened to deep crimson as he saluted. "I'll die before he touches you, Ruler."

"I hope that will never be necessary." I turned to Pagomaris. "I've never asked this of you, my faithful aide, but I know

you must have connections inside the Seat, among the servants and the unseen."

Why did I never think of that? Ahbi actually sounded shocked.

Probably because you don't see her as an asset. And neither did I. Until I remembered I wasn't alone. Things were going

to work out very well, indeed, I had no doubt now.

Pagomaris almost hit the floor, bowing so deeply her hair crystals tinkled against the stone. "My honor, Ruler," she

choked out the words. "I have long waited to serve you in this manner. You have only to ask."

"I knew I could count on you," I said. "Sequoia?" She bowed her head to me. "You have been a great comfort to me. But I

would ask you to join my network."

"Spying is my favorite past time," she curtsied with dimples. "No one pays attention to the tiny demon. I will uncover

Henemordonin's intentions, have no fear."

I didn't, not anymore. And I suddenly understood how Syd was able to do what she did, how she could bring herself to face

such impossible odds. Idolizing her and resenting her for her magic blinded me to the truth of her real power-the people

she trusted to have her back.

I sent them out with thanks, Jabuticabron striding with new purpose out the doors, Pagomaris bowing her way after him,

beaming. Only Sequoia hesitated before closing the portals and returning to my side. I stared down into her wide eyes, so

innocent looking in her startlingly attractive face. Her parents had created her, the perfect little demon girl, a face

she would wear her entire, long existence. But though the top of her head barely came to my shoulder without my platform

boots, there was a core of strength humming inside Sassy's sister I had come to admire greatly.

"Meira," she said, voice soft, hands folded in front of her, "might I speak openly?"

I nodded instantly. She rarely used my real name, but when she did I knew it was important.

"You can put a solid end to Henemordonin's plans right now," she said. "By naming your mate."

My breath left my body. I knew exactly where she was carrying this conversation and I wasn't sure I was ready to have it

with anyone. But Sequoia wasn't about to stop on my account.

"Rameranselot is an excellent choice," she said, voice level and steady, though she rushed through his name ever so

slightly, telling me she was as nervous about this discussion as I was. "He would make a fine mate and an excellent

Second Seat."

I was grateful for the long, flowing sleeves Pagomaris chose that morning, the cuffs hiding my clenched fists even as my

heart swelled open. "He won't accept," I said.

Sequoia sighed, reaching out to squeeze my arm. "He will," she said. "For his own good."

Her insistent tone made me laugh. "I'm sure he'll see things that way," I said. "What a marvelous beginning to a marriage

that could last millennia? 'Hey, honey, I know you don't want to marry me, but I'm Ruler, so you have to say yes.'"

Sequoia wrinkled her little nose, though her eyes sparkled. "How you do it is up to you," she said. "I would never

interfere with such a delicate negotiation." I snorted as she went on. "You know I'm right."

She was, absolutely. And I wasn't exactly arguing with her. But I'd been raised on love and commitment and finding your

soul mate, not marrying for position and power. Mom, Syd, even Gram's love renewed with the restored Demetrius Strong,

set the stage for what I really wanted.

"I'll ask him again," I said, optimism fading. "Reason with him." The thought made my soul sigh in sadness. "And we'll

see."

***

Guards stood at attention as I swept past them, down the long corridor to the elevator platform. I ignored them as Ahbi

shifted and sighed inside me.

It's been a lot to adjust to in the last little while, I sent, my natural empathy rising for her. But for the first time,

I really think we'll be okay, Grandmother.

I know you will, child, she sent, immediately making me wonder about the singular pronoun usage. But she went on before I

could correct her. It's not your awakening that has me anxious. At least, not directly. I've been so deeply invested in

trying to control everything, I failed to realize just how different things are.

I slowed my stride, feeling Sequoia match my pace without comment, eyes scanning the city outside as I stepped onto the

platform and strode to the edge. The thick shielding protected me from a fall, though I barely thought of such a risk. I

loved to look out over Ostrogotho, to breathe in the fresh air blowing toward the mountain peak, tempered by power to a

breeze. Dad's laws can be reversed, I sent as the elevator bounced softly and began to rise. Now that we're working

together.

Ahbi tsked. No, Meira, she sent. I'm talking about the changes I made. And your sister. Don't you feel it? She opened her

power to me, and, in doing so, woke my link to the Node. A frown pinched my brow as she went on. I suppose it's more

apparent to me, she sent, considering how much time I spent as Ruler. And the fact you only took over after my stay. Her

death had done nothing to keep her down. She'd been right there with Syd, helped my sister save the Node. The power core

holding all the planes together had been home to Ahbi's spirit for a while because of that battle to save Demonicon from

destruction. She showed me the dull quiet of the old Node, how it seemed to have little personality and no interest in

anything outside its own existence. I gasped as the elevator came to a halt, still turned away for privacy as I compared

that feeling to the Node I knew.

Curiosity, a sense of purpose and a hint of emotion now colored the energy of the magic holding everything together.

Is this a bad thing? I knew the guards waited for me to leave the elevator, but no one had the nerve to interrupt me. Let

them wait. Let them all wait.

I don't know, Ahbi sent. I don't think so. But that could be my own ego. I'd hate to think I damaged the very thing I

spent my entire life protecting.

I felt the Node again, its soft enthusiasm and the budding life and liveliness as it swirled around me. The touch brought

a smile to my face.

From what I can tell, I sent, turning at last, allowing my features to fall into blankness as I stepped past the guards

and into the throne room, you did good.

We shall see, she sent, her pensive tone full of more worry than I thought her capable. Of course I worry, she snapped.

I'm not an empty soul, child.

You do an excellent job hiding it, I sent, eyes front, locked on my throne. Who cared Henemordonin glared? Or that he

repeated yesterday's performance, butt remaining in seat as I climbed the stairs without bothering to acknowledge him.

I suppose I do, at that, she sent. Now, remember our plan.

As if I could forget it, I sent back just as I spun and sank into my throne. The seat normally made my backside ache,

rigid stone unyielding, making me feel unwelcome. But a touch of magic created a soft padding of power, a concession I'd

never allowed myself before for fear of appearing weak.

Time to stop caring what they think, I sent to Ahbi, and focus on my job.

I felt Henemordonin's body gather momentum before he even moved, pinning him to his throne and silencing him with a burst

of magic only the two of us were privy to even as I crossed one leg slowly over the other and settled back into another

padding of power.

"Hear me," I said while my grandfather struggled against my control over him, "your Ruler speaks."

The gathered nobility of Demonicon, most of them related to me, bowed to me as one, eyes full of curiosity.

"I am young." I lowered my chin ever so slightly, a nod to their concerns even as Henemordonin tensed and fell still. "I

have plenty of time to learn and grow as Ruler. We demons are long-lived and, as my predecessor, Ahbi Sanghamitra,

proved, the duration of Rule can extend over millennia."

Excellent, she sent. Remind them of me and avoid your father. Let them remember what it was like to bow to their Ruler.

I almost grinned. "I would prefer to focus on leading my people." My chin rose as I allowed my magic and the full power

of Demonicon to flare around me, not so subtle, I knew, but necessary reinforcement. The court responded with a small

ripple of fear, though their instant support, even if veiled behind lies and deceit, was far from mine. "While I have

much learning yet to do, I have the finest teacher in all Demonicon to fulfill that training." Henemordonin actually

softened slightly even as Ahbi laughed. "Ahbi lives yet inside me, her guidance and centuries of experience exactly what

Demonicon needs moving forward."

The flat fury in my grandfather's eyes was imminently satisfying. So much so, it was tempting to rub it in.

Focus, Ahbi sent.

Of course. I went on. "Considering the fact I'm still training my Second Seat to carry out his duties to my

satisfaction," a titter of laughter rippled through the gathered family, "choosing a mate and conducting his subsequent

instruction is a daunting proposition."

Oh, very well done, my grandmother sent. He may do us a favor and have a brain rupture.

If only, I sent. "But, as it is the will of my people, and because I would serve you to the very best of my full power

and capacity, I am prepared to select a mate." Another burst of magic reminded them who was supposed to be in control

here. "A young and eager mind at my side, tempered by the will of Ruler, can serve as a catalyst to further change and

lead Demonicon to even more greatness."

Dig the dagger in a little deeper, won't you, sweetness? Ahbi's humor was so dark I zinged her with some power to calm

her down.

He's going to freak out at me, I sent as I observed the family nodding and smiling, chattering over my pronouncement with

eagerness I hadn't seen in them before. But it's worth it. I saw him fuming out of the corner of my eye and released him

from my control, fully expecting him to lose his mind.

Henemordonin didn't, to his credit. He was enough of a politician he must have recognized the way the wind was blowing

when it came to the court. But considering this was his idea all along, I shouldn't have been so surprised he held his

temper. At least, in public.

Look at them, Abhi growled. How eager they are. You know they would be just as happy to depose you as they would to see

you married off?

Naturally, I sent, personally shocked at how calm I felt. I don't know how you managed for so long, Grandmother. But I

suppose I'm going to find out.

My dear, she sent, you are, indeed.

That encouragement meant more to me than she would ever know.

***