Chapter one

Dear Father.

High Priestess Lynne has informs us, Mages of the Court, that His Majesty has made a pact with the Demon King to stop this eons old war. I do not know of what it entails but I have been summoned to speak with His Majesty regarding this. I must admit, I am very anxious. What does this pact have to with me? I must go. I will write to you again soon.

Love your daughter,

Ananta

Setting her black-feathered quill aside, Ananta sighed, resting her forehead inside her palm. A silky raven curtain surrounded her face. She sat this way for several moments before she slowly lifted her face and gazed at her reflection in the small mirror that she kept on her desk.

A heart-shaped pale face with emerald eyes stared back. Her eyelids were painted soft-pink with small sapphire dots on the edges and lower lip was painted a brilliant crimson.

This was the custom of the Mages. Ananta knew it was symbolic, an ageless tradition where its roots were as unknown as its meaning. Now the ritual paintings were done simply because the Mages before did so.

Turning barely in her wooden chair, Ananta gazed about her room. It was a tiny room. The walls and floor were bland gray stones that were smooth for a "smooth" surface. On the eastern side of the room sat her iron rod bed covered with dark crimson cotton blankets with a black post at the four corners of the bed. Right next to the bed was a dark oak wardrobe. On the opposite side of the room, where Ananta sat, was her small wooden desk and chair facing a window that overlooked the monastery.

It was ironic. Despite Ananta's high ranking as a Mage of the Court, she lived rather poorly. Only the High Priestess was allowed to indulge in luxury and finery, the rest live like a peasant in the monastery. A taste of bitterness lingered on her tongue.

One day, Ananta assured herself, One day you will be High Priestess.

"Lady Ananta!" Someone knocked on the door softly, a servant. “The eagles are ready for departure." The servant informed.

Ananta smiled fondly, she adored flying on the eagles. A sense of boundless freedom and joy filled her when she rode upon their backs and into the heavens.

"I'm coming," Ananta called back, rising from her chair, the royal blue robes draped from her form delicately and softly graced the ground and the tips of her leather boots, "I must get my cloak and then I will be ready."

Ananta walked to the wardrobe and opened it. Inside were a few robes of various colors, all plain. In the far back was one elaborate robe with extravagant designs. That robe was for special occasions only, much to Ananta's dismay. Her nimble fingers passed by the beautiful robe and grasped a brown clock. Quickly she wrapped the cloak about her and closed the wardrobe.

She walked to the door and opened it, entering into a long hallway with a high ceiling. On each side of the walls, spread apart by yards were black marble arcs, the same marble which tiled the flooring. At the top of the walls were tiny windows, which allowed enough sunlight to be able to walk through the hallways.

Ananta’s eyes landed on the servant, a little girl, perhaps in her pre-teen years. Ananta assumed she was new. The girl bowed low, her dark brown tresses tied up into a sloppy bun, but her face remained unseen to Ananta’s searching eyes.

"This way Lady Ananta." Was all the girl said, her face still unknown to Ananta, but this didn’t surprise her. That was the edict of the servants, they weren’t worthy enough to be seen, and thus they were reduced to nameless beings.

Ananta padded softly behind the servant girl as she was lead down the winding halls. They finally reached double doors which were painted white with symbols that were etched with green.

The servant girl bowed her head as she opened the doors, a sudden burst of air pushed at Ananta so hard that she stumbled at the fierceness of it.

There Ananta saw the eagle landing. It was a large elevated stone pad with four columns at each corner. On top of the columns were small statues of the four gods to which the Mages worshipped. The landing was surrounded by the monastery, conveniently located in the middle of rules, edicts, rituals and humility, or at least a semblance of it.

On the landing pad, Ananta spotted two proud eagles wearing their harnesses and saddles, both ready for departure. Besides the eagles, stood a beautiful woman, whom Ananta immediately recognized as High Priestess Lynne. Lynne’s radiant raven hair was up in numerous, elegant hair ornaments, and her body wrapped in a white robe embroidered with golden swirls. The robe seemed like water, as it rippled across her ivory skin in the slight breeze. Lynne’s free raven tendrils also swayed softly in the wind. High Priestess Lynne was the epitome of true beauty.

I wonder if being beautiful is a requirement to obtain High Priestess, Ananta thought sardonically.

Ananta approached the landing pad and walked beside Lynne, who slightly bent her head towards Ananta in a form of acknowledgement.

“Are you ready?” Lynne asked softly, her face was emotionless, only calm. Ananta found it unnerving, but nodded nonetheless.

“Yes I am, Lady Lynne.” Ananta replied, another pair of servants approached and helped Ananta and Lynne onto their respective eagles. Restless, the eagles shuffled and squirmed as their riders prepared. Their wings were hunched and eager to spread and catch the air in their bright feathers.

Once Lynne and Ananta were ready, the two eagles shot like brilliant arrows into the cloudy sky, their wings flapping to an unknown rhythm.

The two didn’t speak on their journey to the King’s Palace. The only entertain Ananta had was absorbing the scenery below her. Vast hills, with wave like blades of rich green. From the air, Ananta could spot several herds of sheep.

They soon came upon the mighty palace set into the side of a mountain, it was a large gray structure with many towers, and large wall surrounded the palace. The only way to gain entrance from ground was to cross a bridge which connected the castle to the opposite mountain peak.

The riders gave the reins a sharp tug down, signaling to the eagles to descend. The eagles’ wings gave a large flap then tucked them into their sides as they flew down to the castle. Ananta and Lynne leaned down and pressed themselves against the feathers of their eagle.

Like arrows, the two eagles dived, and then came to a sharp halt above the courtyard, which appeared very similar to the one in the monastery without the four columns, as they opened their wings. When the eagles started to hover, they began to drop down with sharp jerks as their wings made quick flaps. Ananta could hear the claws of the eagles’ scratch against the stone of the courtyard.

Two guards and several servants came out to the courtyard to assist the two Mages, who dismounted their eagles with practiced ease.

The servants attended to the eagles while two guards in full armor approached the Mages, “Lady Lynne and Lady Ananta, His Royal Majesty is expecting you.” The guard’s voice was muffled slightly by the helmet he was wearing.

Lynne nodded to the guard who spoke and Ananta soon followed, the guards grunted and turned around, each step they made echoed a clatter of bumping armor pieces, the two Mages followed behind them quietly, like shadows.

They approached two large wooden doors and walked through them. They entered a large gilded chamber with wine colored carpet; at the opposite side of the room was the King who sat on his golden throne.

“Welcome High Priestess Lynne and Mage Ananta!” The King greeted heartily, rising from his throne and walked to them. His aging face was kind and with a small smile, his gray blue eyes sparkled due to the many candles that were alit, and his gray hair curled about his head. He wore a large red robe with fur lining.

The two guards went back to their posts at the doors, and the two women continued towards the king and knelt before him when they were a few feet away.

“I do hope your trip was safe,” The King said, the two women took it as their cue to rise to their feet, “It has been rather cloudy lately, I’m told to expect a storm.”

Lynne was the first to speak, “Our trip was excellent Your Majesty, we encountered no problems.” Then she added cordially, “I do believe we have something important to discuss, my Lord.”

“Ah, yes of course,” The King chuckled lightly, “This way my Ladies.” The king led them towards a door to the right of the throne, and they entered a room with a large wooden table that could seat twenty people. The room was decorated with paintings of the royal family line, several gold chandeliers with many candles were scattered across the room.

The King took his place at the head of the table, Lynne and Ananta took seats closest to the King. He cleared his throat then began, “I am sure you two are aware of the pact I have made with the Demon King.”

The women nodded, and the King continued, “But I have yet to tell you what the pact entails.”

The King hesitated for a moment, then rose from his chair and began to walk around the table, “When the Demon King made his offer, I was quite surprised in the least, it was a very peculiar request. He told me this, ‘My son is of age to when he must select a mate—a queen who will rule by his side when I am gone. I believe the best way to seal this pact is for you to choose someone from your kingdom who I could deem worthy as a mate, your High Priestess for example. Be calm, I do not ask of her, but someone like her would suffice.’”

Lynne didn’t seem shocked, but Ananta was rocked to her very core, she held suspicions to where this would lead and she wasn’t comfortable in the least bit.

“When I heard this, I was dumbfounded, although I can see his logic behind this, it would create the perfect link for us, but nonetheless I was not pleased to hear this.” The King sighed, “He was right, I wouldn’t give him my High Priestess, but it was obvious he asked for one of my mages. She would have to be very loyal to her King, beautiful, and very gifted, I gave it much thought and I have come to a decision.”

Ananta held her breath; her hands were gripping her cloak so tightly, her knuckles turned white. Her heart drummed against her rib cage at a fast pace that only seemed to accelerate.

“I have decided to send you, Lady Ananta.”

Ananta felt everything within her shatter: her dreams, her life, everything, but she kept a façade of calm and peaceful.

“I was not me who made this decision, it was actually Lady Lynne,” Ananta’s eyes immediately landed upon the High Priestess, whose face remained emotionless, a beautiful mask that revealed nothing.

“She told me that you were the most capable of all the Mages, and that you would’ve taken her place as High Priestess had this not occurred. Your beauty does exceed you Lady Ananta, and you are spoken of frequently within men’s circle. And Lady Lynne and I believe that you are the perfect candidate, of course the Demon King must examine you himself before anything happens.”

The King’s eyes were sympathetic towards Ananta, that she could see, but she knew he expected her to not fail him and accept her duty to her land and King.

The reality of that stung her like a hot dagger, she wanted to cry and throw a tantrum like a little girl, and scream that she didn’t want to go, but she had no choice. She knew since the beginning when she joined the Mages of the Court that her life was no longer her own, but it belonged to the King, and everything she did was in the King’s name.

Ananta closed her eyes and muscled the strength to speak, “I am honored my Lord and my Lady, that you would choose me,” She lied through her teeth, the lie soured her mouth, “I will fulfill this role to the best of my capabilities.”

There was a knock on the door then it opened slowly, Ananta held back a gasp: it was the Demon King.

He was unearthly handsome, pure black hair was pulled back in a refined ponytail, his face was chiseled and his coal eyes rested upon sharp high cheek-bones. He wore a black poet’s shirt that had a few ruffles hanging from the neck. They were tucked into black breeches which were tucked into black leather boots. His eyes landed upon Ananta, and she felt a shiver travel down her spine and she turned her gaze away. The natural fear of demons gathered in her chest and choked her; it was difficult for her to breath.

The King nodded his head toward the Demon King as did Lynne, Ananta followed in suit.

The Demon King shut the door behind him, and walked up to them, “This is the candidate I presume?” His voice was dark and sultry, a natural trap for humans to be sucked within, it strangely calmed Ananta’s fear and she found herself puzzled.

The King nodded again, “She is, this is Lady Ananta, one of my Mages.” He gestured to Ananta, and she suddenly felt very small.

“Hello, my Lord.” She greeted the Demon King, “I pray that I am deemed worthy enough.” She was grateful of the classes that she was forced to endure for these types of situations.

The Demon King said nothing for a while then turned to the King, “I would like to speak to her alone.” The King only nodded and Lynne rose, following the King out the door.

Ananta silently screamed for them to come back, to not leave her alone. When the door clicked shut, she knew she was on her own.

The Demon King said nothing only watched her and walked around the table. Millions of thoughts raced through Ananta, What is he doing? Oh why did I ever decide to become a mage? Say something! Oh I feel as if I am going to be eaten, Ananta moaned inwardly.

“Calm down Lady Ananta, you have no reason to fear me.” The Demon King said softly, his sultry voice again quelled her panicking mind. Ananta knew that demons could naturally sense human being’s feelings, and silently scolded herself for being so wild in her thoughts and emotions.

“I beg your pardon your Grace.” Ananta said quietly.

“Tell me,” The Demon King said in a droll, “Is your polite nature genuine or is it from practice? You may tell me the truth, I will not be offended.”

“I cannot,” Ananta answered. The Demon King only gave her a stern look that scared her out of her wits and immediately answered him with the truth in stuttering words.

The King strangely laughed, “At ease Lady Ananta, I pray you forgive me, it has been a long time that look has worked on anyone. My son no longer responds to it and I find myself quite disappointed.”

Ananta’s fear faded away and now wondered about this peculiar king.

“Tell me how you feel about this pact, Lady Ananta. I would like to hear your opinion.” The King asked after his laughter ceased.

“I will do anything for my King.” She answered automatically. The demon shook his head, “No, tell me how you feel.” Ananta was at odds, no one had ever truly asked how she felt about anything before, not even her own father.

“I-,” She stammered, trying to find a way to be diplomatic and honest in her answer, “I was raised to hate and fear your kind, your Grace. I do admit that I am terrified and that I would love to refuse, however, I love my country and I want this war to end just as much as my King does. If it requires me to sacrifice my dreams and my life to let my people’s fears be finally put at ease, then so be it.” That was how she truly felt and a large weight lifted from her, Ananta felt her heart settle down again.

The Demon King smiled softly, his eyes distant, as if he made a revelation, “You are remarkable woman, Lady Ananta. I believe you would be a wonderful mate for my son.”

Ananta thanked him for the compliment, the Demon King went to the door and opened it, and called for the King and Lynne to come back in.

When everyone was settled, the Demon King stated with conviction, “I have decided Lady Ananta will be my son’s mate. Thank you for choosing so well your Majesty.”

The King smiled, “Your welcome, may I ask, when will you be departing?”

The Demon King smiled in return, “Tomorrow eve.”

I'm writing this story while I wait for my other story to be finished being edited by my beta, so please bear in mind, that it isn't edited. Please review!