18 Annabelle

The king of Anavir was shocked, Mikkel had died in battle. Mikkel, a rank two mage, would not have gone down easily. Let alone a rank two mage that was among his personal advisors.

King Darius sighed. He never should have approved that mission trip to the village. It was far too close to the Demon Lords domain. Mikkel though, ever the devout follower of the gods, had been persisting it was his duty to reach every human and Darius had against his better wishes allowed it.

King Darius, a short but heavily muscled man was not like other kings, he wasted no time for deliberation, "Bring my daughter to me immediately!"

Princess Mai, arriving due to the summons, curtsied before her father the king. She was young but sharp for her age. Having taken an interest in swordplay and battlefield tactics at a young age she was well respected throughout the kingdom. Blond hair with deep brown eyes she would have been the picture of sophistication if not for the lightweight armor she was currently wearing. As one of her duties. to the crown she patrolled the capital and she had come immediately after being summoned.

"I need you to gather your command. Go search for survivors and if there are none I wish you to speak to the Demon Lord, see if they took any hostages. That village might have been unaffiliated but no human should be under the Demon Lords control. I shudder to think that Mikkel's sacrifice for the villagers be for naught."

"I am already in preparations for the champion summoning. Soon we will have a new champion that will slay this Demon Lord for us."

Bowing her head Princess Mai began carrying out her fathers orders.

King Darius, alone now, felt the grief of losing his trusted friend.

'I will have my revenge no matter the cost'

...

Annabelle raised the sword straight up with her right hand in a striking position before Dah.

Dah watched with surprise, Annabelle who had never defied him, was in front of his door at night wielding a weapon. Shock overtook Dah as his heart began beating faster.

How could anyone have turned her against him? His Annabelle, the one who woke up every day to make breakfast with. Someone he connected to. How could this be possible?

'Whats going on? Did one of the demon generals put her up to this? I will repay treachery with treachery and blood for blood' Dah swore in his mind.

Before he had a chance to speak Annabelle holding the sword by the hilt in her right hand put the blade in the palm of her left and knelt before him offering it to him.

"What's going on" this time Dah questioned verbally.

"I have been keeping a secret from you, but I can not continue keeping a secret from someone I admire so." Annabelle stated with a voice that was trembling and low.

Dah grasped the sword she offered and observed her as she began to kowtow towards him.

"...what secret?" Dah asked after a slight pause.

"I am Ral'guud's daughter" she stated, "so please take my life."

Dah just stared at her dumbfounded. "Why should I do that?"

Annabelle, her eyes widening, replied, "It is customary. When a new Demon Lord claims the throne to ensure unity among the ranks he is called to eliminate anyone with potential claim to the throne. I am his only child and my mother passed long ago. Kill me and end my shame."

Laughter filled her ears, then Dah spoke, "I have no interest in killing you. You have never done me harm before and I don't believe that you'll do me harm in the future." He then stated firmly, "Do know that if I ever see proof otherwise I won't hesitate."

Her eyes began watering as she looked up at him and her cheeks and ears flushed rosy.

'This is the strangest Demon Lord I have ever met', she eventually decided. Ruthless on the battlefield and in achieving his desire for power but he has done nothing but treat me well.

"Where do we go from here" Annabelle tilted her head to the side questioningly.

Looking down on her as she kneeled before him, Dah realized that while he craved power he still felt lusts of the flesh. Her curly black horns and long dark hair called out to him in seductive longing. She was wearing a delicate white dress that seemed to flow down her figure. She was beautiful, as if she was already prepared for an open casket.

"Rise" he commanded in a dominant tone "and enter".

Obediently she rose and entered the room. Shutting the door behind her. He watched as her graceful silhouette entered deeper into the room eventually settling on his bed stretching out. Her eyes were bright and inviting.

He had only meant for her to enter so they wouldn't be talking about such serious matters in the hallway. But now she was making herself alluring.

Dah approached her, every step deliberate eying her up and down as he approached. She was definitely geared for a mans needs.

"Do you want to..." he asked slowly.

Annabelle hadn't let him complete his sentence as she reached out and pulled him into the bed. Slipping his hand up her dress while their lips slowly made contact he felt something delicate and lacy.

'Temptress'

The next morning was business as usual. Dah continued his training regimen, he knew his days within the castle would soon come to an end as he was nearing the peak of his power without absorbing more souls. Annabelle for her part continued making his breakfasts and enjoying his company. He noticed she had come to watch him spar with Lucius several times, and perhaps because of her presence he felt he was doing much better against him.

...

Goddess Ariana approached Azthar confidently having found the perfect candidate to be a champion she wanted to waste no time to begin the summoning. She had already completed the paperwork and coordinations with the Kingdom of Anavir and they were waiting expectantly. As soon as the champion was summoned they would be sent to be placed under King Darius's command to lead their armies in the upcoming battles.

'Now to convince him'

…