Phoenix Rising
Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
Prince Devonn angrily confronted the spy who had been in the small palace that Allura and Lotor were in. The spy, who was one of Devonn's guards, tried to supress a shiver as Devonn's eyes flared at him in anger.
Devonn said, "You left, Zarius? My orders were to see if they consumated their marriage and you left?"
Zarius swallowed hard and said, "My lord, they were engaged..."
The prince cut him off as he yanked Zarius by his collar. The terrified guard looked into Devonn's souless eyes and thought..it is true what they say..he has a monster inside him! He has no soul!...
Devonn smiled and said, "I wanted to know something specific, and you failed, Zarius...I will have to punish you."
Zarius gulped again. He didn't want to die, but this man was truly evil. He was not as his father, King Raull had been.
Devonn let Zarius go and said, "Ah..you think I'm going to kill you, Zarius? No. That would be too easy.I think I will take the only thing in your black heart that you love."
Zarius thought..by the gods, no! Jennah!!..
Zarius begged, "No, my lord, please! Not my wife..she is expecting our first born in the spring..take my life instead!"
Devonn grinned and said, "It's too late, Zarius..while you were gone, I took the insurance of taking your dear wife away from that hovel you live in - and I placed her in my officer's quarters. I thought she would be rather lonely while you were gone."
Zarius' head reeled. The prince gave his precious wife to the officers! Jennah!! She never did anything to anyone!
Devonn smirked and said, "Well, Zarius, what do you have to say?" He chuckled. "I daresay your dear wife is a dithering idiot now. Do you know how many officers are in my royal regiment?"
Zarius saw red. That monster! He took his wife even as he did his evil work for him! No more! He would kill him, even if it meant his death. Jennah was as good as dead anyway. Rage consumed Zarius as he lunged at the laughing prince.
He screamed, "Devil from hell..DIE!!"
The prince merely sidestepped gracefully as Zarius ran into the wall, dazing him. As Zarius shook his head, Devonn jerked him up by the collar and hissed, "I knew of your plans to leave my kingdom..well, Zarius, you got your wish! You shall leave my kingdom - and enter the realm of the dead!"
With inhuman strength, Devonn took his bare hands and snapped Zarius' neck, killing him. Devonn let his lifeless body fall to the floor. In anger, Devonn kicked him savagely. He did not like scheming behind his back. He would not tolerate it, not in his kingdom.
Giselle, the 'favorite' of Devonn, went out into the cool night air attired only in the light shift that she had worn for Devonn. She bit her lip, dreading what she would find. She crept carefully towards the officer's quarters, trying not to be seen. Although the area was quiet now after their revellry, she would take no chances. If she were caught, the same fate that befell her sister Jennah would befall her- not that she didn't derserve it. Devonn had bragged about taking Jennah to the officer's quarters. He didn't care that Jennah happened to be her sister. Devonn had no mercy in him. Giselle didn't dare utter a word of protest as he bragged about his trick. Well, now she would make up for everything.
She saw a dark shape lying huddled near the edge of a clearing and her heart raced. Was it Jennah?
Giselle drew her small knife just in case and ran over to the figure. The figure moaned in pain and Giselle turned her over.
She said softly, "Jennah..sister.."
By the light of the twin moons, her sister's face looked gastly. She could see bruises and cuts on her face. There was no telling how badly they abused her body. Jennah's eyes opened and she mumbled, "Giselle..ah..I hurt.."
Giselle's tears flowed and she stroked back her sister's hair and said, "I will get you to a medic. He will - "
Jennah cut her off and said, "No..no..no medic..too late. You must save my baby..mine and Zarius'.."
Giselle said, "No, you'll both be all right ! "
Her sister managed a weak smile and said, "No, Sellie..I go to join my husband in death..he's dead you - know.."
Giselle didn't know what to say. How did she - ?
Jennah said softly, "Giselle, you must save the little one, you must cut - "
Giselle sobbed and said, "No, I can't! "
Her sister said, "Then you will curse us both. Giselle, please. Take my child - take her out of here - this -place. Leave the prince - you know you must - agghh..Giselle, hurry.."
Giselle looked at her sister in pain and knew she had to do this. This would be how she would atone for linking herself with a monster.
Jennah's eyes closed in pain and Giselle whispered, "I will do it, Jennah..do not worry.."
Giselle took her small sharp knife and prayed to the goddess of children that she guide her hand and save this baby. Giselle took a deep breath...
A few moments later, Giselle brought forth a small, perfectly formed little girl. Giselle smiled as the child cried. She was strong for one born so young. Giselle placed the baby, still attached by her umbilical cord, on her mother's breast and said, "Jennah, look- your daughter lives!"
Giselle smiled as Jennah opened her eyes briefly and smiled. Jennah said, "My baby..Giselle, take care of her..I know - you - willl...." and then Jennah's eyes closed and she was gone.
Giselle wanted to cry, but she could not. She had the child to think of now. She could not take the child back with her, Devonn would find out and he would kill her.
Then Giselle had an idea. She would go to the outworlder Princess.Allura was her name. Giselle had seen her at the ball. She seemed kind. Her face seemed to radiate purity of heart. Surely she would help her save Jennah's child. The child would be safe in her universe. She would be away from the devil from hell. Giselle smiled grimly as she took the mewling child and quickly cut the cord.
Giselle prayed briefly for her sister and took a swatch of cloth off her sister's body and cut it. She wrapped it around the baby and cuddled it close. Giselle quickly left. She did not want to leave Jennah like that - all out in the open, but there wasn't much time. If Devonn found out, she and the baby's life would be forfeit.Come the dawn, she would go to the princess and beg for her mercy.
