Scheming for Power

Demona sat in the large black stone throne her father left her. She sipped from a gold goblet and hummed appreciatively as the warm sweet red liquid filler her mouth. She held it for a moment allowing it to soak her tongue. Warmth caressed her throat as she swallowed. She turned her ice blue gaze on the young woman who sat in a smaller throne beside her. The same throne she occupied when her father ruled Reaven.

The young girl was her daughter, Brianne Blackreaver. Brianne's father was Marcus Starmane the King of Adoren. Only Demona knew this. She attempted to inform Marcus when she discovered she was pregnant but he insisted the baby was not his. For the past twelve years he ignored Brianne's existence, until he realized, and now an emissary from Adoren knelt before them.

"Rise," Demona instructed. The man rose and attempted to meet her frigid gaze. The corners of her mouth turned up as his eyes lowered to her ample bosom. The bodice of her gown lifted the ample orbs so they protruded from the top. If they moved up a bit further her nipples would be revealed. Demona caught the man imagining cupping her breasts and suckling the soft pink buds to hardened buds. Fool man, she thought. My eyes unnerve you but my breasts entice you. All in good time my pet. "To what do we owe the honor of a visit from an emissary of Reaven?"

"The honor is mine, My Lady," the emissary answered. He offered the package in his trembling hands. "King Marcus of Adoren sends his best wishes to Lady Brianne and a gift to honor the day of her womanhood."

"I see," Demona stood and straightened to her full height. From the dais where her throne stood she towered over the trembling man. "So, King Marcus, whom I have not heard from in the past twelve years, wishes to acknowledge my daughter on the day of her womanhood?"

"Yes, my lady," the emissary answered. His eyes roved down the curves of Demona's body. They lingered on her silky legs revealed by splits in sides of her gown.

"Mother," Brianne spoke up. She cringed when Demona turned her ice blue eyes to her. "May I please see the gift?"

Demona thought for a moment. She did not want to deny her daughter a gift. At the same time she desired to deny Marcus any rights to the child he vehemently denied as his. She was very much aware of why Marcus would suddenly take an interest in the girl. Now, she was a woman of age. She could be betrothed to the Prince of Trellion. Demona determined in her mind that this was his reason for reaching out. She decided to play the game for a bit.

"Very well." She motioned to the emissary to come forward. "Present your gift."

The emissary ascended the stairs of the dais and offered the package to Brianne. She took it and tore into the shiny wrapping. Brianne lifted the lid of the wooden box and held up a silver chain with a heart shaped pendant dangling from it. The center of the pendent was a sapphire.

"It is beautiful," Brianne whispered. She looked up at Demona with hope in her soft blue eyes. "May I keep it?"

"Yes my darling." Demona smiled.

"Thank you, Mother." Brianne fastened the chain around her neck beneath the flaxen ringlets cascading down her back.

The emissary seemed to relax. "His Grace also invites you to visit him in Adoren."

"Adoren," Brianne gasped. "That would be wonderful!"

"I am afraid it is not possible." Demona interrupted. "Elves are not welcome in Adoren."

"The King would make an exception!" The emissary blurted.

"Oh?" Demona's icy eyes turned to him. "Why would the King make an exception to his own law for a stranger he barely knows?"

"Because he ---," the emissary trailed off. Demona could sense he knew the answer to her question. He would not leave her palace with that knowledge.

Word Count: 675