Elli was well aware of what destruction the big zorel could wreak if he wanted to, and she was glad that Demon had adopted her as his person and was willing to obey her. However, it made her sad to think of leaving him behind and going back to the Mother Ship.
He’ll miss me, she thought and brushed away a tear that rolled down her cheek. And I’ll miss him, too!
He’s not the only one you’ll miss, whispered a little voice inside her head. It’s too bad you let Roke into your heart, you know. You should have tried harder to stop yourself from loving him—then parting wouldn’t hurt so much.
But it was too late for regrets now. All she could do was get through the parade and then receive her piece of the Healing Lattice so she could go back to the Mother Ship and try again to live the life of a chaste priestess.
I’ll drink from the cup of Mortem Amore the minute I get back, she promised herself for the hundredth time. Surely it will ease my pain.
She had heard that the elixir within killed not only the desires of the flesh, but also the regrets of the heart. And that was what she wanted right now—she wanted to feel numb to the pain that was tormenting her—the pain of losing the big warrior who had come to mean so much to her in such a short amount of time.
At last the parade was over and she was able to lead Demon back to the palace stables. The last mile or so the big zorel had been growing restless—he really disliked the Crown Prince and having a person who he detested riding on his back for so long was a trial to him.
But it wasn’t like the Prince could get off early—he needed the mounting block to get off and on any zorel, let alone one as big as Demon. So Elli coaxed the big animal along, promising him sweet biscuits and plenty of krispers as long as he behaved himself.
“It’s all right, Demon,” she murmured, stroking the big zorel’s long muzzle as she led him at last to stand restively beside the mounting block. “You’re a good boy—just hold still so His Majesty can get down.”
Demon snorted smoke and pawed at the ground with one foreclaw but held still enough for the Crown Prince to clamber stiffly down from the ornate, jeweled saddle which had clearly been crafted more for style than practicality.
“Well!” he said, straightening his golden riding cloak, which glimmered richly in Pok’s weak sunlight. “That was quite a success if I do say so myself!”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Elli said dutifully, trying to smile. “You and Demon looked magnificent and all the people were amazed by your bravery and gallantry.”
She had a hard time making her face match her flattering words, but the Crown Prince didn’t seem to notice.
“Yes, I was rather splendid, wasn’t I?” he exclaimed, puffing out his chest. “And of course, no one but me could have ridden this big brute!”
He slapped Demon on the side, which caused the big zorel to shy. He swung his head towards the Crown Prince and hissed menacingly, blowing a large cloud of black smoke in His Highness’s face.
“I say!” The Crown Prince jumped back quickly, coughing and choking from the smoke. He looked around to see if anyone had noticed his moment of cowardice but all the grooms and stable hands were wisely keeping their eyes down and had become suddenly very busy with their various tasks.
Elli acted quickly to defuse the situation.
“You were amazing, Your Majesty, but I think I’d better put Demon in his stall now. It’s been a hard day for him, with all those flapping flags and banners and the crowds who came to see you, cheering in his ears. He needs a little time to himself to recuperate.”
“Yes, just as well, I suppose.” The Crown Prince nodded stiffly. “Well, then, I dare say I’ll see you when you get him safely locked away.”
Elli felt hope swell in her heart.
“So you’re going to wait for me, so that you can give me a piece of the Healing Lattice?” she asked. “As we agreed, Your Highness?” she added, reminding him of his promise.
“Yes, I did agree that a good showing in the Grand Parade would earn you a chance to earn a piece of the Lattice, didn’t I?” He looked at her musingly, his bulging eyes raking over the tight-fitting red dress in a way that made Elli feel as naked as she did when she was wearing the see-through Tenebrian dresses all the Court ladies favored.
“Yes, you did,” she said, standing her ground and resisting the urge to cover her breasts with her arms.
“Very well then—I shall wait for you here.”