Demon Lord III - Grey God Read online

  "An oversight."

  "An omission, because you knew it was wrong."

  "I would not have brought him here if I had not been certain I could trust him."

  "Perhaps your instincts are good, but you lack the power and knowledge to know that he is tar'merin, therefore you took a risk. We do not fraternise with dark gods, Lyria, no matter how pleasant they may seem. They are liars and tricksters." She drew in a sharp breath to protest, and he held up a hand. "No, not your Demon Lord; he is different, though he is not above lying, if it serves him. You were indeed fortunate in your choice."

  "He could have come here through the World Gate, had he been truly evil."

  Kayos frowned. "The world gates are far too weak. When I created the first there were no dark gods, and no possibility that a good person could be corrupted and their soul used as a key. Now it happens all too often, and the world gates swing open in dozens of domains, allowing dark gods to invade the light realms and enslave our kind, or force them to flee into the God Realm." He ran a hand over his short hair. "But Bane is welcome here. Ask him to join us; I would like to test his power."

  "And ask him if he will help?"

  He smiled. "Yes. He must be dragged from his tranquillity, and perhaps his affection for you will aid us to that end."

  "The dark power does affect him when he uses it. He will be unwilling to take it up again."

  "Of course it does. No one can carry the evil without its influence. That is why he must be asked when he has it."

  She nodded, folded her hands, and vanished.

  Bane looked up as the Lady appeared before him, gilded by the golden light of the sunset he had been watching with Mirra at his side. Mirra started to scramble to her knees, but Lyriasharin stopped her with a calming gesture and sank down on the grass, casting them a smile.

  "Greetings, My Lord, My Lady." Mirra looked startled, and Lyriasharin's smile widened. "Do not look so surprised, Mirra. That is your title now. As the bride of a mortal god, you now have equal status."

  "But I am in no way his equal, My Lady."

  "In his eyes, and the eyes of his peers, you are. You may not be a goddess, but through your husband, you now have the power of a dark god. Did he not explain that to you?"

  "No." Mirra glanced at Bane. "Did you know that?"

  Lyriasharin tilted her head, studying Bane, who looked uncomfortable. "It was in my wedding vows," he said.

  The goddess nodded. "Indeed. When he gave you all that is his, it included his title and powers. Although we do not require the gestures of respect humans accord us, we appreciate them. But you are now expected to make no obeisance to any god. You may incline your head, like so..." Lyriasharin tilted her head slightly to the side and down. "...But no more than that is expected."

  Mirra looked puzzled, eyeing Bane. "I can understand his title, but his power? How can I ever own that?"

  Lyriasharin gave a soft, husky laugh. "Because he gave it to you. And I am certain he offered it to you even before you were wed, am I correct? Did he not offer to grant anything you wished, that was within his power?"

  "Yes."

  "It does not mean you can command him, although I suspect you may be able to in many things, because he wishes to please you. So I would imagine that in most things, he will obey you. Therefore, his power is yours to command, is it not?"

  Bane sighed and leant back on his hands, smiled and shook his head. "The plotting of scheming women."

  Mirra turned to him. "So if I told you to destroy that rock over there, you would?"

  He snorted. "No."

  "If I asked you to?"

  "I would want to know why."

  "And if I had a good reason?"

  He chuckled. "Even if you merely pouted and stamped your foot."

  Lyriasharin leant closer to Mirra. "It is a sign of a truly powerful man, when he allows his beloved to command him. Weak men, who long for petty power, gain it by dominating those weaker than they. But Bane will do all he can to empower you. It is one of the ways in which he will show his love for you. It is also one of the marks of a god, and inborn in him. Unlike people, we are truly monogamous. Bane is incapable of ever loving another."

  Mirra gazed at him, her eyes filled with wonder. "Truly?"

  He flopped down on his back with a sigh. "It was in my vows too."

  "'For all eternity'... I remember."

  Lyriasharin smiled. "Those were not just pretty words, my dear."

  "But I will not live for all eternity..."

  "Neither will Bane. You will reincarnate, he will become a spirit god. Whilst you are mortal, there will be a gulf between you, but while you dwell in Eternity you will be together."

  Bane growled, "Did you come merely to educate my wife, Lyriasharin, or is there another reason for your visit?"

  She looked away. "My father wishes to speak to you, My Lord."

  "About what?"

  "He wishes to ask for your aid, but must do it whilst you have your power."

  His brow wrinkled. "Because then I am more likely to say no?"

  "Because otherwise the darkness might change your mind."

  "If this aid requires that I use the shadows, my answer is no."

  She sighed. "Regrettably, it does."

  "I will not take up the dark power again."

  "You have nothing to fear from it. You are incorruptible. That is what tar'merin means."

  Bane sat up. "I do not fear it, I hate it. It changes me."

  "You cannot refuse Lord Kayos, Bane." Mirra looked dismayed.

  "You want me to take up the power again?"

  "No, of course not."

  "But I will have to."

  "Yes." She met his eyes. "But you must help Lyriasharin."

  "She is not the one who seeks my aid."

  "I am," Lyriasharin said. "My father wishes to ask you, but the aid is more for my sake."

  "I see." Bane eyed her, frowning. "I still do not have to help you, or your father."

  "No, My Lord. We ask only that you consider our request."

  "At least find out what it is before you decide," Mirra murmured.

  "To do that, I must take up the power."

  She nodded, looking away.

  Lyriasharin glanced at the setting sun and rose. "I ask only that you come to Eternity to talk to my father, My Lord. I would consider it a courtesy."

  Bane inclined his head, and she vanished, leaving behind fading sparkles of silver light and a green shimmer in the ground. Mirra turned to him.

  "I cannot believe you will not even find out what they want."

  He snorted. "I cannot believe you want me to take up the darkness again."

  "I do not. But if that is the only way to find out, then you must."

  "And once I have found out what they want, then what? You think my help will not entail using the dark power? If it did not, they would do it themselves, whatever it is."

  Mirra nodded, pleating her skirt. "I am sure it does, but the Lady said it will not do you any harm, and you owe her."

  His brows shot up. "I do? For what?"

  "For sending the white fire to heal you when you were mortally wounded."

  "She needed me to save her domain, and for that, she owes me."

  "She still saved you."

  "I would say we are even."

  She gazed at him sadly. "You are not going to help them, are you?"

  "No... I do not know." He scowled. "I do not want anything to spoil our happiness."

  "It may be something that will only take you a moment to accomplish."

  "I doubt that. There is only one thing they cannot do for themselves, and that is go up against a dark god."

  "But the Black Lord is trapped below." Her eyes widened. "Do you think he has snatched someone important to torture and kill?"

  He lay back again and stared at the dark sky, where stars were starting to appear as pin pricks of light. "They would have to be very important for Lyriasharin to beg my aid. Somehow I do n
ot think she enjoyed that."

  "Would saving someone from the Black Lord be hard?"

  He shrugged. "That depends. If it is a trap, then it could be unpleasant, maybe even fatal. He would like to kill me."

  "I do not think it could be that. Lyriasharin, and especially Lord Kayos, would not be duped into allowing you to fall into a trap. I think you should find out what it is, Bane." She hesitated. "I want you to."

  He closed his eyes, his brow furrowing. "Very well."

  "I am sorry."

  "It is all right."

  She lay down beside him, snuggling close to his warmth as the air grew chilly in the sun's absence. "We should have dinner first."

  "No, it will be better if I do not eat."

  "Oh, of course."

  Mirra propped herself up on one elbow and gazed down at him. "Would you really do anything I asked of you?"

  He smiled, closing his eyes. "If you had been paying attention when I made my vows, you would not have to ask me now."

  "I was a little distracted."

  "Flabbergasted."

  "Yes. It is all so overwhelming, though. To meet the Lady as her equal..." Mirra shook her head.

  "Actually, you are her superior."

  "You jest."

  "No, I do not. I am her superior, therefore you are too."

  "How can you be her superior? She is the ruler of this domain, worshipped by all, and a light goddess."

  Bane opened his eyes to gaze up at her. "And I could destroy her, if I wished."

  "Is that how the hierarchy of gods is measured? By their power?"

  "Yes."

  "And Lord Kayos?"

  He shrugged, studying the moon. "I would imagine he would be far more difficult to destroy, so I will allow that he is my equal."

  "That sounds arrogant. He is an Elder God."

  "And I am just an upstart mortal. No, it is not arrogance; it is a statement of fact. Ask him, if you wish."

  "Perhaps you could destroy him, but if that is the measure of status, then all dark gods outrank the light."

  Bane shook his head. "No. But if it pleases you, I will consider him superior."

  "In age and wisdom, he is."

  "Certainly. It makes you uncomfortable that I am his equal?"

  "Yes. I worship them both, but I do not worship you."

  He chuckled. "As Lyriasharin said, you are my equal."

  "I am not."

  "You are whatever I deem you to be, so if I declare that you are my equal, then you are. Consider it a gift."

  "You go too far."

  "You misunderstand. It is a heavy burden to be what I am. Therefore, I share it with you. You are my conscience. Should I stray from the light path, you will be my guide, so I must heed you. I began to do it long ago, without even realising, when you ordered me to let those bandits go. Do you remember?"

  She nodded, biting her lip.

  Bane gazed up at her. "I know you will always do the right thing, therefore my power is safe in your hands."

  "I am not certain if that is a gift, or a curse."

  "It is a gift. If there comes a time when the burden is too heavy for you, I will carry it alone."

  Mirra sighed and lay down beside him again. After a few minutes, Bane stood up and pulled her to her feet. In cosy confines of the cabin, he lighted all the candles with a muttered word, then went into the bedroom, pulling off his dark brown jacket and cream shirt. Mundane clothes could not withstand the dark fire, and he had to don his Underworld clothes before he wielded it or be left naked afterwards.

  Mirra watched from the doorway as Bane opened the chest at the foot of the bed, taking out the silken black clothes that had been stored there for two years. He stared at them, then sat down on the bed as a wave of memories washed over him. Sixteen years of suffering in the Underworld, tormented by demons and droges, much of which he could not recall, thankfully. That which he did now rushed back, however. They had twisted him with their cruelty and scorn, goading him until he had known only hatred and rage. The dark power's malevolent whispers had warped him, filling him with a lust for death and destruction, an all-consuming hatred that had almost made him destroy the Overworld.

  Mirra had suffered at his hands, and he recalled her soft eyes, so full of sorrow and pain, pleading for him to stop, but the dark power would not let him. It had held him in a merciless grip, and almost killed him. Some of the memories were so vivid that it seemed like it had only happened yesterday, and he gripped the silken material of the hated clothes he had worn, almost able to see the blood stains on them. Mirra came and sat beside him, pried his fingers from the cloth and slipped her hand into his.

  "Must you wear those?"

  "Yes."

  "Could you make some different ones?"

  He shook his head. "Not without the power. Besides, there is no point. This is what I really am."

  "No, it is not. You are my wonderful, gentle husband. It is what is inside that counts, not the clothes you wear."

  "When I take up the power, it is a part of who I am."

  "No, it is your tool, nothing more."

  He sighed. "You will never understand. How could you?"

  "If it was truly a part of you, you would be less without it, and you are not. You do not need it. You only use it."

  "I wish that was true."

  Bane donned the ebon shirt with its flame-like gold patterns on the chest, and she helped to button it. The material seemed to absorb light, yet it felt like watered silk. Bane pulled on his boots, then fastened the gold-buckled belt and slid the dagger into its sheath. Finally he stood and clipped on the flowing, floor-length black cloak lined with crimson satin, flinging the edges over his shoulders.

  Mirra gazed up at him with a smile. "I always thought you looked handsome in these clothes."

  "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

  "Yes. I fell in love with you when you wore them, remember?"

  He nodded. "How could I forget? I thought you were either mad, or an idiot. I still do."

  She cocked her head. "An idiot?"

  "Mad."

  "Only madly in love."

  Bane bent and kissed her brow. "For which I am eternally grateful. You captured my heart the first moment I set eyes on you."

  "Which is why you tried to burn me to a crisp."

  "Actually, yes."

  She raised her brows. "You will have to explain that."

  He sighed, pondering. "It has taken me a long time to understand what happened then. Until the moment I saw you, the dark power ruled my emotions, and I had none except fury, contempt and hatred. You stirred something in me that I had not felt before, and the darkness turned it into rage."

  Mirra stood up and slid her arms around his waist, laying her cheek against his chest. Bane rarely spoke about his past, and then with great reluctance and only to her. The confusion and pain he had suffered did not bear relating, but she, at least, had shared a small part of his ordeal. When he spoke of the horrors he had suffered in the Underworld or revealed these rare insights about his feelings, it always brought her to tears. Bane was not inclined to speak of his emotions, many of which he still did not fully understand.

  Mirra sensed his impatience and released him, wiping her eyes. Bane studied her, brushing away a tear that escaped her hands, looking puzzled.

  "Are you upset?"

  "No." She sniffed and forced a smile. "I am happy."

  "This is the kind of happiness that makes you weep?"

  "Yes. As I always do when you say something sweet."

  His brows rose. "I did?"

  She smacked him playfully, and he hunched his shoulder. "You know you did, you great lummox."

  "If you say so." He hesitated. "Are you all right? I must go before father catches me in these clothes."

  She giggled. "He will probably put you over his knee."

  Bane nodded. "He might try."

  "I am all right. Go, do not keep the goddess waiting."

  He
cocked his head. "She knows I am coming, she is watching."

  "She watched you dress?"

  "No." He chuckled. "She respects my privacy."

  "How strange it is that the goddess respects the wishes of my husband, to whom I pay little mind."

  "You are allowed."

  She shot him a sharp glance. "I hope that is not because you are still trying to make up for -"

  "No."

  "Good." She acted coy. "Then why?"

  Bane smiled. "You know why."

  "I want you to say it."

  "Why?"

  "Because I want to hear it!"

  Bane cupped her face and leant closer to whisper, "Because I love you."

  Mirra hugged him, then released him and swung away. "Go, while I can still let you."

  "Do you want to come?"

  "To Eternity?" Her heart leapt, but then she shook her head. "I was not invited."

  "I am inviting you."

  "No, they want to speak to you alone."

  "If you want to come, I will take you."

  "No."

  Bane headed for the door, stopping when she started to follow him. "You are going to watch?"

  "Yes."

  Bane opened his mouth to argue, then realised it would be futile and strode out of the cabin. Silver moonlight bathed the land, and only the barking of a distant fox broke the stillness. Grem and Mithran had gone to the village a few days ago to indulge in its pleasures and give the newlyweds some privacy. A pang of concern went through him at the prospect of leaving Mirra alone, but she was quite capable of taking care of herself, and he would not be long. Bane walked to the edge of the trees, where shadows lay thick upon the ground in a dark blanket, and stopped, turning to Mirra, who stood a few yards away.

  "Do not come any closer," he warned.

  "I know."

  Bane unfastened the buttons and pulled open his shirt, revealing the seven rune scars on his chest, arranged in a deep 'V' across his pectorals. Time, and Mirra's frequent attempts to obliterate them, had faded the scars to faint pink lines. In spite of her efforts, they remained visible. He traced two of them, and the arcane symbols glowed with soft red light. They would aid his Gather and limit the amount of power he would draw in, for which he was grateful.