Page 81 of Fated to the Demon Lord

I grinned. “Thanks, Gerand. But helping him means I must go away.”

He paused as he considered this, but finally nodded, glancing up at me. “You’ll be back?”

“I’ll be back. When I am sure I’ve done everything I’ve needed to help him, I’ll be back.

He threw his arms around me. “Be safe, Denara.”

I returned the hug. “I will squirt. I love you.”

Gerand resumed playing with Marbas, and I headed for the cabin where Bargoth waited with a horse, my pack with my books and Vaelor’s sword tied to it. As I walked up, Mother hurried out of the home with an old cloak and two vials of clear liquid.

“I put some money in your bag. Also, I found a couple of vials of this potion I brewed. It’s a bit finicky, but it works. It’ll adjust your scent to whatever you want it to be.”

I looked at her in surprise. “Really?”

“Yes. It works as a mask on your own scent, but if you draw too much blood, it’ll fail. Small amounts of blood, like a prick of the finger, should be fine though.” She held up a finger. “But you need to know that it only lasts for one day. Oh, and don’t give it to a demon. It’s only meant for humans.”

“What happens if a demon takes it?”

Mother grimaced. “When we tested it on demons, there were… adverse reactions. The demons seemed to have seizures.”

I’d definitely avoid sharing the potion with Vaelor. I took the supplies from her. Then I threw on the cloak and tucked the potions into the pack with my books and resupplied food. Once everything was in place, I mounted the horse and waved goodbye to Mother and Bargoth.

Now, one last stop. Erlinen.

I found her at her spot in the marketplace, selling her goods.

I got off my mount and approached the stand. “Did Vaelor come and talk to you before he left?”

Erlinen leaned over her display, adjusting the pastries. “So what if he did?”

“I need to know where he went. He needs me.”

“Are you certain of that?” she asked. “It sounded as if he was only worried you’d get in his way.” She paused, glancing up, indecision in her dark eyes. But then she shook her head.

“Erlinen, please.”

Her beak clacked, but a sorrowful thoughtfulness filled her gaze. “His lordship looked…lost when he left.” She met my gaze. “Do you really think you can help him?”

“I’m going to try my hardest.”

“You are a hedge witch. You might be the only one who can.”

“What do you mean?”

She inhaled a long breath. “It’s quite the story.”

“Tell me.”

She nodded, her eyes solemn. “Vaelor grew up in a bright world. The eldest son of his father, he lived on an estate, growing up with the people and servants adoring him. The first time sadness truly struck him was when his father died, though the loss had long been expected after years of battling a dark sickness. After his father passed away, Vaelor dutifully took over the title and position at court, and everything was right again. Perfect even. Vaelor’s mother was cared for at the manor. I was her servant. She got along well with Serany, his wife, so there was no contention there. There was even talk of a child on the way. And oh, Vaelor loved her.”

Serany. His wife. I mouthed her name as a slight ache built in my chest.

“Vaelor’s brother, Lanzin, served in the military, doing the duty of a second son. But their sister—Pixa, she was more of a free spirit. Despite being promised to another noble from Kingdom Aeria, she fell in love with a vampire named Torath.”

Vaelor had mentioned that, though he hadn’t elaborated. He’d failed to mention the circumstances under which his sister’s heart was captured by a vampire. My own heart twisted with apprehension.

“Vaelor at first entertained the idea for the love of his sister. When he realized that her Aeria intended, Creedan, refused to let the bargain go, Vaelor turned against her. He tried to get Pixa to see reason, but she was adamant. He understood dire consequences would befall if he didn’t complete the marriage contract with Creedan, so he locked his sister away. And yet, her vampire love, Torath, broke her out, and the two were Bloodbound in secret.”