The Power of Conviction (The Light of Darkness Book 1) by Catrin Russell

Author:Catrin Russell [Russell, Catrin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fallbrandt Press
Published: 2021-01-26T16:00:00+00:00

12

The Harvest Festival

Once every few years, Lilith would gather all the leaders within the tribe. This function would sometimes be combined with a great feast, where the families of the most prominent houses would be allowed to socialise, which included both herself and her son, Samael.

The conference held had been lengthy due to the ongoing discussions on the development of the Priesthood. Several members of the Wasp tribe had been encroaching on the Matriarch’s land while trying to escape nearby human settlements.

Lilith had not experienced the issue first-hand, but it was something that needed to be dealt with, as the tribe was already low on acreage.

As the day slipped into night, the banquet commenced. Luckily, the weather held up, so the Matriarch’s entrance hall was not too crowded. Samael was sitting on a chair next to her daybed, a foot pulled back underneath the seat. As he scanned the room, the demon noticed the abundance of women this year, and he had a feeling he knew why. Having dressed for the occasion, his dark clothing was much more elaborate, shirt and trousers matching. His hair was worn down, and the cloak left hanging on the wall beside the fireplace.

“You look lovely tonight, son,” his mother told him, but there was no answer. Crossing her legs, she leaned towards him. “I have invited a few women to be introduced to you.”

Angling away, his eyes narrowed as he looked at her, but his silence persisted.

“You will be introduced, after which we will speak in one of the back rooms.” She waved at Arax, who started gathering the girls from the crowd.

Samael slowly sunk into his seat as the first was brought forward. His legs wide, he stared blankly at the young woman. She was short but pretty, her face round and sweet. Her black hair was long, and she looked to be about twenty years of age.

“P-pleased…” she started, but her voice failed her. “Pleased t-to meet… you, your Highness.” She curtsied; her knuckles white as she clutched at her skirt. She had not once looked him in the eye.

“And you,” he answered, his mere voice making her noticeably tremble.

Arax presented the second girl. She was the one called Elena Grey, a young girl of fifteen. She was taller, but very slim and with childlike features.

“Your Highness,” she said, also curtsying before she righted herself in front of the heir. Despite being calmer than the first, she, too, was unable to hold his gaze.

And so, it continued, twelve girls presented, all eligible for marriage. Most were the eldest daughters of their family. As it finished, the demon rose without so much as a word. He gathered his cloak from the wall, readying himself to leave.

The legs of Lilith’s daybed dragged along the floor as she came to her feet, grabbing his arm as he was about to walk past. “You come with me this second, Samael,” she demanded.

His mouth opened as he released a breath, but he followed. The two of them scurried off into a back room, the door firmly shut behind them.

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