The First Book of Demons

Kaveh watched Nila, one of Arastoo’s daughters, with a predatory gleam in his eyes. She was perusing the wares of one of the many stalls in the marketplace just outside of the palace walls. When Jahan had first laid out his little plan, Kaveh was skeptical. He still wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to try and go against Balthazar, but so far the only task that he needed to complete seemed like a rather fun one, so he figured he’d go along. He could always back out before he got himself into too much trouble.

  “Lady Nila,” Kaveh said, coming up behind the silver haired demoness as she ran a hand over the brocaded silk fabric an anxious seller had laid out for her. “What a pleasure to run into such a beautiful Lady.”

  “Prince Kaveh,” Nila said, blushing slightly as she turned and bowed to him. He could see she wanted to say more, but she didn’t. Her eyes fixed on the ground in front of her as she nibbled on her bottom lip. She was shy, Kaveh thought. How cute.

  “Do you like this fabric?” Kaveh asked, gesturing to the dark blue bolt of fabric she had been examining before he interrupted her.

  “It’s lovely,” Nila said, with a nervous smile as she looked at the bolt with longing. For a prince of the kingdom to take such notice of Nila was a thrilling sensation for her. She was a beautiful demoness, she knew that, but she was used to her older sister, Azira, getting all the attention. She had seen Kaveh around the palace when she was allowed to go there for festivals and she had always thought he was so handsome, but she never dared hope that he would ever take an interest in her.

  “The Lady will take the entire bolt,” Kaveh said to the shopkeeper. “You may demand your payment from the palace treasury.”

  “Prince Kaveh,” Nila said, a hand rising to her mouth as she gasped in surprise. “You’re too generous.”

  “Nonsense,” Kaveh said, waving his hand in the air. “A beautiful Lady such as yourself should be adorned in the finest our kingdom has to offer.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, her eyes downcast as she bent her knees in an overly appreciative bow.

  “However,” Kaveh said, as he let a slow smile spread across his lips, “there are strings attached.”

  Nila felt her heart drop. She felt silly for believing that a prince would take such an interest in her. He was far too handsome to be interested in her in that way. He could have any female in the kingdom.

  “You must wear your new garment when you join me for diner,” Kaveh said, enjoying the play of emotions that washed through Nila’s aura. He had always seen her around, and though she was quite attractive he had never taken much interest in her. Now, he found the slight blush on her cheeks and the anxiety in her aura absolutely adorable.

  “Dinner?” Nila asked, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at him.

  “Yes,” Kaveh said, as he picked her hand up with his, “That is, if you would accept.”

  “It would be a pleasure,” Nila said, her blush deepening.

  “Good,” Kaveh said, lifting her hand to his lips. He kissed her hand, and noted with pleasure the shiver that ran down her arm when he did so. Perhaps the fat demon, Jahan, had been right, Kaveh mused to himself. If their plan worked, he would soon be Lord Sultan.

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