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Damon leans down and kisses Lyr. When the kiss breaks, Lyr says, “You’re right. But finish the story. Tell me what happened to King Damon.”
“When Damon was fifteen his mother Perpetu died and he returned to Azuria. It was a great gala to celebrate the opening of the Rose Palace. He was reunited with his father. Some say he knelt and begged his father’s forgiveness and said he didn’t know his mother had betrayed him so. He was ordered to do penance in the newly-built Sarelik Temple, but when his father came to pray with him, Damon killed Sarelik in the name of his mother and declared himself King of Azuria, Fanost and Pluma-Ferris. For a few years Azuria returned to the worship of the Sidu, but one night Zai came to Damon in a terrible vision and said he would forgive him all his sins if he took the true path and re-dedicated Azuria to Zai.
“So Zai was almost gone?
“Almost, but Damon did as he was bid by Zai. He declared all worship of the Artemian Sidu as anything other than prophets, a crime that would be punished by burning alive. It is said that King Damon burned over a hundred heretics, often lighting the pyres himself. He established the office of the Zai Enforcers. It was a bloody time. He even killed his lover. A Vashtian maid called Iril. That’s where the Darek curse comes from. It is said that Iril has cursed the line of King Damon for a thousand years. He married instead a woman called Jardine who was faithful to Zai.”
“And you are descended from that line. King Damon and Queen Jardine?”
“Yes.”
“So you are from King Damon’s line and you are cursed.”
“If the curse is real, I am indeed cursed.”
“Did Damon have many children with Jardine?”
“Eight, I think. He was a great king. Virile and a warrior. He invaded and conquered Vashti and the Vashtian Islands. This is one of the Vashtian islands. Sanvicta. There are three others. This is the smallest.”
“You know so much.”
“I told you. I had a prince’s education.” Damon smiles and recites. “The Vashtian islands. Sanvicta and the Sterum Triad, Sterum Nor, Sterum Cel and Sterum Sud.”
Lyr leans up and kisses Damon’s nose.
Damon laughs, “When King Damon grew older, he became unwell, some say mad, some say, of course, cursed. He became obsessed with the waters of the Gleam in Attar and then Miracle Lake in Vashti. He built the temple palace of Felgrace on the banks of Miracle and lived there most of the time. Bathing in the waters daily. Miracle Lake is brackish, salt. King Damon died in Felgrace after consuming nothing but lake water for 21 days. His eldest son became king…” Damon pauses. “I forget that name. My history tutor would rap my knuckles for that.”
“Were his children cursed?”
“I don’t think so. It is said they were all very beautiful. The Darek line often has silver in their hair or in their eyes. I have some, see.”
Lyr leans forward and looks into Damon’s eyes. “Yes. I have noticed them before. Your eyes have silver speckles in the green.”
Damon nods. “And Jardine was meant to be the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Lyr is gazing at Damon. “Is that why you are so beautiful?”
Damon laughs. “In your eyes.”
“Not just mine, I am sure. Damon, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“As a husband loves his wife?”
“Indeed.”
Lyr cocks his head on one side. “When did you fall in love with me?”
“When?” Damon strokes his hands over Lyr’s body again. He feels like he will never tire of touching him. “When you begged for me on the Azuria Ascendant.”
“When I was drugged?”
“Yes. When Atticul gave you the foribunda. You were so beautiful like that. I will never know how I resisted.” Damon’s voice drops. He feels strange admitting his fascination with the effects of foribunda. “I’ve always liked that drug. I have a strange taste for it.”
“What do you like about it?” Lyr says, sounding breathy.
“I like the desperation. I like the power of being able to control whether you get what you want or not.”
