Chapter Thirty-seven

Chapter thirty-seven: rat snitch bas

“That was pointless, Levistus.”

Bas watched, shocked, as Asmodeus’s Queen wilted in the arms of Lord Levistus, a long practiced embrace judging by how comfortable the other man was holding her. He flattened himself against the wall, listening to their exchange, keeping them just visible enough he could watch.

“Not entirely. Lucifer gave you his book and it’s probably the most complete listing of your direct siblings in existence.”

“He’s the only one powerful enough to take up the crown…”

Bas was momentarily dumbfounded. The queen whom he’d thought well-cowed was planning to usurp Asmodeus’s throne? 

He watched, still shocked, as Levistus took her mouth, devouring her like a lover too long without touch.

Just how long had this been going on? Does Asmodeus suspect his wife is unfaithful? And would he even care? Bas knew Asmodeus didn’t value the sanctity of flesh in the marriage covenant, knew well the countless lovers Asmodeus went through to satisfy his needs… but he would care about the treachery. Benzosia had fooled them both, she’d found Lucifer and planned to take Asmodeus’s crown.

His thoughts went through a multitude of scenarios and angles as he briskly walked to Asmodeus’s chambers, pondering how he could play this to his advantage, how it would end up. Asmodeus could banish her – Benzosia’s usefulness had been secured, there was nothing left she could offer as Queen, Asmodeus would be free to pursue other agendas. He’d have him all to himself in the meantime…

He didn’t knock before entering Asmodeus’s bathing chamber, the slip in protocol not nearly as pressing as the news that was burning in his chest. Asmodeus lay back in his tub, a succubus’ fingers buried in his glossy hair as another ran a cloth down his chest. Bas took a moment to appreciate the beauty and restrained power that made up his king, the refined sharpness of his features not dulled with his relaxation, his well-honed muscles taut with expectation.

“You’re intruding, Basileus.” Asmodeus grumbled, cracking open his eyes enough to glare in Bas’s direction.

He didn’t enjoy being on the receiving end of his king’s temper, yet this was too pressing to wait.

“My king.” he bowed deferentially, hoping to assuage some of Asmodeus’s annoyance. “I have news. Of a private matter.” he stood, pointedly eyeing the two succubi who were poorly hiding their curiosity.

“Leave us.” Asmodeus sat up, correctly interpreting Bas’s urgency. Or feeling it, as they could do now with their herald bond.

Asmodeus stepped out of the tub as the succubi scrambled out of the room, wrapping a towel around his waist and grabbing Bas’s arm to pull him out into the bedchamber. With a mere flick of his hand, the king had the flames in the hearth roaring and doors locked.

Benzosia, you have erred for ill to cross a being this powerful.

“Well? Speak Basileus, I cannot read your thoughts. Yet.” Asmodeus ran a hand down his chest, flicking water off towards the hearth.

“Benzosia,” Asmodeus’s head snapped towards him at the name, attention fully captured. “She came through a portal with Lord Levistus.” 

Asmodeus hissed, narrowing his eyes. “I didn’t see the signs–”

Bas held up his hand. “My king, they spoke of Lucifer. And your crown.”

Asmodeus’s expression darkened further with each word.

“About him being powerful enough to take your crown. She had a book–”

“That lying, treacherous cunt!” Asmodeus roared, causing even Bas to flinch back from his rage. “How long has she been planning this!”

He threw off his towel and dragged on a pair of pants, pausing after lacing them, then began to pace. From one end of the sizable hearth to the other, hands dug in his hair, head facing up as though pleading to the heavens for an answer that would never come to him.

“She’ll have to be executed for this. An example must be made.” Asmodeus mumbled to himself, the words shocking Bas.

Would he actually kill his Queen? The idea excited Bas, yet he knew Asmodeus well enough that he’d come to regret it. 

Not if I find him another distraction…

Yes, they could get Benzosia out of the way, much of his time and that of his spies would be freed up – his king could be turned towards more fruitful endeavors, reminded of the realms he hadn’t gotten ‘round to subjugating.

“You’ll see to it, Basileus. I’ll need that book.”

“I… pardon, my king?” he’d missed his orders.

“Kill her, Basileus. It can’t be made a public scene, as much as I’d like to make an example of her treason, I’d rather not let the arch-deacons know that Lucifer is accessible.”

Asmodeus looked frazzled. Manic. More crazed than Bas had ever seen him before. He was cold and calculating, not fraught with emotions. Unsettled, Bas nonetheless bowed in acceptance of his orders and left Asmodeus to his pacing.

The dagger secured on his hip was far better used for stealth, yet it would be enough to put an end to the duplicitous once-celestial being that tied down his king. His steps were light with the anticipation of finally eradicating the nuisance that was his Queen. No longer would Asmodeus hold himself back from his ambitions to defer to her celestial sensibilities, no longer would she take the spot in the king’s bed that should belong to Basileus. He and Asmodeus shared a bond that went beyond vows of marriage, their loyalty needed no spoken binding or vow. Benzosia chose her side, her brother against her king. She broke her vows first.

“This is new.” Benzosia stood in the center of her chamber, chin notched, eyes taking in the dagger Basileus palmed. “Lost your subtlety, Bas? How brave of you.” 

Her words were taunting, her back straight, her hand reaching for a table full of books.

Too late Bas remembered she was once a warrior. Asmodeus had told him stories… a book flew past his head as he narrowly dodged its trajectory, a second one lodging in his gut, briefly winding him. His steps faltered but didn’t stop. She grabbed a silver carafe and swung it at his head, he ducked, it grazed the top of his head, making his scalp burn, hot liquid scaling the side of his face. Another step closer, another step back for her. With a screech, she picked up the heavy tray the carafe had been sitting on and swung, the side of it hitting his neck, making him stumble and cough. He spat out a mouthful of blood and tightened his grip on his dagger.

“Asmodeus ordered your execution.” he coughed again then steadied himself, the tray faltering in her trembling grip. “If not me, another will see it done.”

“What? He…” her arms lowered, her expression crumbling, Bas took the opportunity of her discomfiture to lunge.

The heavy tray hitting the stone floor echoed through the room, benzosia’s nails scraping down his face, the dagger finding her neck even as she fought like a wild cat in his hold. His skin tore, he would heal. He felt it when the dagger ground against the vertebrae in her neck, then twisted his hand to wrench them apart, slicing deeper...

“Wait!” Asmodeus burst into the room, his frantic steps pounding through Bas’s skull. “No… wait…” he shoved Bas off Benzosia, grabbing her chin and turning her to him, devastation plain on Asmodeus’s face.

“What have you done!” Levistus barged into the room next, roaring as he took in the scene, pushing Bas with such force he knocked over Benzosia’s tea table, falling with it.

He ripped Benzosia’s body from Asmodeus, standing with her cradled in his arms, tears flowing freely without shame.

“You.” Asmodeus growled. “This was your doing. Your fault.”

“How the fuck do you dare blame me when her cooling corpse is in your arms. You’re a monster. All she wanted was your love and you twisted it from the beginning. You never deserved her.” Levistus’s voice was no more than a rasp as he backed out of the room.

Galsya ran in next and Bas had a twinge of what could possibly be… guilt?

“Mommy?” Glasya looked on in horror as Levistus left the room with Benzosia’s bloody body. “Is she dead? Did he kill her?”

“Glaysa, dear one. Come.” Asmodeus opened his arms, still on his knees, watching Benzosia being carried away as Glasya fell into his embrace, sobbing.