Arzoth said, "I want Arisa, I want her to come with me."
Sarina sneered, "And you think I would allow that!?"
The prince shook his head, "No, but I have my reasons."
"What reasons? You know it wasn't the pact." Her gaze flickered to Evren behind Arzoth before she looked forward. "Whatever it might be, make sure you have some root to it."
The dragons halted above a castle made from black and gray stones, which stood tall and imposing. They came down, landing their claws on the ground. Sarina slid down from the dragon's back through its tail, followed by Arzoth and Evren. Though Arzoth fell on his face while doing so, he stood up immediately to save his previously fallen face, to which Evren couldn't help but roll his eyes.
The brothers followed the demon queen into her grand castle. The castle itself was filled with dark energy, the demons stood next to the wall in their still, alert form with sharp spears in their hands.
Sarina walked through the hallway, her cloak swirling near her ankles. She paused in front of a large wooden door and pushed it open before entering. There was complete darkness beyond the door, curtains drawn, and no hint of sunlight entering. Sarina disappeared in the dark. The next second, a warm light filled the room, and small orbs of fire floated close to the walls. The curtains to the windows remained closed as they were. As Sarina reached up to the end of the room, there rested a large throne made of black marble alone, dragons sculptured on it creatively. Sarina stopped before the throne and turned around before sitting on it with poise. She glared at Arzoth alone and said, "Why do you want to take Arisa? You can't keep her, that wasn't part of the pact."
Arzoth looked up at Sarina and said, "I know, but I will return her safely after she opens her eyes."
The demon queen narrowed her eyes, "I can't allow that, that moment when the heir of this throne opens its eyes is critical, she should be under the watchful eyes of the mages so that nothing goes wrong and she gains the most powerful ability of all."
"I understand, so I would like to put forth my desired change in the pact."
"And what might it be? What is it that you want to demand from the pact?"
Evren placed a firm hand on Arzoth's shoulder, a silent cautioning action, "Choose your words wisely." The crown prince whispered.
Arzoth just gave a curt nod to his brother and faced Sarina as he said, "I want equal rights on the upbringing of Arisa, as her second parent. And as such, I want to take her with me for the day."
Evren tightened his grip on Arzoth's shoulder as he whispered again, "What are you saying!?"
Arzoth whispered back, "Just trust me on this."
"If I want to save Arisa from everything that is to come, then I need to keep her close and in front of my eyes. For this, I have to play the parent role in her life, be a good parent. I can try at least, so that Arzoth's fate doesn't repeat itself."
For a long moment, Sarina didn't say anything but tapped the armrest with her fingertips. She thought deeply, her brows frowned in concentration as she gave Arzoth's condition of the pact some consideration, "Your condition is valid, I see no problem in accepting. You can take her with you, but I want a mage to accompany you."
Arzoth nodded, "That's fine with me."
"I am curious, why do you want to take her with you now?"
Arzoth said, "I want her to open her eyes somewhere else."
The demoness frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I can explain it later."
Sarina thought to question more, but she held her tongue and nodded instead.
****
Time ticked by, and Arzoth found himself on the bare ground in front of the demon castle. He stood nervously next to the same ice dragon on whom he had ridden before. Evren was right behind Arzoth as they both waited for Sarina to bring the child with her.
"Gosh! Why am I so nervous, like I am about to give a test? When I see her, should I smile? Or just take her and go? She hasn't opened her eyes yet, so she won't know. I never held a baby before."
Arzoth clenched and unclenched his fists in a rhythmic motion, his forehead was sweaty despite the cool air radiating off the ice dragon next to him.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sarina came out of the grand front door of the castle with a fragile child curled in her arms protectively. Arzoth just stared at the infant with a mix of nervous and thrilled energy as Sarina approached. She halted before Arzoth and glanced at a figure behind her, "This is Tashi, the mage who will accompany you."
Arzoth was so busy with his focus on the child and analyzing how Sarina held it, that he didn't notice the figure behind the demon queen until she mentioned. Arzoth looked up and saw the mage, her head shone under the sunlight, a star sign drawn right in the middle of her forehead, she wore a long black cloak, such matched with Sarina's. Arzoth gave a nod of acknowledgement and asked, "Thank you for accompanying us."
Tashi gave a curt nod, and Arzoth turned his attention back to his child. Sarina carefully handed over the child to Arzoth. The prince steadied his tense hands and took Arisa in his arms just like Sarina had. The child had a singular, tiny horn on the right side of her head.
"She is so fragile. Is this supposed to be like this?"
"Take the dragon with you, it will help," Sarina said.
Arzoth smiled. "Thank you, I appreciate it."
Arzoth looked at the infant again, he held his daughter securely in his arms.
"It's time to reach there, before she opens her eyes."