Narlissa Quickhands, half-elf and master thief, walked with Sesreh through the beautiful night-clad gardens that he had shaped within the dagger's realm. She was back in her flimsy nightgown, enjoying how it felt on her skin.
She was astounded by how this could be the same place that had been a nightmarish hellscape only a few hours before. Whilst she understood that a powerful demon could shape a realm to his or her will, it still blew her mind to see it in action.
Besides, she had not known Sesreh was so powerful.
"So you're a prince?" she said at last, noticing that the copper-red crown was back on his head.
He grinned widely at her. "I am indeed. After your help, I made a triumphant return to my realm." Then he laughed wearily. "But it has been an extremely busy time."
"Hence the need for a private retreat."
"No one else will know it exists. This is such a small realm that it will be beneath the notice of all the other fiendish lords. And as only I now hold the power to enter, I will come here whenever I need a break."
"What about the dagger? Didn't you say that was a gateway to this realm?"
Sesreh smiled. "The dagger is useless. It was a key to open a door, but under a new master the door has a different lock. The dagger has no magical power anymore. It is just a dagger."
Narlissa grinned in delight. So Tathal truly was safe.
Then her eyes went wide. Tathal! And the elves! She had come through the portal to save him, but she had not returned. They would have no way of knowing that she was safe and alive.
Sesreh noticed her alarm and smiled sadly. "You have realised you must leave."
"Yes," she replied. "I have to go back. But thank you for all your help, Sesreh."
The demon bowed, then turned away and reached into the large fountain that stood nearby. From the water he pulled a glistening golden pendant and handed it to Narlissa.
"This is my pendant!" she said, staring at it with awe. "I thought it had broken."
"It had. I found it discarded and useless, but immediately recognised it as belonging to my old mistress. You must have claimed it from her treasure hoard." He cocked his head. "I am surprised you were able to make any use of it, however. It needs a constant supply of demonic energy to work. Only a warlock or a demon can use it proficiently."
Narlissa's eyes went wide. That explained so much! She had never been able to make it work properly - it would only keep her invisible for a few seconds at most. And yet it had worked very well earlier because the air was suffused with so much demonic energy for it to draw from.
"Thank you, Sesreh," she said, taking it from him.
"I have gifted it with a tiny fraction of my power. It will no longer run out when you use it."
Narlissa gasped. "That is a gift beyond measure."
"It is nothing, Narlissa," the handsome incubus replied. "I owe you my freedom. This is merely a small token of my gratitude."
Narlissa put the pendant around her neck, then collected her armour from beside the fountain and got dressed into it once more. She put the nightgown in her pack with the intention of keeping it and noticed Sesreh's knowing smile. The demon prince did not seem to mind.
Then he turned, beckoning for her to follow as he walked the middle of the largest patio. He raised his arms and a portal appeared, this one a soothing blue.
"This will take you back," he said, then regarded her sadly. "I will miss you, Narlissa. It has been enjoyable spending time in your company again."
She grinned. "Well, you can always call me back to this private retreat whenever you like," she winked. "I won't say no to more time alone with you."
Sesreh stared at her a moment, obviously considering something. Then at last he spoke.
"Narlissa, I have an offer for you. I mentioned that the dagger was dormant; that it was no longer a gateway to this realm. My power can reshape it into one again." He gestured at the pendant. "You can use the energy I have placed in the amulet. But be warned: doing so will shatter the pendant's enchantment, leaving it irreversibly broken. You will have to choose."
He stepped towards her and gave her a lingering kiss. "You must go through the portal now. Return to your friends. Goodbye, Narlissa."
Then he vanished, clearly returning to his normal realm.
Narlissa stood there in stunned silence, blinking back surprise at everything she had just been told. It was a lot to take in! Still, she would have a chance to process all that later. For now she needed to return home.
Narlissa stepped through the shimmering blue portal and moments later found herself back in the centre of the wood elven village. She took a deep breath of the forest air and enjoyed being back where she'd started. Gathered in front of the portal was a group of people and in that number she recognised her friends. Amongst them was Tathal, whose eyes went wide with delight when he saw her.
"Narlissa!" the mage cried, rushing over and wrapping her in a tight hug. "You're back! I am so relieved to see you again. And so thankful," he said, staring at her with awestruck eyes. "You saved me. Not just my life, but my very soul."
Before Narlissa could reply however Tathal had stepped away and Piper had embraced her with a relieved hug of his own. After the satyr came a delighted Lohr. Narlissa felt like she'd been embraced by half of the village before she was finally released.
Unsurprisingly the mood changed quickly. Lohr sprang into action, giving out orders as she hastily organised a party. Music started up and feasts began to be cooked. People were dancing and singing and Narlissa delighted in the festival atmosphere suddenly sweeping through the village.
She was giddy with happiness. The elves deserved a celebration - they had put everything at risk in order to save the life of Tathal, a man they did not even know existed only a few days before. She knew he would always be grateful for their help.
The party stretched on into the evening. Food was served and wonderful artistic performances were given, including a beautiful musical piece from Piper himself. The hedonistic satyr was completely at ease in the middle of the thriving party, making sure he was never far from either the women or the wine.
Narlissa let herself relax and enjoy the festivities. She wandered the village, chatting happily with the elves, soaking up the atmosphere. It was only when one of the village women complimented her beautiful amulet that she remembered Sesreh's words.