"So Niam is the tax collector? He must be popular."
Fen chuckles. "You could say that. He's also the banker. All things money, that's Niam."
We travel through his realm, and though it's dark, I can make out the city hub through the waves of sand. It's beautiful in its own way, with a cathedral in the center made of sandstone and a marketplace littered with colorful booths displaying wares. Right now they are closed up, but I can imagine the bustle of it all.
I have so many questions, but I'm exhausted and too tired to ask them right now. Fen is leaning against the pillows with his eyes closed, but I can tell he's as alert as ever. Does this man ever relax? I'm thinking no.
I mindlessly pet Baron, who snuggles in closer to me, his nose nudging my hand for more affection.
"There must be something special about you," Fen says.
"Because of your father's will?"
He opens his eyes to look at me. "No. Because of Baron. He's never taken to anyone but me before. I found him when he was a pup. Raiders from the Outlands had killed his litter, but he survived by some miracle, though he was nearly dead. Our healer said he was touched by a special magic, but that his condition was grave. I nursed him back to health, never leaving his side for nearly two weeks. If he likes you, which clearly he does, there must be something special about you."
"Is that why you intervened with Dean? Because your wolf likes me?"
"I told you why I did that."
"To protect me? I don't think that's the whole truth. Dean has quite the effect on women, doesn't he?"
Fen grunts. "Not just women. But yes. He does. It's part of his demon charms."
"And what are your demon charms?" I ask.
"Killing."
"Huh. That's less charming than you might imagine."
The landscape changes around us as the desert begins to transform into a more tropical, lush setting. "Who lives here?" I ask. There's a sensual quality to this realm that permeates the sights, sounds, colors. From the boat we can see the city's center, and unlike Niam's realm, this place is still lively in the middle of the night. Women walk around in bathing suit tops of gold, silver and purple, with thin, sheer, colorful scarves of fabric draped around their lithe bodies. The men are dressed in less, bulging muscles oiled and glowing under the lights. Music plays, a deep rhythmic beat, and many dance, the movements nearly sexual as the bodies rub against each other. "Wait, let me guess? Lust?"
"Yes. And the source of most of the entertainment in our kingdom. Dean's is the most useless realm if you ask me."
The air is scented with oils and fragrant flowers, and I inhale deeply. "I don't know about that. There's something to be said for touch, love, laughter, entertainment. At least for humans, these things are important. They nourish us, feed our imagination, soothe our souls. Maybe your people aren't so different."
"These are all distractions, for humans or demons, it matters not."
He falls silent, arms crossed over his chest, but I still have questions. "How are such different climates supported so closely together?"
Fen shrugs. "It's the magic of this place. One could ask the same of your world, where you have snow topped mountains not far from beaches. Ours is just more compact."
I'm beginning to doze off, but the wolf nudges me as we enter a new realm.
Fen is sitting up now, more alert than before.
"Is everything okay?"
He nods. "Just being cautious. We're in Ace's realm now."
His realm is full of marvels. Though it's the middle of the night, there are people up and about tinkering with gadgets that look complicated and impressive. They work in shops under giant lamp posts, and the houses look busy too, with smoke drifting from chimneys and windows glowing with yellow light. It's like the whole realm is one big inventor's workshop. Wood, metal, stone... all of it is used in ways I couldn't have imagined. One device is turning water into steam to power another device that cuts wood. "What's his sin?"
"Sloth."
"Seriously? This looks the opposite of slothful."
"He is a bit of a contradiction. Ace is brilliant. He's also lazy, or so he says. I've never actually witnessed said laziness myself. But he claims if you want to know the easiest, fastest and best way to get something done, give it to a lazy person. Thus, he invents things to make life easier for everyone."
There's a loud explosion in the distance and a pillar of fire and smoke rise to the sky. "What was that?"
"A failed invention," Fen says with affection. "Any closer and we'd hear Ace swearing and cursing about now."
"This isn't what I was expecting hell to be like," I admit, leaning back against my pillows.
"It never is. But don't let the pretty baubles fool you, Princess. We are still demons. This is still a dangerous place. Especially for you right now."
My stomach growls and Baron's head pops up, looking around. "I just realized I'm not sure when I last ate."
Fen sits up and adjusts a lever on the side of the boat, steering it in a different direction. "You'll enjoy Zeb's realm."
"Why's that?"
"You'll see soon enough."
When we round a bend it's like we've gone to Greece. A rocky mountain protrudes from the shore and is dotted with houses and pavilions. At the very top is a castle with an open arena near it. It's a loud city, even at this time of night. People everywhere are drinking, laughing, eating, and indulging in carnal delights. The boat pulls into a small dock. Around us are other people in boats, though they don't seem to be traveling so much as relaxing. One couple smokes something that smells heady and musty. They look quite relaxed. Another couple is making out next to a picnic basket and wine. Seems vampires enjoy the night, even when they have the day.