Awkward Encounter

**Aileen POV**

Being one of my guards and not just Shiuku's boughten slave, Jacob's room was close by Sekai's. He was only a few doors down from my current chamber. We had been in such a rush, that I had to readjust my dress while we ran. Devon hastily put on some sweats from his dresser, causing him to hobble slightly when leaving the room.
I strode forward, accelerating my pace with every step. My fingers twitched wanting his head. I had given the idiot a chance. I was close to forgiving him for Kalum; the man was one of Shiuku's many victims. But he ratted us out! Devon was humiliated because of him! I was manhandled because of him.
The main reason I had stopped myself from murdering him before was to hide what Devon was doing. Well that was no longer needed and I was fresh out of mercy. He made his choice, now I had a damn line going down to my special place.
Devon wasn't too impressed with this revelation either. His eyes were still blue, but he was gripping my hand a bit tighter than I would have liked. Still, crushing me or not, I couldn't deny the tingles our intertwined fingers brought to me. In a different circumstance, I would be outside listening to the wind brush across frost covered branches. I would be lying down on Devon's chest curling around his muscular body. Sadly, Shiuku had given me a lead that I had to track down. Jacob would not get away with betraying me a third time. A snake like him was about to lose his fangs.
What is that phrase fool me once, shame on you? If Twice is shame on me; what the hell would three be? Shame on my future? Where I am going has already changed drastically after being taken from home. I would have a couple of children this age had I never been caught in that vortex. Prince Roy might have been King of Lutz too. Well his future wasn't looking too bright; being six feet under and all that. We would be all about false love to our people. I would have no rule. Just a figurehead for my King.
Cruel, but here I almost had more freedom. Shiuku gave me a couple of choices; kinda. I got to meet Devon, at the cost of carrying an evil demon's baby. And I had managed to battle my own inner beasts. Maybe I hadn't screwed my own future after all. Time would tell, but Jacob had sealed his.
Like before when I was in a Jacob induced rage, we ran near some suits of armor. I took a small detour to disarm one of the knights again. The metal suit stood next to the last one whom I had stolen from. I mock bowed to the empty suit feigning guilt.
This time, Devon had weaponed up. The soulless armor facing mine was stripped of his blade as well. Devon tested the durability of the sword against the wall behind the knight's helm. The armor clanked to the ground alerting some weird tiny rat/fish demons. They scampered around confused while Devon pulled his sword free. Pleased with the deep scratch left in the blade's wake, we set off back for Jacob's room.
Hand in hand again, we hurried along our path. We didn't stop again till we saw the door separating us from where Jacob rested his head.
"You ready my light?" Devon swept my hair placing the strands behind my ear. Goosebumps formed where our skin touched. I was warmed by the gesture and knowing we still affected each other despite what happened back in his room.
I nodded happily. "Yes my heart. It's only fair Jacob gets punished too."
Violently, I kicked open the door. I must have been getting stronger somehow. The door flew off its hinges. *Win or Lose; at least Shiuku will have to spend the extra money to replace all the doors we're destroying*. I wasn't sure why, but that gave me a little bit of pride. *Princess Aileen, protector of the weak, obliterator of doors*
What I saw inside the room burned me with more fury than when that dumb demon had called my love a lap dog. Jacob wasn't inside the room. Oh no. This... this proved how little Shiuku thought of his right hand man.
Jacob's room was decorated with his favorite movie posters framed and hanging on the walls. He had a window allowing him fresh air and natural sunlight. His bed wasn't worn down and his blankets were thick. He had several pillows too. Devon had one! His floor was nicely carpeted like Sekai's. The furniture was well kept and atop one of the desks was a game system.
Jacob was just a coward Shiuku expected me to kill! Why in God's name was his room nice?!
With everything else going on it did seem silly to be this angry about living arrangements, but really?! A man condemned to be a sacrifice to show his baby mama's not to be messed with, is more deserving than someone as valuable as Devon. Seriously?
Devon grabbed my hand dragging me from the room. He didn't even look upset. Well that was fine by me. I could be irritated for both of us.
"Aileen, it's okay. We'll find him at some point. He's just off running an errand most likely."
I accelerated my pace. "I actually tried to make an effort to almost be like a friend to him. I invited him to your safe place."
Devon matched my speed effortlessly. He placed an arm around me. "So you figure out that I love that courtyard. Now I have a memory with my favorite person in my favorite place. We should go back there soon." He was putting his best into distracting me.
I abruptly stopped remembering what I had been considering before the mess with Shiuku. A few inhales and long exhales and I was calm again. Having Devon by my side helped my mind find peace quicker.
"I was thinking of coping mechanisms for you. Well writing is out, so we could do something outside. Or maybe you could write a song. I also heard that taking a cold shower for depression. Or a hot one can comfort you." I said.
A hand clasped me from behind. "I'm sure sharing a shower with you would really help him move forward."
Sekai's body was almost noodle-like in her limp movements. I really shouldn't have tried to figure it out. A few seconds behind her was my Father, standing tall and proud. "I would rather they not."
He grimaced, clearly displeased with the idea of Devon and I with hot water cascading down us, his abs getting all wet while he washes up... Damn, I did not need to start drooling in front of Father.
"Relax, I could wash your back tonight before bed. We'll get our fair share of action." Sekai couldn't be closer if she was hogtied to him. Her hands didn't leave him for a minute.
Taking in both of their appearances and relaxed muscles, it didn't take a genius to make the connection as to what they just finished. Their disheveled hair, or Sekai's screwed up make-up wasn't what caught my eye. No, that went to the strange mark working it's way up my Father's arm.
"Did Shiuku mark you?" The question bubbled up and left my mouth before I thought better of it.
Sekai grabbed my Father's hand, lifting it boldly. "Nope. That's my mark. He is my true love and the world will know he is mine and mine alone. You see this little black sky on his hand? It's my dark. This beautiful sky blue line goes up his arm, to his chest, and circles his heart. The best part? Right on his heart a white star! All demons shall know he is the light to my dark! My true love!"
His mark was much different than the one Shiuku had given me. Devon read my face, sad himself.
"Shiuku's is a loyalty mark. Those are different based on conditions between the demon and other party. Yours stands for any and all deals made by Shiuku and you. It's also a ranking mark. He gave you the authority of a high class demon."
"The one I gave Sexy Daddy is a mark of love and promise."
Ugh. Could she stop calling him that?
"And Father, you are aware of that right? You have to be loyal to her. Got it, no random serving girls and maids. Don't hurt my friend." It felt weird calling her that. I still didn't want to think about what Shiuku made her do to Devon. I knew it wasn't her choice, but that didn't make it any easier to forget about.
Father faked hurt. "You are more worried about your dear Father, than the demon that gave him the mark? Am I really worse than a demon?"
"Yes." I said flatly. He had been with countless women while Mother was sick.
"Well no need to worry, I did put a deal in there so he would wear my mark. I just have to keep my Sexy Daddy satisfied; which I am more than capable of. When we get back to Lutz, we will officially marry." Sekai grossly reassured me.
I held a hand up. I wouldn't get in the way of my Father finding real love, but I would not listen to what went on behind closed doors. I may have to buy many backup headphones before going home. Despite how happy I was for my friend, there was a needle of sorrow in my heart that Father was remarrying.
"Sekai, quit with the sexy daddy stuff in front of her. She's clearly uncomfortable." Devon sighed.
She huffed back, "she should see what a lovey dovey couple can be like right Sexy Daddy?"
"If she calls you that one more time with me here, I'm going to start calling Devon it in front of you." I argued.
Father covered my mouth with his palm. "Don't. You'll ruin her sweet voice screaming it."
"You two try to make me barf, Devon and I will return the favor."
Devon facepalmed himself. "Don't get me involved in this. I don't wanna get on your Father's bad side. I've already been on the receiving end of his fists enough for one lifetime. Plus I am trying to date his daughter, so don't make me miss any brownie points."
"I'm not making you fecking brownies. You're trying to shower with my little girl!" Father groaned.
Sekai laughed, pecking my Father's neck playfully. "Not what he meant sexy."
With a huff Father asked, "So where were you two off too with those big swords?"
"Jacob betrayed me again, so I was going to kill him." I kept it simple.
Father clapped a hand to my shoulder. "That's my girl. But let's wait for now. Trevor wants a piece of him, as do I. Let's humor Jacrib for a while. Kaibec mentioned that we'll be going to war soon. We need to prepare."
"It's Jacob."
Father corrected me. "No Jacrib. A wimpy hollow man like him belongs in a crib."
The four of us shared a mean laugh at Jacrib's expense.
So the battle was coming. We knew we'd better get everything set up.
"Follow me. I know where to find Shiuku's most treasured secrets. He hid them with one of his most demented and loyal demons" Sekai was ready to jump from pure excitement.
Father raised an eyebrow, "and where is that?"
"A place guarded by my now very abusive ex-boyfriend! Sexy Daddy, you can show him how you earned the title 'Dark King' the same way you showed that disgusting Prince Roy."
My Father smirked while I grimaced. This would take some getting used to. Devon covered my ears as we followed behind the new royal couple 'to be' of Lutz.
Off we went to confront an abusive ex and uncover more secrets. I didn't voice outloud, but I was worried about my Father. He could be stubborn and overly confident in his skills. This demon was not one to be underestimated.