Devon's Surprise

**Aileen POV**

With a cocky little grin, I rejoined my love. He wrapped me into a massive bearhug, lifting me off my feet, and spun me around. None of the other demons, or Shiuku possibly onlooking mattered. I was zoned in on the handsome man below me. We were in our own little fairytale, uncaring to the harsh real world observing us. He kept me mid air for the entire song. Never once did he utter so much as a syllable. He twirled me in perfect rhythm to the band's harmony. My half demon closed his eyes, soaking in the notes from the string instruments. It was encouraging for my surprise that he loved music so much.
The song ended and Devon set me down. His fingers tilted my chin up. He showed me those same pleading eyes and pouty lips as the first time we kissed. Just like then he had me mesmerized. I cursed my hormones. I wanted today to be about Devon, but he was the one swooning me! Stupid jerk-
My inner tantrum was shut off by his lips on mine. His kiss was light as a spring bird's feather. I was floating on a cloud close to heaven. A whine escaped from my throat when he retreated. His lips still hovered close to mine as he finally spoke, "happy birthday my true love."
I muttered back, still lost in my handsome soul mate, "why were you so happy while I danced with Shiuku."
"Because I know and trust you. You've mentioned wanting to make Shiuku regret trying to break us. Well, I want to make him regret letting you go. He can be subjected to some of the jealousy I was forced to endure for years."
So that was why Devon was so interested in our dance. He was discerning Shiuku's reactions.
How childish, but there was something mean in me that hoped Shiuku did suffer some. Shiuku did act differently once he comprehended that I was done being walked over. In fact, each time I stood up to him, he seemed off. Jealous or not; I did get a tiny bit of pride from serving Shiuku his own medicine.
Petty immature behavior aside, I still had to take Devon out for his gift. My Father shoved a suitcase in between Devon and I. Inside was everything I would need to blow Devon's pants right off him; with any luck, not just metaphorically. I intertwined our fingers.
"Let's go, it's my party so I should be able to leave when I want."
Devon scanned the room. "Looks like Shiuku is gone, and the broadcast has been cut. His plan to crush your spirit has concluded, so he'll probably be leaving now. According to Dustin, he should be gone for two months. So unless you want some food, or drink; we can leave."
I needed no second telling. Dragging Devon and the suitcase behind me, I headed for a special place dear to his heart. Sekai had traveled the distance with me any time my mind needed a break from the documents we'd found. I wasn't going to get lost this time. It didn't take me long to lead Devon back to the entrance of his favorite courtyard. His face lit up like a little kid's on Festive Day!
Snow had been falling the last several days. I stopped to rummage for a hat, coats, and scarves. "I'd hate for our night to be ruined by Joe Frost."
"Who?" Devon asked.
Joe was a fable from his dimension. The man who brings ice and snow during the cold months! Devon caught on pretty quickly and corrected himself. "Oh, I get who you mean. Just don't let his cousin Jack know he's trying to steal his job."
Why a fable would need to add a job stealing cousin was beyond me, but I guess my dimension had stranger tales. "So shall we get going now that we're all bundled up?" He looped his arm in mine and pulled the suitcase behind us.
While he had been putting on his coat, I noted under his tux was my family banner. Devon still had the bow tied to his wrist. Being treated like Shiuku's slave most his life, probably meant he hadn't been gifted many things over the years.
A good thing his lovely girlfriend was about to change all that!
Outside the castle was colder than I had anticipated. At least it had stopped snowing. I leaned more into Devon as we walked near one of the ice bitten trees. Our shoes crunched on the layers of snow that coated the ground. We plodded our way to the blanket I had set this morning. I could make out a corner of the green blanket, but sadly most of it was covered in snow. Maybe I hadn't thought this plan through completely.
Embarrassed, I started digging the blanket out, hiding my face from Devon. He had great sight in the dark and I didn't want him seeing me turn into a tomato. From behind, Devon's arms stretched around me and yanked the blanket free. I urged him to sit beside me.
My very soul was nervous. I wanted; no, needed this to go perfect for Devon. He had done so much for me and today was supposed to be about him for once.
I dug through the suitcase and took out four candle lamps. After they were lit, so I could have the gift of sight, I rummaged for Devon's first present. I grabbed a piece of paper with my Father's signature and makeshift seal on it. My idea was to get the difficult part done first. Devon still had no clue we found his birth certificate.
All too slowly, Devon unfolded the paper. I placed my hands on top of his. "Before you read, I wanted to tell you that we found your birth certificate. It is currently hidden under my mattress. Ummm... I'm really not good at this, so is it okay if I just tell you bluntly?"
Devon's hands were straining under mine. Damn I was bad at this. "Yeah."
"You're a demon lord's son. When Shiuku bought you, it took away your right to take over even if your Father passed. And I did a lot of research to see if there was a way around it. Unfortunately, even if there are no more children of Darren Kitz, you will have no claim as a demon lord." There I said it. He could take some time to digest the information.
It didn't take Devon long to respond, "I knew he was high ranking. I remember that as a little tike. Suppose I shouldn't be shocked that he's a demon lord. Is this why you wanted me out here? To tell me in privacy?"
"No. Read the paper."
I couldn't give him any kind of claim on inheritance, but with Father's permission; there was something I could do. Devon was born to be a nobleman, or even a prince. Just because Shiuku took that away from him, didn't mean I couldn't give something back.
"Aileen...what is this? I...I don't" His hands shook under mine, the paper crinkling in his grasp.
My fingers squeezed his clenched hands. "I asked my Father what all lands he was in control of. Turns out, he conquered quite a few while I was living at the Hemmer household. He's technically King of Lutz and Hasen. He is Lord of Benger, Norshore, and previously Vernen." I gave him a quick squeeze. "Now you are the Lord of Vernen. It is a place of beauty. The castle is magnificent, built near a waterfall. One of the courtyards there is secluded for just the lord and his family. It's spacious and surrounded by trees. It is also located on top of a hill, so you can really hear the wind. It's rumored in the spring, the wind can sing a sweeter tune than the birds."
"Aileen this is...I don't know what to..." Devon was blubbering. So I didn't completely screw this up. He loved what Father and I got for him. I just hoped he liked this next one as much.
I reached in to pull out a small blue box. Sekai and I had been working on recreating Devon's destroyed treasure. To my dismay, we had no way to make a replica of his Grandmother's music box. With the aid of Sam, we were able to create a new one. A sweet, delicate piece with a slow steady tempo. I put my very soul into creating a lullaby-like tune for him.
Devon turned the little handle and a soft melody played. Mimicking strings, the delicate machine sang in a sweet and light tone. I wanted the music to sound breezy as if the wind itself was singing to Devon. As the small box continued, a gush of freezing wind blew around us. I shivered and cuddled closer to Devon. His body always warmed me.
Devon's eyes squinted from the cold breeze as he fought back tears. The song continued to play and repeated twice. After the song had played three times, Devon stopped to observe the little carvings engraved into both sides of the music box. The artist was exclusively me. I had taken a small pic like instrument and made the little incisions.
"How sweet, a picture of a mountain." Devon sniffled.
"No, it's you. I guess I really suck with art stuff. Sorry-"
Devon reached in his pocket and unwrapped a piece of chocolate. He immediately smeared it on my lips. "You apologized for nothing again."
Was he serious? Here I was trying to act all romantic and he's copying that childish thing from when I first got here. Way to kill the- His lips attacked where the chocolate had been applied. He sucked on my bottom lips possessively. Gently, he laid me down on the ground, never breaking his kiss. My arms wrapped around his neck while we melted into each other.
"Thank you." He extended his arm behind him, bringing the music box between us. His eyes were sparkling as he resumed his inspection. "So on the other side, this is you etched in?"
I nodded. His fingers outlined the top of the music box. I had engraved our initials surrounded by little stars. He may not be able to mark me, as long as I bore a loyalty mark, but I could be his light on a piece of wood. I felt stupid for doing it, but Devon was mesmorized by the crudly carved stars. He tapped on each star, a smile spreading on his face.
"Happy Birthday Devon."
The wind must have really been bugging him. Devon's whole body froze. The breeze had been brushing past my nose. I sneezed before adding, "on the certificate, it says today is your birthday too so-"
He sealed my lips again. His kisses were intoxicating. Every time, they overpowered all other senses until only his touches remained.
This time I felt the tears from his eyes slip between our cheeks. He kissed me harder. Our tongues danced in perfect sync while we laid under the night sky. When he pulled away we were both breathless. His eyes were bright and glossy with fresh happy tears.
"I love you my light so much! This was the best day of my life. You are my perfect blessing, no matter how our relationship started."
"You aren't upset that I kept this from you for a week?"
His snowy gloved up hand tickled my frosty cheeks. "This was the most considerate thing anyone has ever done for me. How could I be mad?"
"I love you so much Dev. I never thought I would find love. My Mother had always told me as a Princess I may not love my husband, but I was to try. If I was lucky, he would care for and respect me. That was all I thought I could crave. But then you showed up and I fell for you." I gave him little pecks all over his tear streaked face.
Devon propped himself up on one elbow. "I guess I should give the last gift of the evening before you start leading Santa's sleigh Rudolph."
"Today was supposed to be about you. Nothing more for me please."
He chuckled, "Selfish love. This time it's not yours. Everything has been about you and I so far today. I don't want little bump to get jealous."
A present for my unborn baby? What could he have possibly gotten for my son? It wasn't like he could leave and go shopping for baby stuff. Maybe he had called in on Sam's girlfriend to make a teddy bear?
"Don't laugh, I wanted to do this on my own...without any help from our friends." I wasn't sure if he was more red from the chilly night air, or embarrassment. Either way he was adorable.
He tilted my head to look up at the moon. While I got lost in the night sky, he wrestled his hands under my coat. Both large palms settled on my belly. Timidly at first, he began to sing softly, "ohhh see the stars, twinkling for the moon. Look up to them, and you will see mommy. Engulfed in the black night, I will be the sky protecting you. I might not be your blood little lad, but I am honored to be your dad. You do not have my blood, but no matter what, you're my son. Let this lullaby give you ease. I'll be the best family you need. Let me be your dad, your guide; and I will never leave your side. I wish to be your night sky, for you are the moon and your Mommy the dazzling stars."
My heart broke listening to his lullaby. Devon loved the boy I had growing inside of me. And his voice, it was incredible. The man had a talent for singing. Each note he sang, his voice had grown more confident. Every verse and word was brimming with his adoration for the baby.
Devon fished something out from his pants pocket still maintaining one hand on my stomach. A little moon charm laid in between two of his fingers. "An addition to your necklace."
This time I was speechless. I sat up, with Devon's help. "Say something my light."
"You can't sing for anyone else! You'll make girls swoon over you!" I only half joked. His voice could seduce with that deep sweet tone.
"Then seal your Lord's mouth." He teased me.
Playing along I agreed. "Of course my Lord of Vernen."
Before our lips could meet, something bounced in my belly. At first I took it for some kind of wind trick Devon had done... Until I saw the pure excitement almost radiating off his aura. Both his hands went under my coat again. The baby was kicking!
"Mine." He cooed, lying me down. Devon bent over to kiss my bump. My little boy kicked his chin.
"I love you too Dev."
He gently laid his head down next to my bump. "I wasn't just talking to you, my selfish light." I curled my arms around Devon while he fake-scolded me. "You are both mine."