Chapter 30

Unexpectedly a woman stood in the hall, a few feet away from him. Lucian thought he recognized her. Those green eyes, just like last time looked at him with such pain and sadness, it pained him for some odd reason.
"Lucian." She called again carefully taking a few steps forward.
Her gaze fell on his hands and her face twisted. Lucian looked down at his hands. He hadn't realized that his nails had grown and because he fisted his hands they had cut through his palms and blood dripped down creating a pool beneath them. It didn't pain him at all but it seemed to pain her.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Somehow he knew who she was. Her long raven black hair that looked just like his,
Her pale unblemished skin, her sharp nose and those prominent cheekbones and jawline. She looked a lot like him or more correctly he looked her.
Mother?
He hoped not. He didn't have the strength to meet his mother yet.
"You are hurting yourself." The woman spoke looking pained.
Lucian ignored her and since she didn't answer his question he didn't bother to ask her again. Why would he? If she was his mother she didn't bother to raise him so he shouldn't care.
Lucian ignored the blood that dripped down his hands as he walked past the woman in the hall. There was a look of anguish on her face as he passed by her but it didn't stop him from continuing further.
"Lucian."
This time he stopped in his tracks. This voice, this scent...it was Hazel. He heard quick steps behind him and then she grabbed his hand.
"What have you done?" She said looking at his hands worriedly.
Lucian stared at her confused. What was she doing here?
"Hazel...what are you..."
"Come." She cut him of and began to drag him.
Lucian followed trying to understand what was happening. Hazel, the woman who claimed to be his wife was staying with those who claimed to be his parents.
How did she know them when even he didn't know them?
"Hazel, what's happening?" He asked as she sat him down on a chair in some room. He knew she was about to bring something for his wounds but he grabbed her wrist to stop her from leaving.
"I need to treat your wounds." She said with a deep frown.
"They are already heeling, no need. What are you doing here?" He repeated holding her carefully as to not cut her as well.
Pulling her arms away she crouched in front of him placing her hands on his knees. "Lucian..." She began looking into his eyes. "That woman...she is your..."
"Don't." He cut her off. He didn't want to know who she was, he didn't care. "I don't want you staying here with them. Come with me."
Lucian didn't trust them. Yes, maybe they were his parents but what kind of parents he didn't know.
Hazel just looked at him and this time he really wished he could read her mind. "Alright." She finally replied with a faint smile.
As he left his parents behind Lucian wondered why Hazel followed him so obediently. She was quite and very thoughtful on their way to somewhere. Lucian wasn't quite sure where to take her, but taking her back to the castle was not an option.
He looked at the sky. The sun was going to rise again soon and he would meet Julian who would take him to the royal army. He could just bring Hazel with him.
"Do you want to rest for awhile?" He asked her.
She nodded and they sat down near a tree. He could actually use his powers to take them whatever he wanted, the problem was he didn't know where so keeping her by his side wherever he was would be safest, or maybe not.
Hazel was still silent as they sat down and it made him uncomfortable since he was sure she wanted to say something.
"Alright, what is it?" He asked.
She looked at him surprised. "Nothing."
"Hazel." He said sternly to make her speak up.
"You don't want to hear it, so I won't say it until you want to." She explained.
It was about his parents, he knew and he really didn't want to hear it but it was getting very uncomfortable.
"I want to hear it." He lied.
Hazel looked at him hesitantly for a while. "Your parents...they...they didn't abandon you. They have their reasons, maybe you should hear them out." She said flinching as if expecting him to explode on her.
"Reasons? My father looked me in the eye and told me he didn't want me and my mother...I...I thought she was dead all this time. You don't know how that feels."
No, she could possible not know. As a child when his brothers were loved and cared for he had no one.
No one ever sung him lullabies or read him stories, no one ever hugged him when he had a bad dream, or run to him when he got hurt while playing. All those years of confusion about who he was or what he was, all those years of self hate and loneliness, all those years of crying alone with no one to soothe his pain, would it be erased by some explanation? No, he didn't think so.
Why an explanation now? When he was an a.d.u.l.t and could take care of himself. They weren't there when he truly needed them, now there was nothing they could do. The damage was already done and everytime he looked back at his childhood there was nothing pleasant that he could see.
Hazel moved so that she was sitting in front of him and between his legs. She grabbed his face in her hands gently and made him look at her. "I can't imagine how it feels, but you never have to feel alone again. I will always be here for you. I will always want you. "
"You don't know that." He said.
"That is the only thing I know." She smiled.
Lucian reached for her face letting his fingers glide of her cheek and lips. This woman affected him in someway he couldn't explain and in this moment he would believe and do anything she said. She had truly hypnotized him.
"What have you done to me?" His voice became suddenly low and he could feel his heart accelerating, or was it hers? He wasn't sure.
"Nothing yet." She breathed as her gaze fell on his lips and before he knew their lips melted together.
This kiss was nothing like the one before, it wasn't driven by l.u.s.t. This kiss was an expression of love, a deep connection, a mutual yearning of each other. It was heavenly, sweet and tender, fading away all his pain and worries.
As he kissed her ever so softly and deeply never wanting to let go of her, he got a salty taste in his mouth. Pulling away slightly he realized that she was crying.
"Is something wrong?" He asked grabbing her face gently.
Hazel shook her head while looking down.
"Hazel." He made her look at him. "What is wrong? Tell me." He spoke softly.
"I can see it. Sometimes when I touch you I can see your pain and what you have been through." She cried. "I could see when you were in that well and..."
"Shh..." He put a finger on her lips. "Don't think about it."
Lucian was surprised and confused. How could she see that? He didn't want her to see anything of it. All the pain he went through in that dark well he could only imagine how horrifying it must look.
"I am in no pain. Not when I am with you, except when you cry. That pains me." He wiped away the tears from her face and she wiped away some herself.
"I am sorry. I should have killed him. I wanted to avenge you but I failed."
Lucians heart froze for a moment. Hazel had tried to kill his brother?
He grabbed her chin and made her look at him. "Hazel, don't ever do that again. Ever."
Hazel nodded. "I am sorry. I know he is your brother but he is so cruel."
Lucian sighed and drew her into his arms hugging her tightly. She misunderstood him. "It's not about that. I just don't want you to get blood on your hands. I don't want you to experience what it feels like to kill someone. Let me do all the dirty work."
She pulled back slightly. "But I want to help."
Lucian thought for a moment. "Well, you can." He said.
"How?" She asked eagerly.
Lucian smiled to himself, she was too adorable at this moment. How? Kiss me he wanted to say but refrained from it.
To his surprise Hazel leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
Did he say that out loud? It didn't matter, he was already lost in the heat.
Klaras mind had been unable to rest since she came back home. All she could think about was what she had said to Roshan. Why would she do something so stupid She couldn't comprehend.
"Idiot." She called herself and slapped her forehead then fell back on the bed. She stared at the ceiling wondering what to do to avoid an awkward encounter with Roshan. Maybe she should pretend like she didn't remember anything.
Yes, she would pretend like everything was normal and act like nothing has ever happened. Staying locked in her room out of fear of meeting Roshan made her feel muffled so she decided to go out. Opening the door she slowly peeked her outside checking both sides before stepping out.
This is stupid Klara. You can't avoid someone in their own home.
As she walked down the stairs she came across Lothaire. His usually serious face now seemed upset. She usually greeted him when they crossed paths but as they locked eyes this time the words died in her throat. His angry eyes were frightening. Klara wondered what angered him so much.
Continuing further she decided to check on Irene. Maybe they had a fight she thought. Making her way to Irene's room she knocked on the door carefully but no one answered. She knocked again but it was still quite.
"She is not here."
Klaras heart skipped a beat. Oh no, he was here. She turned around slowly and tried to keep a straight face but as soon as she saw those sensual lips curved into a smile she knew she was in trouble.
"Then where is she?" She asked trying to keep her cool.
"If you hadn't been locked in your room the whole day you would know." He pointed.
God, he was so annoying yet so...
She stopped herself before getting any bad ideas. "I wasn't locked in my room. I was just resting."
"Or maybe avoiding me..." He added.
"Why would I?"
"Why would you not? If I were you I would avoid me." Klara felt as though there was another meaning to his words.
"I am not scared of you." She said.
He took a step toward her while holding her in place with his gaze.
He leaned closer, "You should be. You don't know the things I want to do to you." He spoke in a low husky tone that made her insides quiver.
Klara couldn't bring herself to say anything this time.
"Not as bold as last night I see." Roshan drawled.
Last night. Klara felt heat creep to her face as she remembered begging him to kiss her. She was supposed to pretend like she didn't remember but her expression probably exposed her already.
She took a step back. "Don't you know how to keep a distance?"
"Says the person who was throwing herself in my arms last night."
This time she got angry. "I wasn't... I mean in my right mind. I have no desire to be in your arms or even near you." She clenched her fists.
He tilted his head to one side, "That's sad. I would have shown you the pleasures of this world."
"I doubt that."
"If you let me, I'll get rid of your doubts."
The way he looked at her in that moment made her feel weak in the knees. For a short moment she wondered what he would show her but she quickly dismissed the thought. If she stayed a bit longer her she might think of even worse things.
Without saying a word she walked past him and went outside. The cold air made her cool down a bit. This man, what was he doing to her?
Looking behind she was thankful that he didn't follow her. Carefully she sat down on a bench. How was she supposed to live like this? In the same house as a man that made her imagine things that is forbidden for a maiden like her. She had to find some other place to stay but she wouldn't be able to find anything if she only stayed in this place.
Her gaze fell on the iron gate. Yes, she needed to leave for a while and see the life outside.
The irongate was heavy and hard to push open but at last she succeeded. Now if she only had a horse it would be much easier to get acquainted with the area but unfortunately she had to walk.
Despite having been walking for a good while Klara still didn't come across a house, a market or anywhere she could find people. She had been walking alone among trees and bushes and looking ahead it seemed like she wouldn't meet anyone soon. Why did they live so far from the city and the people Klara wondered, and would she be able to find her way back?
She touched her chest to see if she was still wearing the necklace Irene gave her and she was. Now she didn't have to worry about not finding her way back.
Klara walked through the woods but she seemed to get nowhere and soon she was becoming tired. Just as she was about to give up and sit down somewhere she heard some footsteps. Finally someone. Maybe she was nearing the city or a village and she could ask for direction.
Klara looked to where the sound came from and saw a man walking from a distance. "Excuse me," She called approaching the man but froze in place when he turned and looked at her.
What on earth? This man looked frightening.His skin was too pale, almost turning blue or maybe purple and his lips were black. Klara thought that maybe he was just sick and tried to not be intimidated despite the crazed look in his eyes.
"What is a young beautiful lady like you doing here alone in the woods?" He asked looking her up and down.
"I am..." She abruptly stopped when she felt someone behind her. Turning around she realized that she was surrounded by strange looking men. They all had those black lips. One of them even had a black tongue as he licked his lips while scanning her body.
"Zul, what a nice meal you have found us." One of them spoke.
Klara's legs trembled when she realized that they had pointed teeth while speaking of her as a meal.
"Not nice brother. Delicious." The one behind her corrected him.
Oh god, were they going to eat her?
They encircled her, closing in on her slowly.
Their eyes turned red and Klara had to blink several times to make sure she wasn't losing her mind. Adrenaline flooded through her veins making her heart beat harder and faster as if it wanted to jump out of her chest. Her eyes widened with fear and she wanted to run but her legs refused. She knew she couldn't just stand there if she wanted to live. She had to do something.
The necklace. Klara reached for it but it wasn't around her neck. Her heart pumped even faster realizing the danger she was in, adrenaline kicked in harder and she turned around hastily punching the one behind her in the face then kneeing him in the stomach. When he doubled over in pain she pushed past him and ran as fast as she could without looking back.
She ran so fast she stumbled and fell but picked herself up quickly and continued running. Suddenly out of nowhere someone appeared in front of her but it was too late to stop herself from running into him and falling back.
She groaned in pain and looked up.
How?!
It was the scary man from earlier. Soon all of them surrounded her again. Klara couldn't understand what was happening but she was in big trouble.
"You cannot run from us, darling and you don't need to. We are going to take good care of you." He said with an unsettling smile that showed his ugly teeth.
Whatever these things were they seemed dangerous. She reached for her neck again hoping to find the necklace but she truly lost it. Why did she have to lose it now?
The man or whatever he was crouched to her level and Klara crawled back instinctively. Up close he looked even scarier. His skin looked thicker than normal and his ears were slightly pointed. His neck was covered with marks that looked like chains strangling him. He grabbed her leg with his clawed hand and pulled her toward him.
Klara screamed and kicked. "Let go of me!" but he was too strong. Suddenly another one came from behind and grabbing her wrists he pinned her hands down. She screamed louder and fought harder but they only laughed.
"I said let go of me now. You won't be happy when my friends finds out what you have done."
They laughed again. "And who are you friends?" One of them asked.
"My brother is the King of Gatrish."
They paused for a moment then one of them spoke. "A princess as well. What a treat."
"My friend is a witch." Klara hurried to say.
They wrinkled their face with what looked like disgust. "We ain't afraid of witches darling. I hope your friend comes to find you then we will take care of her as well." He smirked. "Now we will take care of you first." He reached for her dress.
"You touch me and I will make sure that you can never use your hand again." She threatened even though she was scared to death. Inside she begging for someone to come and save her and the first person she thought of was Roshan. But without the necklace he wasn't going to be able to know she was in trouble.
Suddenly all of them let go of her and were swiftly on their feet. Klara got confused.
"Lord Ramiel. What brings you here?" One of them asked in a respectful tone yet there was fear in his eyes as he looked behind her.
Klara turned to look at the person that made them look down in fear.
"Roshan!" She could hear the relief in her own voice. She wanted to cry, or run to him and hug him for coming to save her.
The man looked surprised. "I am sorry my Lord. I didn't know she was yours or I wouldn't hurt her." He said looking regretful and terrified.
Roshan turned his gaze to Klara. "Who said she is mine?"
The man looked confused and so was Klara. Of course she wasn't his but it seemed like he was telling them that they could do whatever they wanted with her.
She gave him a questioning look and he gave her an amused one. What was he doing?
"I am sorry my Lord I didn't ask. Is she yours?" He corrected himself.
"Only if she says she is mine." Roshan replied.
Now they all turned to her waiting for an answer. Klara got a feeling that if she said she wasn't his then she could be in trouble.
Standing up she faced Roshan. "What happens if I say I am not?"
"Then Zul seems to like you very much." He said speaking of the man who just tried to eat her or **** her, she wasn't sure.
She shook in fear. Why did these beings call him their lord? They had red eyes and fangs and claws and...a shiver went down her spine. Was Roshan one of them?
Suddenly she became much more afraid. She looked between the man and Roshan and even though the man looked scarier, Roshan seemed more dangerous. She knew he was because all of them seemed to fear him. Was she more safe with him?
"I wouldn't dare if she is yours My Lord." Zul spoke.
"But she isn't." He said sounding somehow disappointed.
Klara panicked. Was he going to leave her here with these things?
"I am." She hurried to say. "I am his."
The scary men looked at each other in fear then they went down on their knees. "I am sorry My Lady. Please forgive us."
Klara knew from the way they acted that Roshan was a powerful man, if he was one to begin with and powerful men were scary. They did as they pleased and maybe Roshan had worse plans for her. He did warn her after all.
Suddenly she felt as if she did a great mistake by saying that she was his. That meant something but she wasn't sure what.
She turned to Roshan and the look in his eyes told her there was no going back. He was going to make her his whether she liked it or not.
"Where are we?" Klara asked when Roshan teleported them to somewhere she didn't recognize.
It looked like it was inside a castle or a big mansion. Klara panicked. Did he bring her here to finally do whatever he had planned to do with her from the beginning. She was sure it was something she wouldn't like, not after what she had seen and what she believed he was.
A demon.
He had been speaking the truth this whole time and she had thought that he was only frightening her. He had said that she wouldn't want to see what he looked like. Did he look like those men?
"Well, you said you were mine so I brought you home." He said simply.
"I only said that to save myself. I am no ones."
"Now you are!" He said with an authoritative tone that sent chills down her spine.
Klara began to feel afraid of him.
"My Lord." A man dressed in servant clothes suddenly stood beside them. "Your father wants to see you."
"I'll be there." Roshan said while never looking away from Klara.
The man disappeared just, like that, into thin air. Klara felt her head spin. The things she had seen today were too much and she felt as thought she was falling which maybe she was Because she felt Roshans arm around her waist.
"Are you alright?" He shook her slightly.
Klara looked into his worried eyes. Was he really worried for her? Or did he just want her alive so that he could possess her? What did demons do with human by the way?
"Klara." He whispered her name. She realized that he never called her by her name. He usually called her princess. "I want you to trust me. Just do as I say and you will be safe."
Trust him? How? She just found out that he was a demon. Actually not. He had told her, she just didn't believe him. Maybe now she should, it's not like she had a choice. He could kill her easily if she disobeyed or maybe posses her.
Once she could stand steadily on her own he let go of her but grabbed her hand instead. He led the way through some large halls until they walked into what looked like a huge diningroom. At the end of the large dining table sat a man she couldn't see clearly because it was too far, but she could see that he wore luxurios clothes and had long silky black hair. The man stood up and started walking toward them. Once he was near enough Klara could see how much he resembled Roshan. The same bonestructure, skintone, eyecolor and even the same facial expression she noticed when he raised a brow quistioningly.
"A blonde? I see your taste have changed son." He said looking at Klara.
"Father. I need to explain." Roshan began but his father held up a hand to stop him from speaking any futher.
The man was strikingly beautiful just like Roshan but what caught Klara of guard was that he didn't seem old enough to be Roshans father. In fact they seemed to be just the same age. That had to do something with them being demons she thought and felt her head spin again.
Roshan put his hand lightly on her back.
"I know the human is not yours but you stopped another one from claiming her." His father pointed.
"It was against her will. He wasn't planning on manipulating her and then erasing her memory. He was enjoy the torture. If I remember correctly that is not how we do things." Roshan said.
Manipulate? Erase memory? Klaras hans turned cold and her throat felt dry.
"Very protective I see." His fathers lips curved into a slight smile, then he turned his gaze to Klara and she felt her heart skip a beat.
"And who are you young lady?" he asked.
Even though he had that frightening aura she decided to not be intimidated. "I am Klara Alriksson, daughter of Alrik the first and sister of King Rasmus." She said and was glad her voice didn't shake.
"You are the warrior princess." He said thoughtful. "Fascinating. Beautiful and brave."
"Thank you." Klara forced herself to smile.
"But what is a princess doing here? If I may ask."
Klara froze. She hadn't thought about it before splurting out that she was a princess. She looked at Roshan for some help.
"Father, she is tired and in shock right now. I'll show her to a room."
"Yes of course." Roshans father nodded then turned to Klara. "Feel at home."
Roshan led Klara out with one hand on her back, still. She followed him obediently not wanting to stay a minute longer with his father. If she thought Roshan was dangerous than his father was deadly dangerous.
Roshan took her up a few stairs then led her inside a room before closing the door. Klara was still in shock, her mind still trying to process everything that just happened.
She felt Roshans hand caressing her back gently. "You don't have to be scared. I won't let anyone hurt you." He spoke gently and she felt his hot breath in her hair.
Klara turned to him, his face was close to hers, his eyes staring deep into her own. Why did she believe this man? She shouldn't. Was it because he had been honest with her from the beginning? Still.
"You said I should be scared of you." She reminded.
Roshan put his hand on the nape of her neck, tracing her jawline with his thumb.
"I am not a good person. I would never hurt you physically but I might manipulate you, take advantage of you or use you. That's hurting you in some way I believe."
"Why are you telling me this?" She asked.
"Because I don't want to do those things, I just might not be able to stop myself everytime."
Klara wondered what would happen if he couldn't stop himself. How would he take advantage of her? What would he manipulate her to do? A shiver went down her spine. The thought that he could easily do whatever he wanted with her scared her, but only slightly. Strange.
"You are scared of me now." He frowned sensing her fear.
"I should be more scared than I am." She said honestly.
He let go of her and took a step back. "Take some rest." He said.
"I want to go home." She suddenly blurted. Maybe she was more scared and shocked than she thought. Demons existing and walking among them was not an easy thing to digest.
Roshans frown deepend and he seemed somehow hurt.
"Is that really what you want?" He asked.
Klara nodded.
Roshan felt a sting of pain in his heart. He didn't like to see her so shaken up but it was somehow his fault. He should have known that she wouldn't take it well, no humans did. Knowing that dangerous creatures existing among them made them never feel safe again. He knew she needed time to process things, she had seen to much in one day and to his surprise she hadn't fainted. Now he wondered if he would be selfish and force her to stay here with him or let her go. The right thing would be to let her go but he didn't want to. No he wouldn't let her go, he would make her stay whether she liked it or not.
To his surprise he took her hand and drew her into his embrace. Maybe he wasn't as selfish as he thought and he cursed himself for that. He knew he would regret it later but he hated to see her so frightened.
Klara was surprised when they arrived at the top of her brothers castle. He knew she had expected him to deny her and maybe that's why he didn't. He wanted to prove her wrong. Even though they arrived she didn't let go of him and held him tightly and so did he. He didn't want to let go, how could he when it felt as though she was made to be in his arms.
She looked up at him her eyes swirling with many unaswered questions and unwanted feelings. He knew she felt something for him but she didn't want to.
"Will you be alright here? With your brother."
"I am not sure." She said worriedly. "But I can't be running forever."
She felt Roshans arm loosen around her waist and panicked. Why she wasn't sure. A part of her felt empty when he let her go and she began to doubt her decision of wanting to come back home. But she knew she had to.
"I see you have lost you necklace." He said reaching around his neck. He was wearing one himself but he took it off and placed it around her neck. "This works the same way. If you need me I'll be here."
Why? Why was he doing all this for her? She had been trying so hard to not feel anything for him but he wasn't helping. She wasn't ready to fall inlove again. Not after all the pain she went through. And what would it mean to fall inlove with a demon?