Chapter 34

Nyx had several times heard the cries of demons getting burned over and over again and now she felt bad for not ever doing anything about it.
"Can't you meet him then? You are the king of demons. Can't you protect him from them?"
"I probably can but who will protect you?"
"What do you mean?" Nyx asked confused.
"If I meet him you'll die. I just got you back. I can't lose you again."
Nyx pushed him away. "Don't worry about me. I want you to be there for him." She said.
"Didn't you hear me. I said you will die!"
"I don't care!" She yelled. "Please. I want you to raise our son. There is no meaning in living when my son is out there alone." She pleaded.
Lucifer sighed. "I'll think of something. Get some rest first."
He tried to walk her back to the bed but she shoved him away.
"Mother. I want to speak to my mother."
Lucifer grabbed her face and made her look at him. "You are dead to your mother. I am the only one you have now so abandon everything and start anew."
Nyx slapped his hand away. "Tell my mother that I am alive!" Nyx ordered with a harsh tone.
"She already knows but you are still dead to her. The daughter she gave birth to, her witch daughter whom she named Nyx, is dead. You are not one of them anymore. You are a demon now."
Nyx stiffened.
She had become a demon! Because... she gave birth to one.
Oh lord. Her mother hated her now and she would never help her get her son back. More tears fell down her cheeks. She should have just died. What would her life be like now? She could neither get her son back nor go back to her family.
Slowly she turned around and went back to bed. She lay down curled and cried silently. How did her life turn like this?
As days went by Lucifer tried to cheer her up in different ways but her heart felt numb from all the pain. All she could think about was her son. She kept trying to convince Lucifer to go meet their son, but he refused every time, and one day he had enough.
"Enough!" He rose from his seat. "He is not only your son. He is mine too. You didn't want him to die but you don't want him to suffer either. This is his fate, being the son of a witch and the devil, he either lives and suffers or he dies. You should have let him die."
Nyx rose hastily from her seat and slapped Lucifer across the face. "Then why did you seduce me? Why did you make me pregnant? Why?!"
Lucifer's eyes turned red and his jaw shook. It was a frightening sight she had never seen before. "I am sorry I forced you." He said trembling as if to control anger. "And I am sorry I loved you."
Nyx realized he wasn't angry. He was hurt. He hadn't forced her to do anything. Everything had been her own choice and there was no time in her life that she had been so happy as when she was with Lucifer. He had been there for her in her loneliest times when even her family had abandoned her.
Lucifer turned and left, leaving her standing there alone.
Nyx wanted to apologize but she still thought that he had been harsh with his words. Maybe he just didn't know how to comfort someone by not telling the truth. Why did she hate the truth so much? Did she really make her son suffer by keeping him alive?
But he was alive and safe now. Wasn't he? Even if it was without her she should be happy that he could be kept safe. She shouldn't be greedy.
Slowly Nyx came in terms with everything and one day when she discovered that she regained her magic she gained hope.
"How is this possible? I still have my magic." She told Lucifer.
"Demons have magic as well." He said simply.
"Well, yours are not called magic really. It's more like powers. I mean that I can still cast a spell."
Lucifer seemed surprised. "What does that mean? Then...are you both a demon and a witch?"
They were both thoughtful for a while but then Nyx went on to practice her magic. She wanted to be stronger than her mother so that one day she could cast a spell that would protect her son but still make it possible for her to be with him.
"Irene."
"Who is that?" Nyx asked.
"It's you. Your new name. You got a chance at a new life. You should have a new name." Lucifer explained. "Do you like it?"
Nyx nodded. "Yes."
Demons often kept two names, their original demon names and more normal names so that they could blend in with the humans. Even though she wasn't just a demon it was refreshing to have a new name. She liked it.
"What is your other name?" She asked curiously.
"Lothaire."
Lothaire. She liked it. It sounded very unique and...cold. Just like him, she thought with a smile.
Irene thought of her son. One day she would be able to call him by the name she gave him.
Lucian. Her angel, her light, her everything. She would meet him someday.
"Why are you crying?" Irene asked.
It was so sad and I couldn't help myself. All the pain she went through, just so that she could be with her son. It was painful to see all of that.
"I'll tell Lucian everything. He will understand. " I said crying.
"No don't. He has already gone through enough pain. I don't want him to see mine."
I didn't want him to see either but I wanted him to finally be with his mother. I wanted them to hug and talk. To laugh together, eat together and walk together. I wanted them to stop hurting and start anew.
"Oh, Irene." I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"Oh, darling. Don't be so sad. I am alright now." She said hugging me back but then her stomach growled loudly and we both laughed.
I stood up and wiped my tears. "Let's eat," I said.
We sat in the garden where the food was served. While Irene ate with a great appetite I just mostly stared at the food. These days I had no appetite at all and everything seemed tasteless. Even things I used to love eating before. Now even certain smells made me feel sick.
I tried to breathe through my mouth instead of my nose. The smell made me nauseous.
"Are you alright?" Irene looked at my face worriedly.
"No, I feel..." My stomach lurched violently at the sight of the food on the table. "I don't have an appetite. Excuse me." I said standing up.
I wanted to quickly get away from this smell but the ground under my feet swayed and I grabbed the table as to not fall.
"Oh dear..." Irene hurried to my side and grabbed my arm. "You don't seem alright. Come." She said and helped me back to the room. She sat me down on the bed carefully and then touched my forehead with the back of her hand.
"I am alright. I just feel a bit nauseous. That's all." I assured her.
"How long have you been feeling that way?" She asked.
"I am not really sure but the last two days I have been feeling really nauseous at the smell of food."
Without saying a word Irene took my arm and placed two fingers on my wrist. She was quiet for a while but then she gazed up at me with a smile.
"Hazel. You are pregnant."
Roshan did his best to give Klara some space and make her realize that she indeed liked him as much as he did. But as he watched her get closer to Noah, he could not control his demon who briskly turned green from jealousy. He never had problems keeping his demon at bay before but now the dark existence withing him howled like a starving wolf.
Today, as he watched her walk around the garden with Noah, he felt queer possessiveness take over him. How dare that man look at his woman? How dare he speak to her? How dare he touch her?
Miffed at his own reaction he turned away for a moment to calm himself down.
Calm himself down?!
He was flabbergasted by the fact that he needed to collect himself. He, who had always been calm and composed, how did he turn into this fretful and covetous beast. Was this all because of a woman?
No! Deep down Roshan knew she wasn't just a woman. She was the woman. The one. His mate. He should claim her and not waste time. But he couldn't just throw her over his shoulder and abduct her. Well, he could but that was not his style.
When he turned back around he found Noah making and attempt to kiss Klara. Panic hit him so hard that for a short moment he imagined throwing himself at Noah and separating his head from his body but something stopped him from turning his imagination into reality. It was Klara's thoughts. She was going to let Noah kiss her because she wanted to know if it would feel like the kiss they had on the rooftop.
The hell with that. He was not going to let that happen. Just when he was about to interrupt their kiss his limbs froze in place, and just then their lips locked. His demon shrieked in pain at the sight. He was for sure going to spill some blood today and it was going to be either Noah's or Enoch's.
"Don't you want her to figure out her real feelings?" Enoch asked appearing next to him.
Roshan wanted to curse but he couldn't since he was frozen. This was one of Enoch's unique powers and Roshan still didn't know how to undo it.
"If you don't let him kiss her, she will never know the difference. She will always think that kissing anyone will feel the same since she has no experience."
Enoch's words made sense and Roshan would think the same if he hadn't been so possessive of her but he knew that his friend was doing this mainly to annoy him.
Klara put her hands on Noah's chest and pushed him away lightly.
"I don't think she liked it," Enoch said shaking his head. "At least now you know and she knows."
Roshan had a strong urge to cut his friend's tongue and feed it to him just to silence him. Later, he thought. He would to it later, but then he wouldn't just cut his tongue.
"You can thank me later." Enoch winked before releasing him and disappearing.
Roshan let out a breath of frustration once he could move again. He was enraged but he would deal with Enoch later. Now, where was Klara?
Klara hurried to her room bothered and fl.u.s.tered by her own actions. How could she let Noah kiss her just to compare it to Roshan's kiss? Just how?! Roshan was making her do all kinds of unusual things. She should stop now before making anymore mistakes. Noah didn't deserve this. When they meet again she was going to end things before getting too involved. But if not Noah then who? Her brother was waiting eagerly for her to choose a suiter.
Astrid had already found someone and she was now engaged. Klara was happy for her sister but this put a lot of pressure on her.
She sat down on her bed with a sigh of frustration. What was she supposed to do now?
"Klara!" Suddenly Roshan was in her room. There was a look of dissatisfaction on his face and his voice sounded rather harsh whilst calling her name.
Klara stood up slowly unsure of her feelings at the moment. She was happy yet anxious that he came to find her. Happy because she had missed him and anxious because she shouldn't have missed him.
Why him?! Noah was also good looking, smart and unlike Roshan, he had good manners. Yet she felt nothing when he kissed her. Why-why-why?! She had wanted to feel something so badly. She wanted to get over Roshan so badly. The last thing she needed was to like someone whom she couldn't be with and get heartbroken again.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
He clenched his jaw and his eyes pierced into hers. "Remember I told you I might not be able to stop myself every time?"
Klara nodded holding her breath.
"I might take you with me today." He said clenching his hands into fists.
She shook her head in denial. Again she wasn't speaking as if she had lost her voice. Why did this happen to her everytime Roshan was present?
Roshan slowly took a step forward eyeing her like a predator would eye its prey. Klara felt the dark aura around him and it made her want to run yet she couldn't move her limbs. At that moment she knew he was inside her head making her unable to move.
"Roshan..." She began carefully thinking of how to make him stop. "You said you wouldn't let anyone hurt me. You said you don't want to do this."
"Sometimes we do things we don't want to. Just like the things you have been doing lately."
He knew what she has been doing?! How could he invade her privacy like that? What did she even like about this rude man?
A muscle ticked in Roshan's jaw as if he knew what she was thinking.
Wait!
He knew!
"You!" She raised her voice feeling betrayed. "First leave my head and then I will teach you a lesson." She threatened.
Roshan who had been so tense and serious suddenly chuckled darkly.
"I would love for you to teach me anything." He smirked. Then he grabbed her wrist and drew her into his arms and just like that they arrived somewhere in the woods.
Klara pushed him away as soon as they arrived. "Take me back n..."
Before she could finish her sentence Roshan threw something at her and she catched it in the air instinctively.
It was a sword.
"You wanted to teach me a lesson." He shrugged casually.
Klara knew she could never win yet she drew her sword. This man had invaded her privacy in a way she could never imagine. He deserved a beating.
"Where is your weapon? I don't fight unarmed men."
Roshan pulled two daggers from each side of his h.i.p.s and flipped them swiftly between his fingers. "Don't go easy on me princess."
"I don't plan to." She said and then without warning or hesitation she swung her sword at him but unfortunately, she missed.
She swung again, and again, and again but missed every time until she was tired and out of breath. Roshan, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the whole situation and not even one hair on his head was out of place.
"I hate you!" She yelled swinging her sword one last time but this time she felt it cut through something.
Confused, she looked at the sword. There was blood on it. Looking up she found blood seeping down Roshan's arm.
Shocked she dropped the weapon and rushed to his side. "Oh lord. You're bleeding."
She placed her hand on the wound not knowing what else to do.
"I am alright." He said placing his hand on top of hers.
"Why did you let me strike you?"
"You said you hated me. I would let you strike me a million times if it would make you hate me less."
Klara looked up at him, taken aback by his words. How could he make her heart melt so easily? Confused, she looked away from his dreamy eyes.
"You are crazy." She said.
"I guess I am. Crazy about you."
Klara could feel more blood seep from his wound and through her fingers, yet all she could do was stare into his hazel eyes. She was caught. Caught under his spell and she could not escape. That's if she even wanted to.
"Klara," He stepped closer to her and she held her breath overwhelmed by his closeness. "I don't think I can stay away from you anymore."
Then don't, she wanted to say but she didn't have to since he could hear her. Her cheeks flushed and she looked down quickly. All this time he had been able to hear what she had been thinking. She felt betrayed again.
God! She was so confused. What was she supposed to do with this man?
"Do whatever you want. If you want to punish me then do it, and if you want to have me then I am all yours." He said.
She wanted to do both. Roshan's lips curved into smile and Klara shrieked knowing he could hear her. Now her cheeks burned painfully.
Roshan placed his hand on her cheek, his cold skin cooling her burning face. "Feeling better?"
Embarrassed Klara slapped his hand away with her bloody one which reminded her that he had been bleeding.
"Your wound."
"It has already healed." He assured her rolling up his sleeve and showing her clear skin without even a tiny scar. Klara stared astonished at his arm where there had just been a deep wound but she didn't bother to ask how. If there were demons and one was standing right in front of her, anything was possible.
"You made me worry for nothing." She snorted.
Roshan chuckled amused. The sound of his laugh always made her feel a certain way.
"Take me back home now." She ordered crossing her arms over her chest.
"As you wish, My Lady. But then you will have to hug me." He opened his arms finding pleasure in the situation he put her in.
Rolling her eyes Klara made her way into his arms. "Stop enjoying this and make it quick."
"How can I not enjoy it?" He said wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer.
As soon as they arrived she would kick him where the sun never shines.
"I can hear you." He reminded before teleporting them back into her room.
As usual, Klara pushed him away as soon as they arrived but this time he didn't let himself get pushed away. Instead, he held her tightly.
"What are you doing?" She used her authoritative voice but that didn't scare him.
"Klara." She cursed inwardly hating how her body responded to the sound of her name on his tongue. "You still haven't told me. Do you want to punish me or have me?"
"How about both?" She blurted.
God! Did that slip out of her mouth?
"Sounds good to me." He said simply.
"I...I..." Why was she stuttering?
She was Klara, a confident princess, a strong woman, a smart general, and a respected warrior. Why was she acting like a little girl around this man?
"I'll be waiting for you then."
Klara watched the sunset at the horizon, bringing a splash of rich colors spreading all over the sky. Oranges, blues, crimsons, and purples blended like the finest art creating a breathtaking canvas.
Once she had been like those colors. Warm, vivid, alive and full of passion. She had been someone who lived her life on her own terms. She was strong, confident and adventures. But nowadays she had been nothing but confused and scared. Even her sister Astrid had noticed.
"You don't want to marry him. Why are you doing this?" Astrid had asked.
"Rasmus is waiting for me to choose someone." Klara reminded.
"And when did you ever let brother decide things for you or anyone else for that matter?"
Klara sighed. "I am getting old." She chuckled.
"And when did you care about society's rules? Come on! Where is my rebellious sister who did whatever she wanted?"
"I thought you hated her." Klara wondered.
"I did, but now I miss her." Astrid smiled. "I don't want you to ever stop doing what your heart tells you, just like you did before. I want you to be happy."
And here she was after having done what her heart told her. Admitting that she wanted Roshan. What would this lead to?
If Klara had met Roshan before getting her heart broken she probably wouldn't have cared if he was a demon or if her brother opposed to their relationship. She would have followed her heart and told him straight that she liked. Just like she did with Lucian.
But now, after knowing the pain of not being able to be with the person you love, she became less fearless. Now she feared for her heart, which was beating erratically inside her chest while she waited for Roshan.
Klara looked outside the window. The sun had set completely and the sky turned black. Klara had lied to her handmaidens that he was going to sleep and didn't want to be disturbed. Once she was alone she had dressed nicely, combed her hair and painted her lips all while her stomach fluttered with nervousness. Lastly, she put scented oils and perfume onto her skin before blowing a few candles off and waiting anxiously in her dimly lighted room.
While waiting Klara questioned her insanity a million times. Even if she went back to being fearless, she shouldn't be so fearless to invite a demon into her chamber at night. What had she planned to do with him? Just what had she done?!
But as soon as she remembered his touch, his kiss and especially his words her fear turned into yearning. She already longed to be in his arms. Even if it was forbidden for a maiden like her.
After a whiles wait, she grabbed a book to kill some time. Laying down on her bed she began to read, but soon she was getting tired and Roshan hadn't shown up yet. Did he forget about her? Or was he making her wait on purpose?
If he didn't come tonight she would never meet him again. She didn't want someone who gambled with her feelings.
Annoyed and frustrated Klara went back to reading her book. For awhile she did her best to not fall asleep but gave up eventually and decided to take a nap. Adjusting her pillow she rested her head on it before closing her eyes. Right before she fell into a deep slumber she felt cold fingers caress her cheek.
Roshan.
The sleepiness she felt vanished in the blink of an eye and all she wanted was to open her eyes, jump up and hug him. But she quickly reminded herself that he had made her wait.
"I am sorry I made you wait." He whispered.
Klara ignored him and kept her eyes shut.
"You can add it to my punishment." He whispered again.
Klara kept ignoring him. If he wanted to be punished then this would be his punishment. After a short silence, Klara felt the edge of her mattress sink. Her heart skipped a beat. He was climbing into her bed and crawling under her sheets. She wanted to turn around and scold him but he snuggled against her back and wrapped his arm around her waist, locking her in place.
Klara stiffened. She never let a man into her bedroom let alone her bed and now this man was holding her comfortable as if she belonged to him.
"Don't you want to belong to me?" He asked his hot breath tickling her neck.
Klara could feel his hard chest pressed against her back. His fresh scent and the warmth of his embrace made her lose track of her thoughts.
"Klara."
She bit her lips. She could not resist every time he called her name.
"I want to make you mine." He buried his face in her blonde locks and inhaled her scent. "You don't know how long I have suppressed the need to touch you, to kiss you and hold you. I want you, Klara." His lips moved across her ear.
Klara's breath hitch, her brain stopped functioning and her body reacted in ways that frightened yet excited her.
Roshan's fingers brushed the hair away from her neck and then ever so lightly he pressed his lips onto her skin. The heat from his lips made her skin tingle with carnal awareness as he slowly kissed his way up to her jaw.
Klara should have pushed him away or at least left the bed, but instead, she turned to him, her body drawn to his involuntarily. She took a moment to look at him and again she was fascinated by his beauty. The dim light in the room made his skin look golden and his l.u.s.trous black hair shine. Her eyes traveled to his, those hazel eyes and feminine lashes always had her trapped.
Roshan propped up on an elbow and studied her in turn. "You still haven't said a word." He noted.
"I don't think I have to. You already know what I am thinking," She stated simply.
"Still. We don't always choose to say what we think. I want to know what you choose to say."
"I choose to say that I hate that you know what I am thinking."
He chuckled. "Well, I can do nothing about it, princess."
"Don't call me that." She muttered.
"Ah, you like when I say your name." He smiled knowingly.
Klara's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She tried to get up but he grabbed her shoulder and pushed her down again.
"Do you really want to get punished?" She threatened.
"Why do I get aroused by your threats?"
Aroused? How could he use such a word?
Roshan chuckled. "Than what should I say?"
"You are shameless."She said trying to get away from his hold but he still held her down.
Roshan leaned over her with a serious expression. "Would you rather I say I feel nothing while having your body next to mine? You don't know how much self-control it's taking me to just lay next to you and do nothing."
Klara inhaled sharply through her mouth. This man did things to her body just by speaking.
"Should I keep quiet then?"
"No! I mean...yes." She frowned at her own confusion.
Roshan grinned revealing his perfect white teeth. Klara took notice of his unusual long canines. They seemed longer than before, looking almost like fangs. She had never seen someone with such teeth before. Was it because he was a demon?
"Yes." He replied to her unspoken question.
"But they weren't this long the last time."
"Usually they are just slightly long but they elongate when we are angry, sad, frustrated or aroused." He grinned at the last word.
"Why?" She breathed.
"You might get scared if I tell you." He warned.
"Tell me." She urged her heart beating fast.
He studied her for a short while. "To bite."
Bite? "Like a vampire?" She whispered.
He chuckled. "Vampires don't exist and we don't bite for blood."
"Then what?" She was suddenly very curious. If she was going to be with him she needed to know everything about demons.
Wait! Did she just consider the option of being with him?
"We bite to mark our mate. The mark creates a special bond between the partners and makes you connect on a deeper level. It allows you to somehow feel each other's emotions if they are strong enough."
Mark? Mate?
"What do you mean?" Klara asked dumbfounded.
Mate? Like in soulmate? If he found his soulmate was he going to bite her? Does it hurt?
"Well, you can call it soulmate. And yes, I would bite her but only if she wants to and they all want to eventually."
Now Klara had to push his arm away and sit up. She needed to think for a moment. A demon biting her. Why was she not scared? She tried to come up with different reasons to be frightened and despite coming up with a hundred reasons she was still not scared.
Roshan sat up as well and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I wish you would belong to me forever but I won't bite you unless you want me to."
"Would you have me forever?"
That had been her biggest concern. That Roshan wasn't serious about her. That even if she came over her fear of being with him, maybe he wouldn't want her the same.
"If you let me, I would have you even after."
"How can I trust your words?" She asked.
"If you let me I would be willing to bite you. The mark will bond us forever."
Forever.
Did that mean that he wanted to marry her? But wait! Could humans and demons even get married? Was it possible to be with each other physically? Or did demons function differently? And could...
"Relax." Roshan chuckled. "It's very much possible for humans and demons to be together in every way. Just the way your friend Hazel is able to be with Lucian."
Lucian?
Klara's mind went blank for a while and then it hit her. The rumors surrounding Lucian, the way she had felt when she had met him for the first time, his dark frightening aura, his fighting skills, and his strange eyes. It all made sense now. He was a demon. And he was married to Hazel. A human.
So... it was possible.
But Did Hazel know?
Of course, she had to know.
But what about children? Klara wanted to have children. Could demons and humans reproduce?
Roshan suddenly pushed her back down on the bed holding her in place with his upper body. "Klara. Are you really thinking that far ahead now?"
Klara cursed inwardly with embarrassment.
"It pleases me." He added.
She glanced up at him surprised. "Roshan?"
"Yes."
"Why do you want me?"
She had never been kind to him or done anything for him. Why was he willing to be with her? It could not be because of her beauty. A man like him could get any woman he wanted so why her?
On the other hand, he had taken care of her. He had helped her escape and let her stay in his home without asking for anything in return. He had helped her visit her sister and once she wanted to go back home he had taken her back.
What she liked the most about him was that even though he called her princess he never treated her like one. That could be why she felt more free with him than other men who expected her to act according to her title. Roshan made her feel alive again, he challenged her, he angered her, irritated her yet made her heart flutter.
Did she make his heart flutter?
Without a word, Roshan took her hand and placed it on his chest. Klara could feel his heart hammering against his ribcage but then he leaned down and claimed her mouth with his. The kiss came as a surprise and Klara felt his heart race under her palm in rhythm with her own.
Roshan kissed her tenderly, his lips moving over hers slowly as if he didn't want to frighten her. Then he pulled away and studied her carefully. Klara's cheeks flushed under his scrutiny and her breath came out in shallow pants. How could a kiss leave her breathless?
"That's how much you affect me." He said.
Now she understood why he placed her hand on his chest and kissed her. His heart was beating as fast as hers.
"I have been unable to sleep since I kissed you." He began.
Me too, she thought.
"You are curious as to why I want you? Why wouldn't I? You are beautiful, kind, smart, strong and stubborn of course."
Klara smiled at him. She was indeed stubborn but how could he say that she was kind? She had been everything but kind to him.
"Kindness is not just about being friendly, or helpful or charitable. Anyone can be those things. Kindness is mostly about being courageous because it takes courage to be kind when it's the hardest thing to be."
Roshan knew that Klara had saved Hazel. The woman who happened to be the wife of her first love. She even befriended her which really fascinated him. That someone of her status was willing to become a second wife also said a lot about her personality. She didn't care about those things. She was someone who followed her heart.
Fortunately for him, Lucian was a demon and he had already found his mate, otherwise a man in his position would be willing to marry as many women as possible. Especially beauties with high status.
"You think I am courageous?" She asked her bright blue eyes looking at with curiosity.
He never thought he would find a blonde, blue-eyed, pale-skinned woman beautiful but he did. Her blue eyes made him think of clear summer skies and her golden locks of warm sun rays. Her pale skin made obvious whenever she blushed and those rosy cheeks made him weak. He imagined himself kissing every inch of her pale skin until her whole body flushed.
Roshan clenched his jaw and discarded the thought quickly.
"Yes, you are." He smiled at her.
She gave him a satisfied look and then snuggled against him with a smile.
"Will you stay here till I fall asleep?" She whispered.
"Of course."