Chapter 37

She heard Roshan chuckle softly before he grabbed her hands and placed them on his chest.
"I thought you wanted to touch me." He spoke.
Klara felt the heat of his body under her palm and the way his muscles flexed as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. She felt his bare skin against her thighs and his hardness pressed against her stomach. Panic and excitement bubbled inside her while her hands still rested hesitantly on his chest.
"Don't hold back, because I won't." He captured her lower lip and sucked on it.
Klara m.o.a.ned into his mouth, her hands sliding to the back of his head to pull him down. Just like he said he didn't hold back. He kissed her until her lips felt sore, and her skin burned and her body ached in places she could never imagine. She found herself curling her toes and wanting to clasp her thighs together to stop the throbbing between her legs.
This time she let him take her gown off and her undergarment. She wanted to feel his skin against hers. She wanted to be touched everywhere, kissed everywhere.
"Oh, I am planning on doing that and more." He promised with a grin.
Roshan moved his gaze swiftly of her bare body. She was more beautiful then he imagined and he already ached to be inside of her. But it was her first time, so he wanted to be gentle. He had to control himself even though his demon was howling like a beast.
You will have her forever. She is yours now so calm down. He told his demon.
It was true. He didn't need to rush things. He wanted to make her first time to feel safe and comfortable. But after that, he would show her his sinister ways.
"Roshan?"
He looked into her concerned eyes and saw a reflection of himself. His eyes had turned red and his fangs had elongated even more. His body was telling him to claim her.
"Don't be afraid." He told her as if being sure he could control himself.
What if he didn't? She would begin to fear him or maybe she would never trust him again.
"I am not. I am just...nervous."
Did that mean she was embracing herself to get bitten?
"Do you want me to bite you?" He asked.
"If you can't control it then it's alright."
Roshan caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. Klara didn't know why this gesture and his gaze made her suddenly feel loved instead of desired. Slowly his eyes returned to their normal color but his fangs remained the same. Klara got curious as to why?
"Can I touch them?" She asked.
Roshan was taken aback by her question. Women had touched him on many places but never his fangs.
"Yes."
Slowly she lifted her hand and traced a finger over his fangs. A strange sensation went through Roshan's body, intensifying the hunger he already felt for her.
Klara continued to play with her finger around his mouth. He had very kissable lips, a beautiful yet masculine face, and his neck. Her hands trailed down his neck. She never thought she would find a man's neck inviting.
Her hands continued further to his strong shoulders, grabbing them she pulled him down on her. His bare chest pressing against her bare b.r.e.a.s.ts, creating a friction that caused a m.o.a.n to escape her lips.
Rosha devoured her mouth, while his hand slowly and teasingly slid between her legs, touching her where she ached the most. Klara m.o.a.ned against his lips and her back arched. She was embarrassed yet she didn't want him to stop. She had never experienced such sweet torture before.
Roshan's mouth made a path down her neck and between her b.r.e.a.s.ts before he captured a peek between his lips. Klara gasped and squirmed. She knew she had to keep it quiet but she couldn't.
Her body shuddered with want as his fingers worked between her legs and his mouth over her b.r.e.a.s.ts. It burned, flushed, tingled and ached until she couldn't control the sounds that came out of her mouth.
Roshan grabbed her legs and pulled her closer adjusting himself between them. Klara's heart skipped a beat, embracing herself for the pain to come.
Roshan leaned down and kissed her belly. "Relax." He spoked against her skin. "I'll take it slow."
He kept kissing and caressing every inch of her until her body begged for his. As if he knew he leaned into her and then gently pushed himself inside. Klara gasped at the intrusion but it didn't hurt as she had expected. It was only uncomfortable.
But Roshan was slow and gentle and her body adjusted quickly to his.
Klara woke up looking forward to her day after such a long time. Her body ached sweetly from last night's activity and her cheeks grew hot as she remembered the details. Oh lord, how could she have behaved that way?
Slowly she turned in bed expecting to find Roshan sleeping next to her but to her surprise and disappointment, he wasn't there.
Sitting up she looked around. He was nowhere to be seen. For some reason, her heart raced and her stomach turned.
"Roshan." She called.
But no one answered.
"Roshan!"
Nothing again. Her heart tightened making it hard for her to breathe. Her eyes stung, tears threatening to run down her cheeks like rivers. She wrapped her arms around herself as if that would take away the pain.
"Roshan." She croaked as tears began to fall down her cheeks.
How did this happen? He had used her and left her. How could he do this to her? Why did she trust him so easily?
She was stupid, a fool and a moron.
"Oh, God!" She cried burying her face in her hands.
"Klara." She heard Roshan's voice through her cry.
Shocked, she looked up. Roshan stood in her room with a concerned look on his face.
Klara got hastily out of bed, holding the sheets around her body with one arm.
"Where have you been?" She asked angrily.
"I was..." He looked down a bit embarrassed. She had never seen him like that before. "I brought flowers." He said raising his hand in which he held a bucked of pink roses. "I wanted to surprise..."
Before he could finish his sentence she threw an apple at him that she grabbed from the basket on the table next to her.
"You idiot!" She screamed as she threw it on him.
Roshan catched it before it hit his face. He stared at her appalled.
Quickly Klara grabbed another fruit from the basket and threw it on him. "Arse!"
He dodged it swiftly, but another one already flew his way. "You fool!" She screamed.
He dodged it again.
Now a pineapple came his way. She was really angry. "Stupid demon!"
Roshan sliced the pineapple with his dagger in the air. Klara stared at him furiously.
Roshan looked around at the wasted fruits on the ground. "Princess, no need to waste food if you don't like roses."
She threw on more fruit at him before turning her back to him as more tears fell down her face. How could he not understand how she felt? He had scared her!
Roshan wrapped his arms around her from behind. She tried to push him away but he held her tightly.
"I am sorry." He spoke against her hair. "I shouldn't have left but I needed some air to not bite you in your sleep. But I am disappointed in you. Do you think so low of me, that I would leave after our first night?"
Klara didn't know what she had been thinking. Why did she imagine the worst? Why did she believe that everyone would leave her?
"I am sorry." She apologized suddenly embarrassed of her behavior.
Roshan turned her around, grabbing her face he made her look at him. "Klara. If you are going to trust me then trust me all the way." He wiped her tears away with his thumb.
She nodded.
"Good. Now I have another surprise for you. " He said.
"What is it?" She asked.
"A surprise." He grinned. God, he knew how to annoy her. "You can look forward to it during the day but I need to leave to prepare it." He explained.
"Now?"
"Yes." He nodded.
"Alright." She agreed slightly disappointed.
Leaning down he kissed her in a way that made her go weak in the knees. "I'll see you later." And before she could catch her breath he was gone.
Roshan arrived at his father's home. He should have called it his own home but he had been staying with Irene and Lucifer for so long that this place didn't feel like his home anymore.
"Ramiel!" His father cheered upon his arrival. As usual, his father was surrounded by women and liquor. "Come and join us."
The women observed him and then nodded in appreciation. Roshan was used to it so he just ignored them.
"Father, I need to speak to you."
"Oh," His father took a sip of his whine. "What makes my son concerned?" He asked.
Roshan manipulated the women to leave.
"Ah, it's a woman." His father grinned. "I knew you liked that blonde."
"I don't just like her. She is my mate."
His father put his glass down as his expression turned serious.
"A human? I was expecting...." He waved his hand in which he held his glass of wine. "Nevermind. Congratulations son!"
"Thank you, but I need your help!"
"Finally you ask for my help. What is it?"
"Her brother won't let her marry anyone so...." Roshan began.
"Anyone?!" His father cut off. "Who said you are anyone? You are my son. That is not just anyone."
Roshan wasn't sure if his father was complimenting himself or him.
"You are rich, handsome, powerful, the highest class of demons. What more can he ask for?"
Roshan shook his head. His father was clearly intoxicated.
"Well, telling him that I am the highest class of demons will not help me in any way." Roshan reminded.
"Yes right. Then...what's the problem? Just get inside his head." His father suggested.
"That's why I am here. I don't want to do that."
"Then I'll do it."
"No!"
His father chuckled. "You care too much son. Just don't get your heart broken...like me. Maybe it's good that she is human."
His father's mood suddenly went down the hill. Both of them always avoided speaking of his mother.
"Father, will you help me or not?"
"Of course, of course." His father waved.
"Good. I have a plan."
Klara tried to think of what kind of surprise Roshan was preparing. What kind of surprise would need this much preparation? It was already past lunchtime and he still hadn't come back.
Wait! Was she was being too much? She had been doing nothing but thinking about him and waiting for him. What was wrong with her? She had a lot to do. She had a war to plan.
"Ugh," she groaned.
"What is wrong?" Her brother stood at the door with a smile. He seemed to be in a good mood.
"What is wrong or right with you?" She asked.
"I am just glad I have a sister like you." He smiled.
Klara frowned not sure where her brother was going with this. What had she done to make him happy?
Rasmus walked into the room and sat at the table in front of her. "Now tell me..." He said leaning in. "Just how did you find us such a powerful ally? How did you even get hold of him?"
"What ally? What are you talking about?" Klara was confused.
"Oh come on. I know everything already. He is already on his way."
"Who is on his way?" Astrid interrupted their conversation.
"The richest man of the five kingdoms. Dariush Golchin. He helped the king of Shinai to unite the five kingdoms and that's how the Persian empire came into existence. He is the right man to help us." Rasmus explained.
Shinai? Persian empire?
Oh lord! It was Roshan!
"I am impressed, Klara." Her brother said with pride.
"But why would he want to help us?" Astrid asked skeptically. "I am sure he will ask for something in return. Something we probably don't want or can't give, since he is so rich and would probably have everything else."
Astrid was always the one to think ten steps ahead. Suddenly Rasmus became thoughtful.
"What did you tell him, Klara?" He asked sternly.
"Nothing!" She hurried to say. "I mean... I am...I am not sure why he wants to help."
It was true. She wasn't sure if this was Roshans doing. It was only a feeling she had and she could be wrong.
"Anyway, both of you be prepared for his arrival. He will be here very soon." Rasmus told them before leaving.
Klara panicked. If this was Roshan than what was he planning?
"You look like you have seen a ghost," Astrid noted.
How about a demon? Klara thought.
"Do you think he wants you?" Astrid asked. "I think he does. He must have seen you somewhere. Have you seen him?"
"Astrid, I need to prepare myself so if you will excuse me." Klara motioned toward the door telling her sister to leave.
"Rude," Astrid said flipping her hair and then leaving.
Klara paced back and forth in her room, not sure what to prepare for and before she could even get her thoughts together she was informed that Dariush Golchin had arrived.
Slowly she made her way to the parlor and found her brother sitting with two other men. She knew both of them.
It was Roshan and his father!
Her brother laughed at something Roshan's father said when he took notice of her.
"Oh, here is my sister. Come."
Klara walked inside gracefully and tried her best to keep a straight face. Once she was close enough she curtsied, while her brother introduced them.
"This is the famous lord Golchin and his... son Roshan. And this is my sister Klara."
From the way, Rasmus said son she knew he had a hard time understanding how they could be father and son. They looked more like brothers.
"Thank you for honoring us with your presence," Klara spoke and then got seated in one of the armchairs.
"As you know we don't discriminate between men and women. " Rasmus began. "My sister is also a war minister, therefore, she is here. I hope that won't be a problem."
"Not at all. I admire the fact that Her Highness is active in politics." Dariush admitted.
Rasmus nodded "I'll be straightforward. What is it you want in return for your help?"
Speaking of being straightforward, "Your sister."
Rasmus tilted his head slightly and narrowed his gaze. He usually did that when he didn't like what he was hearing. "Both of my sisters are unfortunately betrothed." He lied.
Klara panicked. She was not betrothed to anyone.
Dariush lips curved into a cryptic smile. "Since you said you don't discriminate between men and women I am sure you would let your sister decide whether she wants to break the engagement or not. I am sure your sister is smart enough to know which engagement will bring more benefits to her and the kingdom." He spoke while looking at Klara.
"You are willing to accept my sister despite her having been betrothed to another man?" Rasmus asked a bit appalled.
"It's not me who is willing to accept. It's my son."
Rasmus nodded thoughtfully as he shifted his gaze to Roshan. "Why would I give my sister to you?"
"Because you care for her. You raised her to be a strong woman who can make a difference.
I won't let everything you taught her go to waste." Roshan promised.
Rasmus seemed a bit impressed. He turned to Klara and looked at her for approval. She looked down shyly.
"Since you said she is wise enough to make a decision I'll let her decide," Rasmus said surprising her.
Klara was so happy she wanted to rush and hug her brother but all she could do was smile at him.
"Fair enough."
"Do you have any siblings Roshan?" Rasmus asked as they took a walk in the castle.
"No," Roshan replied.
"Then you probably don't know how I feel."
"How do you feel?" Roshan asked even though he already knew since he could read his thoughts.
"My sisters are all I have. I have raised them, educated them, protected them, provided for them and in return, they gave me a reason to live. Now, both of them are leaving." He paused.
Rasmus had a difficult time letting go of his sisters.
"I want them to be in good hands. Yes, being a king and ruling over big lands feels good but I would leave it all for my sisters. So if anyone ever hurts them, I'll look for them whatever they hide." He continued.
Roshan nodded.
"Klara is not as tough as she looks. Her toughness is only a shield. She has been through a lot and seen a lot that she shouldn't have seen. She keeps it all inside and hides it with her tough attitude but on the inside, she is a kind soul. Someone who can't sleep in peace if she has done something bad. She even escaped home just to help those she thought she had wronged." He chuckled. " She is very stubborn."
Roshan already knew all this. "She is." He agreed. "She agreed to marry me with one condition."
Rasmus came to a halt. "What is the condition?"
"To visit you once every month."
Rasmus was shocked. When a woman left her family she never came back home. That was a disgrace to her husband's family.
"I can't believe it. I'll speak to her." He said.
"No need. I already agreed to her condition."
Now Rasmus seemed even more surprised. "Why?"
"Why not? Who made those stupid rules anyway? If people can make rules they can break them as well and create some new ones more suitable for them. I don't follow rules I don't like." Roshan said.
Rasmus nodded impressed. He was thinking of doing the same thing. He was a king after all so he should abandon rules he didn't like set new ones. Ones that society would slowly accept and changes would take place eventually.
"This is Klara's quarters. Here is the dining room. I'll let you two have dinner alone while I accompany your father. I am sure you want to discuss a few things with each other."
Rasmus motioned for him to go inside. Roshan had to admit that Klara's brother was openminded. He liked that about him. Helping him as a king would not be a bad idea.
Roshan got seated at the table and waited for Klara once Rasmus left. A few servants were setting the table when Klara arrived.
They still had to pretend like they didn't know each other since servants were present and they could spread gossip.
Roshan stood up from his seat. Walking over he pulled the chair out for her. After she got seated he went to his seat and sat down. The butler served them food and poured them drinks and then all the servants stood at the corner of the room, pretending not to see or hear anything.
They had already spoken earlier but only for a very short while, and about the one condition, it was all a lie. He knew she would want to meet her brother at least once every month so he lied about it.
"So My Lady. Tell me about yourself. I am very curious." He said picking up a fork and a knife.
"Well as you can see, if you are not blind of course. I am extremely beautiful, charming, smart and...isn't that enough?" She asked straightening her shoulders.
He knew she was playing with him but he could see the servant struggling to keep a straight face at her comments. They probably thought that she was shallow.
Roshan manipulated the servent to forget what they heard, leave and close the door after behind them.
Klara was about to pick a carrot with her fork when the servants suddenly began to move. Why were they leaving? As they left they closed the door to the dining room leaving her locked inside, alone with Roshan.
She turned to him to ask if he manipulated them but he was not sitting on his seat. She looked around wondering where he disappeared when she suddenly felt warm strong hands on her shoulders.
"What did you think of my surprise?" He asked standing behind her.
Klara tried to think straight despite his hands slowly crawling to her neck. "I liked it. But you should have told me. Don't you know how fl.u.s.tered I was?"
"I know. " He said removing the hair away from her neck. Leaning down he pressed his lips to her neck making all the feelings from last night come alive. Suddenly she imagined him scooping her up in his arms and taking her to bed. She abandoned the thought quickly.
"I can't believe my brother agreed to this easily." She said.
"He cares for you a lot. I told him that I would let you visit him every month."
Klara stood up and turned to him. "Would you really let me do that?"
He grabbed her face between his hands. "I would do and give you anything you ask for."
Klara wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you."
He hugged her back holding her tight. "I can't wait to take you home." He spoke next to her ear.
Klara's heart skipped a beat. The thought of this man taking her home brought a fluttering feeling to her stomach.
"Tonight I'll be visiting Lucian. " He began. "Do you maybe want to come with me and meet Hazel?"
Lucian. She hadn't seen him since the day she helped him escape and she wasn't sure if she wanted to see him now. On the other hand, she really wanted to see Hazel.
"I'll think about it." She said.
And she did. She thought about it carefully the whole evening. Yes, she loved Lucian once but not anymore. So there was no reason to avoid him. Now her heart belonged to someone else.
Once she made up her mind she dressed nicely and waited for Roshan.
"So I see you are going." He said when he came.
She nodded. "Yes."
"Good. Now come here." He opened his arms widely.
Klara shook her head with a smile as she made her way into his arms and wrapped her own around him. As usual in the blink of an eye, she found herself somewhere else.
From the interior design, Klara could tell they were inside a castle. While looking around the clicking sound of footsteps caught her attention. She turned to where the sound came from and found Lucian walking from a distance.
Klara's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't prepared herself to meet him yet. Her hands began to sweat and she looked down afraid as he came closer.
"Klara?" His voice was just like she remembered and she couldn't help but lookup. He seemed surprised. His gaze shifted between her and Roshan. "How come you are here? Do you know each other?"
Klara just stared at him for a moment, taking in his appearance and making sure he was alright. She had believed he was dead after all, but he seemed just fine. More than fine actually. He seemed more... she couldn't put it into words. Something just seemed different about him. And of course, his long flawless hair was gone. Now it was shorter and fell just beneath his shoulders but it didn't make him any less good-looking.
"She is my wife to be," Roshan said shortly wrapping one arm around her shoulder. For some reason, she felt strange having the man she used to live in front of her and the one she loves now next to her. A situation she never thought would occur.
Lucian nodded thoughtfully but didn't reveal what he was thinking. Klara just kept her mouth shut. She didn't know what to say and Lucian didn't ask any further questions. He just led the way to the parlor and then ordered a servant to bring Hazel.
"So...can I ask how you two met?" Lucian asked breaking the awkward silence in the room.
"She ended up in my home while saving your wife," Roshan said emphasizing the last part as if to remind him.
Lucian turned to Klara. "Hazel told me everything. I never thanked you for helping her."
"You don't have too." Klara cut off. "Since Hazel and I are friends now." She grimaced at the word friends. She couldn't believe she said that.
Why did she say it when she didn't even know what the word meant since she never had any friends.
"Then thank you for being her friend. She could use one." He said.
Just then Hazel came into the room. She looked around until her gaze fell on Klara. Klara stood up slowly from her seat, not sure why. She looked at Hazel who smiled widely at her before crossing the distancing between them and wrapping her arms around her.
Klara stiffened but then hugged her back loosely not sure how to respond.
Lucian and Roshan gave each other a look.
"I am glad you came," Hazel said as they let go of each other.
"Me too."
Klara and Hazel sat at the garden, watching while Roshan trained Lucian on how to fight. Klara already knew that Lucian was a very skilled swordsman, but she was very surprised at how quick Roshan was. She could barely detect his movement and he avoided every strike coming from Lucian without effort.
While fighting he was instructing Lucian on how to hold his sword, how to stand and how to strike. For someone as skilled as Lucian to receive instruction just seemed unimaginable for Klara but at the same time, Roshan's movement was unimaginable as well. No human could move that way but again, he wasn't human.
"Thank you for coming. I know it might feel uncomfortable." Hazel spoke.
"No, I am fine, as long as it's not uncomfortable for you." She said.
Hazel shook her head. "I am glad you are here."
Klara wondered what Hazel liked about her. She was not very friendly. She didn't know anything about being a friend.
"So you and Roshan? Tell me about it. I am curious." She said leaning into the table with prying eyes.
"Well, I...I don't know where to start." Klara looked down at her hands. She never spoke about personal things with other people than her siblings. This felt strange.
"Do you like him?" Hazel asked.
Klara nodded.
"What do you like about him?"
She turned and watched him while he spoke to Lucian.
"He is relaxed and funny and spontaneous. The opposite of what I am." She shrugged realizing how different they were from each other.
"But he is also straightforward, and charming and a great fighter from what I see. Just like you." Hazel smiled. "I can see you like him very much."
"How?" Klara asked curiously.
"The way you blush and smile while you talk of him," Hazel explained.
Klara looked down at her hands again. She had been unable to stop the bubbly feeling in her stomach since last night and her cheeks flushed every time she remembered. Which was almost every time she looked at him or spoke about him.
"So, how does it feel to be pregnant?" Klara asked changing the topic.
"It feels great so far."
"Are you scared? I mean it's not a human child."
Hazel paused her eyes widening. "Roshan told you what he is?" She said with realization.
Klara nodded.
"How...I mean what do you feel about it?" She asked.
"To be honest, I was very confused and scared at first. I didn't know what all that would mean and how it would affect my life. I just didn't know what to do."
"It's normal to feel that way. I mean I had a long time to figure out and despite all the time that I had I was still shocked when I found out. It's something you would never expect. I had all the signs in front of me but my brain refused to believe in them." Hazel rambled.
"Yes right. That's how I feel. It still feels unreal to me. I am just imagining him to be human."
"Yes me too."
They both giggled looking at their respective partners.
"I think they are laughing at you," Roshan spoke.
"Why would they do that?" Lucian asked aiming at him again and missing again. He wanted to throw his sword away in frustration and give up. He could barely see when Roshan moved. How would he strike him then?
"Because you are a terrible fighter."
"Then aren't you supposed to teach me instead of laughing with them?" Lucian retorted.
"Come on! Son of the devil and a powerful witch. You are supposed to teach me and not the other way round. You are not channeling your inner strength. Power without strategy is useless."
Lucian paused. "Do you always talk this much?"
Roshan ignored his question and continued. "When you want to do something, you think about it while channeling your inner strength. When I avoid your attacks I am not moving, I am shifting position. That's why you can't detect my movement. Like this." He said and then suddenly he disappeared from his sight.
Lucian looked around wondering where Roshan disappeared when he felt someone behind him. Turning around he found Roshan standing there.
"How did you do that?" He asked. It happened so fast. Usually, when Lucian teleported himself it took time.
"Now try it," Roshan told Lucian. "Just think of standing behind me while taking a step to do that."
Lucian cleared his mind and then followed Roshan's instructions. He took a step and imagined himself standing behind Roshan and just like that, he found himself shifting to where he imagined himself to be.
"See, it's not difficult," Roshan said impressed. "But...when you fight you have to think faster. Much faster. This is still slow."
Roshan taught him how to move fast, how to make his movements unpredictable and a few tricks on how to easily kill demons.
"I suggest you use daggers when fighting demons. In fast movements, swords are difficult to use since they are bigger and heavier." Roshan explained and then gave him two small silver daggers. "You can have these. They are completely new."
"I don't know how to use daggers," Lucian said looking at them.
"You are the devil's son. You will figure it out. I need to leave now and take her home." He glanced at Klara who was chatting happily with Hazel.
"Will you come back and teach me more?" Lucian asked.
Roshan couldn't understand how Lucian could be so sharp yet gentle at the same time. A perfect combination of his parents, he thought. Maybe that's why he liked him.
"Only if you call me brother." He teased knowing that it annoyed him the last time he called him that.
"I've had enough brothers," Lucian said coldly.
"Had."
"I don't want a brother." He said.
"Do you want a mother then? Have you reconciled with your mother?" Roshan asked.
"That's none of your business," Lucian spoke calmly but Roshan could see that he didn't like the topic.
"I have not seen my mother in three hundred years. She left us and never came back. I looked for her everywhere thinking that maybe she got hurt or maybe she is unhappy but found that she was perfectly fine and living with her new family. She didn't come and look for me even once. I don't know what you have been through but I know your mother. I have been with her long enough to know that she missed you every single day." Roshan sighed not knowing why he was telling him this. Why did he even care?
"I'll take my leave now." He said and left Lucian standing there alone.