RETURN OF THE DEVIL’S SON
CHAPTER 11
What was this feeling? This scent? It was so...so familiar. This whole situation felt so familiar that it was almost scary. Before I could understand what was happening someone grabbed me by the arm and pushed me back so hard I almost fell backward.
"Are you blind?" A woman with long braids dressed in a military attire glared at me looking furious.
Staggering backward I grabbed onto the handrail as to not fall.
"Look at what you have done." She said turning to the man who had saved me. "Are you alright, Your Highness?" Bending down she brushed his clothes off.
Your Highness? I looked at my savior, a tall man, probably in his mid thirties dressed in the most luxurious clothes I had seen... now soaked with tea.
Oh God! What had I done?
The woman turned hastily and before I knew a hand was swinging toward my face. I flinched back and covered my face with my arms waiting for the pain to come, but nothing happened.
"Jade, this is not our home. Let's not create a scene."
A shiver went down my spine. That voice...
Slowly peeking from behind my arms I looked at the man who was now holding Jades arm to stop her from hitting me.
"But look Your Highness, she won't even apologize." Jade said.
Letting go of her arm, "you are not giving her a chance." He smiled.
That smile…
My heart tightened for a reason that was unknown to me. This man...I was sure I had never seen him before yet it felt as if I knew him.
Turning his gaze to me he looked into my eyes. My heart skipped a beat as I looked back into his. I shouldn't but I couldn't help myself.
Suddenly a slap landed across my face, throwing my head to one side.
"How dare you? You lower your gaze and apologize right now!" Jade spoke with harsh tones.
I grabbed my cheek, my whole face stung with pain and I felt the taste of blood in my mouth. As I turned my head back to apologize I saw a hint of concern in his eyes.
"I am sorry...Your Highness." I apologized trying hard not to burst into tears.
I felt so angry, so wronged.
Why did I have to apologize for falling? It's not like I did it on purpose. Actually I wasn't angry because of that, I would have apologized even if no one had told me. What made me angry was the way I was treated.
"You should be careful." He said and instead of it sounding like a warning it sounded as if he was worried about me. Was I imagining things? Why would he be worried about a maid?
Turning to Jade he spoke some foreign words before he walked away.
"I am not done with you!" Jade threatened before following him quickly.
Shaken by everything that just happened I stood frozen in the same place for awhile. Who was he?
Pushing the odd feeling aside I picked up everything then went back to the kitchen to make some new tea. While waiting for the water to boil I washed my face with cold water to soothe the pain. That woman was really strong, but who was that man?
I couldn't stop thinking about him, about the way he smelled, or the way he sounded, even the way he had looked at me. There was this familiarity to him that I just couldn't shake away.
"Hazel!"
"Yes!" I almost jumped startled.
"Stop daydreaming and make some more tea. We have guests." Edith ordered.
"Alright. Where should I serve it?" I asked.
"In the guest room."
I nodded.
"What happened to you face?"
"Oh…" I put my hand on my cheek. "Nothing." I shook my head with a smile.
She looked at me worriedly. "If you want to survive here be careful." She warned.
"I will."
On my way to the guest room I walked as carefully as I could. I did not want get into an accident again. The guard at the door nodded for me to go inside and I continued further in. The first thing I heard was Pierres laugh. He was sitting comfortable in an armchair with legs crossed talking to someone sitting in front of him. I couldn't see who, yet I already knew it was the man from earlier. How I knew I wasn't sure.
As I neared where they were seated Pierre took notice of me. As his gaze settled on my face I saw anger flash through his eyes but he quickly turned away and continued speaking to his guest. I went to the table and slowly put the tray down.
Picking up the teapot I slowly began to pour some tea for Pierre, I already knew how he liked his tea then turned to my savor without looking him in the eyes. "How would you like your tea, Your highness?" I asked.
"Cold." He said.
Cold? Confused I looked up and our eyes locked. My heart fluttered inside my chest at the intensity of his gaze and I forgot what he had just said.
"I like my tea cold." He repeated.
Averting my gaze quickly. "Yes, of course…. Your highness." I said fl.u.s.tered.
I began to pour the tea very slowly into his cup so that it would get a bit cold but my hands kept shaking.I could feel his gaze on me the whole time and it was very unsettling. After filling the cup I took a fan and began to cool his tea, meanwhile Pierre spoke to him in a foreign language. The man whom I still didn't know the name of just nodded and answered shortly but everytime he spoke strange things happened to my heart.
"That's enough." He finally said to me.
I put the fan down and dismissed myself. Walking down the hall quickly as if I was being chased I tried to figure out why I was acting like this? Who was that man and why did he make me feel this way? I shook my head. No! I couldn't be feeling this way, I was married. Only Lucian made maid me feel this way. Suddenly I stopped in my tracks as if realizing something but before I could figure out what it was I realized someone grabbed my arm grimly.
Oh no! Not this woman again.
"Come with me!" Jade ordered while dragging me back to where I came from. Her hold was like steel around my arm. "I shall teach you a lesson."
I followed her without protesting because I knew if I protested it would only make things worse. As we reached the guest room she almost threw me inside and I stumbled forward but managed to not fall this time. Pierre looked up from his teacup with a questioning look on his face.
"I am sorry to disturb you Your highness but this woman…" Jade spoke pointing at me "has humiliated His Highness. She threw hot tea at him and didn't even apologize properly."
Pierre put his cup down and shifted his gaze to me as if looking for answers. I just kept my face straight because I knew better than to defend myself. I had been a royalty myself and I knew if a servant defended themselves the punishment got only worse.
Pierres face gradually turned red. "I apologize for her behavior. I will punish her accordingly." He said.
"With your permission Your Highness but we would like to punish her ourselves."
Pierre didn't seem too happy about it but he nodded. "You have my permission." He said.
After being dragged into another room Jade pushed me down to my knees and told me to stay like that until she said otherwise. I just obeyed as I didn't want to make the situation worse or maybe because I didn't care anymore.
Jade paced back and forth in the room restlessly. "Once His Highness arrives and decides your punishment I'll be happy to teach you some manners."
I kept my silence with only seemed to annoy her further. Maybe she was expecting me to beg and cry for forgiveness, and maybe I would if I thought she would forgive me but I knew better. People like her didn't forgive. They only wanted people to beg so that they could feel powerful and I would not give that to her. Unfortunately.
Suddenly the door opened and someone walked inside. I could only see the lower part of a beautiful dress from where I was sitting.
"Where is Alexander?" The woman who walked inside spoke.
"His Highness is meeting with the king, Your Highness." Jade replied.
So my savior, soon to be punishers name was Alexander. And this woman was probably his sister, since she was calling him by his name. I had heard that she was a beauty but I didn't dare to look up and see for myself.
"Alright then, I want you to come with me." The woman said then turned walking away without waiting for a reply.
"Of course Your Highness." Jade called and hurried to the door. Before closing it she turned back to me. "Stay right where you are and don't move. I'll be back soon."
For awhile I did as she told me but then I got tired and decided to stand up. What could happen? I was getting punished already anyway.
While stretching my now rigid limbs I looked around the room and the first thing I noticed was the large bed with the red silken sheets. Sleeping on the floor for such a long time I wanted to remember how it felt like to sleep in a bed. I let my fingers slide over the silken sheets, I had really forgotten how soft and smooth it was. Sitting down carefully I sank into the soft mattress. I really had to try this bed so I lay down and decided to rest for a little while but as tire as I was I soon fell into a deep slumber.
_____________
RETURN OF THE DEVIL’S SON
CHAPTER 12
Lucian tried to pay attention to what his brother was saying but his mind kept drifting back her, the maid who had spilled tea on him. For some strange reason he had felt a sting of pain when Jade had slapped her and when her eyes welled with tears, anger filled his chest. But why he couldn't' understand. He certainly didn't know her and he couldn't say he felt attracted to her. Or did he?
She didn't look attractive to him. She was too thin for his taste, almost as if she had been starved. Her hair was short and ragged and her complexion looked rather unhealthy. She had dark spots under her eyes and her lips were chapped, yet he hadn't been able to stop himself from staring at her. Something about her drew him in. Was it the innocence in her big beautiful chocolate eyes? Or was he intrigued by the way she kept her calm even though she was going to get punished? Either Way, he couldn't stop thinking about her.
What was her name he wondered but then scolded himself for being distracted by a simple woman when he came here with an important mission. He was here to get revenge not women.
Traveling to Osakar he had disguised himself as their king Alexander and with some help from Nora and Julian he got hold of all the information he needed. Julian had put Alexander to sleep and Nora hid his body with a spell. Lucian didn't think it would be that easy but he soon realized that witches could do much more than he had thought. The question was could he trust Julian and his sister?
As his mind went back to the present Pierre was still talking, trying to make a great impression and Lucian just couldn't bare to listen anymore. Maybe now was the time to use some of his devilish tricks he thought amused. Going inside his brothers head he manipulated him into thinking that he was done talking.
"Alright then. I'll leave you to rest and we will talk about the details tomorrow." Pierre said.
Lucian smiled inwardly. Maybe it wasn't that bad to be whatever he was after all.
On his way back to the room that was arranged for him Lucian came across Levi. He was playing with other kids and they were chasing each other through the halls. Lucian felt a stain of guilt watching him, knowing that his happiness would soon come to an end and that he would be the reason. These were the times he didn't feel too excited about his revenge.
Lucian took one last look at Levis smiling face and imprinted it on his mind, then he continued further and buried his guilt deep inside his heart.
Once he reached the room his guards stayed behind as he walked inside. Lucian had expected to find the maid on her knees and Jade walking around her in circles while making threats, but nor was Jade in the room and nor was the maid on her knees. Confused Lucian walked further in and was astonished to find the maid sleeping on his bed, comfortably. Lucian stared in shock, this woman was either very brave or very foolish.
Instead of waking her up and scolding her he found himself staring once again. She looked so innocent and fragile laying in his large bed and he found himself wanting to touch her. He shook his head.
No!
He couldn't be distracted now when he came here with a clear purpose. Just as he was about to wake her up she stirred in her sleep and opened her eyes slowly. She blinked several times before rubbing her eyes and then, still unaware of his presence she put her arms over her head and stretched. Half way through her stretch she took notice of him and froze in place. He wanted to laugh at how funny she looked but kept a serious face. Once she came out of her state of shock she rolled off the bed quickly and stood on the other end. Her eyes darted around the room looking everywhere except at him.
"Your Highness…I..." She swallowed hard, "I...I was just…I didn't mean to fall asleep...I...ap
She rubbed her hands together nervously still avoiding to look at him. When he said nothing she raised her gaze slowly, looking directly into his eyes. For a moment it felt like she could see through him, through his disguise and deep into his soul. Her eyes held so many emotions that it was overwhelming yet he couldn't look away. There was a magnetic power in her gaze that had him spellbound and he found himself strolling toward her. As she saw him walk closer her eyes widened in fear but she didn't back away and he didn't stop until he stood a breath away from her.
Up close he found her even more beautiful and she smelled of honey and coconut, a very familiar scent that evoked a hunger in him he never felt before. Without realizing he raised his hand and put his fingers lightly on her cheek. She squirmed at the contact but as his fingers caressed her soft skin her eyes slowly fluttered closed and her lips parted slightly. Something stirred to life inside of him and he was in no control of his body anymore. His was unaware of his actions as his arm slid around her waist and drew her body close to his. Even though his mind screamed at him to stop he leaned closer and buried his face into the crook of her neck. He inhaled deeply, letting her sweet scent intoxicate his mind. How would she taste? He thought. How would she taste if she smelled so good?
As if she knew what he was about to do she tilted her head back and grabbed onto his arms. He buried his fingers into her hair and then slowly flicked his tongue over her neck. A sweet sound of pleasure escaped her lips that set fire to the hunger he was already feeling. Pushing her into the wall behind he held her in place with his body while trailing kisses up her neck and jaw. She jerked against him, wanting more. He pushed harder into her and then captured her lips with his. Heat exploded inside of him at the taste of her, a taste that made him wild yet the familiarity of it comforted him, calmed him. He thought he was going to devour her but instead he kissed her softly, touched her slowly, as if he wanted to comfort her as well. The warmth of her body welcomed him, enveloped him in a world of passion, desire and love.
Love?!
Startled he pushed himself away from her and shivered at coldness her absence brought.
"Who are you?" He asked.
She looked up slowly, her cheeks flushed and her eyes still hooded with desire.
"Who are you?" She breathed as she fixed her gaze on him.
She was brave indeed, but he felt as if there was more to her question from the way she was looking at him.
Moving from her place she started walking toward him, her gaze never leaving his until she stood a breath away. Her eyes slowly welled with tears "Who are you?" She asked again and he could hear desperation in her voice.
She put one hand on his chest "Please…" Her voice cracked as a tear fell down her cheek. Lucian got suddenly confused. Why was she crying all of a sudden?
"Please…" She begged again. Lucian didn't know what she was begging for but seeing her cry felt like a knife twisting in his heart. Without thinking he wrapped his arms around her but that seemed to have made things worse as she suddenly burst into tears at his gesture. Her whole body shook while she cried and Lucian froze in place unsure of what to do.
Then he remembered he could go inside her head to find out why she was crying. Blocking everything else away he focused on her thoughts but he heard...nothing
Grabbing her arms he pulled her away from his hold.
"Why are you crying?" He asked.
A thousand emotions crossed her eyes at his question and for awhile she just looked at him, her expression slowly turning to confusion.
"Who are you?"
"You may call me Your Highness." He said confused at her question.
She shook her head as if denying his answer.
"And you? Who are you?" He asked.
She gazed up, anger flashed through her eyes as she gazed into his. "I am your wife."
_________
RETURN OF THE DEVIL'S SON
CHAPTER 13
Who are you?
That was the question Roshan asked himself as he stared at his reflection. He didn't recognize himself anymore. He was thinking way too much, caring way too much that he began to worry. Worrying was not his thing either. What was wrong with him these days? Since he met the scandinavian princess he had been unable to think of anything else but her.
Every day since she left Roshan had watched her, spending her days alone in her room where her brother had locked her up. He had found a suitable husband for her and would keep her locked up until she got married. For some reason the Idea of her getting married and belonging to someone else made him uneasy. He didn't even know the woman so why did he care? He had more important things to do right now, like finding Irene's mother.
Irene had collapsed since the day she found out about her son's death and she didn't wake up since then. Lucifer tried everything but nothing seemed to work and now her mother was her only hope. But the witch was impossible to find and Roshan didn't look forward to meeting her.
Droshts were no joke when it came to power. They could draw energy from nature, such as the sun and the moon, and even other witches and that makes their power limitless. On top of that they despised demons, so he was basically going on a suicide mission. But Irene had saved his life once so he owed that to her.
"Where are you going?"
As usual his friend looked very neat as he walked into the room. He wore a white shirt and black trousers, and his blonde hair was still wet from the shower but combed back elegantly. His angelic looks could make any woman lose her breath.
Roshan remembered the old days when he and his friend used to party a lot, get into fights and trouble, get themselves surrounded by beautiful women and spend each day in a different place. Those were the days Enoch used to enjoy life, smile and laugh, but since the tragic event in his life Roshan hadn't seen his friend smile even once.
"I am going on a witch hunt." Roshan replied.
"I thought you were going to save the ice princess." Enoch said as he settled down on the couch.
"And why would you think that?"
"Because you like her."
"I don't." Roshan denied.
Enoch narrowed his gaze. "You are a fool. You have a chance to be with the woman you like...., some of us never got a chance."
A sad expression settled over his face and Roshan knew that his friend was recalling painful memories.
Roshan left Enoch alone in the room. He knew there was nothing he could do to lighten his friends mood anyway. Walking down way the hall he turned into mist and teleported himself to the underworld where lower rank of demons liked to dwell.
"My Lord!" Uzil was already waiting upon his arrival.
"Any information?"
"No, but... Lucifer was here. I think he wants to find the witch himself." Uzil whispered.
No wonder it was very quiet today. Lucifer must have terrified them with his presence.
"Do you want me to continue looking?"
"Never mind." Roshan said. If Lucifer couldn't find her then nobody could, and if he found her it would be one hell of a battle. Lucifer would be in disadvantage though, since she is the mother of his mate.
Roshan dismissed Uzil and continued to search on his own. By now he knew he wouldn't be able to find the witch, but he just wanted to keep himself occupied so that he wouldn't think about Klara. Not that it worked. The more he fought the urge to think about her the more he thought about her and the more frustrated he became. Before he knew he found himself in her room watching her from a corner. As usual she was reading a book while laying on her stomach with elbows resting on a pillow and her feet swinging in the air.
He shouldn't be doing this. He was invading her privacy, but then again when did he care about such things? Anyway, this was the last time he was coming here, he would not come here again he promised himself. A promise he'd made many times before including the last time he came and yet today he was here.
Just as he was about to leave he heard footsteps outside her room and soon after her brother barged inside. Klara ignored her brother and kept reading without looking up, even once.
"Get ready. You are getting married tomorrow." He said.
Klara continued to ignore him.
Rasmus sighed then turned to the servants. "Make sure to get her ready." He said calmly before leaving. As soon as the door closed behind him Klaras head fell into the pillow and her shoulders began to tremble.
She was crying. Roshan was surprised, she never cried before, not when her brother had yelled at her, not when he had locked her up and ignored her for several days, not even when he denied her to meet her sister and here now she was crying. She must have endured a lot and reached her limit.
Roshan felt the sudden urge to scoop her into his arms and comfort her, but before doing something he would regret he teleported back home. He needed to stop this madness. She was getting married and he was not the type to commit. He liked to be with a different woman every time but now thinking about it, he hadn't been with a woman for a while. Maybe that was the reason he was acting strange he thought. Yes, he should go and satisfy his needs. He was a demon after all and demons are known to be warmblooded.
***
"My lady, please. You should get ready now. It's your wedding tomorrow." The maids begged looking anxious. They would be in trouble if they didn't prepare her.
Klara didn't want her maids to suffer but she was suffering herself. She had been locked for days without seeing anyone but her maids. Her brother wouldn't even let her meet Astrid. How cruel.
At first Klara had been patient thinking her brother would soon give in and forgive her, but no. He was really marrying her off without her consent. She knew he would punish her severely for betraying him but she never thought he would go this far.
No! She would not get married against her will. She had always imagined herself getting married to someone she loved and have a fairytale wedding just like the ones she reads in the books, but after getting her heart broken she had given up those dreams. That didn't mean though she would get married to just anyone.
"I want to be alone." Klara said.
The maids looked at her pleading but they didn't dare to defy her so they left. Klara looked around the room. She needed to do something but what? She couldn't escape as her brother had the place heavily guarded, especially around her room.
Klara never felt as helpless as she did now. Thinking got her nowhere as she was still clueless as what to do. If there was a chance to escape it would be on her wedding day but that would be too much of a risk.
Klara stomped her feet on the ground like a little child frustrated that she could not come up with a plan.
"What should I do?" She buried her face in her hands.
"Come with me."
Startled Klara jumped out of the chair as a scream erupted from her throat but the sound got soon muffled by a hand grabbing the back of her head and another covering her mouth.
"Shh…I am here to help."
Klara was just about to use her fighting skills when she found herself looking into a pair of mesmerizing Hazel eyes that held her captive with just a glance. She knew all too well who they belonged to but that didn't stop her kneeing him in the stomach and then punching him in the face.
How did he get into her room? She should scream for help now but she didn't.
Roshan stumbled backward then rubbed his jaw.
"Ouch… you really know how to greet someone. I am fine thank you." He said sarcastically as he stood straight and looked at her with amus.e.m.e.nt.
She had punched him really hard but only she seemed to be in pain.
"How did you get in?" she whispered then guessed that it had to do something with the witch.
"Do you want to escape or not?" he asked ignoring her question.
He came here to help her escape. Why?
"Did Irene ask you to help me?"
"No princess. I am here of my own will."
"Why?" she asked. What did he want from her? He had to want something, why would he help her otherwise.
"I'll just leave if you don't want my help." he said turning around.
Klara panicked. "Wait!"
Even though she didn't trust him she didn't want to be left here. Once he left she knew she would not get another chance to escape. She would just let him help her out of here and once she was outside she would escape from him as well.
Great idea she thought proud of herself.
"I am coming with you."
___________
RETURN OF THE DEVIL'S SON
CHAPTER 14
"I am your wife."
I was shocked by my own words, as if I didn't say them myself but got possessed by someone else. Even though the man in front of me looked nothing like Lucian, every nerve in my body told me it was him. His voice, his scent, the way he had kissed me and how he made my heart race and my body tingle. It had to be Lucian, but the way he was looking at me now, as if I was a complete stranger broke my heart. Maybe it wasn't him after all, but why was my gut telling me otherwise.
No, Lucian would never pretend like he didn't know me which means that I had just kissed another man. that
Good lord, what had I done? I took a step back, angry that he had kissed me and that I had kissed him back. Angry that he made me feel the way Lucian did. I could not feel this way about anyone else. I shouldn't!
"Excuse me?" He said with a frown.
More tears fell down my cheek. I wanted to beg him again. Beg him to tell me that he was Lucian, beg him to hold me again so that I would feel safe. But he wasn't Lucian. Lucian would never hurt me like this, he would never just watch me cry.
I really must be desperate to kiss another man, to even let myself believe that he was my husband. Embarrassed I ran out of the room. I knew I would be in big trouble later but right now I didn't care. I went to the storeroom where I sleep at night and just cried and cried while hoping for Lothaire to appear out of nowhere. All I wanted right now was to leave this place.
The day went by with me working to death and crying in between and dreading Jades arrival. I had escaped my punishment after all, but Jade never came and now it was almost midnight and I was preparing to get some sleep. My eyes had become so swollen from all the crying that I could barely keep them open. Closing my eyes I somehow wished for the sun to never rise again.
***
Lucian turned back and forth in bed unable to sleep. He was still thinking about her, the woman who made him feel… he wasn't sure what it was he felt. He closed his eyes once again and tried to take her out of his mind but he couldn't. Whether his eyes were open or closed, her face was the only thing he saw. The image of her pained expression and her teary eyes made his heart tighten in an uncomfortable way. And her voice kept repeating in his head.
'I am your wife'.
Did Alexander have a hidden wife? A mistress? But then why didn't she say anything the first time they met?
Lucian sighed in frustration. What was he doing? He should stop pondering about her and go have some fun. Making himself invisible he went to his brother's room. Pierre was going back and forth, waiting for someone it seemed. As he heard the creaking sound of the door opening he stopped in his tracks and waited for the person to come in. Lucian felt suddenly uneasy when he realized it was her brother had been waiting for.
Why was his brother anxiously waiting for a maid?
"Come here!" he ordered when she hesitated at the door.
Lucian didn't like the way his brother was talking to her.
"I said come here, Hazel!"
Hazel? Suddenly Lucian felt some pain in his chest and his head began to throb.
"You have been crying." Pierre pointed.
Hazel shook her head. "I haven't." she lied.
"Why don't you come to me? I'll not let you cry." He said softening his voice.
Lucian got confused. Was Pierre interested in this maid. Sure his brother loved women but he never fooled around with maids. He found them dirty and ugly.
Maybe this woman was not merely a woman. She had made him feel things and maybe she did the same with his brother.
Hazel shook her head denying him. Too brave for her own good Lucian thought.
"I am done waiting". Pierre said pulling her to his chest. He grabbed her hair and tried to kiss her but Hazel turned her head and pushed him away.
"Stop!"
"No, you stop!" He yelled grabbing her again before she could run and then throwing her on the bed. Placing himself on top of her he pinned her hands down and tried to kiss her again.
Lucian clenched his fists as anger build inside of him. He got so furious he could feel his demon taking control over his body. This was not good, he was going to get himself exposed but he couldn't stop himself from doing something. Using his prenatural power he put the lights out then pushed his brother off Hazel with such force that he fell off the bed.
Pierre groaned in pain and Hazel took the chance to run away.
"Catch her!" Pierre screamed to the guards who stood outside the door.
One of the guards came in to help Pierre while the other chased after Hazel Lucian cursed under his breath. Before the guard could catch her he exterminated every lightsource in the castle.
The guard stopped halfways startled by the sudden darkness.
Lucian who could see clearly in the dark grabbed Hazels arm. "Come with me." He said as if she would trust him. At first she got afraid and tried to pull her arm away then as if realizing something she followed him quietly. Lucian led her to his hideout spot, a place only he knew about. It was an underground place located in his personal garden.
As they arrived to the place Lucian used his powers again to light the candles.
Looking around Lucian noticed that everything was just as he had left it which meant that the place was still undiscovered. This was where he used to hide when he wanted to be alone, or when he was hurting, or healing, or when he was afraid that his demon would take control over him. He had never brought anyone here before. Why did he bring her?
Lucian turned to Hazel, "Are you alri…"
He stopped when he found her staring at him frightfully. "How did you know about this place?" she asked.
Surprised by the question Lucian didn't know how to answer it. He hadn't thought about it before he brought her here.
"This place…" She began confused. " it's under our garden…" Her voice was low as if she was speaking to herself.
Slowly she looked up with eyes wide as if she realized something then she frowned. "Why do you look like this?"
Lucian was confused what she meant by that. She moved even closer to him then lift her hand slowly to touch his face. As her fingertips caressed his cheek warmth spread through him and he forgot for a moment what she had asked.
"I wasn't wrong." She breathed. "I knew it was you."
She cupped his face with both her hand as tears filled her eyes. "I have been waiting so long...I thought...I thought you were...you would never come back." She wrapped her arms around him tightly and began crying.
Why was this woman crying all the time? Lucian pulled away from her hold.
"Listen…" He began to warn her but the rest of the words died in his throat when he saw the hurt in her eyes. She looked tormented.
"You don't have…" Her voice cracked. "to pretend anymore."
Lucian felt uneasy and his head began to throb in pain again. He could barely think anymore.
"You can stay here if you want…" He said trying to leave with unsteady feet.
This woman was making him nervous, uncomfortable and...and scared.
She grabbed his arm before he could leave. "Lucian!"
________
RETURN OF THE DEVIL’S SON
CHAPTER 15
The world went suddenly still around Lucian and the only thing he could hear was his name echoing through the silence. He wasn't sure if he heard it right or if it was all in his head. How could she know his name? His real name.
Slowly he turned around, his heart beating erratically inside his chest. Hazel still held onto his arm and her eyes swirled with so many emotions and unanswered questions. Lucian had his own unanswered questions. Who was this woman and how did she know his name?
"My name is Alexander." Lucian tried to correct her but she shook her head. She didn't believe him.
"No...no…" a tear fell down her cheek "you are Lucian...my husband."
Husband? Lucian laughed nervously.
"Alright, it's enough." He said pulling his arm away and turning around to leave but Hazel stopped him again by suddenly wrapping her arm around his waist from behind.
Lucian froze in place shocked by her action. "Please don't leave me again." she cried. "I know it's you, why did you save me otherwise? Why did you kiss me?"
Why? The question lingered in the air and as he couldn't figure out why he acted that way he slowly became angry.
"You know I have been waiting for you. I prayed everyday that you would come back so don't tell me you didn't come back for me."
Lucian felt suddenly strange. All this time he had wanted to come back here and even though he convinced himself that it was because he wanted revenge deep down he knew there was something else. Something he was afraid to discover and this woman...she terrified him.
Tearing himself forcefully away from her "Listen, I am not your husband and I know nothing of what you are talking about. I would have helped anyone in your situation but if you don't want any help you are free to go. "
Hazel looked at him more closely as if trying to figure him out. "I don't know why you are doing this but you are hurting me. Please stop."
The way she begged him to stop made his heart ache. He shook his head getting angrier for the way she made him feel. She was nothing to him, he didn't care about her. Turning his back he left without a word.
On his way back to the room his anger only increased and by the time he reached the room he was boiling over. Grabbing a chair he threw it across the room and then he took his anger out on every single furniture.
When there was nothing else to break he sat down on the floor feeling defeated. He had been angry before but never this much and he was not the type to break or throw things. Seeing this side of himself appalled him. What was happening to him? Why was acting this way.
Jade suddenly barged into the room and was about to say something when she lay eyes on the mess he made. She drew in a sharp breath "Not again."
Clearly Alexander liked to make a mess as well.
"Your highness...what
When he didn't reply she ordered some maids to clean up. Meanwhile Lucian calmed down and tried to figure out how things turned this way. He felt though he knew nothing and understood nothing and he was too tired to try and figure it out on his own, so when everyone left he summoned julian.
Julian appeared just like that, out of thin air. "Your highness." He bowed deeply.
Lucian wasn't sure what to ask him and he didn't trust him either.
"Julian?"
"Yes your highness?"
"Is it possible for someone to see through my disguise?"
"No Your Highness. Even I can't see through...unles
Lucian thought for a moment. Could it be that without knowing he had wanted her to see him? And even if she saw the real him, how could she know him when he didn't know her? She had even called him her husband.
"Is something wrong?" Julian asked.
"Was I married?" Lucian asked wondering why he even asked such question.
He would know if he was married but he felt as if some pieces of his memory were gone. Not that Julian could help him. The royal army belonged to the king so they didn't know much about what went on in the castle. Besides every prince married at least four or five times so it would be difficult to keep track on all the women.
Julian frowned. "You don't remember?" He seemed to think for awhile. "I know you married once. She was a princess from Maebeth."
He was married?! How could he not remember?
"Did...did she also...die?"
Julian gazed down. "I am sorry, Your Highness"
Lucian suddenly felt a lump in his throat. Even though he couldn't remember her but the thought of her dying in the hands of his brother made him furious.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Julian looked guilty. "I didn't know you cared for her."
Lucian couldn't blame him. Not many princes cared about their wives or mistresses. But Lucian did. Even if he didn't remember her his heart felt heavy. Too heavy that he had a hard time breathing.
"Are you alright, Your Highness." Julian looked concerned.
"I want to be alone." His voice was resolute.
Julian retreated without a word then disappeared.
Lucian lay down on the bed holding his chest. What was this pain he was feeling and why couldn't he remember his wife? Everytime he tried to remember his head throbbed so painfully it made his eyes water, until he gave up and went to sleep.
That night he had a dream, about her, his wife. She was walking around their garden in a beautiful white dress and with the smile of an angel. Walking among the flowers she looked like a flower herself, a white rose, pure and beautiful. Suddenly she turned to him, the smile gone from her face, replace by a look of sadness.
She reached her hand to toward him. "Don't leave me, Lucian." Her voice was the saddest sound he had ever heard.
Lucians hand reached for hers but her fingers slipped through his and suddenly she was falling.
"No! No!" Lucian woke up his heart pounding inside his chest and sweat dripping from his forehead. He looked around. He was still in bed, but the dream had felt so real. He
could still feel the touch of her hand.
His wife, he must have loved her but then why couldn't he remember her. He couldn't even remember her face from the dream.
"Your highness." Jade was already in the room gazing at him with a look of concern.
"What is it now?" Lucian didn't want to deal with anyone at this moment.
She hesitated for a while then began with her tattling.
"Can you believe it? The maid that I was about to punish disappeared. They have been looking for her the whole night but they didn't find her anywhere."
Lucian had almost forgotten about her. She had said that she was his wife but his wife was dead and he felt guilty for even worrying about this maid when he should avenge his dead wife.
Lucian decided to forget about her and focus on his revenge but even as day went by and he sat in front of his brother all he could think about was her. She was still in that cold place and had spent the whole night and the morning after without any food. She must be hungry and freezing he thought slightly worried but then shook his head.
This time he was determined not to care. He continued his day listening to his brothers nonsense until the sun went down, then he went back to his room and went to bed as quickly as he could. As he lay down he realised that he hadn't done anything productive the whole day, he didn't even think once about his revenge, then what was he thinking about?
In the back of his mind, she was still there trying to swim to the surface. What has this woman done to him? Maybe she was a witch because she had truly bewitched him. What Lucian couldn't understand is why she would put herself in such danger. She knew that defying his brother would mean death. She probably had some tricks under her sleeves he thought therefore he shouldn't care.
***
My stomach growled once again but more than the hunger the cold was killing me. My toes and fingers went almost numb. I shivered as I waited and waited for Lucian to come.
I knew he would come just as I knew he was my husband. Everything couldn't have been a coincidence. The way he smelled, that spicy scent I could never forget and the way he made me feel, but when I became certain that he was Lucian was when he had saved me.
Lucian had told me once that he could control fire and when he saved me suddenly all the lights were gone, and of all the places he brought me here. A hidden place in our garden. I remembered that it was dark inside the room at first but then suddenly the candles were lit. It reminded me of the time he saved me from those men who tried to **** me. He had burned them alive. A frightening sight indeed but what made me confused was why he was denying that it was him?
I couldn't think further as my teeth began to chatter because of the cold and more parts of my body became numb. Was Lucian really going to let me die here? My face hardened and I couldn't focus anymore because of the pain. Everything became a blur then…. suddenly I heard the creaking sound of the door opening.
Lucian. I tried to lift my head to look but I couldn't.
"Hazel!"
I heard footsteps rushing toward me then suddenly Lucian scooped me into his arms. His body was so warm against my cold one that I almost sighed in relief.
"Hazel!"
It had been such a long time I heard him call my name. It warmed me up from the inside.
"I am so sorry." His voice was thick with guilt and worry. He pulled me even closer and wrapped me in a blanket. I closed my eyes relieved that I was safe now and then there was no pain anymore, no worry only darkness and I wasn't scared anymore.
___________
RETURN OF THE DEVIL’S SON
CHAPTER 16
***
"Where are we going?" Klara asked as she followed Roshan through the dark woods.
"You will see once we get there." He said.
Late at night, in the woods, alone without a weapon and with a man who could fight ten men on his own was maybe not a great idea after all.
Klaras began to calculate all the possible ways she could defend herself if he ever tried to do anything.
"What did you do to the guards?" she asked.
While they were escaping she noticed that all the guards lay unmoving on the ground.
"I put them to sleep." He said simply
"How? I thought you couldn't use magic."
"No...but I sang them a lullaby."
Even though Klara couldn't see him clearly in the darkness she knew he had a smirk in his face.
Not wanting to be mocked anymore she continued is silence. Meanwhile she tried to find the perfect opportunity to escape but it was so dark she was afraid to leave Roshans side. Once the sun rises she would escape she thought to herself.
"Here." Roshan said as he came to a halt and turned to her.
Klara looked around. Where? She could see nothing but trees and darkness.
Suddenly he crossed the distance between them, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to his body. Before Klara could push him away she felt the ground underneath her feet open and then suddenly she was falling. A cry escaped her lips and she held onto Roshan for dear life.
Klara couldn't understand what was happening but she just wanted it to end. Or maybe not, because falling this far she would probably die by the end of it. Good lord, she way dying.
"I wouldn't let you die... yet."
"Huh." Klara shot her eyes open and found herself pressed against Roshans body. She would have pushed him if she wasn't the one holding him so tightly. Slowly letting her hands fall she took a few steps back relieved that she could feel the ground underneath her feet again, then she looked around studying her surroundings. Wait! She knew this place. It was the place Irene had brought her and Hazel before.
"Shall we." Roshan motioned for her to go in.
Klara hesitated for a moment but then walked inside.
"Where is Irene?" She would feel a lot more safe if a woman was here.
"She is not here." He said shortly. Opening a door he led her into a room.
"You can stay here." He said.
Stay? Even though Klara didn't know where to go, thinking of staying here with Roshan alone sent a shiver down her spine. There was just something about him that frightened her and made her feel unsafe. He had that dark aura that spoke of danger and that spellbinding look. She felt afraid to look into his eyes, it was as if he could see unravel her deepest darkest secrets of she did.
His lips curved slightly as if he could read her thoughts.
Klara cleared her throat "You said you were not a witch?"
"I am not."
"Then how did you bring us here out of nowhere?" She asked.
"Well, there are some benefits with having a friend who is a witch." He explained.
Klara couldn't follow since he was speaking in riddles. "Anyway, I don't plan on staying here."
No! She couldn't stay alone with a man, but where would she go? She had no frien...Hazel?
No, Hazel would be uncomfortable to have her. Klara herself would be uncomfortable as she didn't want to see Lucian again. It would make her effort of forgetting him all go to waste.
"Then do you have somewhere else to go?" He asked raising one brow.
No she didn't. As if he could sense her fear, "Don't worry, I don't eat humans." He assured showing his perfect white teeth with slightly longer and pointed canines.
Klara felt disturbed, even more at the way he referred to humans, as if he wasn't one himself.
"Then I'll leave you to rest." He said using a more polite tone before he left and closed the door behind him.
Klara suddenly panicked. What if he locked her inside?
Turning around she hurried out of the room.
Roshan who was amost halfway through the hall turned around. "Is something wrong?" He asked.
"I am hungry." She said and it wasn't a lie, but that wasn't the main reason she wanted to eat. She needed a weapon to defend herself and in the kitchen she could find many useful things.
Roshan turned around and for a moment she thought he was going to ignore her and leave before he said "Follow me."
Klara followed him eagerly as he led the way to a dining room. No, this is not where she wanted to be.
"Sit and I'll bring something."
"No need. I can follow you, maybe I can help."
Roshan raised a brow. "Help? I am sure you have never even cut a vegetable in your life, princess."
"No. But I have cut people. Vegetable can not be more difficult." She said confidently.
Roshan shook his head with a smile. "Fine then. Follow me."
This time he took her to the kitchen. "What do you want to eat?"
"Just something simple." Klara shrugged.
Roshan put a salad, a cuc.u.mber, an onion, tomatoes and pepper infront of her. "Cut these." he said handing her a knife.
Klara stared at the vegetable infront of her wondering which one she should start with. Grabbing the cuc.u.mber, because it seemed the most easy one, she started to cut it into round shapes.
"Cut them into small squares." Roshan instructed.
Klara became confused. How was she supposed to cut this round shaped thing into small squares.
"You can cut this." She said putting it aside. "I will cut this." She said picking the the union. Klara began to cut it into round shaped as well.
"You need to cut that into strips." He interrupted her again.
Strips? Klara tried to figure out how to cut it into strips but ended up cutting it into all kinds of different shapes.
Roshan shook his head looking at the mess she created. "You see, princess. To cut people you don't need skills but for vegetables you need skills and...you just don't have it."
He took the knife from her. "Now let me show how it's done."
Klara studied him closely and was fascinated by how fast and precise he cut the vegetables. He cut them into all kinds of different shapes and then mixing them together he poured everything into a bowl. He even added a few other things like olives, white cheese, corn and lastly some flavor.
At the end it looked delicious and Klara could wait but to have a taste. She had never seen salad look so tasty before.
"What do you say princess?" Roshan asked proudly.
"It looks tasty." She smiled.
They sat at the table in the dining room and she started eating. It even tasted better than it looked. Roshan had even prepared some chicken to eat with. As she was eating she didn't even realize that Roshan was studying her all the time or that she forgot to take something from the kitchen to protect herself. When she was full she felt really tired. She hadn't slept the whole night after all.
"Do you want me to show you back to your room?"
Suddenly Klara panicked remembering she didn't take a knife from the kitchen. She had been so distracted with Roshan and his vegetables. She looked at the food knife on the table. It wasn't sharp but it would do for now she thought.
"Yes." She said and slowly hid the knife as he stood up to take her back to the room.
"So...when is Irene coming back." She asked on their way back.
"Not anytime soon."
Klara nodded. She didn't feel the least bit safe with Roshan but she had nowhere to go. Only tonight then tomorrow she would leave she thought.
Once they reached the room "Good night." He said and left without waiting for her to say anything back.
As he walked away Klara realized that the smirk he usually had on his face had been absent. He had looked serious this whole time. She wondered what happened.
The room was big and the bed comfortable yet Klara couldn't sleep despite being very tired. She kept hearing weird noises or was it whispers she wasn't sure. Sometimes she would feel as if someone was in the room, watching her silently.
Wrapping the sheets around her tightly and she shut her eyes. She was probably imagining all these things because she was away from home and she didn't feel safe in this place. She would rather sleep in the woods. At least she knew what to expect there.
The more she tried to ignore the noises the more clear they became and suddenly she heard a cry. Someone was crying loaudly. Klara was unsure whether to stay in the room or go and see where the noise was coming from. At last she decided to go and check. Taking the knife under her pillow she walked out of the room. Following the sound she came to a closed door. Now she could hear that the noise came from a woman.
Klara thought it was the saddest cry she had ever heard and wanted to see who was so sad that they would be crying like this. Slowly she opened the door and peeked her head inside. There a woman sat on the bed, her long black hair covered her face and she cried with her arms wrapped around herself. It looked like she was trying to stop herself from crying but couldn't.
As if sensing Klara's presence the woman stopped crying and lifted her head slowly.
A gasp escaped Klaras lips
Irene?!
______
RETURN OF THE DEVIL’S SON
CHAPTER 17
Klara was surprised to find Irene like this. She barely recognized her. Irene looked frightening. She was pale, her hair was ragged and her face was covered in tears, but that's not what frightened Klara. It was her eyes. Irene's eyes looked dead, as if her soul had left her body. She stared at Klara yet it seemed she wasn't looking at her, but right through her.
Klara wondered what happened so she slowly walked inside. "Irene?" she called hesitantly.
When she got no reply she approached Irene slowly. "Is something wrong?"
A single tear ran down her cheek. "He is dead!" She said her voice void of any emotion.
"Who is dead?" Klara asked confused.
"My son." It was almost a whisper.
Irene had a son? Klara didn't know and she didn't know how to console Irene either.
Suddenly Irene shifted her gaze and looked right at Klara. The looked in her eyes sent a shiver down Klara's spine.
"You…" She said and Klara realized she was in danger even thought she didn't know what wrong she did.
"You said you loved him...but you didn't save him." Irene hastily got out of bed and began strolling toward Klara slowly.
Klara took a few steps back frightened by the crazy look in Irene's eyes. She looked like she wanted to destroy the world. Klara was of course a fighter but she knew she didn't stand a chance with Irene. The woman was a witch after all.
"Now... who will save you?" She said threateningly.
Turning around Klara ran toward the door, grabbing the handle she wanted to leave quickly but suddenly the door shut by an invisible force and Klara couldn't open it. Panik kicked in and she reached for the knife that would probably not help, but again some invisible force knocked it out of her hand and it flew across the room. Swiftly Klara's eyes searched for something in the room she could use to defend herself but before she could even move Irene grabbed her by the neck and pinned her to the wall.
Klara tried to kick, push or even punch but neither could her legs move nor her arms. How would she defend herself if she couldn't even use her limbs. She could only use her mouth, maybe she should talk some sense into Irene's head but she could barely breath as Irene tightened her grip even more squeezing all the air out of Klara's lungs.
"All of us said we loved him but none of us could save him. None! We all deserve to die."
Was she going to die like this? And her family wouldn't even know. No, she refused to die.
"You refuse?!" Irene asked. She could read her thoughts? "Alright then...I will make you suffer first." Then suddenly Klara felt her body get thrown across the room. She braced herself for the pain to come as she hit the wall then fell on a table that tumbled over and she fell further to the floor.
Klara rolled on the floor in pain while gasping for air. She had to get away and tried to get up despite the pain when Irene kicked her in the stomach and she fell back with cry.
"I will kill everyone who claimed to love him, everyone and then I'll join you. Do you know why?" She asked. "Because I loved him the most yet I did nothing...nothi
This was not good. Klara could hear the anger and despair in Irenes voice. If she didn't get away Irene would kill her for sure.
"Oh right. Before I kill myself I have to kill mother as well. I'll kill her!" She screamed.
While Irene was speaking to herself Klara tried to crawl away but soon Irene grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up bringing both their faces close to each other. "You want to live princess? While letting the man you love die?"
Klara was confused. Who was Irene talking about? She had only ever loved one man and it was Lucian.
"Yes. I am talking about Lucian. He is dead!" She yelled pushing her down again.
Klara fell. "Lucian is dead?"
"Yes."
"No!" Klara shook her head. "No, no!" No she was probably talking about another Lucian.
"You can deny it all you want it but it won't bring him back from the dead." Irene grabbed Klara by the hair again.
Klara took notice of a vase that lay on the table nearby. She grabbed it quickly and smashed it on Irene's head. She expected Irene to fall down but she still stood straight as blood poured from her head and down her face.
Suddenly she laughed, something that shocked Klara. "Come on! Hit me some more!" Irene said.
Klara was confused.
"I said come on!" Irene yelled then Klara punched her face causing Irene's lip to burst.
"Is that all you got?" Irene asked with a smirk. "You are not giving me a choice but to show you how." She said and slapped Klara across the face.
Klara had been slapped before, even by strong men but it never hurt like this. Her whole head was throbbing in pain and she lost her balance and fell. Irene Placed herself on top of her and was about to land another slap when someone spoke.
"Stop!"
Roshan! Klara felt a sudden relief.
"Don't interfere! I am warning you!" Irene said with a deadly tone.
"Don't touch her. I am warning you!" He spoke with that same deadly tone.
She intended to ignore him when someone called her name. "Irene!"
This voice sent a chill down Klara's spine. She wanted to see who the voice belonged to but she kept her gaze fixated on Irene.
"What are you doing?"
Irene slowly let her hand fall as the crazy look in her eyes turned into one of confusion and sadness. The man quickly came to her side and pulled her up and away from Klara then he wrapped his arms around her. "It's alright." He whispered.
Klara didn't spare a moment to look at the man and tried to quickly get up and away but Roshan already scooped her up in his arms and carried her away. Klara felt embarrassed but didn't protest as she was in too much pain to walk herself.
***
Roshan tried to stay calm as he carried Klara to his room. He was shocked and angry, he had never seen Irene act this way before. He shouldn't have left Klara alone here. If he had come a bit late she could have been dead. The possibility of losing her easily made him feel vulnerable and he hated it.
He slowly placed her on his bed and she flinched in pain. Her beautiful face was now covered with bruises and her clothes soaked in her own blood. Roshan clenched his fists, seeing her like this made him angry. If it was someone else who made her like this they would be dead long ago, but it was Irene. He knew she was grieving the loss of her son and blaming herself for not saving him.
"Stay here." He said and left to bring an aid kit.
As he returned he found Klara curled up in his bed, her arms wrapped around her waist. For the first time he didn't see the tough woman he was used to see. She looked startled and scared and he could understand that. Roshan put the kit on the nightstand and then carefully sat down next to her.
He waited patiently for her to sit up then reached for her face. She flinched back.
"I am not going to hurt you." He assured then slowly removed the hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. As he treated her wounds she didn't even complain once even though it was probably a bit painful.
Roshan knew that not only was her face bruised but her body as well. Knowing that she wouldn't let him help her treat those wounds he gave the aid kit and a clean dress.
"What happened to Lucian?" She asked abruptly.
Roshan was taken aback for a moment. He had almost forgotten that she was in love with Lucian and telling her that the man she loved was dead, was not something he wanted to do at this moment.
Klaras eyes welled with tears. "He is not dead right? She was referring to someone else, right?" A tear fell down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand.
Roshan couldn't bring himself to tell her so he kept quiet. Maybe his silence would speak for itself.
"Please...pleas
Her whole body shook as she buried her face in her hands. Roshan wanted to comfort her but he didn't know how. Even if he knew why would he want to comfort her when she was crying for another man? Turning around he left her alone thinking that she would calm down eventually, but he was wrong.
She kept crying the whole night until she was exhausted and fell asleep almost at sunrise.
"How is she?" Lucifer asked taking a seat in the garden where Roshan was taking a short nap after listening to Klara's cry the whole night.
"She just fell asleep."
"You care for her." Lucifer pointed. "I didn't think someone as promiscuous as you would care for someone."
"Well...if Lucifer himself could care for someone then anyone can care for someone. By the way...how did Irene wake up? Did you find her mother?"
"No. I just found her awake." Lucifer said thoughtful.
"What is it?" Roshan asked.
"I have been thinking. Maybe...Lucian is alive."
"Why would you think so?"
"Demons cannot die unless killed by other supernatural creatures. Why would Lucian be an exception?"
"Because he is not entirely Demon." Roshan said as a matter of fact.
"True but he could have died and come back to life, just like Irene."
Irene had died after giving birth to Lucian but she had come back to life because she had demon blood in her system. When she came back to life she had become partly Demon. Lucian was already partly demon which meant that when he died his demon side could have saved him and he awakened was a fully Demon. But then again Demons could track other Demons so why couldn't they find him, Roshan wondered.
It meant that he was either dead or maybe even though he awakened as a fully Demon he still had his witch powers. A deadly combination indeed and this deadly combination would not be found unless he wanted to be found.
"There is one way to finding Lucian if he is alive." As a Demon himself Roshan knew Demons were very protective and possessive of their mates.
"How?"
"Hazel."
_______________
RETURN OF THE DEVIL’S SON
CHAPTER 18
Lucian looked at the woman in his arms. She looked almost dead. What if she had died? He couldn't understand why he was being so cruel to her.
Quickly he wrapped her in the blankets he brought and then lifting her head slightly he tried to make her drink some water. She couldn't drink much as she was half conscious and seemed to slowly drift away.
He tried to wake her up. "Hazel, look at me." But her eyes slowly fluttered down and she lost consciousness completely.
With a sigh Lucian placed her carefully on the bed then added a few more blankets. He put fire everywhere he could then tried to warm her up by rubbing her hands and feet. While rubbing her feet a memory flashed through his mind.
In his memory there was a woman, he was washing her feet while she watched him shyly. He tried to see her face but the memory disappeared as quickly as it came.
Lucian tried to remember some more but as usual every time he tried to remember his head throbbed so painfully it felt like it was going to burst. Ignoring the memories he tried to focus on Hazel. She was in this state because of him so he was responsible for her. He kept rubbing her hands and feet until she woke up.
Slowly Hazel opened her eyes and the first thing she said was... "Lucian."
"I am here." He said instinctively and drew her into his arms. Right now he didn't care if he exposed himself and ruined his plan, all he wanted to do was protect this woman and make her feel safe. He didn't even care to ask himself why anymore. The sense of protectiveness he felt was too strong that nothing else seemed to matter.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I am fine now." She smiled a faint smile. "I knew you would come for me."
Since she already knew his name he wanted to ask how. "How do you know my name?"
She rubbed her eyes then stared at him with questioning look.
"How I know your name? How could I not, Lucian? Are you asking because you really don't know?"
Lucian nodded. Hazel's expression turned serious and she used the little strength she had left to sit up. Lucian helped her while trying to hear her thoughts but he heard nothing. There was only silence. Why couldn't he hear her thoughts? Could it be that she wasn't a normal human because he could hear other people's thoughts clearly. Maybe he shouldn't trust her yet.
"Do you not know...who I am?" She asked carefully as if afraid to hear the answer.
"I don't."
"Do you really....not remember me?"
Lucian shook his head.
Hazel's shoulders fell in disappointment.
Lucian sighed not wanting to tell her the truth.
"I don't understand. Then why did you kiss me?" She touched her lips probably recalling the memories. Lucian himself have not been able to forget the taste of her lips and he knew he could never forget.
"And save me?" She continued. If he hadn't saved her he wouldn't be in this situation but strangely he didn't regret saving her at all. He knew if he went back in time he would save her again.
"You still haven't answered how you know my name." Ignoring her questions.
"I know you name because you are my husband." She said calmly.
Lucian stood up hastily annoyed that she was still lying to him. "My wife is dead."
Now it was Hazel's time to stand up hastily. She looked as angry as he was."Who told you that? How could I be dead when I am standing right infront of you."
"Stop! You are not my wife."
"I am."
"I would not forget her."
"You did Lucian. You forgot me when I have been waiting for you here everyday enduring every torture that came my way just to see you once again." She almost yelled frustrated.
***
I was so angry and frustrated. Just a moment ago I had been so relieved and happy to find that Lucian was alive and that he admitted that it was him just find out later that didn't remember me or maybe he just didn't want to. Why?!
Why was he doing this to me? This was worse than all the tortures I went through put together.
"I have been thinking of you everyday, worrying, praying for you safety. I missed you everyday, don't tell me you didn't."
"Stop!" He yelled taking a step back then holding his head with both his hands as if he was in pain.
"I thought you were dead. Do you know what I went through believing that?" My eyes teared up again. Speaking of it opened up new wounds. "Lucian...do you really not remember me?" I asked again hoping everytime the answer would be different but he kept shaking his head and backing away from me. "Do you not remember telling me you loved me?"
"Please stop!" He backed away until he hit the wall behind him.
"Do you not remember holding me or kissing me?
He shook his head violently.
"Do you not remember sleeping next to me while holding me in your arms?"
"Stop!" He fell on his knees then fisted his hair. "Stop!" His voice trembled as if he was fighting himself.
"Lucian?" He didn't seem well. His body was shaking in a way that reminded me of when he had kissed me for the first time. "Are you alright?"
As I neared him he suddenly screamed then started to punch the ground.
"Stop!" I screamed terrified. Running to him I grabbed both his hands to stop him from hurting himself.
"Why are you doing this?" His hands were soaked in blood. Looking at his face he was pale and his skin glistened with sweat.
"I can't make it stop. Please...make it stop." He said grabbing his hair again. Was his head hurting?
"Lucian…" I was confused as what to do so I just wrapped my arms around him. As soon as our bodies made contact I saw a terrifying image.
It was Lucian. He was in a dark place, his body covered in wounds and blood. As more blood seeped from his wounds he seemed to die a slow painful death, but someone clearly wanted his death to be more painful. Suddenly some liquor was poured over him and I saw a glimpse of a match then everything went up in flames. An agonizing scream erupted from Lucians thro as his body burned in that dark place.
Oh God! Startled I pushed Lucian away breaking the contact between us. What was that? Did he die like that? I shuddered then looked at Lucian who was still trembling. Good Lord. What had Lucian done to deserve this?
"Oh Lucian…" I hugged him again instinctively but then the images came back. He was still in that dark, his skin and most of his flesh had burned away but he could heal. I was happy to see him alive but only for a short moment because seeing his progress of healing was more painful than seeing his death. During the night his flesh would heal but as soon as the sun went up he would burn anew and his wounds would open again. Many days he would go through the agony of healing then burning again and it would never seem to end.
Then I saw him trying to crawl out of the what seemed like a well but he had no strength so he would fall back again and wait for the day to come and for the sun to burn him once again.
My heart tightened inside my chest upon seeing these images and rage filled my chest.
"Oh Lucian…" I cried holding him tightly. "I wish I could make it stop, but it's over now. You are safe now." But he only kept trembling.
I grabbed his face. "Lucian look at me."
He shook his head. "I can't."
"You can. Look at me Lucian."
He slowly looked up and into my eyes. "You are here, with me. Let's leave this place Lucian. Let's forget about revenge and live happily together. I want nothing else."
I didn't want him to hurt anymore. I didn't want to lose him again. Even though I wanted to punish those who tortured him but his safety was more important to me.
He grabbed my wrists removing my hands from his face. "Why? Why would I leave with you?" He asked.
"Because...beca
"Stop. Please stop." The more I spoke the more he seemed to be hurting. I couldn't understand why but I didn't want to hurt him anymore.
Suddenly he stood up and hurried toward the door as if he was scared of me.
"Will you come back?" I asked.
"Eat the food and keep yourself warm." He said then left without looking back.
Even though he claimed to not know me he still cared. That would be enough for now. That he was alive would be enough for now.
But would he be alright? He seemed to be hurting very much and it wasn't just because I saw his memories but I could feel it. I could feel his pain and something else quiet couldn't understand.
Since I was starving and cold I decided to do as he said. I ate the food he brought then wrapped myself in the blankets to keep myself warm. The place had no windows so I had no clue what time it was but it felt like a whole day or maybe a whole night had passed already. I just wanted to see Lucian again, make sure he was safe. After seeing what had happened to him, all the torture I went through seemed nothing compared to his. All that pain must still be haunting him. He had already gone through enough pain in his life, I didn't want him to go through more pain. I had to convince him to leave this place with me before it was too late.
The question was how?
Suddenly I shivered even though I was wrapped in warm blankets. It wasn't cold but there was someone in the room.
"Hazel."
I looked up at the devil himself. "Lothaire, I have been waiting for you."
_________
RETURN OF THE DEVIL'S SON
CHAPTER 18
Lucian looked at the woman in his arms. She looked almost dead. What if she had died? He couldn't understand why he was being so cruel to her.
Quickly he wrapped her in the blankets he brought and then lifting her head slightly he tried to make her drink some water. She couldn't drink much as she was half conscious and seemed to slowly drift away.
He tried to wake her up. "Hazel, look at me." But her eyes slowly fluttered down and she lost consciousness completely.
With a sigh Lucian placed her carefully on the bed then added a few more blankets. He put fire everywhere he could then tried to warm her up by rubbing her hands and feet. While rubbing her feet a memory flashed through his mind.
In his memory there was a woman, he was washing her feet while she watched him shyly. He tried to see her face but the memory disappeared as quickly as it came.
Lucian tried to remember some more but as usual every time he tried to remember his head throbbed so painfully it felt like it was going to burst. Ignoring the memories he tried to focus on Hazel. She was in this state because of him so he was responsible for her. He kept rubbing her hands and feet until she woke up.
Slowly Hazel opened her eyes and the first thing she said was... "Lucian."
"I am here." He said instinctively and drew her into his arms. Right now he didn't care if he exposed himself and ruined his plan, all he wanted to do was protect this woman and make her feel safe. He didn't even care to ask himself why anymore. The sense of protectiveness he felt was too strong that nothing else seemed to matter.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I am fine now." She smiled a faint smile. "I knew you would come for me."
Since she already knew his name he wanted to ask how. "How do you know my name?"
She rubbed her eyes then stared at him with questioning look.
"How I know your name? How could I not, Lucian? Are you asking because you really don't know?"
Lucian nodded. Hazel's expression turned serious and she used the little strength she had left to sit up. Lucian helped her while trying to hear her thoughts but he heard nothing. There was only silence. Why couldn't he hear her thoughts? Could it be that she wasn't a normal human because he could hear other people's thoughts clearly. Maybe he shouldn't trust her yet.
"Do you not know...who I am?" She asked carefully as if afraid to hear the answer.
"I don't."
"Do you really....not remember me?"
Lucian shook his head.
Hazel's shoulders fell in disappointment.
Lucian sighed not wanting to tell her the truth.
"I don't understand. Then why did you kiss me?" She touched her lips probably recalling the memories. Lucian himself have not been able to forget the taste of her lips and he knew he could never forget.
"And save me?" She continued. If he hadn't saved her he wouldn't be in this situation but strangely he didn't regret saving her at all. He knew if he went back in time he would save her again.
"You still haven't answered how you know my name." Ignoring her questions.
"I know you name because you are my husband." She said calmly.
Lucian stood up hastily annoyed that she was still lying to him. "My wife is dead."
Now it was Hazel's time to stand up hastily. She looked as angry as he was."Who told you that? How could I be dead when I am standing right infront of you."
"Stop! You are not my wife."
"I am."
"I would not forget her."
"You did Lucian. You forgot me when I have been waiting for you here everyday enduring every torture that came my way just to see you once again." She almost yelled frustrated.
***
I was so angry and frustrated. Just a moment ago I had been so relieved and happy to find that Lucian was alive and that he admitted that it was him just find out later that didn't remember me or maybe he just didn't want to. Why?!
Why was he doing this to me? This was worse than all the tortures I went through put together.
"I have been thinking of you everyday, worrying, praying for you safety. I missed you everyday, don't tell me you didn't."
"Stop!" He yelled taking a step back then holding his head with both his hands as if he was in pain.
"I thought you were dead. Do you know what I went through believing that?" My eyes teared up again. Speaking of it opened up new wounds. "Lucian...do you really not remember me?" I asked again hoping everytime the answer would be different but he kept shaking his head and backing away from me. "Do you not remember telling me you loved me?"
"Please stop!" He backed away until he hit the wall behind him.
"Do you not remember holding me or kissing me?
He shook his head violently.
"Do you not remember sleeping next to me while holding me in your arms?"
"Stop!" He fell on his knees then fisted his hair. "Stop!" His voice trembled as if he was fighting himself.
"Lucian?" He didn't seem well. His body was shaking in a way that reminded me of when he had kissed me for the first time. "Are you alright?"
As I neared him he suddenly screamed then started to punch the ground.
"Stop!" I screamed terrified. Running to him I grabbed both his hands to stop him from hurting himself.
"Why are you doing this?" His hands were soaked in blood. Looking at his face he was pale and his skin glistened with sweat.
"I can't make it stop. Please...make it stop." He said grabbing his hair again. Was his head hurting?
"Lucian…" I was confused as what to do so I just wrapped my arms around him. As soon as our bodies made contact I saw a terrifying image.
It was Lucian. He was in a dark place, his body covered in wounds and blood. As more blood seeped from his wounds he seemed to die a slow painful death, but someone clearly wanted his death to be more painful. Suddenly some liquor was poured over him and I saw a glimpse of a match then everything went up in flames. An agonizing scream erupted from Lucians thro as his body burned in that dark place.
Oh God! Startled I pushed Lucian away breaking the contact between us. What was that? Did he die like that? I shuddered then looked at Lucian who was still trembling. Good Lord. What had Lucian done to deserve this?
"Oh Lucian…" I hugged him again instinctively but then the images came back. He was still in that dark, his skin and most of his flesh had burned away but he could heal. I was happy to see him alive but only for a short moment because seeing his progress of healing was more painful than seeing his death. During the night his flesh would heal but as soon as the sun went up he would burn anew and his wounds would open again. Many days he would go through the agony of healing then burning again and it would never seem to end.
Then I saw him trying to crawl out of the what seemed like a well but he had no strength so he would fall back again and wait for the day to come and for the sun to burn him once again.
My heart tightened inside my chest upon seeing these images and rage filled my chest.
"Oh Lucian…" I cried holding him tightly. "I wish I could make it stop, but it's over now. You are safe now." But he only kept trembling.
I grabbed his face. "Lucian look at me."
He shook his head. "I can't."
"You can. Look at me Lucian."
He slowly looked up and into my eyes. "You are here, with me. Let's leave this place Lucian. Let's forget about revenge and live happily together. I want nothing else."
I didn't want him to hurt anymore. I didn't want to lose him again. Even though I wanted to punish those who tortured him but his safety was more important to me.
He grabbed my wrists removing my hands from his face. "Why? Why would I leave with you?" He asked.
"Because...beca
"Stop. Please stop." The more I spoke the more he seemed to be hurting. I couldn't understand why but I didn't want to hurt him anymore.
Suddenly he stood up and hurried toward the door as if he was scared of me.
"Will you come back?" I asked.
"Eat the food and keep yourself warm." He said then left without looking back.
Even though he claimed to not know me he still cared. That would be enough for now. That he was alive would be enough for now.
But would he be alright? He seemed to be hurting very much and it wasn't just because I saw his memories but I could feel it. I could feel his pain and something else quiet couldn't understand.
Since I was starving and cold I decided to do as he said. I ate the food he brought then wrapped myself in the blankets to keep myself warm. The place had no windows so I had no clue what time it was but it felt like a whole day or maybe a whole night had passed already. I just wanted to see Lucian again, make sure he was safe. After seeing what had happened to him, all the torture I went through seemed nothing compared to his. All that pain must still be haunting him. He had already gone through enough pain in his life, I didn't want him to go through more pain. I had to convince him to leave this place with me before it was too late.
The question was how?
Suddenly I shivered even though I was wrapped in warm blankets. It wasn't cold but there was someone in the room.
"Hazel."
I looked up at the devil himself. "Lothaire, I have been waiting for you."
_________
RETURN OF THE DEVIL'S SON
CHAPTER 19
"Lucian is alive."
Lothaire didn't seem as surprised as I had expected him to be, almost as if he had suspected Lucian to be alive.
"Where is he?" He asked calmly.
"I am not sure but he is here in the palace and he doesn't look like himself." and act like himself.
"He is in disguise…" Lothaire said thoughtful. "Then how did you recognize him?"
"I just did." I shrugged. I didn't know how to explain it.
Lothaire crossed the distance between us then slowly removed the hair from my neck. "It's the mating mark." He mumbled.
I had almost forgotten about the mark. I wondered if it had anything to do with me being able to see Lucians memories.
"He doesn't remember me." I said.
Lothaire took a step back studying me with his cold eyes.
"Or maybe he is pretending…" I said unsure.
"He would not."
My heart sank. If he was not pretending then he really did forget me.
"Why?" Why did he forget me? "How?" How could he forget me?
"I am not sure why or how. Maybe Irene knows."
Irene! She would be so happy to know that her son was alive. I wanted to see her and tell her quickly but then I remembered how angry I was with her and Lothaire, especially now after having seen everything that happened to Lucian, their son.
How could they not have done anything to help him? How could they have just watched him go through all that and let him die?
I wasn't a parent myself but I knew that I would do anything in my power to save the people I love, even if it meant that I would die myself.
"I should go and tell Irene. Do you want to come?" He asked.
I shook my head. "No. I will wait for Lucian."
Lothaire nodded. "Alright then."
"Lothaire?"
"Yes."
"Why did you not help him?... Even if you and Irene were cursed and could possibly die but a parent would rather die than let their child go through what Lucian did. Am I wrong?"
"You don't know me." He said.
"I don't, but I know Irene. She doesn't look like the kind of mother who would watch her son go through all that." I felt as if there was something they weren't telling me.
Lothaire sighed and his cold eyes softened. He took my hand in his, I was surprised by the coldness of his touch, then placed something on my palm. "Thank you for taking care of him." He said then he was gone.
I looked at the silver pendant in the shape of a moon in my hand. Not only was it beautiful but it seemed magical somehow. It reminded me of Irene, beautiful in a magical way.
***
As soon as he walked into his room Lucian fell to his knees. Afraid that someone would see him like this he closed the door despite the pain he was in. Tears and sweat ran down his face as he tried to crawl to the bathroom. He needed cold water to stop this excruciating pain, but he couldn't even crawl. It felt like his whole body had been beaten and every movement would cause him to groan in pain.Grabbing the corners of tables and chairs Lucian tried to push himself further but gave up eventually and just lay there waiting for the pain to end.
He should be used to this by now since it happened every night but this kind of pain was impossible to get used to. Besides he was confused as to why it happened to him now when it usually happened at night. Would he have to endure this torture on the day as well?
Why?!
Slowly the pain turned into an icy numbness. His heartbeat decreased and it became hard to breathe. He embraced himself for the pain that was coming because he knew the worst part had only started. Usually he only lasted ten minutes in the worst part of the pain and then slowly black would fill the edges of his vision and he would gradually fall into a sea of darkness.
In that sea of darkness Lucian always tried to swim to the surface but to no avail. He would drown over and over again until he gave up, but this time something was different. There was a source of light from a distance.
Lucian tried to swim once again but now toward the light and as he swam he found himself in his personal garden. Surprised as to how he got there he looked around.
There...in the middle of the garden she sat on a white swing, swinging back and forth while reading a book. As if sensing his presence she looked up from her book and smiled.
"Lucian."
His name never sounded as good as when she called him. Lucian held his breath at the site of her. Never had someone looked so beautiful in his eyes.
She stood up and opened her arms to embrace him."Come." She smiled and he couldn't resist her call but as he moved toward her he realized that she was still far away from him. It was as if he couldn't reach her no matter how fast his legs moved. He realized that she was just like the light he could never reach. It only blinded him making it even more difficult to see where he was going. He felt lost and strangely he wanted to go back to the darkness that he usually despised.
That's where you belong he heard a voice say before he shot his eyes open and found himself in his room. Lucian let out a deep breath relieved that it was only a dream.
***
It was midnight and the only thing Lucian could hear was some night guards talking outside and the snoring of some people. Jade was half sleeping outside his room so Lucian decided to use another way out. He needed some fresh air without getting disturbed so he teleported himself outside the castle. This time he disguised himself as a commoner and went wherever his feet took him. He tried to not think about anything and just enjoy his walk but he couldn't.
His mind was occupied with thoughts of Hazel. He could not stop thinking about her even for a second. He wanted to be near her again and let her hold him in the protective and loving way she held him before but could he really trust her? If he did he would have to take her word for being his wife.
Could she really be his wife? Could that be the reason everything about her felt so familiar and comforting? Could that be the reason he wanted to protect her, hold her, kiss her and make her his own?
No. He could not think like this. She could not be his wife. She was just a maid, unprotected in this evil place, probably mistreated and tortured many times before and taken advantage of while he was….he was...doing what? And when he finally came back he didn't even recognize her while she had been waiting all this time.
No. She could not be his wife. He refused to believe it. He would not....he would not let her get hurt while he was dreaming of a normal peaceful life. He would not be so ignorant...woul
His head throbbed again. No no, he had just gone through this pain why was it starting again? He took a deep breath and tried not to think of Hazel and calm down. She seemed to somehow be the source of his pain. Afraid that he would lose consciousnesses
With a loud sigh he fell back on his bed. Even though he was really tired he knew there was no use of going to sleep, because the nightmares where there, waiting for him to just close his eyes. As he lay there staring at the ceiling he felt something strange, a presence in the room. Sitting up he looked around but found no one, still he knew someone was here.
Standing up he strained his ears and focused his vision, getting himself ready to fight.
"Who is there?" Lucian asked using an authoritative tone.
Silence…. yet Lucian was sure someone was there. He was not a fool to ignore his instincts.
"Show yourself!"
After a short moment of silence slowly a woman appeared out of thin air. She stood in front of him a few feet away in a green gown that matched her beautiful eyes. Her raven black hair cascaded down her shoulder in elegant waves that stopped right above her waist and her skin was unblemished and radiant. Lucian had never seen such woman before, she was tall and beautiful, and had a commanding presence.
"Who are you?" He asked.
The woman just stared at him, her eyes slowly welling with tears. Lucian found himself utterly confused. Why was every woman crying at the sight of him?
"I asked who you are? And how did you get in here?"
The woman only kept staring at him while so many emotions were written all over her face. Pain, sorrow, guilt but also relief and joy. She walked closer to him as tears strolled down her face.
What was this situation? He should call the guards but he knew it was useless as this woman could disappear just the way she had appeared.
Feeling uncomfortable by her closeness Lucian was about to take a few steps back when she suddenly wrapped her arms around him. Stunned Lucian froze in place.
What was this feeling?
Even though Lucian was shocked by the sudden hug he felt strangely safe. Her warmth soothed and comforted him. He felt as though all the weight he had carried all those years on his shoulders had been lifted away and he could suddenly breath. His body and mind relaxed and a strange feeling of peace brought tears to his eyes. He wanted to cry in her arms and he wanted her to comfort him but shocked by his own thoughts he pushed her away and took a few steps back.
"Leave!" He shook overwhelmed by his own emotions.
He wanted her to leave, she scared him but at the same time he wanted to know who she was as well.
"I am sorry." The woman cried.
He was tired of these crying woman who came to him and added to his confusion. He was already suffering enough, what did they want?
"Who are you? Why did you come here?" He said angry and frustrated.
The woman cried even more. "I am sorry."
"Don't be sorry and just tell me who you are and what you want."
"I...I..I am…" Her voice cracked and she shook her head. "I am sorry." She repeated.
"Don't…" Lucian began to yell but she was already gone.
_______
RETURN OF THE DEVIL'S SON
CHAPTER 20
20 - 19
***
Roshan had just come out of the tub and was still n.a.k.e.d when Lucifer appeared out of nowhere.
"And you could not wait until I got dressed." He said grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his waist.
Lucifer seemed stressed and maybe even...scared. Roshan had never seen him like this before. He was walking back and forth and then abruptly he stopped.
"Lucian is alive." He breathed.
Roshan paused. "Alive? How? I can still not sense him."
"I don't know how he does it but he better keep doing it now that the curse is broken, or else…" Lucifer clenched his fists.
Or else the demons would try to kill him now that the curse was not protecting him anymore. The curse didn't only keep Irene and Lucifer from meeting their son but every other demon as well, and since Lucian was half witch he was basically an enemy.
Witches and demons never mixed well and while witches protected their kind no matter what demons never took risks, even with their own kind. Anyone who could be a threat needed to be wiped away and quickly, especially if they had anything to do with witches.
"Roshan, as soon as you sense Lucian I want you to summon everyone and if anyone shows a rebellious behavior get rid of them."
Roshan nodded. He could sense Lucifers uneasiness.
Once Lucifer wanted to kill his own son, not because he hated him but because he knew he would suffer a lot and wanted to save him from that. He knew that being the son of the devil and a witch would never allow him to live a normal peaceful life and that both witches and demons would try to eliminate him. But while hesitating to kill his own son Irene's mother was able to put a curse preventing any demon to come near Lucian.
Roshan wasn't sure if Lucifer was happy to see his son alive or if he regretted hesitating, causing his son to live in loneliness and torture while he himself was unable to do anything.
.
"Have you told Irene yet?" Roshan asked.
"Yes, but I shouldn't have."
Irene had probably not been able to keep herself from seeing her son which probably added to his confusion.
"Maybe you want to tell your human friend that he is alive." Lucifer noted before leaving.
Human friend? Klara was anything but a friend.
Since she found out about Lucians death she had been in a bad state. Sometimes she would deny his death and say that she was going to find him and sometimes she would not leave her room and would just cry for the whole day.
There were some other days that she would not cry but then she wouldn't leave her room either, or eat or drink. She really made him confused and sometimes he wondered why he even brought her here and caused all this trouble for himself.
Today he found her laying on the bed being very quiet.
"Good morning."
She still lay unmoving on the bed. "Don't you know how to knock?" She asked in a flat tone.
He did knock but she never seemed to hear his knocking.
"Or maybe you lost your hearing." He stated.
She sat up hastily and glared at him with annoyance.
"You could knock louder. It's not of good behavior to enter a lady's room without permission."
Good behavior? And him? Roshan fought the urge to laugh. He was actually at his best behavior right now or else she would have found herself in his bed. N.a.k.e.d.
"Princess, you are in no position to teach me good behavior. You have been in my home for almost a week, eating and drinking for free without contributing with anything."
Her face turned red with embarrassment and she looked down at her hands.
"I...I.." Roshan knew she wanted to apologize but she was too stubborn. "What do you want me to do?" She asked raising her chin again.
"How about taking a bath, changing and combing your hair first?" She looked like a mess.
Her cheeks flushed again. "I will if you leave."
***
Klara looked herself in the mirror. She had never looked like this before, she looked like the homeless people she sometimes saw on the streets. What happened to her? What happened to the strong woman she was? Was she just going to believe what people told her or was she going to find out the truth herself?
She better find out herself before grieving someone who was probably not even dead. Lucian could not be dead.
Deciding that she was going to leave this place today to go and find Lucian she went to the bathroom. Klara was surprised to find that someone had already prepared a bath. It was probably Roshan she thought.
Why was he taking care of her so much?
He had let her stay, given her food and clothes without asking for anything in return. Still, she didn't trust him. He had that look in his eyes that told her he wanted something but she wasn't sure what it was.
Klara got into the hot water and cleaned herself then she slid into a new dress that Roshan had prepared for her as well before walking out and in to her room. There she dried her hair with a towel while wondering where she could find a comb. She didn't want to risk leaving the room and getting almost killed again.
While contemplating on what to do someone knocked on the door and soon Roshan walked inside.
He had a comb in his hand. This man was something else, Klara thought to herself. She had to be careful.
"You hair is a mess." He said handing her the comb.
Klara took the comb, ignoring him she went to the mirror and started to comb her hair. It was more difficult than she had thought. It was all tangled up.
"You seem to need help." He pointed
"I am fine." She said but before she was done with the sentence he already stood behind her staring at her through the mirror. Klaras heart jumper to her throat but she swallowed it.
"I could still help." He said in a low voice leaning right next to her ear.
Klara froze in place as he reached for the comb in her hand, which she just let slide through her fingers. Then he slowly began to comb her hair. Why was she not protesting?
As he combed her hair his fingertips would sometimes touch her neck and she would feel heat creep into her skin. His closeness made her imagine things she normally wouldn't, like taking a step back and letting him wrap his arms around her, or leaning her head back onto his shoulder and letting him kiss her neck. She wondered what it would feel like, to let a man have her, to let him kiss her and caress her. Her body shivered in sudden want. If she didn't distance herself from this man she would end up doing something she would regret.
Taking a few steps away from him she turned around. "I think it fine now. Thank you."
Roshan smiled and something about his smile told her he knew the effect he had on her.
"Why do you do this?" She asked crossing her arms over her chest.
"Do what?" He said innocently.
"Helping me. What do you want in return?"
A mischievous smile crept to his face. "You know what I want." He said in a way that made her heart skip a beat.
"No, I don't know." She said trying not to sound nervous.
"You know, you just want me to say it out loud." He said slowly strolling toward her "or maybe you want me to show you."
Klara backed away until she collided with the dresser behind her. Roshan crossed the distance between them then placed his hands on the dresser on each side of her body trapping her between his arms. Klaras mind went blank as he leaned closer and spoke next to her ear. "I want to please you." He said as his hot breath caressed her skin.
A shiver went down her spine. Please her? How?
Roshan chuckled. Leaning back he looked into her eyes. "If you are really curious...." He whispered letting his fingers brush the skin on her face, "then close your eyes."
Klara felt as though she was under some spell that she couldn't resist so she closed her eyes despite knowing what was coming next.
Roshan leaned in, bringing his lips close to hers. This was so unlike him. He never used his powers to seduce a woman, not that he needed to but this woman was tempting him to much. With her wet hair and bare shoulders she was provoking the demon inside of him. Still, he shouldn't manipulate her, he didn't want to. He wanted her willingly so he took a few steps back and left her mind and thoughts alone.
Klara opened her eyes and looked at Roshan confused. What was wrong with her? She was just about to let him kiss her, to let an unknown man kiss her. No. She needed to make it clear that she was not interested in him, at all.
"Listen…" She began.
"It know." He cut her off. "You plan on escapin.
______
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