MARRIED TO THE DEVIL'S 😈 SON
VOLUME 3 CHAPTER 8
Zarin introduced Heaven to his friend Lozan, a man who according to him knew almost every demon.
"You need to be more specific." Lozan inquired when Zarin explained that he was looking for old male demons. "There are many old male demons."
Zarin turned to Heaven. "Anything specific you would like?"
Heaven felt as if she was ordering a meal or buying clothes.
"Someone kind." She said.
That made both Zarin and Lozan laugh out loud. "Your friend is funny." Lozan told Zarin.
Zarin tried to hold in his laugh. "We are looking for someone who might be interested in finding a partner."
"Oh," Lozan turned to Heaven. "You can't possibly have difficulty finding someone." He said surprised. "But that's not how it works with demons."
"I know, I know. They have to be mates, but that will only happen once they meet, right?"
"All right. But why does it have to be an old demon?" Lozan asked.
"We have our reasons." Was all Zarin said.
"How old are we talking about?"
"Well, at least five centuries old." He looked at Heaven for approval.
Heaven had to think. That sounded a lot, but she decided to go with it for now.
"Preferably rich." Zarin added.
"Then you are looking for a demon Lord."
Heaven knew demon Lords were the ones that ruled over a group of demons. They were the leaders.
"That will do." Zarin said.
Lozan seemed concerned. "Your friend seems to innocent to get involved with a demon lord." He pointed out.
"She just looks innocent. It's her charm." Zarin explained.
Her charm? Heaven wanted to laugh.
"If you want to meet a demon Lord, you need to go to different kinds of parties. Ones that are heavily guarded, therefore you will need an invitation. I am sure you father can get you one easily. Once you are inside, your friend can use her charm. I am sure it will work effectively." He grinned.
If Lozan knew almost every demon, then maybe he knew the silver-eyes stranger.
"Do you know a male demon with silver eyes?" Heaven asked.
Lozans expression became serious. "Silver eyes? That's very rare nowadays. Have you seen one?" He asked.
"No, my friend has." She lied.
"I don't know if she is lucky or unlucky." He said scaring her.
"Why?"
"Well, lucky because she got to see something rare. Unlucky because they are very dangerous and she might be in serious trouble if she provoked him."
Now she was terrified.
"What do you mean they are dangerous?" She asked.
Lozan leaned in, his eyes gleaming with excitement of what he was about to tell her.
"They are the original ones. The created ones. They lived from the beginning of times, here on earth, before the humans were created. Even though all of them were demons, they were different by nature. There were the fire demons, they had fiery eyes. You could see the flames in their eyes."
Heaven thought of her father's eyes. But he didn't exist from the beginning of times. Was it maybe because her grandfather did?
"Then there were the smoke demons. They had metallic silver eyes, and the water demons had multicoloured eyes. When humans were created and sent to earth, the demons moved to the oceans. But the water demons wanted the waters for themselves, so they banished the fire demons and the smoke demons from the oceans and forced them to live on land. Amongst the humans. Now you probably understand why they are dangerous. They are ancient, therefore extremely powerful. Only a few of them exist today, and they usually conceal their eye colour so that no one can recognize them. Unless they really want to scare someone."
"Why do only a few remain?" Heaven asked curiously.
"Living for many thousand years can become tiring, so some of them decided to move on to the afterlife. Others have gone into a deep slumber, planning to wake up when the world changes into something that might excite them."
"How do you know all this?" Zarin was surprised by his friend's knowledge.
"You have to know your history." He winked. "Tell you friend to be careful, and if possible avoid him." He then warned Heaven.
An original demon. Not centuries old, but ancient and powerful. That was bad news for her.
What could this original demon want from her? Maybe she should stop looking for him and hope that he never comes to see her again.
Heaven thanked Lozan for his help before turning to Zarin. "We should go home." She said. "Where is Gina?"
Zarin said goodbye to his friend and then they both looked for Gina in the crowd. She was still with the handsome male who had asked her for a dance.
"We should leave her alone. She knows you're with me."
"Will she be alright alone?" Heaven asked.
"Trust me. This is not her first time." Zarin assured.
Once they were back to her chamber, Heaven felt afraid. She didn't let go of Zarin.
"Can't you stay here tonight?" She asked.
Zarin gazed into her eyes for a long moment before he shut them tightly and pushed her away gently. When he opened his eyes, he took a deep breath before looking at her again.
"Is there something you are not telling me?" He asked. "Who is this silver-eyed demon? Is he troubling you?"
Heaven shook her head. "No. It's just the nightmares again. Please stay."
She could see that he didn't believe her, and that was probably why he agreed to stay.
"Alright. Go and change." He said.
"Thank you."
Heaven hurried to change into her nightgown and when she came back, she found Zarin lying on her bed.
"What are you doing?"
"No more luxury for you Princess. If I am going to sleep here, then I am sleeping on the bed. You can try the sofa. If it doesn't suit you, you are always welcome to sleep next to me." He smirked.
Heaven wanted to slap the smirk out of his face but forced herself to smile at him instead. She was the one who asked him to stay, after all. "I'll sleep on the sofa. Enjoy the bed."
Taking her pillow and blanket, she lay down on the small sofa that barely fit her length. This was at least better than having nightmares, she comforted herself.
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MARRIED TO THE DEVIL'S 😈 SON
VOLUME 3 CHAPTER 9
Heaven woke up feeling cold despite being wrapped in her thick, heavy blanket. But it wasn't the weather that was cold.
It was him.
Every time he came, the room would turn cold. Or maybe it wasn't the room but her body that froze.
Sitting up, her eyes searched for him in the darkness, but she couldn't find him. Yet she knew he was there. Gripping her blanket, she held it tightly against her body, as if it would protect her.
"Hell0?" Her voice trembled. "Are you there?"
Slowly he emerged from the darkness. The sight of him made her draw in a sharp breath and want to hide under the bedcovers. He was beautifully terrifying, if that made sense.
The stranger took a step toward her.
"Don't! Please." Heaven shrieked, crawling back in her bed.
"I won't hurt you." He assured.
"What do you want?" It came out as a whisper.
He came closer. "I want you. Come with me.���
"Why?" She asked.
"Because we belong together."
"I don't even know you." Her heart accelerated with every step he took toward her.
"But you have been looking for me. And if you really want to know me, then come to Black rosewood." He said.
"What if I don't want to?" She asked, afraid.
In the blink of an eye, he stood right in front of her, causing her to squeal in terror. Leaning down, he brought his face close to hers. Heaven held her breath.
"Then I'll come back to convince you." He smirked, leaning even closer.
Heaven shut her eyes tightly, praying he would disappear. When she opened them again, she was sleeping in her bed. The morning sun shone through the window, lighting up the room.
Heaven let out a breath of relief. It was all a bad dream.
But wait! How did she get into her bed? She had been sleeping on the sofa.
Turning to her left, she found Zarin sleeping next to her.
What on earth was happening?
"Zarin!" She rocked him. "Wake up!"
Slowly, his eyes fluttered open.
"How did I get here?" She asked accusingly.
He rubbed his eyes before looking at her."You don't know?"
She shook her head.
"Well, I don't either." He smiled tauntingly.
Heaven took her pillow and started hitting him with it.
"All right, all right, stop." He held his arms up in defense, but Heaven kept hitting him.
"Stop!" He grabbed her wrists turning her over he pinned her down on the bed.
She struggled to free herself, but he was strong.
"I am still stronger than you," He reminded. "And faster too."
But that was not what made Heaven stop.
It was him, in her bed, on top of her. When he understood her reaction he released her.
"You will get me in trouble one day." He muttered before vanishing.
Heaven was confused for a brief moment before her handmaidens knocked on the door. While they assisted her to get ready for the day, she kept thinking of the silver-eyed stranger. He wanted to meet her after so many visits.
Why now? What changed? And what did he mean by them belonging together? She shook her head. It didn't matter. She would not go meet him.
When her handmaidens were done with her, she looked at herself in the mirror one last time before making her way to the great garden, where she would have breakfast with her parents.
When Heaven neared the garden, she heard her grandmother's voice. She became thrilled and hurried to meet her.
"Grandma!"
"Heaven!" Her grandmother Irene stood up from her seat, meeting her halfway for a hug.
"I miss you." Heaven said.
"I miss you more, my Angel."
Heaven was so happy to see her grandmother. They chatted happily while they ate their breakfast. But Heaven knew her grandmother was not as happy as she looked. Since her grandfather left, she could see the sadness behind her grandmother's smile. Until this day, Heaven could not understand why her grandfather left.
He had never been the warm type to begin with, but she never thought he would abandon them.
She could still remember the day he decided to leave. He had explained that he was on earth for a purpose, and that he for a moment got distracted and forgot why he was here.
"What is the purpose that is more important than your family?" Her father had asked.
"I am here to mislead God's creation. That's the purpose of my existence. I am not here to live a normal life."
"You say that now?" Her father had been outraged and Heaven could understand why. But her grandfather had remained calm.
"I did not plan to have a family. It just happened, and I got caught up in it. Now I am back to who and what I should be."
"The devil?"
"Yes." Her grandfather replied calmly.
"So you want to leave us?"
"You can come with me. We can mislead everyone. We can make the world ours."
Her father shook his head. "I don't want to be part of your evil schemes."
It was the first time Heaven heard her grandfather laugh. Until this day, she never heard a more malicious sound. "You are part of me, Lucian. Evil is part of you, whether you admit it or not."
"No one is born evil. It's a choice you make, and I choose not to be what you have become."
Heaven had felt proud of her father, but she had been very disappointed in her grandfather. She couldn't understand why misleading people was so important to him, but when she grew up, she learned the reason to why the devil was on earth. He had rebelled against God.
"Father, do you believe in God?" One day Heaven had asked her father when she was a little girl.
"Yes." Her father answered simply.
"I don't mean if you believe there is a God. I mean, do you believe God is good?"
Her father who was busy reading some papers put them away and looked at her. "Yes. I believe God is good."
"But those who believe that God is good are also those who believe demons are evil." Heaven argued.
Her father studied her for a moment. "If those people believe God is good, they should know that God does not create evil. It's something his creation chooses to be, and as demons we have the choice to be what we want."
And so Heaven chose to be good, despite not knowing what it truly meant. At that time, when she was a little girl, to be good meant listening to her parents, not fighting with others and being kind. But today Heaven wondered what it truly meant to be good.
Could she still be good despite being the devil's granddaughter?
"Is something wrong?" Her grandmother asked, breaking her train of thoughts.
Heaven realized everyone had emptied their plate while she was lost in old memories.
"No, no." Heaven shook her head.
Now, both her parents looked at her worriedly.
"I am fine. I am just trying to eat less. I have gained some weight." She lied.
Heaven was thankful that demons couldn't hear demons thoughts. Otherwise, her parents and grandmother would have known she was lying.
After the breakfast Heaven took her grandmother aside. "I need to talk to you." She whispered. Then they went to her room to speak privetly.
"So, what troubles you my dear?" Her grandmother asked once they arrived.
"Grandma, I don't want to worry anyone, but something had been troubling me for a long time."
"What is it?" Her grandmother looked very concerned.
"Dreams or nightmares. I don't know. But they feel so real, and it's the same person as everytime. I think it might be more than just a dream." Heaven explained.
Her grandmother listened carefully.
"I think it's a demon. He has silver-eyes, and he comes almost every night." She continued.
"What does he do when he comes?"
Heavens cheeks flushed.
"Oh dear. It's that kind of dream." Her grandmother said.
"No!" Heaven's blush deepened.
"It's normal." Her grandmother cut off. "You have grown. You are a woman now and you yearn for a man."
Heaven sighed. She didn't expect her grandmother to react the way Gina did.
"Who is he?" She asked curiously.
Heaven shook her head. "I don't know him. But he seems to know me. That's why I am afraid."
The concerned look returned to her grandmother's face. "You don't know him?"
"No."
She was quiet for a long moment before she stood up. "Come. I'll perform a spell on you. It will make demons unable to enter your mind."
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MARRIED TO THE DEVIL'S 😈 SON
VOLUME 3 CHAPTER 10
Heavens grandmother gave her a necklace with a magic spell that would keep demons away from her. Despite that, the silver-eyed stranger visited her once again. Just as he promised.
If the spell didn't work, then maybe he wasn't a demon.
But… what else could he be?
She would guess a witch, had she not seen him at the party. As a witch, he would not risk coming to a party full of demons.
One thing Heaven was sure of. He was not human. He was far more sinister. The way he crawled into her bed made her shrink and shiver. What would he do to her this time?
She could feel him looming over her while she pretended to be asleep. She tried not to panic, but her heart was beating so fast she had a hard time breathing normally.
"I know you are awake." He spoke.
Heaven kept her eyes shut. Tonight she would not open them until he disappeared.
The stranger leaned closer. His soft hair fell on her face and tickled her. Then she felt his icy fingers on her neck. Heaven squealed internally but kept it together on the outside.
It's just a dream. He will disappear soon, she chanted inside her head.
But the stranger went nowhere. Instead, she felt his cool fingers get a grip on the necklace around her neck. Then she heard him chuckle.
"Did you think this would protect you from me?" He asked, amused.
Heaven continued to pretend to sleep, but he wasn't willing to leave.
"You don't need protection from me. I wouldn't hurt you." He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.
"Look at me." He urged softly.
His words were compelling, somehow taking control over her and forcing her to open her eyes.
No! Why did she open…
The words faded from her mind as soon as she saw his face. There was something about his appearance that took her breath away, yet when she woke up she couldn't remember what he looked like. Except the eyes.
"Why did you not come to meet me?" He asked.
"I was afraid." She blurted.
"You need not be afraid of me." He traced his fingers along her jawline and down to the curve of her neck.
His cold touch made her shudder, yet her body grew hot. Her senses came alive and his scent filled her nostrils. He smelled like wet earth after rain.
Heaven inhaled his delicate scent. She loved rain. The smell of it, the sound of it, and the feel of the cold water dripping on her skin.
Why did this man remind her of rain and storms?
"I'll wait for you tomorrow." He said, but it sounded more like a question. As if he was asking her if she would go to meet him.
"I can't." She shook her head.
His lips curved into a smile. "At least this time you didn't say you don't want to."
Heaven stared at him, confused. "It's the same thing." She said.
Suddenly he was out of her bed, standing on the other side. "I'll be waiting for you."
Heaven sat up. "I told you I can't."
"I am sure you'll find a way."
"I…" Before she could say anything else, he dissipated into smoke.
When she woke up this time, she was covered in sweat. This nightmare was affecting her more than she thought.
She reached for the necklace around her neck. It was still there, but it didn't protect her.
Her grandmother was a powerful witch. If her spell didn't work, then there could be two reasons. The first would be that the stranger wasn't a demon, and the second, he is too powerful for the spell to keep him away. After all, he had laughed at her attempt to protect herself, but he had also told her he had no intentions of hurting her.
Could she trust his words?
And if he didn't want to hurt her, then what did he want?
Rubbing her eyes, Heaven forced herself out of bed. She had her training with Princess Klara and Gina today, so even if she wanted to sleep a little more she couldn't.
Her handmaidens helped her as usual before she made her way to the backyard of the castle where she usually trained. Today it seemed her mother was joining them.
Not wanting to interrupt the fight between her mother and Princess Klara, Heaven went to sit next to Gina who was also watching the fight.
"Good morning," She greeted her friend.
"Good morning." Gina smiled without tearing her gaze from the fight between their mothers. "Aunt Hazel has become so much better."
Heaven nodded proudly. Her mother was truly a fighter, never giving up. Yet she was gentle in everything she did. That's why everyone loved her. Even now while fighting, every time she felt she struck too hard she would make sure Princess Klara was alright. She was so caring.
While their mothers fought Gina and Heaven decided to fight as well. Unlike their mothers, they were not gentle with each other. They really attacked one another, without holding back. Kicking, punching and wrestling, they bruised each other until one of them gave up.
Today Heaven gave up first. She had too many sleepless nights and her mind was somewhere else.
"All right, I give up." Breathless, Heaven accepted defeat
Gina fell on the ground, also gasping for air. They took a moment to catch their breath before retiring to her room.
Heaven ordered for some food and drink. She was starving. Then she threw herself on the couch to rest.
"So, how was he? The man you were chatting with at the party?" Heaven asked.
Zarin and she had left Gina behind that night because she seemed to have a good time.
"His name is Wren, and he was very charming. But I met someone else last night."
"Oh," Was all Heaven managed to say. Her friend was juggling men. Heaven didn't know how she felt about that.
��How was it for you? Did you find someone?"
Heaven shook her head. "No, but I found something. I think the man in my dreams might be an ancient demon."
Confusion settled on Gina's face. "But you said he was just a dream."
"Yes. I mean no. I don't know, really. But he feels so real and he told me to… meet him."
"What? Why didn't you tell me all this?" She hurried to sit next to her on the couch.
"Because I am not sure myself. A part of me wants to find him, the other part tells me it's dangerous."
"Why?"
"Well, if he is an ancient demon what could he want from me? Other than to hurt me. Maybe he is my father's enemy and wants to cause him harm through me."
"If he is an ancient demon, then he wouldn't be scared and hide in your dreams. Trust me. He would already have caused you harm. Also, ancient demons have no reason to be your father's enemies since they won't see him as a threat. They already have enough power of their own."
She had a point. "If so, what does he want?"
"Maybe he likes you, but is too afraid to approach you. Because you know, your father and grandfather. Did he indicate that he likes you?"
Well, he had said they belonged together. Did that mean he liked her?
"I'm not sure…"
"I think you should give him a chance. You are looking for someone to get married to so it wouldn't hurt to get to know him. "
Gina made everything seem simple, but something was telling Heaven this was more than just a demon liking her. He wanted something else from her. She had felt it in her dreams. The fact that the necklace didn't protect her was also distressing. If he wasn't an ancient demon, then he was something else. Something as dangerous if not more.
And if she didn't go to meet him, then he would come for her again, and again, Also, she couldn't deny the fact that she wanted to meet him. She wanted to know who he was and what he wanted.
Heaven knew she was about to make a selfish and dangerous decision, but she couldn't help it.
"Yes, maybe I should give him a chance," She finally said.
Her friend's eyes widened in surprise. "Good." She nodded excitedly. "Now where do we find this man?"
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MARRIED TO THE DEVIL'S 😈 SON
VOLUME 3 CHAPTER 11
Heaven told Gina where she was supposed to meet the silver-eyed stranger. Black rosewood.
Gina knew where it was, but she didn't like the idea of going there.
"Why did he tell you to meet him there? I heard that forest is eerie."
Heaven wanted to back down, but then she gathered her courage and decided to get it over with.
"Should we feel scared? I mean, we are what people fear."
Maybe people believed supernatural beings like ghosts or demons to dwell in the forest, but Heaven didn't believe in ghosts and she was a demon.
Gina shrugged. "Yeah. I guess we have nothing to be afraid of."
But once they arrived at the forest, Heaven could feel that something was definitely different about the place.
It was dark, the leaves from the many tall trees covered the sky like dark clouds. The air was cooler, making her flesh creep and her body squirm. She turned to Gina who was walking next to her with arms wrapped around her shoulders.
"Why is it so cold?" She asked.
"I don't like this." Heavens said. "Maybe we should go back."
Gina shook her head in denial, as expected. Her friend liked the scary and the dangerous.
"Since we are here, we might as well take a good look. What could be in here? Animals?"
No, not animals. But surely predators.
The silence was haunting. There was no sound or signs of life around them. Only the trifling noise of rustling branches and leaves and the howl of the wind.
Heaven and Gina scampered through the wispy trees, stumbling over stones and roots.
Suddenly Gina drew her sword. The scraping sound of sharp metal echoed in the silence.
"Did you hear that?" Gina whispered.
Heaven straightened her ears.
"Hear what?"
"You were right. We should go home. I don't think it's safe here. Not a romantic place to meet either." Gina said, looking around with hawk-like eyes.
Heaven knew her friend was right, but something far away, deep in the forest, was calling to her.
"Heaven, what are you doing?!" Gina hissed.
She was already walking into the forest without realizing. Gina came after her fast and grabbed her arm.
"We should really leave. I don't like this place."
"Gina, we are close." Heaven said without knowing what it meant.
"Close to what?" She was still looking around for any threat.
Close to him. He was here. Heaven knew from the way the icy wind gusted. Every time he was near, she felt cold.
Ignoring Gina's question, she continued further into the dark forest.
"You will get us in trouble." Gina muttered, following behind.
A smile curved Heaven's lips. She was usually the careful one. It was fun now that they switched roles.
As they continued further into the forest, it became colder and darker.
��Oh God," Gina shivered. "Do you think ghosts exist?"
"Are you asking me or God?"
"Are you being sarcastic right now?"
Heaven thought this was the perfect opportunity to scare her friend. Turning around, "maybe you can ask the ghosts themselves." She said nodding behind her.
Gina swung her sword behind her, just to cut through thin air.
A laugh escaped Heaven's lips.
"This is not fun!" Gina turned, looking angry.
"I am sorry. I have just never seen you so scared."
"I am not." She denied. "But... we should really go back. I don't feel good about him calling you here."
"Just a little further." Heaven returned to walk, but after a few steps she discovered a cave a few feet away.
"Gina." Heaven nodded toward the cave. "Look."
The cave's mouth was an impenetrable darkness covered with spider nets.
"I don't like this." Gina repeated, looking at the entrance. "We should go home."
Gina was usually not an easily scared person, but Heaven could resonate with her fear. There was something about this forest that indicated darkness and danger which erected fear in someone's heart.
But Heaven was too drawn to the darkness now that she couldn't back down. The further she got into the forest, the stronger the pull toward the darkness became.
Despite the force that drew her closer, Heaven took safety precautions. She withdrew her daggers from her pockets while strolling toward the cave.
"Heaven. Where are you going?!" Gina sounded annoyed.
"Let's take a look." Heaven said waving for Gina to follow.
Gina shook her head. "You are getting us in trouble."
Yes. She was, but why couldn't she stop. This was dangerous. She was putting her friend, her family and herself in risk?
Why were her feet taking her toward danger?
When they came near the entrance, Heaven looked inside. It was pitch-dark, so she couldn't see anything. Suddenly she became afraid, yet she continued to step inside.
Gina used her sword to remove the spider nets from the way.
When they entered the cave, it engulfed them in a chilling darkness. Underneath her feet, rocks shifted, causing her ankles to twist left and right. The noise from the rattled stones echoed off the heavy walls. Ahead, she could hear the sound of water dripping.
Heaven got an ominous feeling. She tightened her hold on her daggers as the road darkened. She could still see because of her supernatural senses, but if she continued, it might not last. Just when she chose to turn back because it was getting difficult to see, she stumbled over something and fell on a hard surface.
"Are you alright?" Gina called, but then paused when she noticed something.
Heaven got up on her feet before taking a look. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Is that a coffin?" She asked.
"It seems so." Gina shrugged. "But look at this."
Gina touched the surface with her fingertips. Symbols were carved into the wooden coffin. Heaven got closer to see. She knew these symbols, or to be more correct, spells.
Her grandmother had taught her how to perform basic spells, but these seemed a lot more complicated.
"These are spells."
"Why would someone carve spells into a coffin?"
"I don't know." That confused Heaven as well.
Leaning down, she tried to figure out their meaning. It seemed the spell was to protect what was inside from getting out or to hinder someone from getting inside.
But why?
"I think there is something in there, and it's not a dead body." Heaven said.
"What do you think is in there?"
"I don't know. But something valuable enough to hide in a cave and lock with a spell."
"Oh, then we should open it." Gina got suddenly excited
"I don't think I am powerful enough to open it. The spell is complicated."
"Well, try before giving up."
"Maybe we shouldn't open it. It probably belongs to someone." Heaven hesitated.
"We don't have to take it. I am just curious to see what's inside."
Heaven couldn't deny that she was curious too. What could there be inside, that someone would go through so much trouble to hide?
Thinking that she probably wouldn't succeed in opening it, she performed the spell.
And she was right. Nothing happened.
"I told you. Let's go home now. All this was a terrible idea."
Gina let out a sigh. "Came all this way here to see nothing." She muttered, disappointed.
As they turned back to leave, they heard the creaking sound of wood, making them stop in their tracks. Heaven glanced behind at the coffin. Then she looked at Gina.
"I think it opened?" Gina whispered.
She made her way to the coffin and tried to lift the lock. It wasn't opening.
"God this is heavy. Help me."
Heaven hurried to help Gina, ready to use all her strength, but when she lifted the lock it opened so easily.
A heavy smoke came out of the coffin, blurring their vision and making them cough. When the smoke slowly followed the wind and disappeared, they saw what lay in the coffin.
A gasp escaped Gina's lips. It was indeed a dead body. It lay unmoving like a statue, with only bones and skin. The skin was a pale grey and blue and seemed to rot, making the veins underneath visible.
Heaven stared, shocked. This was not what she expected, and she was still confused. It made no sense. Why would someone put a spell on a coffin with a dead body?
It's not like the body could escape.
Unless…
It was alive.
Oh, no!
Heaven was about to step back when a skeletal hand grabbed her wrist, making her unable to escape. Her heart jumped to her throat when the dead body opened its eyes.
A pair of unearthly silver eyes.
A scream erupted from her throat.
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MARRIED TO THE DEVIL'S 😈 SON
VOLUME 3 CHAPTER 12
Your Majesty, the people are still asking for the princesse's wedding day. We need to give them a date soon before they cause a rebellion." One general spoke.
Lucian looked around the table. All the others in the meeting seemed to agree.
"They will have a date once I give a date." Lucian said calmly.
He could see disappointed looks around the table, but he didn't care. This was a matter of his daughter's happiness, and if it needed to take time, so be it.
"You are dismissed." He said standing up from his seat and then leaving.
How he hated those meeting lately. All they talked about was his daughter's wedding day.
As he strode through the hall, he came across Lincoln. "Your Majesty. Princess Heaven left the castle." He informed.
Lucian nodded, a bit confused. He knew this wasn't the first time Heaven snuck out of the castle, but she had never done it during daytime before. He wondered if something happened.
"Princess Regina accompanied her." Lincoln added.
"Alright. Does Hazel know?"
"I am not sure. Maybe her guards told her already."
"Tell me when she comes back." Lucian ordered.
Lincoln nodded and left.
Lucian went to his chamber where he expected to find Hazel. Ylva was helping her get dressed when he entered the room.
"Your Majesty." Ylva bowed before getting back to helping Hazel.
His wife turned to him. "Your daughter left." She stated simply. This time she sounded less accusing.
Lucian always felt the need to correct her. It was their daughter, not just his, but he knew what she meant. He was the one who spoiled her.
"And you are angry again." He said.
Hazel shook her head. "No, I am not. I have been thinking." She dismissed Ylva before sitting down on a chair.
Lucian went to sit next to her, sensing that she was about to tell him something unusual.
Hazel sighed heavily before she spoke. "I feel that my fear of losing her has made me into the kind of mother I don't want to be. I am giving her the same fate that I had and I am making her unhappy."
"You are not making her unhappy and you are a wonderful mother." Lucian assured her.
Hazel shook her head, her eyes getting a little teary. "I feel that I have to choose between her happiness and her safety and it's so difficult. I don't know what to do. That's probably why she likes you more. I don't want her to dislike me, so I think I have to let her decide what to do with her life. If she wants to go out, then…" She shook her head, a tear falling down her cheek.
Lucian knew motherhood had been difficult for Hazel. She hated that their daughter had to have the same fate as she had. If someone knew what it felt like to live isolated, then it was Hazel, therefore she had hoped to give their daughter a different life. But it was easier said than done.
Lucian took Hazel's hands in his. "You are doing great and Heaven loves you and she doesn't blame you. She told me herself. We have taught her everything we could, now that she has grown up we have to let her decide the way she wants to live. It's alright to let go."
But Lucian had to admit that even he was worried. Where did Heaven go this time? Hopefully, she would come back unharmed as she usually did.
Maybe Roshan knew where she could be.
After making sure that Hazel was alright, Lucian teleported himself to Roshans home. He hated to arrive uninvited, but that's what Roshan always did.
Roshan loved to live a luxurious life. His house was built like a castle and had the most expensive furnishing.
"Oh, look who is here?" Roshan beamed as he found him in the parlor. It was almost as if he had been waiting for his arrival. "I have been waiting for this day but…" He looked closely at Lucian. "Did something happen.?"
"Nothing besides our daughters being gone."
Roshan raised a brow as he sat down on the couch. "Well, they have to leave sometimes."
"I just want to know that they are somewhere safe."
Roshan shook his head. "You can't always keep an eye on your daughter. She will suffocate. But if you insist to know, then they are probably attending some feast or festival."
"It's easy for you to say. You don't have enemies waiting to get their hands on your daughter."
"No, I don't. But I know one thing. I would rather live a short happy life then a long boring one."
Of course. Roshan and fun went hand in hand, but Lucian thought deeply about what he said. A life without happiness might not feel worth living.
"You should try it to. You know, to live a less boring life."
"My life is not boring." Lucian disagreed.
Roshan chuckled. "I am sure. Only dealing with state affairs and then going to sleep must be so much fun. Don't you miss going out there and fight?"
Lucian sighed. Yes, he missed it, even though he hated to admit it. But war only brought destruction, and it was always the innocent who payed the price.
"I don't miss it." He said.
Roshan tilted his head, studying him closely. "You know, since your father left you have been bitter. We live a long life. You will get used to it with time."
Lucian knew Roshan was thinking of his mother, who left him.
"Get used to the idea that my father wants to corrupt people's minds."
"He is the devil and even the devil gets tempted. He got tempted to have a normal life and forgot about his mission. Now he is back to his duties."
"Are you siding with him?" Lucian asked, appalled.
"I am not. I have chosen a side a long time ago. I grew up next to your father. He taught me all evil tricks. Me and my father were ready to follow in his footsteps and we did for a while. Until I asked myself what I was gaining by tricking people. Nothing. Was I losing something? Yes. My morality. So think. You father has been doing this since the beginning of times. He has no sense of morality. So while you are here feeling bad, he doesn't care."
"But you were with him all this time."
"Yes. I really thought he had changed for the better when he was with Irene. But I was wrong." Roshan sounded disappointed.
If he grew up with Lothaire, he probably saw him as a father figure. But now that Lothaire hadn't changed as he had hoped, he became disappointed.
Lucian had enough caring for people who didn't care for him. If his father didn't want to be in his life, then he didn't want him in his life either.
Suddenly Roshan stiffened, glancing behind Lucian.
"Gina!" He called rising hastily.
Lucian turned back. Before he could see he already knew something was wrong. He could smell the scent of blood in the air.
Gina walked into the parlor, clothes torn and stained with blood. She was bruised and in pain. Roshan was next to her in the blink of an eye before she fell into his arms.
"What happened? Are you alright?"
Lucian's looked around for Heaven and when he couldn't find her, he quickly put the pieces together.
His daughter was in danger.
"Heaven. She is in danger." Gina hurried to inform.
------------
MARRIED TO THE DEVIL'S 😈 SON
VOLUME 3 CHAPTER 13
The first thing Heaven saw when she opened her eyes was the dark ceiling and the broken, dusty chandelier that hung from it. It was covered with spider webs, as if it hadn't been used for ages.
Heaven sat up slowly; her movements causing the bed to make a creaking sound. Her eyes searched the dimly lit room she was in. It looked gloomy and uninviting. The furniture was old and dusty, and looked as if it would collapse anytime soon. Mold ate away at the damp freckled walls and floor, and she could hear insects crawling around. Where was she?
Suddenly pain shot down her neck, and she reached for it only to feel wetness on her fingers.
Blood.
Gradually, her memories came back to her. The dead body. The skeleton hands. It was him, the silver-eyed stranger.
She remembered his skeleton hand grabbing her wrist, and she had screamed at the top of her lungs. Horrified, she had cut his arm with her dagger, but before he could bleed his wound had already healed.
Gina tried to jab him with her sword but ended up stabbing an empty coffin. Just like that, he had dissolved into smoke.
Their eyes searched the cave carefully. Heaven tightened her hold on her daggers and Gina was ready to sprint anytime.
The sound of footsteps made them look behind quickly. There he stood in the shadows. The sight of him was very frightening. A walking dead body was not something you would expect to see in a lifetime, or ever.
"Heaven step back!" Gina ordered before attacking him.
With a wave of his hand, the skeleton man caused Gina to crash into the cave's wall by an invisible force. She hit the wall so hard Heaven was sure her ribs and spine cracked. Then she fell to the ground and got covered by enormous stones that fell off the wall.
"Gina!" Heaven screamed in horror, running to save her friend, but the stranger blocked her way and grabbed her by the neck.
She tried to stab him with her dagger when he spoke, "Don't move."
Heaven halted. What was happening to her?
He was compelling her.
How?
She was partly demon, so it shouldn't be possible.
His eyes. She had to look away from them. Compulsion happened by looking into someone's eyes, but it was too late now and she couldn't look away. She was spellbound.
Those silver-eyes that had haunted her dreams were now right in front of her. But the face was terrifying.
"Good." He said when she listened to his command.
Releasing her neck, he drew her into his arms. Heaven panicked. What was he doing?
Removing the hair from her neck, he leaned in.
Oh, God! He was going to bite her. No!
Heaven screamed internally. That would be marking her. He can't! She didn't want to!
Suddenly his teeth sank into her flesh. Heaven whimpered in pain, but she couldn't move. He was drinking her blood, and he wasn't stopping.
Heaven began to feel weak and lightheaded. If he didn't stop, he might kill her. She wasn't sure if the little part of her that was demon could save her.
Her legs became weak, unable to hold her, and she fell back in his arms. Would this be how she died?
Suddenly he stopped and drew back. His lips were stained with her blood before he licked them.
Heaven's vision became blurry, but she could see how his skin slowly came alive, changing its color and healing itself. Some flesh appeared on his bony face, giving him some structure. His hair thickened and elongated, and his earlier blue lips turned into a pale pink. His veins retracted and his skin became radiant.
Once he looked alive Heaven recognized his face. All this time she had seen him in her dreams, but she hadn't been able to remember. Now that she saw him in reality, he was even more breathtaking.
Heaven wanted to take a closer look, but her vision was darkening.
Was she dying? She didn't want to die.
Please save me! She begged before falling into a fathomless abyss.
Later when she woke up, she found herself in this gloomy room. The stranger must have brought her here. She needed to escape.
Heaven's eyes scanned the room. It had no windows, but the door was open. First, she would need a weapon if she was going to escape through the door. He could be anywhere and she needed to protect herself.
As she rose from the bed to find something sharp, her head spun. She was still weak from the loss of blood.
Carefully, trying not to lose her balance, she searched the room.
"Are you looking for these?"
Startled, Heaven turned hastily to where the voice came from.
There he stood at the entrance behind the shadows, holding her two daggers up. He threw one at her and then the other and she caught them in air.
Confused, she gazed at him. Why did he return her weapons to her? Was he telling her she could never hurt him?
Slowly he walked into the dim light so she could see him. The first thing she noticed was his silver eyes, as usual. They reminded her of smoke coming from a fire that burned deep, or the storm on a rainy night. They were cold and metallic, glistening in the dimly lit room.
His hair flowed down his shoulder like black ink, thick and shining. It looked so well kept, not one strand out of place. He had a strong, defined face with sharp edges, but his long thick lashes and pale pink lips gave him a softer look. He was a mix of roughness and delicacy.
Heaven tried to avert her gaze, but she couldn't. She found herself unable to move, just like her dreams. But this time she knew he wasn't compelling her, she was just lost in his dark web.
The stranger took a few steps forward, but Heaven backed away and held a dagger out, defensively. "Don't come close."
He lifted his hands in surrender. "If I wanted to hurt you, I would do it while you were unconscious. Don't you think?"
"Maybe it's not really me you want to hurt?"
He tilted his head to one side and seemed genuinely confused. "Then who would I want to hurt?"
"My Father."
"Who is your father?"
Heaven paused. Did he really not know or was he tricking her?
"My father is probably looking for me. Trust me, you don't want to be on his bad side." She warned.
His lips curved into an amused smile. "No trust me. Your father would not want to be on my bad side." He corrected her.
"Then you don't know my father."
"Tell me about him." He urged getting closer to her.
Heaven stood her ground, trying to not be intimidated by him. But her prenatural senses warned her of the danger she was in. She could tell this stranger yielded great power. He could destroy her with ease. He had to be the ancient smoke demon Lozan told her about.
"Are you an ancient demon?" She asked.
"If by ancient you mean did I exist before the human race, then yes."
Oh, no. She was in trouble. What would happen to her now? What would happen to her family?
Gina! Where was she?
Her stomach churned thinking of what could have happened to her friend. Her head spun, her legs gave in and she started falling. Before she could hit the ground, the stranger caught her and carried her up.
"What have you done to her?" She asked as he carried her to bed.
"She is alive, don't worry." He assured, as if knowing who she was talking about. Carefully, he laid her down on the bed.
"Where is she?"
"Probably back home."
Heaven let out a breath of relief. She was feeling so weak and tired. Her eyelids felt heavy falling over her eyes, before darkness embraced her.
*****************
MARRIED TO THE DEVIL'S 😈 SON
VOLUME 3 CHAPTER 14
Heaven woke up with headache and chest pain. Her heart was beating too slow, that it was painful to breathe. Carefully, she pushed herself up in a sitting position.
More candles were lit, illuminating the room. The scent of freshly baked bread replaced the musty smell from earlier. Heaven's stomach growled loudly, and her gaze hunted the scent. Far in a corner, food was served on a clean table.
Was it for her?
She didn't care.
Removing the blanket, she swung her legs down off the bed and then stood up slowly. She made sure she could hold her balance before stalking to the table. Sitting carefully down on a chair, she ate without hesitance.
Heaven knew she shouldn't. It could be poisoned. But she knew the stranger didn't want to kill her. He had other plans. To know his plans and be able to escape, she needed to refill and regain her strength.
While stuffing bread and meat in her mouth, she thought of what this stranger could want from her. And why was he locked in a coffin with a spell? How long was he locked and by whom?
All this time that he had appeared in her dreams, he had wanted her to release him. But why her? He could lure any witch to perform the spell. Maybe the witches knew he was someone who shouldn't be released, and she was stupid enough to free him.
What had she done?
He would probably seek revenge on those who locked him inside. Heaven hoped her grandmother had nothing to do with it, but since he abducted her, she probably did.
Pain shot down her neck, making her hiss.
Oh no. She had a bigger problem now. He had bitten her! Marked her! How could he?
Marking was like marrying someone in human language. It was a bond even more sacred than marriage. How could he have done it so easily? She did not want to be his.
Or wait! He was probably going to kill her at the end so he didn't care about the mark. She was part witch after all, and demons hated witches, especially this demon since they locked him in a coffin. He was just waiting for her family to come looking for her so he could destroy them all together.
She had to escape.
Getting up hastily, she turned back but came face to face with the silver-eyed stranger. A gasp escaped her mouth, and she stumbled back, hitting the table behind.
"Didn't you like the food?" He asked.
Heaven let out a deep breath.
"I did. But there is no need in feeding me if you are going to kill me."
The stranger chuckled darkly. "I haven't decided what to do with you yet. But if I spared your life, it would be a pity if you died from starvation."
"Why don't you just tell me what you want?"
"I wish I knew what I wanted. It's the first time in my life I am confused." He said.
Heaven had this strange feeling when he spoke. She believed him. She could easily tell when people lied, but this man spoke his mind every time he opened his mouth.
"So, you are not my father's enemy or my grandmother's?" She asked.
"Your father must have many enemies since you seem so concerned. Who is he?"
"Lucian. The king of Decresh. Son of the devil. He won't be happy that you are keeping me here."
"Son of the devil?" He furrowed his eyebrows.
"Yes."
"Then is it your mother who is the witch?" He asked.
"No. My grandmother."
Suddenly he laughed cynically. "The devil and a witch. That was unexpected."
Heaven had hoped he would be a little scared knowing her grandfather was the devil. But it only seemed to amuse him.
Smiling evilly, he went to sit on a chair. He didn't mind that it was covered with dust.
"Please sit." He told her and she sat down without hesitance just to realize later that he had compelled her for a short moment.
"How did you do that?" She asked.
"What?"
"Compelling me."
"The benefits of being ancient."
"So you are a demon? A smoke demon?"
"I don't like to be called demon. The devil's puppets and those who follow in his footsteps are called demons. I am a Djinn."
Djinn? Heaven had never heard of such a thing.
As if sensing her confusion, he decided to explain.
"Djinns are beings created from smoke and fire. Therefore, smoke djinns and fire djinns. When djinns choose to corrupt people in order to disobey God, they are called demons. That's why people associate demons with evil."
Heaven nodded while trying to digest what he said. So was he a demon or not? Clearly, he didn't like the word demon.
"So you are not evil?" She treaded carefully.
"I have no intentions of making people sin or turn them against God. The rest you can judge for yourself."
"So you are not a demon? I need to know because you bit me and…" She shook her head, unwilling to believe it.
"People call all kinds of Djinn demons so yes. In you language I am what you call a demon and…"
Before he could finish the sentence Heaven stood up angrily causing the chair to fall backwards. "Then why did you bite me? Do you know what that means?" She almost yelled.
His face hardened as if trying to control his anger. "I know what that means." He said with clenched teeth. "Trust me, I had no choice."
"You needed my blood?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"To recover. I was in there for a thousand years."
A thousand years? Heaven couldn't believe her ears. Then he could not be her father's enemy.
"Why? Who locked you inside?" She asked.
Suddenly the silver in his eyes looked like storms ready to destroy everything in their path. His anger frightened her.
"A witch." He said with clenched teeth.
Since the topic seemed to anger him, Heaven didn't pry. The last thing she wanted was an angry ancient demon who was already provoked by a witch.
If he didn't want to harm her father or her, then could she just leave? Would he let her go?
Heaven decided to not ask and just go for the door. If he stopped her, then it meant he disapproved. But why would he?
Even if she was part witch, she had saved him. He owed her.
"Alright. I'll take my leave now." She said and walked toward the door.
Suddenly he stood next to her with a hard grip around her arm. "You are not leaving anywhere!"
************
---------------
MARRIED TO THE DEVIL'S 😈 SON
VOLUME 3 CHAPTER 15
ou are not going anywhere." He said, his tone firm.
Heaven gazed into his stormy eyes. She knew very well that fighting him was not a good idea, but she had to speak up.
"Why?" She asked. "I need to go home or my parents will worry."
Why was she explaining as if he would understand or care?
"I don't care."
Of course he didn't.
"I saved you. This is not how you repay someone, I saved your life so spare mine and we are done. I won't tell anyone that I released you. I promise."
For some reason, he found that funny.
"You can tell whoever you want. I am not scared of anyone. Now while I am being nice, go back in and sit down."
With a groan, Heaven went back into the room and sat down on the bed. Once her father comes looking for her hell would break loose and someone would get hurt. So before that happened, she had to find a way to escape.
Or wait!
Escaping was maybe not the best solution. He was ancient and could find her easily, and when he does he would surely hurt someone. What she had to do was to convince him to let her go. The question was how?
More importantly, why was he keeping her if none of her family were his enemy?
"It is because I am a witch, right?" She asked out of nowhere.
"Yes." Was his short reply as he went back to his seat.
"I know a witch locked you in, but I saved you." She reminded.
"Not because you wanted to."
"No, because you deceived me." She tried to make him feel bad.
"You would to the same thing if you were locked in a coffin for a thousand years."
He had a point, but she still felt angry for being used. Then she membered when he said they belonged together.
Was that also a lie?
Well, not anymore since he marked her. Perhaps he knew he was going to do it, and that could be the reason he was keeping her here. But Heaven was not going to be someone's bride without her consent. She did not care about the mark.
"You can't keep me here forever. You don't want my grandfather to come looking for me."
"He won't. And if he does, it is not because he cares for you. It is only because his pride will be hurt if people knew his granddaughter was missing."
"You don't know my grandfather."
He raised a brow. "Oh, I do. Since the beginning of times. And I don't know how you stayed so… pure being his family."
Heaven looked down at her hands. She didn't want to talk about it, but she let it out. "He left when I was little."
The Stranger tilted his head to one side and studied her closely.
"He will be back." He said.
It surprised Heaven that he was trying to comfort her. He was very confusing.
"Don't be happy about it. It's not a good thing. The devil needs his children to rule his army. He is just waiting for the right moment when you and your family are at the lowest points of your lives. Then he will come back and lure you."
"You seem to have something against my grandfather." She retorted.
He laughed. "Who doesn't? Please tell me. Even you have something against him. You just don't want to admit it because you still have hope."
"As I should. My father told me everyone has the choice to be good or bad."
"Your father is a clever man. But how many lifetimes does a person need to leave the bad and turn to good? The devil has been doing evil deeds for so long. What makes you think he will change now?" He asked in a curious manner.
"It's never too late." Heaven insisted.
The stranger watched her silently for a moment. He seemed amused for an unknown reason.
"Only those willing to change will change." Was all he said.
It felt like he was telling her something more than that.
Standing up, it looked like he was about to leave.
"Where are you going?" She hurried to ask.
His lips didn't move, yet it felt like he was smiling.
Slowly, he stalked toward her. Heaven's heart skipped a beat. This was it. He probably had enough. He was going to kill her.
Her head implode with so many thought on how to defend herself, but there was none that was helpful. Either she would die with dignity or beg for her life. But once she was dead, what would dignity mean.
It would be better to beg, but her mouth refused to talk.. Heaven cursed inwardly.
Too late. She was looking into his eyes.
"You are exhausted and you want to sleep." His tone was hypnotic.
Heaven felt suddenly sleepy and her eyelids fell over her eyes. She tried to fight it but to no avail and soon after darkness embraced her.
*********
The stranger stared at the young woman sleeping on the bed. He wondered why he still kept her alive. Killing her as soon as he got his chance was the plan, but when he heard her voice begging to be saved, he hesitated.
Deep down, he knew he was just avoiding the inevitable. If he didn't kill her, he would be bound to her forever, just like the witch wanted.
How clever. Locking him inside just to make another witch awaken him so he would mark her unwillingly.
He didn't want to be with this woman or with anyone that had anything to do with witches.
While pondering on what to do with her she stirred in her sleep and slowly opened her eyes. As usual, her eyes widened when she took notice of him and her pupils enlarged in panic. Yet she tried to mask her fear and appear calm as she sat up.
"What are you doing?" She tried to keep her voice firm, but he could hear the slight tremble in her tone.
"What is your name?" He asked.
No!
Why would he care? He was getting attached.
"Heaven." She whispered.
Heaven.
How ironic.
So Heaven had saved him from hell?
"Who named you?" He asked curiously.
"My father."
This father of hers made him curious. He had always expected the devil's children to follow in his footsteps, but this man had been able to resist the devil's whispers.
"What is your name?" She asked.
"Zamiel."
She nodded, but her body language showed she was uncomfortable. Not that he expected anything less. He was after all keeping her against her will.
"Are you hungry?"
She shook her head. "I want to go home."
Zamiel cursed to himself. He should just kill her, but he had never killed the innocent. Just looking at her made him feel guilty.
She was so young, a little girl just beginning to live her life. He could not take that away from her.
And there was a part of him that wanted to protect her, but he shouldn't listen to it because it was probably the mating process messing with his head.
He wondered if she was feeling it too?
"Please, let me go home."
Probably not.
"Heaven! Heaven!" Suddenly a voice called from the outside.
Heaven's sad face suddenly lit up, and she bolted out of bed. "Zarin!"
Zarin? Who was he?
As if realizing something, her expression quickly changed from happy to concerned and frightened.
Who was this man who made her worry?
He would pay a heavy price.
*************
