The Shadows Within

Letting go of Finn, he sat up, gazing at me weirdly.

“Aren’t you scared of me? I usually can feel fear radiate out of you, but not now. Why? I’m a monster; a little human girl like you should be terrified.” he trailed off, not shifting his piercing blue eyes away.

You’re right. Your entire appearance is one of a beast.

Horns that glowed red whenever he flared up, pitched black wings with radiating red tails, and fangs to boot. Yet the one who haunted me…

Who hurt me… That person looks like me, not you.

“You aren’t scary at all the time. I was yesterday, but that was because I didn’t know anything. Everything is much clearer today, and I’m calmer than when I first got here.” I sighed, shaking my head.

There’s so much I don’t know… Shutting everyone out isn’t the way to get out of here, and they haven’t hurt me yet, so there isn’t any reason to lash out at them. It isn’t like you were the ones who hurt me.

“Though I’m sure there’s much to learn about you and everyone here,” I mumbled, feeling tiny in his gaze.

Giving me Solas allowed this king to open a way to my heart.

Well, at least for a friendship.

A soft chuckle came from Finn, triggering me to shift my glance away.

“No, honey, you don’t want to know anything about us. We’ve all done things we can’t take back.” He assured me.

His words left me unsure of how to go about anything anymore.

Don’t you want to marry me? Isn’t that a requirement?!

“Like the genocide of bloodlines?” I echoed his earlier words, rolling my eyes.

It caused Finn to shoot his gaze back at me.

“Oi,” he huffed, narrowing his eyes at me.

Are you trying to tell me that taking one life is nothing compared to what you’ve done? Do you know about what happened on the human side?

“You’ve done that. Yet when you touch me… No, when you held me so protectively against a dreaded kitchen fire. I find it hard to believe that’s the real you.” I giggled, feeling something new.

Can I tell you anything without judgment? Is it true we can be friends? Or are you just acting to get me to lower my guard? Ah… There is no way to know, is there?

“I think there’s something more to it. You don’t seem like the man to burn down the world for no reason.” I added, picking up Solas and placing him on my lap.

The little pup was asleep. Before I knew it, Finn clasped onto my chin, dragging my gaze to him. His eyes were so fridged.

“Oh, sweety, you don’t know anything about me.” The demon warned, not letting me go.

I closed my eyes and sighed softly, “You’re right. I don’t know you. All I can judge you by is the actions you’ve shown me in the few hours we’ve met.”

Clicking his tongue, he let go of me, allowing me to glance down to my hands.

You aren’t what I first thought you’d be. Perhaps… You’ll understand me.

It was all I ever wanted.

But will you be the right person?

“Finn, when you look at your hands, do you see them stained with blood? Do the images of those you’ve killed haunt you in your dreams and waking moments?” I asked, clenching them into fists.

The blood wasn’t there, but I knew the moment he left, it would be back. A soft hum came from Finn, who gazed towards the window where the moonlight shimmered in the room.

Yet… It can’t top the sight I saw before coming here.

“Perhaps once upon a time, it did. Now, it’s the same as any other day.” He paused, biting onto his lip before a broken smile rose on his lips. “What haunts me isn’t those I’ve killed.”

His gaze didn’t move away from the shining moon.

Ah… Then who?

However, that wasn’t a question I could ask him.

Not yet, at least.

“I guess it becomes normal after a while.” I sighed, letting myself fall on the bed.

Groggily, Solas got up from my lap, nesting himself on my belly.

At least tonight, I won’t be alone.

This pup’s presence helped me in the bathroom, where I broke last time. I had heard how animals could be emotional support, but I never expected it to be accurate.

“If I’m honest. No, it shouldn’t; only monsters don’t feel anything.” Finn shook his head.

Why are you…

“For being a demon, monster, or beast, know you’ve been more human to me than those who were supposed to be closest in my life.” I simpered.

Even if his concern was fake, he showed me more than my father and sister did. It warmed my heart in ways I thought I’d never feel.

“That only makes me want to know why, Sparky.” He let himself fall next to me, facing me.

I hummed, closing my eyes. “Hm… Let’s keep our secrets for now.”

Before I knew it, I felt his fingertips touch my cheek, fluttering my eyes open to see him gazing at me.

“Should I kiss you now to let you rest?” he asked.

I wasn’t tired, but…

“Can’t you stay longer? I’m starting to like your company, little king.” I teased.

It caused his eyes to twitch because of the nickname I used.

“Oi, Sparky.” He huffed, tugging his hand away from me.

I grabbed onto it before he could retreat fully.

“Hey, what do you feed on?” I asked, thinking it was innocent enough.

“So many questions. Why would you want to know?” Finn’s brows raised suspiciously.

I shrugged. “I just do.”

How can I judge you if I know nothing about you? I’m stuck here no matter what I do.

“Fine, curious little mouse, I can feed on any part of a human. Soul, blood, magic, anything.” He answered.

I felt no different when Finn kissed me, but I had to know.

“Do you feed on me when you kiss me?” I asked.

It caused him to sit up slightly.

“No,” he answered plainly.

I hummed, “Hm… Why?”

“Because if I did, I would lose control. I’d probably make you cry, bleed, or worse.” He huffed, shaking his head.

Another soft hum left me. “Isn’t it tempting for you?”

“Very,” he confessed, climbing on top of me and straddling me.

It should’ve been intimidating, yet I wasn’t. His eyes gave off a gentle blue hue, too.

“If you have a human here. How do you control your primal urges?” I mumbled.

A smirk rose on his lips. “So, many questions.”

Shaking my head, I turned my gaze towards the wall, which Solas used to roll off me.

“You said I can touch you, right?” I mumbled, once again feeling tiny in his gaze.

“Right. I did.” He answered, only for his eyes to widen when I reached toward his wings.

When my skin touched them, electricity coursed through my body.

Ah… Your wings are more like birds, even though they sometimes resemble scales. I guess it’s the lighting.

The tips of his black plumage had horn-like features separating this demon from any winged creature I had ever seen.

Heck, if I’m going to be trapped here. I might as well make the best of it.

“You look like an angel with wings like this.” I smiled, trailing my fingertips down his feathers.

All that comment did was cause the demon king to tilt his head. My touch didn’t bother him at all.

“What’s that?” he asked.

Ah, right… this is another world. Different stuff…

“A messenger from god where I’m from. They’re beautiful beings that help those in need.” I answered, enjoying the softness.

It can rival the pup.

“And you think I look like one?” he continued with his query.

Now, who's the one with the questions? Ah… I’m starting to think you might be one. Will you prove me wrong or right?

He had yanked me away from a world that only gave me pain to one that had the potential to be something more. Even as hostile as I came, everyone in this castle was trying, including the incubus who had given me the best meal I had ever had.

“Mhmm… you do.” I smiled, dragging my hand down.

Rizak had mentioned some demons that appeared humanoid were hiding their true form.

Yours… what is it?

Another question I couldn’t ask, at least not yet, but my curiosity was flaring.

Maybe this world isn’t so bad, or it can be hell. It's still too early to tell.

“You’re crazy.” Finn chuckled, shaking his head with cheeks rosy as they could be.

“Isn’t that a good thing? If I weren’t, you wouldn’t ever be able to reach me.” I huffed, raising my eyebrows.

Yes… a friendship maybe won’t be wrong. Though… how do I even go about it? None of mine ever worked out.

“Does that mean you’re thinking of marrying me?” Finn asked, caging me under him.

His arms pinned me to the bed without touching me.

You never handle me more than you need to.

“No, but I might want to help you. Of course, in my terms.” I declared, smirking soon after.

There was no way I would let this demon win.

“Hah, don’t think it’ll go your way, Sparky.” He huffed.

And it won’t go your way, silly king.

Dragging my hands down his cloak, I tugged on it.

“We’ll see. Kiss me.” I announced, triggering him to lean into me.

A test… if you fail, I’ll know peace, but… I need to know.

Our lips hovered over each other, leaving me feeling flustered. Even though it was for my health, I couldn’t help but feel the intimacy that came with it.

“Don’t be jittery. I won’t hurt you,” Finn whispered.

“I’m not!” I growled.

A second later, he clashed his lips with me, yet it was different from this morning and the one before; softer and gentler, unlike the other ones, this was a quick peck. Tugging away from me, he licked my bottom lip.

Ah… right, you want me to…

Instinctively, I let him in, only to feel him smile before his tongue searched for mine a second later. Gripping onto his clothes, I deepened it by playing with his soft member. Although inexperienced, he let me do what I wanted, grabbing me by the back of my head to secure me in place.

Not wanting to stay behind, I pulled myself up, pushing my soft member into his mouth, triggering a soft whine to leave him when I did. Helping me up, he tugged me into him, allowing me to straddle him while one of his hands settled on my hip.

His tail wrapped around my waist, triggering me to shiver and allowing me to feel its smoothness.

It's just like your wings.

The tip of it fanned out like a peacock display, vibrant red much like his horns. I felt his sharp fangs on my tongue, yet they never pierced me.

No, everything about this demon was gentle.

Even though I’m testing you, why do you treat me like this? Am I really that precious of an asset for you?

My temperature rose as I found myself bothered by his gentleness.

Yet the kiss feels good, and everywhere you touch feels hot. Why is that?

He never stopped responding to me, holding me tenderly in his grip. When I drew away from his lips, I felt my heartthrob at the expression he was making.

How can you look how you enjoy it?

“I didn’t know you wanted to kiss me so badly, Sparks.” He smirked, leaning to lick my lips.

Feeling his warm tongue on me again triggered me to shiver. Though, what was worse was that he…

“Nice try, though. I won’t lose control that easy.” Finn assured me, going for another kiss only to stop a few lengths away from doing it.

His breath was so close that it tickled my skin.

“Out of words? Did I eat your tongue, sweety?” he teased.

Everything had to be in his tune.

No! I’ll make it my own!