The Shadows Within

Opening my eyes, I found myself next to Solas on my bed. Sitting up, I remembered everything that had happened the night before, yet I wasn’t in the clothes I had last night. Instead, I was in one of my sleeping gowns. With each slight moment, tiny stings came from my abdomen and groin.

Solas’s fur still had red stains from the night before as he didn’t leave my side. However, he was the size of a plush. As Finn said in his last words, I was back in the castle I knew as my home, but he was nowhere to be found.

This allowed me to realize everything that happened, especially the warmth I felt from everything we did. Getting jittery, I got up from bed to start the day. Unlike the day before, my legs weren’t jelly, and I felt refreshed.

Solas was quick to follow me up when I headed to the bathroom. Much to my surprise, Nyla wasn’t around when I walked down the hall. She was always there to greet me in the mornings, but no one was around.

Solas didn’t know where they were, either. Instead of trying to find them, I carried on with my day.

They’re probably busy, and something tells me it has to do with what happened last night.

Taking the chance to shower, I noticed a bunch of little bruises on my skin. They were the same thing I did to Finn the prior morning. Even the one he did to me then was there, but there were some in places I didn’t remember him sucking on, which included my inner thighs.

I was so into it that I didn’t pay attention to everything he did, though seeing them made me feel claimed.

You don’t want anyone to mistake what I am for you. Gosh… Demon, you don’t have to dig yourself more into me.

Even if it was as a ruse, the simple act filled me with joy. Getting ready for the day, I walked around the empty castle. My right arm was still twitchy, but I could finally move it. After fixing a meal, I quickly headed to Rizak’s library, where I read most of the day.

I didn’t see Finn’s or anyone else’s faces for the entire day. Since we fucked the day before, he didn’t need to kiss me today. Rizak had said it could last up to three days. Yet I felt off, especially since no one was around.

Not even the owl himself was in his study.

Is this how it’s going to be when we do it? No, don’t be clingy. You’ll be fine on your own. Like always… Yet, has being alone always been this lonely?

Concentrating on a book was nearly impossible as my mind wandered into other things, mostly on everyone else. When I ate dinner, I still hadn’t seen a soul around. Well, other than Solas, who trailed behind me everywhere we went.

Releasing a sigh, I stood up, leaving behind the dining hall. I never knew that demons filling my every day would be something I missed; it was like I saw them everywhere I looked. After another shower, I opened Finn’s room instead of going into my room.

There, I dropped onto his bed. A sharp sigh left me when Solas joined me, lying beside me. He finally had a handle on shrinking to different sizes, allowing him to be where he pleased. However, he loved it when I carried him in my bag.

The present I gave Finn was next to his bed. Getting up from his bed, I headed to his wardrobe. Before looking through his clothes, I quickly spotted a cloak. He had three different ones: black, red, and blue. Last night, he was wearing his black one.

Though all his clothes had his scent, picking out the blue one, I quickly wore it. The frosty night wouldn’t bother me tonight with it on. Dropping again next to Solas, he wagged his head, happy to have me join him again.

A cheerful hum left me feeling warm, surrounded by Finn’s scent, as I closed my eyes, allowing myself to drift. However, I felt someone’s weight sink on the bed before I could, jolting me awake. I quickly spotted Finn gazing at me; his eyes were shining brightly.

When his name left my lips, he smiled. “Hey, Sparky. Why do I keep finding you in my room?”

I launched myself at him when I realized it wasn’t a dream. He was so warm.

“Where were you?!” I growled.

“I was with the generals. We have a problem, but it’s going to be fixed. Just not in the way I hoped.” He sighed.

“Does it have to do with the barrier?” I mumbled.

I wasn’t pleased with how long he was gone, but it was understandable. With that thing up, all the demons would have a more challenging time getting fed.

Surely, things outside of the castle are getting restless.

“Yes, Gael barely made it back yesterday. Luckily, Sebastian has…” Finn trailed off, shaking his head.

He preferred not to know about it, but I already did.

The farm…

Shivers ran down my spine just thinking about it.

I reached to touch his cheek, “It’s okay, I know.”

“How do you know that?” he asked, grabbing my chin so I couldn’t run away.

It was silly since I had been waiting all day for him. There was no way I’d run from this demon who owned more than I was willing to accept.

“The goddess spoiled everything, remember?” I answered, feeling the warmth of his hand radiated into my skin.

“Hah… Yeah, human farms. Does that bother you?” he continued to query.

His blue eyes flickered a bit before they began to lock emotions behind them. Grabbing onto his hand, I tugged it towards my cheek before nuzzling it.

“I would lie if I didn’t say I find it disturbing, but you need it to survive. So, I won’t say anything about it when lives hang in the balance. It’s not like you asked for this.” I simpered.

It wasn’t my place to tell them how to survive, especially when one of their gateways was locked away.

“You’re so weird for a human, sparks.” Finn chuckled, shaking his head.

“That’s because…” I trailed off, gazing towards the side.

“Hm?” he hummed, trailing his thumb on my cheek.

“Aren’t I one of you?” I asked, glancing back at him.

There, I saw his eyes widen before he leaned closer to me.

“Yes, you are.” He answered, smiling gently.

Resting against his palm, I simpered.

“Then never leave me behind. I was so lonely today. I’ve never felt like that before.” I informed, holding onto him.

I don’t like it.

“I’m sorry. Everyone had to feed today, and I was with the generals all day. Demons don’t have the same feeling of time as humans do.” He sighed, gazing away from me.

“But you usually come to find me for the kiss,” I grumbled.

“Ah… I knew you would be fine because of what we did last night. So, time escaped me.” Finn clarified.

I tugged away from his warmth, feeling a sting in my chest.

“So… that means I won’t see you as often if we do that?” I mumbled, snuggling into the cloak I wore.

He was wearing his black—the same one we made love on the prior night. It was probably clean, though.

“Oi, don’t get me wrong. I wanted to come to you so badly. Do you even know how you haunt my waking moments?” he sighed.

It was almost as if he didn’t want me to get the wrong idea, but I…

“You should get me, then! I already told you I want to walk in your world, Finn!” I huffed, feeling dejected.

Though, it wasn’t only that. I wasn’t fond of the fact he was spending time with those two girls. He had a physical relationship with them before, too. I couldn’t help but feel insecure, even though it had been years since he last laid with them.

“Sparky, the generals aren’t friends or foes. Do you understand what I mean by that?” he declared, leaning into me.

I didn’t even see his approach. No, I was too heated in trying to convince him. There was no way I would spend another day alone. Not when I wanted to be with him.

“I don’t care. Sebastian already has it for me. I might as well be all over his stupid tusk face.” I pouted, puffing my cheeks.

This was probably immature of me, but it felt like if I said nothing, then I would’ve been left behind. My words appeared to tickle the demon king, though. He had the biggest smirk on his lips I had seen.

When did you get this close?

He was only centimeters away from my face.

“You’d be my perfect bride, you know that?” he assured, hovering his lips over mine.

“One step at a time, little king.” I pressed my finger to his lips.

They were always so soft.

For a demon, you’re too much for me to handle.

“Sure, we have an eternity to figure this out.” He smiled, making me respond the same way.

It quickly reminded me of what we did the prior night, especially with how close he was. My cheeks suddenly felt like they would fall off as I shifted my sight to the sleeping wolf.

“Hey, Finn, will it be okay since you… you know.” I mumbled.

He gazed at me, cocking his head as his tail wrapped around my left leg. “What will be okay?”

I had to be more precise, but it was embarrassing to mention. I grabbed onto his loose shirt, tugging on it.

“You know… what you… released inside of me,” I grumbled, feeling overwhelmed by it.

“Oh!” he suddenly declared, making me jump.

A soft, broken chuckle came from him soon after, triggering me to tap him on the arm.

“Jerk!” I huffed.

He grabbed me, pulling me into his embrace.

“It should be fine. Your body will concentrate more on absorbing it to survive than conceiving, at least we think so.” He informed.

How can you be so carefree?

“Are you sure you don’t have any unlucky bastards out there?” I sighed, gazing at him.

“No, sparks, I don’t. Don’t worry. There hasn’t been a demon-human hybrid or any demon born after the miasma. Though, you’re the only human I’ve finished in and lived.” He chuckled, enjoying me on him.

Not that I didn’t. I loved being with him, yet…

Does that mean demons are sterile? Or is something else at play here?

“What if I’m the first?” I mumbled, snuggling in his chest.

A second later, I felt him cling to me as his tail protectively wrapped around me, and his wings shielded me from the world. I had never felt safer than in this dragon’s grip.

“If you do, you’d be more special than you already are. I don’t know what I’ll do with myself if you do.” He whispered, not relenting on his hold.

A giggle left me, feeling pleased to be in his embrace. “Only to you,” I assured him.

It was the first time anyone had called me that.

“Do we need anyone else?” he huffed, releasing me.

I poked my head out, seeing those blue eyes on me—still cold.

“Don’t leave me tonight.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning closer to him.

A soft smile rose on his lips as his gaze slowly showed an emotion I wished to see.

“I wasn’t planning on it.” He smiled, closing the gap between us.

A passionate kiss followed, leaving little room for anything else, and what would come out of that would leave me in the clouds. Of course, I could never get enough of this demon.