The Shadows Within

The next thing I knew, I was jolting away from the door opening. Finn and Nyla entered the room, leaving the demon lord with his eyes widened and cheeks rosy when he spotted me. Of course, his mouth quickly ruined his fluster look.

“It’s time for your dose, little girl.” He growled; cheeks were still lightly pink.

I didn’t know what was going through his head, and I couldn’t care enough to find out.

“I have a name, demon.” I huffed, facing him with the same hostility.

His eyes twitched; I could see him thanks to the sun shining through the window. Even though the light dulled his radiant horns, it allowed me to witness his complexion more; it was so fair that I felt I would leave a bruise on it if I touched it.

“You refuse to call me by mine. Why should I call you by yours, human?” he frowned, stepping into the room.

My temperature rose, making me clench my teeth.

Rizak’s wrong. There’s no way we can be friends.

“Fine then, stupid king. Give me your blood and be done with it.” I growled, clasping onto the sheets.

A smirk rose on his lips, shrugging. “Heh, you’ll get sick if you drink my blood or semen. So, to avoid that, I rather—”

“Then give me another demon who’s willing to do that.” I huffed, crossing my arms.

His eyes twitched again.

“What?! At least let me finish, you fucking bitch!” Finn snapped, eyes giving off a bright hue.

It should’ve been scary, but I knew he wouldn’t hurt me while he needed me. However, I flinched at the sharpness of his tone. His voice had a familiar feel; it was the same as I used to say to everyone around me.

Who hurt you?

Nyla stepped in, even though she was tiny compared to him.

She patted Finn’s leg. “Now, now, M’lord, your temper.”

Gazing down at her, he sighed, shaking his head. “I’m already trying my best, Nyla.”

His temperament appeared to be quelled by the little goblin.

How did you… Oh… No…

His eyes were warmer when he glanced at her.

He trusts you. That’s how.

“I know, M’lord. Let me try.” She smiled, shifting her gaze at me.

Taking a few steps towards me, “M’la—” she stopped, shaking her head.

Releasing a soft sigh, she focused on me again. “Sylvia, if it comes from a lesser demon like me. You’ll have to drink it every hour. And that wouldn’t be pleasant. You’ll probably end up puking it out and getting sick.”

However, I couldn’t help but deny Finn everything he wanted, even if it was for my well-being.

“That still sounds more appealing than tongue-locking with this beast.” I huffed, glancing away from them.

“Why you—” The demon king began, only to be interrupted by a familiar voice.

One that made me gaze back at them.

“M’lord, please be kind to the lady. She’s had a tough time.” The white owl from before chuckled, noticing our dilemma.

“Rizak… this isn’t easy for me.” Finn rolled his eyes.

Ah… They must’ve heard me last night. Crap…

I didn’t even know why I was being difficult. It was obvious it was for my benefit. Drinking blood wasn’t appealing, and the kiss itself wasn’t bad.

“Morning, Sylvia, Nyla was happy to share your name with everyone last night.” The owl greeted me.

The king, however, appeared done with pleasantries.

“Look, there isn’t a world where I risk you getting sick. So, the only way you’re getting blood is if you bite me again, and I’d refrain from doing so. Last time, it was hard to hold back from hurting you.” He huffed, giving off a bright hue from his eyes.

“You should’ve just ended me then!” I countered.

This time, it broke something within the demon king.

“Oi… you little piece of shit.” He growled, taking a step towards me.

His eyes were turning from blue to red again, yet the aura from before dimmed.

“How about we leave them be for a bit? I have a feeling they’ll figure it out.” Rizak chuckled, using his wing to tap Nyla’s back.

It caused her to jump up.

“Oh yes, yes! We shall be outside if you need us!” she erupted, walking out.

However, before Rizak walked out, he glanced back at their king.

“Finn, you know—” he started, only to be interrupted by his lord raising his hand.

He sighed, “I know, Rizak.”, walking to me.

The others closed the door, causing me to sneer at the demon who stood before me.

Are you going to force me?

I couldn’t help but cringe at the thought.

“I’m used to a beating. So, if you will force me, do it already.” I growled, knowing I couldn’t fight against him.

From what I saw when the wall shattered yesterday, I knew his strength was too much for me to handle.

Sitting on the bed beside me, his wings lifted slightly to prevent them from dragging on the sheets. “I’m not forcing you. But blood won’t make you feel good, even if it’s twice a day. You have less than an hour to decide.”

Knowing I was cornered, a soft sigh left my lips.

You're also stuck in this.

There was no way he was okay with this. We didn’t know each other. Yet this ritual thing was forcing us together.

No one would be fine with me.

Nyla even said he would marry me, even if I were like her. This meant he was desperate, especially when he was as handsome as an angel.

“What about you? How do you feel about kissing a stranger every day, twice a day?” I asked, gazing at him.

His eyes were frigid while gazing at me.

Who hurt you?

I thought I was hurt, but this man was dead instead, intriguing me to know more about him.

“Well, you aren’t a stranger. You’re going to be my wife. Eventually... And I’m big on monogamy. So, in other words, I’ll only do these things with you.” He answered, shrugging.

There was no affection in his voice. I could never detect emotion other than the rage I invoked on him when I went against his wishes.

“Why?” I mumbled.

He was different from most others in my life.

“Just how I am. If you want to see other men, that’s up to you. I don’t care if you love me or not. All I need is your power.” He rolled his eyes, shifting them towards me.

Tapping the bed, he shrugged again. “Look, after that, you can do whatever you want. I’ll even let you live in peace.”

Will you free me after? Is there such a thing as peace?

“I thought Rizak said I needed to love you for it to work,” I mumbled, unable to believe him.

Yet I couldn’t help but feel Finn had other plans for me.

There is no way you’ll allow me to live in peace if I’m meant to kill you. Where is your angle?

“That shit doesn’t exist. So, it must work either way. You need to learn how to use your power, and that bracelet will alert me when it’s time for the ritual, or so Rizak says. Sometimes, that owl plans for things I don’t quite see.” He sighed, shaking his head.

I see…

“So… Love doesn’t exist for you, too,” I mumbled, feeling a weird kinship with him.

Rizak… maybe you’re right.

Finn leaned closer to me. “Enough talk, decide. Suppose it comes down to the hour; I’ll have no choice but to force it on you.”

His warning tickled my belly, triggering me to giggle.

Force or willingly…

My laughter caused the demon king to tilt his head.

“What a choice you’re giving me. Fine.” I cackled, rolling my eyes.

Well, it was better than the choices my father was giving me. At least, these were for my benefit. I surely didn’t want to feel sick or turn into a demon.

“Fine, what?” he smirked, knowing he had won the first battle out of many.

Again, I rolled my eyes, “Kiss me already,” I frowned.

A soft chuckle left him, pushing me onto the bed. Before I knew it, his wings spread wide, towering over me.

“You’ll come to enjoy it.” He trailed his finger down my cheek.

His touch was warm and comforting, a first for me.

Is this how it feels to feel any affection? Even fake ones?

“Shut up, little king. This is nothing but medicine.” I smirked, thinking it would tick him off.

A sly smile rose on his lips. “If you say so, sparky.” He whispered, choosing to ignore my comment.

Sparky?!

A second later, our lips met, triggering a warmth I had never felt before to rush through me. It was less shocking than the first one since I saw it coming. Unlike the rushed one, it was gentle too. His tongue traced my lips, leaving me stiff.

I had never kissed like this before. The other time was a quick peck before it went downhill. My friend’s boyfriend tried to get me with him, forcing a kiss when I told him I wouldn’t hurt her that way.

She had been my one and only friend since childhood. Of course, I didn’t want to ruin our relationship if I did fancy him. At that time, I didn’t know he had one of his friends standing by to take a picture if I rejected him.

It was all a dare to fuck the rapist’s daughter. How did he figure it out? I don’t know, but my friend probably told him in confidence.

That moment ruined everything for her and me. No matter how I pleaded my case, she believed him instead, slapping me right on the face and calling me a whore.

“Father like daughter!” She yelled, storming away.

That was another thing bullies used against me, turning crueler, especially when the boy said I tried to have my way with him. Thanks to him, I rolled down the stairs more times than I would’ve liked.

Once again, no one believed me.

No one ever does.

Pulling away from my lips, Finn tilted his head. “Hey, haven’t you done this before?” he asked, wondering why I wasn’t responding to him.

Blinking, I shook my head, trying to rid myself of those thoughts. Yet, my past haunted me in everything I did.

“Not like this,” I mumbled, releasing a sigh.

This is pathetic. I need to get a grip. I’m twenty-two, not fifteen. There’s no reason for me to act this innocent.

For a moment, I thought he would make fun of me, but instead, he caressed my cheek lightly.

“I see, then let me teach you. Open your mouth.” His voice turned gentle instead of the harsher tones he used before.

My lips were trembling, doing as he asked.

“Good girl, now push and play with my tongue. It’ll feel better that way.” He simpered, leaning into me again.

Once again, our lips met. This time, his tongue slipped into my mouth, provoking a soft mewl to leave me and triggering him to smirk. I gripped onto his cloak, tugging it closer, allowing him to deepen the kiss.

The way his soft member entwined with mine was clumsy yet alluring. It took my breath away with how warm it was. A soft groan came from him when he pulled away, leaving a saliva string connecting us.

Not wanting to stay behind, I pushed myself slightly to lick it away from his lips, turning his cheeks rosy when I did. Mine were, too, probably. Though, this was more intimate than I thought it would be.

My heart was racing loudly, drumming in my ears.

“It’s better not to waste it,” I mumbled, trying to stay on top.

This demon wouldn’t win the war.

“Cute, don’t tempt me.” He sighed, tugging away.

“I wasn’t trying to,” I huffed, feeling my heart beat faster.

It almost felt like I was about to have a heart attack, completely different from when I stood on the edge.

This is warm.

“I’m just happy you didn’t bite my tongue off again.” He threw a jab at me, getting off the bed.

A soft rumble left my lips, shaking off the feeling he left on me. “I would do it every time if you never explain yourself.”

Finn turned to me, eyes twitching and growling. The intimacy from that kiss changed nothing. We were still the same, and that was fine with me.

You won’t conquer that easily with me, either. I need to be careful. Nothing is ever free, and you have your intentions for me.