The Shadows Within

Finn glared at me, taking a step towards me again.

“You really have no tack for a lady in you.” He huffed, shaking his head.

I stuck my tongue at him. “I never wanted to be one.”

A soft chuckle came from his lips. “That’s a good answer.”

Slowly, he reached for his pocket, taking out a strange-looking egg. It almost appeared like a purple gem, shimmering in different hues in his hand.

“What’s that?” I asked, mesmerized by its shine.

The demon gazed down towards the egg, smirking. “It’s a dark hound.” My gaze shifted to his face before he offered the egg to me. “I want you to have it.”

His words left me unsure of his intentions, unable to understand why he was doing this. The clothes and the entire room were enough. It was filled with things I dreamed of having. I didn’t even know how to use vanity close by.

“Why?” I mumbled, narrowing my eyes.

Are you trying to buy me?

Noticing the distrust in my eyes, Finn sat back on the bed. “Because it’ll protect you,” he informed me.

It caused me to giggle, like a funny joke.

“I’m to be the demon king’s wife. Why do I need protection when I have you?” I questioned, focusing on him.

There was something else in the air.

This isn’t quite right.

“Not all my generals think you’ll be of use. So, this is to prevent accidents from occurring.” He rolled his eyes, shifting them back onto the egg. “It’ll also try to ensure you’re safe even from me.” He tapped the egg with his fingers.

“I see. Even from you…” I trailed off.

Why would I need protection from you? Don’t you need me alive?

“This little guy will be loyal to you first and to me second.” He clarified.

So, its loyalties will be spit. Not that I care; I don’t need anyone on my side.

Not even this demon's lingering warmth on me would erase that.

“So, will it hatch soon?” I continued to query, curious about what hideous thing would spawn out of it.

“It will as soon as I put it in your hand.” He answered, shifting his weight towards me.

I reached for Finn with my palms wide open, waiting for him to give it to me. There was no point in running away or fighting him on this, especially when he was saving me from turning into a demon. At least, that was what they said.

I’ll play along for now.

There was no way to know if I’d turn into a demon but to let it happen.

“Will it be a creepy thing?” I mumbled, shivering at the thought of a spider.

This one wasn't a fan of crawlers, and those usually came from eggs. However, it could’ve also been a reptile. He said dark hound; neither of those fits a canine. But from what I had seen, anything was possible in this world.

That slime from yesterday is hard to deny. And right now, I’m with a crazy angel of sorts. Though, your horns aren’t angelic at all.

“Uh, they usually aren’t cute. But it could change the moment it eats your magic. It’s the first to feed on my power and a saint.” He replied, gazing at me with those cold blue eyes.

The warmth from before was gone.

“Wait, why does it need to feed on my magic? And do I even have any?” I questioned, pulling my hands away.

“Yeah, basically, it’ll be your familiar, and as I said before, it’ll be loyal to you first.” Finn sighed.

I narrowed my eyes again, tugging away.

You’re trying to buy me, aren’t you?! I can’t trust a single thing about you!

“Why would you do that?” I huffed, crossing my arms.

Another soft sigh came from his lips. “Look, I can’t trust myself to always control the beast with me. I may look human but still struggle with my cardinal desires.” He shook his head, shifting his gaze to the window.

“You say you’ve killed. But I’ve done genocide of bloodlines in a fit of anger.” Finn confessed, keeping his eyes locked on the window.

Were those people the ones who hurt you? Is that why you look so dead all the time?

“There are still many I wish to eliminate.” He sighed, shaking his head.

Gritting his teeth, his fangs flashed. I didn’t feel them when we kissed, but they appeared sharper than any blade I saw. Clasping onto the hand holding the egg caused a slight shimmer to come from it.

“Maybe I shouldn’t push your buttons so much then,” I mumbled, gazing at him.

Though, I couldn’t help but wonder how many emotions I could provoke in this demon king. When he was around, I couldn’t help but notice I wasn’t thinking of other things that plagued me when I was alone.

Perhaps he wasn’t such a bad guy.

“I’m glad you've seen reason.” He smirked, handing me the egg.

A soft giggle left me. “Or maybe I should push them. It would get me out of this situation quicker, wouldn’t it?”

His eyes twitched again, flashing red, too.

“Oi, Sparky, that’s the complete opposite!” he huffed, grabbing the sheets.

A soft, red aura erupted from him, yet he appeared to be a pouting child more than anything else. He didn’t seem much older than I.

If a curse changed you into what you are. What age did it take you?

Rizak had mentioned they were all immortal. Yet my curiosity was growing within me.

How old are you? You really don’t look any older than me. But at the same time, you look so tired of life. Much more than me.

However, to show I cared would’ve been a mistake. Even as annoyed as he looked, for some reason, I felt safe.

Why is that? Am I resonating with you?

That answer still eluded me. Perhaps it had to do with the gentle kiss he gave me, even though I could’ve bitten his tongue off again.

“Little king, thank you for the things you’re giving me, but I won’t marry you. I hope you know that.” I declared, facing him straight on.

Even before all of this, marriage was never something I ever thought of doing. I had crippling debt and had a rapist for a father. No one in their right mind would’ve had a relationship with me. Well, if they knew me.

You’ll probably be the same, if not worse.

Shrugging, he shook his head. “It’s only the second day. You’ll come around to an agreement.”

You make it sound like a contract waiting to be written. Wait… Isn’t that what marriage is?

“What should I name it?” I asked, ignoring that.

There was no use in going in circles. Plus, the egg in my hands was slowly shimmering brighter. It was more interesting than any marriage idea.

“Name it anything you want. It’s yours.” He answered, getting up from the bed.

Sitting on the edge, I titled my head, inspecting the little oval thing in my hands.

“I’ve never had a pet before.” I sighed, unsure of how I’d even care for it.

Dad was always allergic to animals. Even when Evelyn wanted a cat, he never gave it to her.

“It’ll be more than a pet. Familiars were more like life companions. Once you have one, it’ll be with you until death.” He informed me, voice shaking, clasping at his chest.

A soft smile rose on his lips, yet his eyes showed no signs of joy.

Did you have a familiar at one point? Does that mean you're a mage or a wizard? Hold on, am I one?

Shaking my head, I decided to focus. It was apparent this world had magic. Though, what interested me more was…

“Do you have one?” I asked, examining his expressions.

His eyes squinted while his lips curled downward at my question, quickly shifting his eyes from me.

“No, I don’t. I can’t have one anymore. All I can do is connect myself to them. Much like I did with that hound, it has my blood coursing through its veins.” He sighed, avoiding my gaze.

You’re not being truthful.

Being direct with him wouldn’t get me anywhere; even if this demon called me sparky, he was more explosive than me. Everything was stemming from the curse that affected all of them. Yet, I knew he wasn’t all bad from how he gazed at Nyla.

She also showed him respect and affection. Surely, a mad king wouldn’t get that respect.

Rizak… are you right? Can this man and I be friends?

Heck, we were doing things that were more than friendly. Though, he didn’t lean to touch me again. For a demon, he was a strangely gentle one.

“Like an offspring?” I mumbled.

It caused him to jump up, shaking his head. I never expected to see his eyes open so wide.

“No! I don’t have any children!” he quickly went on the defense, voice pitched high.

I had never seen a startled demon or anyone before. Laughter erupted from me at an unstoppable rate.

Gosh, what?! How can you be that cute?!

His eyes twitched again, watching me like I had lost it. This time, though, there wasn’t any red aura coming from him. No, all that was relatively pink was his cheeks, reaching his ears.

“Oi! Sparky! Don’t do that to my heart, okay?!” he huffed, narrowing his eyes and growling soon after.

He was too easy to tease. However, what was said after caused me to stop.

“It’s more like a part of me.” He sighed, shaking his head.

My heart stopped, “Wait, you’re giving me a part of you?!” I gasped.

Why the fuck would you give anyone a part of yourself? Especially someone like me. I’m a stranger. A nobody. A danger. Much like you are, you won’t fool me!

However, this had nothing to do with trust. No, it was more like a need between us.

“Yeah. It isn’t like you can kill me with it. It’ll be connected to me, though. So, it can use my power to protect you. I’ll also know if you’re in danger. Stuff like that.” Finn waved his hand, dismissing it.

Is this something normal!? Or is everyone an idiot in this world?!

“I don’t understand.” I gazed back at the egg.

It was glowing brighter than before.

“I need you alive and well. That’s all.” Finn informed me, leaving me shrugging.

I’m something to be discarded after… Like you said. No one would ever want me for me. Not even a demon like you. Well, it isn’t like I need you. Still… It stings.

Clasping onto my chest, I shook my head, “Right… that’s all I’m good for.”

The tone in my voice caused Finn to click his tongue.

“Wait, that’s not—” He started, only to be interrupted by the egg cracking.

Soon after, a light consumed the room before dimming, leaving a ball of fur in my palm—a tiny pup with a snow-white coat. The right side of its face was red, and the left was black.

It also had its paws alternating between red and black. The tip of its tail was red, followed by black, and then its dominant white fur. However, the moment it opened its eyes, I felt a vibration.

They were grey like mine. A name formed in my mind, one I couldn’t let go of. I didn’t know my expression, but Finn was flustered when I turned to him.

“What will you name it?” he asked, gazing at the pup in my hands.

However, it looked too fluffy to be a dog, a furball. There wasn’t a single dark thing about him.

You're a perfect little thing!

For the first time, my heart was stolen in seconds of meeting another living being. I thought this was impossible, yet I couldn't help the butterflies fluttering in my stomach, leaving me humming and pondering for a name.

“Sol.. as… His name will be Solas.” I simpered, bringing him up to my lips.

I never thought I would see something born into this world, let alone hold a tiny life in my hands.

Perhaps this world isn’t so shitty all the time.