Not long after our kiss began, it quickly ended when my stomach started rumbling. I hadn’t realized how much time had passed while we were with the generals.


    I guess that’s why demons don’t have the feel of the passage of time that we humans do. They don’t need to sleep or eat like I do.


    Finn chuckled softly, hearing my guts rebellious before he led me to the dining room again.


    We didn’t vortex there. No, we walked, holding hands, the way there!


    It left me feeling like a schoolgirl once again. This demon knew how to win my heart without even trying to do it. After arriving at the feasting hall, I ate a meal Gael had prepared. Of course, the incubus’s teasing of his friend didn’t stop, which allowed me to see a new side to the fearsome demon king.


    The generals couldn’t provoke him like Gael, and all without violence, too. Luckily, his banter ended up being innocent, at least towards me.


    Though you and Astred are nothing alike, is it a personality thing of a species trait?


    The conversation quickly turned toward me when Finn…


    “Have you thought about what you would like to use?” he suddenly asked, turning his attention towards me.


    I almost choked on the water I was drinking when he did. Coughing, I saw him tilt his head, confused about why I was distressed. I hadn’t thought of it at all.


    “Use what?” Gael asked from the side before I could answer.


    Nyla huffed on the side, getting in between him and us.


    “Yes, yes! A weapon to channel Sylvia’s magic. She’s a sorceress!” she pointed out.


    It almost sounded like she was proud of everything I did. Not that I did anything other than hurt Finn and Brielle.


    “Sorceress? Wow, I didn’t expect that from you, shrimp. I thought you’d keep being a cute little doll for us.” Gael smirked, gazing at me.


    His crimson orbs appeared to have amusement in them.


    “I said to be nice to our lady!” The little goblin hopped, slapping him on the back of his head.


    “Oi! I was being nice!” he growled back.


    This type of interaction was something I was already accustomed to. Instead of paying attention, I glanced at Finn, who had his blue eyes on me rather than on them.


    “I’d like a Katana,” I announced, placing the cup on the table.


    “I don’t know if we know what blade type that is.” Finn tapped his hands on the table, leaning closer to me.


    I tilted my head, “Well, you can look at my memories, right? Unless you also think I should use something that can’t hurt me.” I huffed, narrowing my eyes at him.


    “Oh, no, sweets. I know you’ll be fine with anything you decide.” He assured me, dropping one of his hands under the table as a second later, it was on my thigh. “I’ll see it later though.”


    His sudden touch made me jittery.


    “So, are you going to hunt her a mythical beast? Shall we hunt like the old days?” Gael asked, smirking.


    How his expression lit up showed me that he was fondly thinking of something.


    “Oh, no. I’m going to use myself. Any lowly creature would fracture in her essence. Brielle’s fang couldn’t withstand it. Let’s see if mine does.” Finn answered.


    Gael quickly placed his hands on the table. “Hah?! Are you insane?!”


    His eyes flashed with worry—something was happening, and I wasn''t fully aware of its depth.


    “You worry too much, Gael. It’ll be fine.” The demon king sighed, tightening his grip on my thigh.


    His tail also wrapped around my waist, securing me to my chair. I still wore his cloak, which prevented anyone from noticing his protective hold on me, though the incubus words had me glued to him.


    “Look, I know she’s a lovely girl, but I think you’re giving too much of yourself in a short time! What if she ends up being like… The gods forgive me… What if she’s like Lillia?!” he confronted Finn.


    A sharp red aura came from the demon lord upon hearing that name. However, he didn’t pull away from me.


    “She won’t be.” Finn huffed, tightening his grip again on me, prompting me to grab his hand.


    “Oh, like we found out so quickly last time! It took her five years to show her colors! No offense, Sylvia, you’re a sweet girl, but we barely know each other.” He didn’t back down.


    I froze upon hearing my name. We had been together for more than a month.


    It’s close to two months… Is it?


    It may have seemed like a short time for them, but we had spent twenty-four hours a day together most of the time.


    Is that really so short of a time?


    People back in my world usually only went on dates for a couple of hours a day before returning home and not seeing each other for days, perhaps weeks, if it was a long-distance relationship. Most of what they did was talk on the phone, which was nothing compared to living together under the same roof.


    Finn and I had spent countless hours during our friendly chats at night.


    Ah… Perhaps it’s different here?


    Nyla hissed, slapping the incubus’s knee.


    “No, no, no! Gael, you’re out of line! She’s nothing like that witch! I know it, and you do too!” she scolded.


    Before Finn could say anything, I stood up. “Look, you might not trust me, but I won’t hurt Finn. If anything, he’ll eat me by the end of this if he wants.” I announced, glancing down at the demon king, whose eyes opened wideIf you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    It was like his earlier words fell on deaf ears, but I…


    “Right?” I added, simpering.


    Following me up, he tugged me towards him. They knew nothing of what happened behind closed doors. The demon in front of me made sure of that. However, even I could be a sly fox when I wanted to be.


    “Oi, no,” he huffed, triggering me to smirk


    “Oh? You won’t?” I continued, gripping his shirt.


    This little demon had no idea I had trapped him.


    “No,” he growled, grabbing onto my hands.


    “Oh, so you didn’t like it. I see; we don’t have to do that again.” I sighed, gazing away, but before my eyes drew away, I saw those cheeks of his flush red.


    There, I drew away from him, heading for the door.


    “Wait… W-what?!” Finn’s voice pitched, unable to catch on quickly enough.


    I giggled, unable to help the way his reaction tickled me.


    Serves you right for bedding that woman in front of me. At least she never saw that expression of yours. God, it’s glorious.


    Nyla gasped. “Oh, dear!”


    “Oi! I don’t need that information. Unless I’m involved!” Gael’s eyes twitched, realizing right away what I meant.


    My effort to move the conversation from its tracks worked. I didn’t care if I appeared like a pervert. I just wanted Lillia’s name out of everyone’s lips. This had become my home, yet it was far from it.


    There were too many unhealed scars, and I wouldn’t blame them for it either.


    “Well, I’ll be on my way.” I bid farewell, but Finn grabbed me from behind before I could take a step.


    “Oh! No, you don’t!” he huffed.


    A second later, we disappeared, appearing back in my room. The suddenness rattled me as I didn’t expect him to take me away like that. Before I knew it, he threw himself onto the bed, leaving me to sit on him.


    This demon wasn’t scared of hurting me with his magic anymore, either.


    “You’re too much. I swear you’re going to drive me insane.” He added, prompting his head onto my shoulder.


    I gazed towards the side.


    It isn’t like you aren’t crazy already.


    With everything he lived through, there was no doubt that he had a few loose screws in there.


    “Well, I didn’t appreciate Gael popping out your ex’s name. Isn’t the demon king already crazy?” I pointed out, picking Solas out of my bag.


    He hopped off onto the bed before laying closer to the pillows.


    “Hah, so, you ask me to eat you out in front of everyone because of that?” Finn asked.


    “No, I just didn’t know how to hush him. Awkwardness usually makes people go silent.” I informed, trying not to read into my words too much.


    “Hah, you almost gave me a heart attack.” He sighed, shaking his head.


    Unable to help myself, I turned toward him.


    “But you said you didn’t want to,” I mumbled, grabbing his shirt.


    “Oi!” he growled, making me lean to kiss his lips.


    It was quick; I didn’t want him to get it over his head.


    “I’m kidding.” I pulled away, licking his lips.


    Am I really the only one who can do this to you?


    “You little…” he sighed, grabbing the back of my head. “Ah, fuck it, let me see what a Katana is.” He added, trailing his hand down my hair.


    I shook my head, leaning to rest my forehead against his.


    “You don’t need my permission to see,” I assured, basking on the warmth this demon gave me.


    Using his tail to tug my hips closer to him, I found myself straddling him.


    “Oh, sweetheart, I always do. It’s easier when the other party consents.” He smirked.


    Wait? Are we still talking about the same thing?!


    I tilted my head, unable to imagine him looking through my memories hurting me. After all, I never felt anything other than my emotions every time he did it.


    “So, it can hurt me if I don’t?” I mumbled, gazing at him.


    Nodding his head, he hummed. “Mhm, it can, and I never want to hurt you again.”


    Those words caused an ache in my heart. Although there couldn’t be much meaning to them, I always placed more.


    All because I want more than what you’re willing to give me.


    “Why?” I asked, only to cover my lip when I realized it hadn’t been a thought.


    Before I knew it, he tugged me up to meet with his gaze.


    “Because I care about you, sweets.” He answered.


    There wasn’t an ounce of deceit in his voice or expression, yet my heart was…


    “Do you really, or is it a lie?” I whispered, feeling something; I tried to drown.


    His eyes shimmered, making me gulp where I was.


    “No, lie. Sparky, I want you to be with me. It’s why I don’t want to kill you after all this is set and done. Even if you ask me to, I won’t do it. Even if you hate me, I won’t let you go ever.” He assured me, clasping the back of my head.


    Ah… that’s… the first step towards…


    “So, you like me?” I prodded further, triggering the demon lord’s cheeks to flush rosy.


    A soft smile rose on his lips. “Of course I do. I wouldn’t fuck you as gently as I do if I didn’t.” He leaned to kiss me, only to be met by my fingertips.


    His grip on my hair was firm, though.


    “You were being gentle?” I huffed.


    It was obvious since, in his arms, I could be crushed within seconds, yet I wanted to hear more.


    “Very,” he buried his face in my neck.


    Feeling his breath hit my skin made me jittery.


    “Hm… aren’t you going to see?” I mumbled, feeling skittish at his approach.


    “Already did.” He announced, tugging his gaze to meet with mine.


    “Really, when?” I asked, touching his nose with mine.


    Again, a rush of warmth invaded my being.


    Yes, there isn’t a doubt that I… love you. I don''t know what I feel if this isn''t love, but it’s so new that I want more.


    “Earlier, when you looked at me straight, I think it’s doable. A slender blade that looks like it would snap if it ever hit a great sword.” He announced, letting himself fall onto the bed.


    It left me sitting on him.


    “It’s for more mobility and accurate hits than clashing. Duels with those swords used to be decided in the first few minutes. It’s sharp enough to slice bone in one swing.” I assured him, gazing at this demon who treated me like a flower.


    “Well, Jack will make sure it does.” He glazed towards the wall.


    “Oh, that reminds me. Can you tell Nyla to call him and the others to come in my free time?” I asked, tapping his arms with my fingers.


    The castle…


    “Jack will take a few days to weeks to make the blade. Sometimes enchanted items can be a hassle, but the others will be available.” He answered, gazing back at me.


    “I see, then please?” I simpered.


    There was still much I wanted to change in this castle.


    The outside is dreadful, and I need your world to be more alive.


    “Sweets, no need to do that. All you have to do is command it.” He announced. “Nyla will have them here whenever you want to.”


    Having everything at command was second nature to him, yet I was still getting used to this life. Even though he wanted me to be his queen, that wouldn’t happen until he was free.


    I’ll never feel comfortable chaining you to me in that way because of circumstances.


    “Hm… so, I…” I trailed off, clasping his cloak that kept me warm all day.


    “You what?” he repeated, sitting up slightly.


    I command you to love me.


    It was stupid, yet something I wanted more than anything.


    “Never mind. It won’t happen either way.” I sighed, dropping my sight onto the sheets below us.


    “What won’t?” he asked, touching my cheek.


    My gaze shifted to Finn again, only to see his blue eyes studying me.


    Ah… I just…


    “I… think I…” I trailed off, shaking my head before leaning onto the warmth of his palm.


    He hummed, “Hm? What’s the matter, sweets?”


    I can’t hold these emotions anymore and can’t tell you. Not until you''re free. Please hold on heart… just until…


    “When will Rizak lecture me again? I want to know if I can help with anything.” I covered my track, focusing on wanting to free this demon.


    “Ah, tomorrow, you can start again. Your arm seems fine now, so just don’t overdo it.”  Finn frowned, narrowing his eyes


    I could tell that wasn''t what he expected to erupt out of me, but I wouldn’t play his tune.


    I won’t let you win… until my heart can’t take it anymore.


    “Like breaking a weapon overdoing it?” I giggled, leaning into him.


    “Yes, like that. You’re lucky you dropped it quickly. Though, Solas ate the front of it.” He mumbled, much like a child pouting.


    “Oh, so the pup saved me?” I let myself fall on Finn.


    From his chest, I could see the sleepy wolf lying down on a pillow. He probably had a buffet out of me because of it.


    “Mhm, he did.” The demon assured me.


    I hummed, sitting up slightly again. However, I pressed my lips against his this time, seeking his lingering warmth. It was almost as if my body needed it to survive.


    Can it be I’m feeding off you? I’ve never felt this way before.


    His heat mixed with mine, leaving me wanting more, especially when he opened his mouth to let me in. Exploring his cavity while knowing that, at any moment, he would rip into me made me feel extremely jittery.


    Have your fangs always been this sharp?


    However, he didn’t let me brush against them much. No, he made sure to tangle his soft member with mine. His gentleness with me was surreal, making me realize I was a soft marshmallow in his hands.


    This demon was becoming something so vital to me that I didn’t know how to deal with it.


    Soon, they say, will come when I can’t deny it any longer.