Pyrian POV
I take her hand and lead Zenaya through the halls. My grandmother would be in her cottage. She never wanted to be in the palace. She always felt enclosed.
Zenaya grabs a hold of my hand and I move my arm from her hand to around her shoulders and she smiles slightly. I have to slow my steps to her pace since I am taller than she is.
Once we enter the courtyard the chilly air makes Zenaya shiver.
I forget the little things affect her. I take off my coat that I always wear and wrap it around her shoulders. My grandmother is standing by the lake that is half frozen over.
Her light purple skin is still elegant even in old age.
Zendaya smiles at the sight of her. My grandmother has always had that effect on people. My grandmother turns around and smiles at Zenaya. " Hello, you must be Zenaya." Zenaya nods. Although she must be skeptical since the history of humans and demons have yet to be settled.
Years and years ago my great-great- many times great grandfather started a war with humans. And of course, is having more strength, we won. Humans were enslaved and used for labor that we did not feel like doing.
Women were often sold at young ages to be trained for brothels in order to pay money. Sometimes men ran the brothels as a way of earning their freedom.
I do not like this, but, what had been here for years cannot be changed by someone as young as me on the throne. No one would go for it.
My grandmother looks at Zenaya and Zenaya nervously just gazes at the floor. " Oh Child, I am no male, I have nothing to gain from your fear, rise your gaze to mine." Zenaya does as she is told. Guards round the bend in the courtyard and lay gaze upon my grandmother.
" It is time my lady to do your ritual." My grandmother frowns.
" My dear, we will have to pause this session, come see me later and we will figure it out." I nod, a little saddened but understanding. My grandmother leaves the lake and Zenaya looks at me.
" So, you are the Demon King." I freeze, almost scared of what she will say. I like having her around. And I don't know why, I don't need anyone, never have, I am the King. But a part of me saddens. " You are free, you may go as you like." I turn around and walk off. I hear her scrambling after me. " But - I um- I have questions first."
I stop and she runs right into me. I turn just in time to catch her before she hits the ground. She looks up at me and blushes. " Well, out with them then."
She quickly recovers and takes a breath. "Why didn't you tell me who you were?" I sigh. " I didn't want you to know." She frowns.
" Is it cause you thought I wasn't good enough?" I almost yell at her. She is so pure and she doesn't understand it. No one should have to deal with me like this.
" No." she frowns again, even deeper. I look over at the shrubs and notice that the flowers have bloomed. I smile slightly. They are always so delightful this time of year.
"It isn't really safe to talk here follow me." She nods and looks down at my feet ready to follow me. I reach down and pull her chin back up. " I set you free you no longer have to act like a slave."
She still looks down. " It's all I know how to do." I look at her for a moment. I almost yell, she should have never had to go through any of this.
Deciding on her in general. I shrug mentally, okay then. I turn and walk and hear her footsteps behind me.
The double doors to the palace are very heavy but I push them open with ease. I wait for her to pass through before closing them. I look at the hall, and then at her. Her jaw is dropped very low.
The hall is decorated with blue jewels and intricate vine patterns all over the walls and ceiling. The floor is made of the finest carpet there is in the Kingdom. She hurries and takes off her shoes. She sets them by the door as to not destroy the carpet. I almost smile but force it down. I don't need these feelings. And she shouldn't either.
I start walking and she quietly follows behind. I take a right to a secret staircase to my room. It gets super dark and she stumbles into me. I just pick her up and she squeaks in surprise. She nuzzles into my chest for comfort without really realizing it. I make sure to hold her tight so she feels safe. Cause after this talk she will fear me with everything in her body.
She might even resent me. Only time will tell. I open the side door and emerge into my living quarters. The fire is crackling since it is now fall. I gently set her down. " Okay, your safe here now."
She nods and backs up slightly. I turn and close the door and all that's left in it's place is the painting my grandmother did for me years ago. I turn back and she is shivering with coldness. I go to the fire, "Come here" she does as I say and I wrap an arm around her. She looks at me,"I thought your room was the one we were in earlier?" I look away a little embarrassed.
"Well, this is my room. The one we were in earlier is yours if you want it." She nods, no longer confused. " In tradition we are not married and we shouldn't share a room, but we can sleep together but not in a shared room, it's considered bad luck."
She nods, " Oh okay makes sense."
I step back.
"So, you asked why I didn't tell you who I was?" She looks at me for me to go on.
"It's because I'm a demon, and your a human, and I don't want to hurt you, but my other side really wants to. That's how it shows affection." She freezes. Finally realizing the danger she is in.
I let my wings out completely, my fangs are elongated and my eyes burning red. My horns sharp as ever and my claws are out. Maybe she will get some sense and be scared. Even though my heart constricts at the thought.
She starts shaking but then shakes her head and clears her mind from the looks of it. She straightens her back and opens her mouth. "If you wanted to hurt me you would have already done it." I smile. " Are you sure?" It doesn't always work like that with us.
I walk closer as she starts shaking again. My voice is now a low growl. Feral, wild. I grab her arm and bring it to my mouth. I turn her wrist over so I can see her vein. She trembles and I lick her vein. "It smells so sweet." She looks scared.
I drop her arm and she cradled it, as if it will combust. I return back to normal. "I'm not going to hurt you as long as you don't provoke me." She sighs and drops her arm to her side. I turn back to the fire and return to my half human form.
"I am going to sleep, you can either take the other bed next to mine, my bed with me, or this couch. Either way your in here with me for tonight. At least until you learn your way around the castle." She opens her mouth to speak but I cut her off. "We will talk more in the morning." She nods. And I go into my room.
I sit on the edge of my bed and take my boots off and place them in their usual spot at the foot of the bed by the dresser. I stand up and unbutton my pants and slide those off, along with the rest of my clothing. I slide into the bed and just lay there thinking.
I here my door open slightly and I pretend to be asleep. Zenaya's beautiful body shape is a silhouette against the darkness.
She closes my door quietly and they climbs into bed beside me and we both drift off to sleep.