4:50 AM, Sarah Anderson and Erik, Balcony.
"Princess?" Erik cautiously approached.
My heart froze and I felt my body tense up at the sound of Erik's voice beside me. My heated cheeks reminded me of the tears I had shed in the dream and the person who had caused them.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" He asked, crouching at my side and then, placing a hand on my shoulder to get my attention.
His touch brought me back to reality. I jolt up in pure startle and looked over my shoulder, landing my gaze first on his hand and then him; he was already quite tall and enlightened by the moonlight just made him even taller. "Erik!" I muttered with tears in my eyes.
"Sar--!"
I didn't even let him finish my name, I threw my arms around him and hugged his body to me tightly, laying my head on his chest. Bare skin to bare skin, I allowed the feeling of him sunk in into me. The world around us stopped-- literally. There was no time, no wind, no rain. My mind was at peace.
Erik accepted the hug and stumbled back with the sudden motion, startled to silence. He didn't say a word, also didn't move. He stayed in my arms, just comforting me; pity patting my head softly.
My troubled heart finally began to settle, "Sometimes I look at you and wonder how I got to be so damn lucky." I whispered in his ear and gently broke the embrace, stepping away, giving Erik some space. He looked at me so longingly that made my heartthrob.
He smiled; there was something about the way he smiled. The smile that brings memories back is the hardest smile on the earth, and he brought so much to me. "I thought that was my cue, silly"
I sobbed, my emotions from the nightmare's event breaking free.
"Hey... Hey..." He raised my chin, making me lock eyes with him once again; I wiped my eyes, embarrassed to feel the tears on my cheeks. "Don't cry, princess, your tiara is falling."
My shoulders moved upwards with an untamed laugh; he managed to make me smile through my tears.
Erik gently squeezed me reassuringly as he looked at the wall clock and said, "It's 4:50 AM. We should go back to sleep." noting that we still had a few hours before the sunrise.
Crap. Why did my nightmare have to wake up us both? I gripped Erik's shoulder and looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry I wake you up, Erik. I know you guys need your sleep since, you know--" I tried to explain myself out yet, the words were too embarrassing to be said out loud.
Erik stared at me for a moment and then shook his head, "Don't worry about it... besides, I got plenty last night," and teased, unable to help himself.
As his words hovered in the air, I couldn't help but feel my face heat up, letting a blush run along my cheeks. Recalling our love session last night, the blush was developing into a burning flame.
His intent gaze was inquisitive, his eyebrows raised in a silent question, "Now, care to tell me what got you like this? I can only assume it was a nightmare." said the incubus.
Should I tell him? Should I tell him about that girl who visited me in my dream? His supposed bride-to-be? Should I ask him who she is? If the things she said were true?
He muttered something but I didn't pay any attention. I was too busy considering whether I should tell him or not.
Despite not being any of my business, I really wanted to get some answers. Irene was on the back of my head whenever I was confronted with nightfall.
Reaching up the lamp on the bedstand, he turned on the light and then moved close to her, he kept addressing me.
But, I quickly daunted my thoughts away. No. I couldn't possibly tell him. No way. I couldn't. I wouldn't.
Erik gently grabbed both my arms and yelled my name, breaking me out of my stupor. "S-Sorry princess..." He immediately apologized. "... but, you seemed so out of it that I just wanted you to snap out of it."
I couldn't help but nod in reply, frowning and biting my lower lip. I didn't want it to shake my grounds. It wasn't worth it. I knew Erik loved me and it wouldn't do anything that could possibly hurt me.
He quietly stood and cupped my face with his hand. I hesitated only a moment longer before taking his face in mine too. "Do you want to tell me what happened or will you be okay?"
Part of me wanted to tell him so badly but, the other wasn't sure if I should. For all I knew, it could be my mind playing tricks on me, she might be some actress I saw on TV or just my insecurities reflected in my dreams. I wouldn't risk it. "D-Don't worry, it's nothing. I'll be fine."
"You sure, princess?" He searched my eyes for an answer.
I nodded. I hated not telling him and lying but, that nightmare wasn't worth it. She wasn't worth it. Se might not be real after all.
Erik looked a bit disappointed but, nonetheless, a reassuring smile remained on his face. "Then let's go back to bed and try to get some more sleep?"
"No! I-I mean... I'm just gonna take a long and warm shower, okay?" I was so tired but, I didn't think I would be able to fall asleep again
"Okay," He mouthed, a bit unsure what to say and think about my refusal. Erik's lips alight on my cheek like a dew freckled petal caught in a breeze, so soft and with the smallest hint of coolness. "Then, I'll go downstairs grab something to eat, and leave you be." He got up and stepped away from me.
Erik... I tried to grab his hand and stop him from leaving but it quickly got out of reach, so I did nothing. What are you even doing? Get up and stop him! Shout his name! Do something!
Since he had his boxers on, he just put on his pants and grabbed the rest of his clothing, and made his way out of the room. The door closed behind him with a soft thud.
I bit my lower lip and dropped down my gaze, "I just hope this doesn't draw us even more apart." With that thought haunting me, I made peace with the situation. Next, I got up from the floor and went to the bathroom. I stepped into the shower, toes flinching as they touched the chilled ceramic floor. I turned on the water tap. The water started to pour down, dripping by my side, as my mind faded into dullness and everything became a foggy illusion. I closed my eyes, allowing the heat to soak into my skin, and leaned against the cool tiles as my weak legs threaten to buckle. My mind was in total shreds. However, the sensation of the steamy water calmed me; it took my mind off things. At some point I was like: 'I was standing under an everlasting waterfall, ever so beautiful, but it could never last'. I knew that now; nothing lasted forever. After refreshing myself, I wrapped my body in the fluffy towel which was hung on the holder next to the cabinet, and returned to my room. I looked at the clock; 5:45 AM. "Wow. That was a really, really long shower." I sat on the edge of the bed, feeling exhausted; I let myself fall backward on the bed and I just laid there, reliving the moment I shared with Erik over and over. It's was so magical, memorable, unrepeatable, to be honest, but totally ruined by that nightmare and its inflictor. "UG-H! WHY?!" I shouted frustrated covering my face with my hands. "Why did you have to ruin something so important to me?! And now, I may have worsened things up." I rolled in bed, sadness taking over me."He left so abruptly. He didn't say a single word after." I breathed a heavy sighed and closed my eyes."Maybe I could... no... it doesn't matter anymore..." I grabbed my pillow and nuzzled my face on it. "The damage is already done."
"Hahah~ You are an interesting creature... you even talk to yourself..."
Surprised to hear a voice beyond mine, I slightly lowered the pillow and peered over it. There was this woman staring down at me with a very sly smirk on her face. She had very long blond hair, crimson eyes, and a model body. She was beautiful. But, wait... who was she? And why the hell was she in my room?! Frighten I backed away 'till I was back-to-back with the headboard of my bed.
"Hm-m... why do the boys like you? You're unique, yes, but that can't be all that you have going for you..."
What? What did she just say? Was she talking down to me? Rage began to consume my core. This woman, whoever she was, was making me mad. "A heads up, I could easily shout and, in the blink of an eye, the boys would be here. Oh, and one more thing, I know taekwondo." My voice didn't match my body language but, I had to try and stand up for myself.
Both hands on her hips, leaning slightly forward, she looked me up-and-down, "Oooh~ You're feisty. That could be why..."
"Who are you anyway? And why are you here?" I promptly asked her.
"Oh silly of me. I forgot that we demons are not well known in your world. You can call me Diana, little human~"
What?
"I know what you're thinking." She walked to my bedstand and sat down nonchalantly, she gripped the furniture's edge beneath her and adjusted herself, crossing one leg over the other and folding her arms. "Yes, I am a demon, but I'm much more than an average demon. I'm a succubus."
Succubus. That was the trigger word. "Are you friends with Irene?" I asked her as the idea suddenly popped into my mind. Could Irene have sent her to deliver me some kind of threat on her behalf?
Diana looked at me with a puzzled expression. "Irene? Who is--... Oh~ I see..." The woman's laugh was short and humorless, making me confused."I don't know her personally... but, I know who she is, tho. She's the bride of the obnoxious flirt."
My reality shattered to pieces. "Then it's true? All that she told me in my dream, it's all true?"
"Rumours runs faster than viruses in the Abyssal Plains." She shrugged, "It is what it is, darling."
I moved out of my spot and stood on the opposite side of the bed, still holding my towel for not to fall off, and glared daggers at her. "Are you here on her behalf?"
"As I said," She was starting to lose her patience. I could see it clearly in her eyes. "I don't know the woman personally, heck, I even despise other succubi!"
"Then, why are you here?!" I pressed.
"Oh, I just wanted to see who my competition was." She replied. "But I see there's no competition here."
"Then get out!" I commanded. There was no time to be subtle. She was at my house and she was an intruder. She had had no business here. She had to leave. "5 seconds."
"Is that a threat? How cute. What are you going to do if I don't leave? Kill me? Pe-le-ase. Just look at you." Her smile was wry and her eyes mocked me. "The answer is no. Sorry, but not sorry. I can't leave."
"Why?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. This woman was seriously pissing me off.
"It's because of the boys, of course. They don't belong here, and yet here they remain. I want to know why and remedy this little issue."
"They can stay if they want! Now more than ever--" A blush seared through my cheeks and for a minute I thought my face was on fire.
"Oh, I see~" She bit her lip to contain a rising chuckle. "Than, let's make a deal."
"A deal?" I echoed.
"Yes, deary. Didn't you hear what I said?" Her eyes grew dull as she glared at me, she seemed annoyed.
I considered her for a moment. I held her gaze, struck by the aura of power around her. Note to self: carefulness cost no one a thing. That woman emanated that kind of aura that leaves you with the feeling that she could cross you off anytime.
"Would you consider hearing what I have to offer?" She asked with a smirk.
I could feel the moment demanding all of my attention. "That depends. If you leave right after, I might be all ears."
"Than you have my word. Hear me out and I leave."
"Fine. Consider me all ears." I said. I'm going to regret this so much.
"Good. So the deal is," She elegantly jumped out from her sitting spot and walked towards where I stood, "You let me take the boys back to where they belong, the Abyssal Plains. And why? So that I can take my place as Queen of their realm, and here's my ofter, you get to keep the obnoxious flirt all to yourself, after all, I only need the one with the Daddy issues. So, what do you say? Do we have a deal?" She stretched out her hand to me in hopes I would accept it right off the charts.
"W-What? N-No! Heck no!" I flat out refused her offer. "W-What kind of twisted deal is that?!"
"What?" She crossed her arms in disappointment, "I thought you would like the idea of keeping him all to yourself, in the human world, away from his fiancé, his first and true love? I mean, partner. We demons can't give or experience love, darling."
"T-That's--...!"
"--Not true? Are you sure? He never told you about his past or either that he has a fiancé... how can you tell that everything that he has told you by the gazebo to be true? 'I don't love you with my heart, I love you with my soul' blá blá blá! Bullshit!" All of a sudden, her voiced deepened and became cold and demonic, sending a violent scared shiver down my spine. Her red eyes practically shimmered in the sunlight as she glared at me."There's no such thing as love between a demon and a human. A demon can never reciprocate the human feeling. You're just living an illusion, a lie. But I'll be kind enough to free you from that burden."
I covered my ears with both hands like I used to do when I was a kid. "S-Stop..." I pleaded with her.
"What's the doubt? He's a demon and you're a human. You couldn't possibly provide what he needed, your love is futile to him. Now," She waved her hair back all high and mighty, "If it is about me or Irene we're talking, that's a whole different story."
"Stop!" I finally snapped."I heard you, now go away! Leave as you promised!" I demanded, grabbing her wrist fiercely. I've had enough and I wouldn't be willing to listen to it anymore. "Go."
Diana yanked at her arm, and she stumbled a few steps, digging in her heels into the wooden floor. "Fine, fine!" She brushed her hands down her black dress, smoothing the fabric against her legs and adjusting it to her body's contour, "But later don't come and say I didn't warn you. You can bet I'll be back... I'll bring them back." She was about to leave when she remembered something. "Oh, and make sure you don't tell the boys I was here. I want my visit to be a surprise. But, I'm not worried, you're good at concealing things from them, so, you know what to do."
I opened my mouth to speak but said nothing.
"Yes, that's what I thought~" She then laughed and returned to look serious again. "One last thing, if you change your mind and decide to tell on me, I suggest you think about your friends and family first before opening that pretty mouth of yours."
I stared at her. What did she mean by that? Was that a threat to my family? To my friends? Was she saying she would hurt them if I opened my mouth? Then, I should remain silent. I didn't care what happened to me, but I did care what happened to my loved ones.
Diana smirked at me, knowing she made herself clear. "Good. Now, toodles~" And with that, she jumped from the railing of the balcony and disappeared right before hitting the ground.
I couldn't believe it. I had one problem, now I had two. Great. Two demon girls trying to ruin my life and take what's precious to me. Could my life get any worse?