*Adriel's POV*
I looked around the uninhabited house with a weird feeling arching through my veins. Part of it was pride in Annie for keeping it spotless and clean for so long. I felt like it had been ages since I had been here. I didn't always like this house. I didn't exactly hate it either. I liked it because it was a spacious and quiet living space, if you ignore the occasional cleaning maids and Annie. They understand your privacy more, and since they are used to my absence,my presence frightens them.
What I did not like about this house, however, were the memories it brought. It was given to me by my father as a congratulatory gift for something I could barely remember. What I did remember is how he strolled around the living room with a proud smile that beamed at me.
I remember the guilt that panged my chest when he gave that oblivious smile. The guilt of knowing fully well that his doom was coming to manifestation very soon and that I was his doom. At times, I caught him staring at me as if he suspected it,as if he knew. And fuck,I didn't want to be the one to do it. But the demons chose me, forced me, and tormented me, and even when I did manage to take my own life,hell and heaven rejected me.
That was an important reason I needed Kiara's sacred blood to get out of this bondage with them. She was meant to die, and Denzel knew it; it was in her goddamn fate already.Just like the late King Arthur Valerian.
That wasn't my fault; I did not write it in the prophecy. It was there for ages, and all the powerful seers knew it. Perhaps she wouldn't go by my hand; perhaps the contrasting worlds building in her will break her; the fact is, death would happen.
And that will fix it all—just a few drops from her lifeless hands—one spell to reverse anything caused by dark magic. I will just have to make sure this power comes to me alone. I will use it to cut the chains that will detach me from the claws of hell and hopefully this world too. Then I will leave this earth in peace, and I will be in peace. That will pay for any sin I committed in my past life. Whatever horrible thing I did made me a cursed man, a portal to the demon world will be lifted, and maybe if I do come back to this world, I will be a happy man. But I screwed up big time and acted like a fool. I let myself care for her. Of all people. Any sort of affection was not allowed, but God, she was perfect.
Perfection itself has never been that flawless. She was tender but not fragile; she was a saint in the wrong world. Her lips tasted like fucking jasmine tea. Milk and honey drip from her lips when she speaks. There was a melodic tune in her voice that I could not ignore. Her body was soft,pure, untouched, and innocent,just like her bright hazel eyes. How is it even possible to be that pleasant?
I wanted her. I wanted her so bad that I was scared of myself at this point. I would destroy her in every way possible if I ventured any closer. I knew it, and she knew it. I should stop, but for the first time, I didn't think that I could. One thing I prioritized was my control over situations, but at this point, it wasn't a situation I couldn't control—it was myself.
"Your highness?" Annie called behind me.
"The place looks impressive," I said to her, but my back still turned, watching the still-fishing pond.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she answered politely. "We weren't informed you were coming today."
"That's only natural since I didn't tell anybody."
"Should I prepare your room? Do you plan to stay the night?" I nodded, turning to face her. "I decided to live here again. My wedding will be in a few weeks, and I want some privacy with my wife."
"That's wonderful news. Congratulations in advance, your highness," she pronounced, trying to suppress her smile.
"Prepare a room for her."
"Separate rooms?"she asked with a slight frown. She rarely objected, but her facial expressions had a conversation all on their own. In this case,she highly disagreed with the idea of separate rooms.
"She will be here soon,"I said dismissively.My tone warned her not to ask or to'suggest' as she liked to do.
"Can I trust you to take good care of her?"
"Of course,your highness," she answered quietly. I took another glance around outside. You could see the flourishing garden that I had asked her to get rid of a while back. She had suggested that I keep it.
"How's the garden?"
"In perfect conditions,blossoming as always," she said with a proud smile plastered across her face.
"Good. Make sure the jasmine flowers are abundant. I will speak to you about the diet later,for now. I will be upstairs."
I looked up at the tall staircase, trying to brush off all the sick memories I was having.
"Should I tell the chef to make you lunch?" Annie yelled behind me.
"That won't be necessary."
"Shall I get you some wine from the cellar instead?"
"Yes,you know what? Make it two bottles."
"Two? "she pitched a few tones higher,sounding like she almost regrets her suggestion.
"Two."
"If you wish so, Your Highness,I will go get it right away. Oh,and welcome home."
***
I dropped on the bed drunk as a skunk. I felt like that was the only way I could sleep in this house. To be out of my senses completely.
Two bottles of highly intoxicating Valerian wine helped a bit. I was drowsy, but it was midnight, and I still couldn't sleep. I rolled over and sat up. Perhaps another wine bottle will do the trick. I tried to remember my way around the house; Annie would not get me another bottle if I asked. She would "suggest" it was enough. And I would get angry. Anger and alcohol were an ugly match. I knew this from experience, and as useful as Annie could be, it would be a bad idea to tear her apart.
I stumbled to the door and pulled it open. An ominous breeze blew from the windows, and I turned off the candles. It got darker by the second. Too dark. I forced my eyes to navigate, but all I could see was a big blur. A wise man would go back to bed and try to get some sleep, as everyone had advised me to do, but as I mentioned earlier, I'm a fool.
I walked further into the thick maze of black. I used my hands to navigate the territory when my eyes could no longer be trusted.
I remember the way to the cellar clearly; it was in the basement. Just a few steps down the stairs, and I will be halfway there. My legs forgot to walk and I stumbled, falling face-first to the ground.
I pulled myself up as I felt the heat enter my body. Even in intoxication, I knew exactly what that meant.
He's coming.
I stood on my shaky feet and tried to walk away. My legs felt like heavy logs of wood; they could not move. I cursed loudly as the deformed hands clawed out of the floor.
Its wings tore out its hunched back and widened as it ascended its entire body to the ceiling.
"Prince of Hell," it pronounced proudly as its bulging, lifeless eyes found mine.
"Fuck off, Zalem." I snarled, turning away, but it reappeared before me.
"Father misses you, brother."
I gulped down my anger and controlled myself. My feet burned as the heat from the ground consumed them. If I agreed to their terms, these visits would be painless. But I could not; I just couldn't let them take the rest of me. Not now that Kiara exists in my life.
"Tell him to also fuck off."
Zalem's body began to react to the sage, salt that I had secretly implanted in the ceiling. His black skin began to peel off, turning into lava as it melted the ground. If he stayed a bit longer, he could get weak enough for me to kill him off. Like I have done a thousand times before when a messenger came bearing the phrase "Your father misses you."
Zalem's wings went back into his body as he plunged to the ground. His eyes sent a disapproving look to me.
"You are looking more pathetic than usual."
"Am I?" I chuckled sadly.
"Yes,"he said coldly as more of his skin fell to the ground, revealing his pale white skin n underneath. His eyes shot up to the ceiling in a bit of worry.
"Now, the main topic of discussion." Zalem started off more calmly. "Where is the girl?"
"Which girl?"
"The prophecy hybrid. We made a deal. Remember?"
I sighed, rubbing my forehead. As much as I despised demons, Zalem has been really helpful to my plans over the years. He was my own secret weapon when I needed certain "favours".Very few knew about him.
"I can see your conflict, and I would handle it perfectly for you. Just tell me where she is, and all will be well."
"There is no conflict." I lied.
"I'm offering help; I'm offering to take away the guilt you would feel if you did the job yourself."
I considered the option. It would be a nice burden off my chest. I will have to fight a few partners when they realize I have broken yet another deal, but that seems far easier now than going with the original plan. And having a baby involved will be too chaotic. My eyes shot up to Zalem with intensity.It was now of never.