The demon king's eyes were squinted while his palms held my cheeks so gently.
"What? Win what?" Finn breathed, cocking his head to the side.
Simpering, I lifted myself to touch his lips. A soft kiss soon followed, allowing me to bask in his warmth.
Yes, it doesn't matter that you're a monster to everyone else. To me, you're…
Tugging away from me, he gazed at me, utterly bewildered.
"I've never experienced this. So, I don't know what this feeling is, but… I don't think there is anything like it either." I started, trailing my hand down his cheek and his chest.
Even though he had embraced me so many times, the warmth from his skin sank into my depths.
Yes… I've never felt like this about anyone else. You're the first.
"I love you, Finn." I smiled, gazing at him straight on.
If this demon was playing with me, I didn't care anymore. All that mattered was to be true to myself. His eyes glowed brightly instantly, and a darker blue hue came from him. Not only that, but the bracelet was also responding to my confession as a warmth grew within me.
I had no idea that my actions set forward an event of a lifetime.
"How can you possibly love a monster like me?" Finn mumbled, shaking his head.
For him, it was unbelievable for someone to tell him that after everything he had done. I didn't know every detail of every crime he had done, but I couldn't find it in me to judge him.
Pain always brings more of it. Perhaps that cycle must end for this world to have a future. For you to have a future, I… can give you something to live for other than your pain.
"You aren't a monster to me. You never were." Grabbing onto his hands, I traced his palms with my fingertips.
You could've crushed the world by now if you wished it. I saw how Soren and the others were terrified of your rampage. No one can stop you, but you stay in your castle all day and night. Hey Finn, do you hate all those who live in Traedan?
"You could easily hurt me with these, but you choose not to. You hold me so gently that I feel made from glass while with you." I simpered, letting myself flow.
Yes… This isn't wrong. These feelings are…
"Sylvia… don't, I don't deserve…" he trailed off, shaking his head.
I needed to melt his heart, but I couldn't push it.
"I don't expect you to love me. All I want is to stay by your side." I announced, feeling stings in my chest.
He didn't want to kill me, so at least I could…
"Even if I don't have you at the end of this. Please, keep me by you, even if it's just as a side piece or as anything you want me for." I mumbled, feeling hollow at the words.
Is this how you feel, Astred? No… I don't… want to humanize you when you…
Unlike her, I never wanted him to be tied to me, yet after this, I knew I couldn't leave him. His touch alone set my heart into a frenzy.
"Oh, no, Sylvia, you're all I'll ever have. I promise." He cupped my cheeks in his warm palms.
I shook my head, voice shaking. "Don't make promises you can't keep. I want you to love again, even if it isn't with me. You deserve much more than I can ever give you."
Even if that time comes… will I be able to watch you be happy with someone else? After tasting you so many times. Can I live without it? No… I want you for myself, little king. Please be mine by the end of this, or I fear my heart won't survive it.
His eyes glossed, wincing before shaking his head.
"I…" He bit his lip. "Sylvia, I—" he cut himself off, noticing the flower had blossomed on the bracelet.
His eyes widened as he shifted his gaze back to trailing his fingertips down my cheeks.
Why… do you look like you're about to cry?
"Finn?" I touched his chest.
It felt like he was about to go into a place where I couldn't get through to him.
Shaking his head, he sighed. "I'll only have you. Even if I don't—" Again, he cut himself off before biting his lip.
Closing my eyes, I tried to hold off the pain throbbing through me. I knew exactly what he was going to say.
"How many times do I have to say that won't make me happy?" I huffed, feeling defeated.
I'm unlovable… I know, but…
"Sylvia, I don't need anything else. Just you, I promise." He declared, pushing me onto the bed.
Again, he caged me as I pressed my hands onto his chest.
"Please, don't give me hope just to break it later," I mumbled, feeling his gaze.
Everything red, from his horns to his feathers, had turned a dark blue. His eyes shone brighter because of it.
"I swear only to hold you. So, marry me already." His voice quivered, shifting his glance towards the side.
Ah… there's something you aren't telling me. Is there? Why... are you avoiding my gaze?
"No, I won't tie you to me because of some curse or duty." My voice broke by the end of that.
"Foolish girl, you deserve more than I can give you. Can't you see it's me who is a cruel beast? I… I can't let you go." He whispered, leaning onto my lips.
I had lost the war, yet this was far from over. Even as his warmth surrounded me, I couldn't help but think of the day this would all end. Of the day, he would no longer need me, yet I clung to him, moaning his name day in and night out.
It didn't matter that the hex was gone. I needed this demon as he had become my air. The one thing I couldn't live without.
Who knew loving someone could be so devastating?
Food only came when I hungered for it. Finn barely ever left me in my waking moments, if at all. Another week went by like we were bunnies in heat. Though when we cuddled, I told him everything else that occurred during our brief period apart, yet ever since that day, Twilight had never appeared.
The incomplete blade had also disappeared from the blacksmith's home.
Luckily, that proved I wasn't delusional.
Rizak thought it was because of how much power I used to destroy that cavern I was in. The energy I released that day was seen everywhere on the continent. It was how Finn could pinpoint where I was, and after that, with Solas's help, he was able to find me.
Feeling his fingertips tracing my hair, I couldn't help but hum. He had become gentler since I lost the war of emotions between us. I was spoiled to death by him. However, on one of our heated nights, I fell asleep only to wake upon hearing Rizak enter the room.
I didn't bother to turn towards him, having found the perfect comfort in Finn's wing.
It wasn't like he had come to see me. However, thanks to that, they thought I was asleep.
"My lord, Astred is still in her domain, making excuses not to come. It'll be hard to draw her here. She's suspicious of why you've been cooped up in the castle instead of looking for our saint." He announced, triggering Finn to sigh.
"I'll have to deal with her soon. I just don't want to leave Sylvia alone for too long. She isn't stable enough." He trailed my hair, triggering shivers to run down my spine.
Hm? Why am I unstable?
His warmth was alluring, yet I stayed put, wanting to hear more.
"On the other hand, her flower is fully blossomed. That means her feelings are real for you. Will you do the ritual after she's better, my lord?" Rizak questioned, voice lacking any warmth. "Or have you changed your mind?
"My feelings haven't caught up to her, and she has refused to marry me. The ritual is impossible." Finn answered, also lacking any warmth. "I-I don't want her to die either. If anyone deserves to live, it's her. I-I can't do it, not anymore."
"Well, the ritual is known to be dangerous. You knew her, and your survival wasn't guaranteed before we started. Magic like that is volatile and unpredictable even for someone like you, M'lord. So, what changed?" Rizak mentioned, walking towards the other side of the bed.
What? The ritual would've killed us both?!
"Nothing, there just has to be another way. I don't care if my heart stops beating, but she must survive it." Finn sighed.
"Another way would be possible with her power, but time's shorter than before. The barrier's even more volatile. It won't last much longer until it fully decays, and we don't know what residues are left of Astred's magic within her." The owl informed.
Wait… Why… is the barrier more brittle than before? Could it have been me? No… How?
Everything was going too fast for me to capture, but at least the most essential things would stick, or so I hoped.
Finn shrugged, "Whatever happens, all that matters is that she breathes to see another day. It will take me a couple of centuries before I lose myself fully to the curse. I'll make sure she's happy during that time."
"M'lord, are you sure you don't love her?" Rizak questioned, prompting Finn to sigh.
"No, I'll never love her so naively, but I care for her more than I thought. Nearly lost my mind when she was gone, but that's as far as it'll go." The demon king breathed, picking up a strand of my hair in his palm.
"Being a demon impedes normal emotions. I care, but my blood lust will always beat her. Fuck, I might just eat her one day if I get too hungry. That's not love; I wish I could love her; I want to so much. She deserves it more than I, yet I know if it comes down to my hatred for them or my affection for her, I'll kill her." He added, leaving my chest stinging.
I affected him, but not in the way I wished.
Well… according to you... But why… do you…
"Part of me doesn't believe you, M'lord. I think you love her. You may deny it, but it won't change what Sylvia makes you feel. She's the link to your humanity. I'm glad she brought some of it back." Rizak noted, voice still cold.
A sharper sigh came from my beloved demon. "Oh, old teacher, don't be mistaken. I would murder everyone inside that barrier without a second thought if I needed to. She knows that too, which makes me wonder if her brain is screwed on right."
"She might make you think twice. Hah, I think she might even save you and us all." The owl pointed out.
A soft nuzzle came from Solas onto my arm before he yawned, snuggling into me again.
"I don't need saving from anything," Finn growled.
"Oh, m'lord, your heart does. You've been changing ever since she came. Your horns are deep blue, a far cry from the crimson from before. I wonder if that's her doing." Rizak pointed out, withdrawing away from him.
"And your point?" my demon king huffed.
So… it's visible to everyone now? At least your horns and wings are. Hmm… does Rizak know what it means? No… he didn't sound like he did.
"Well, I guess I'll leave it at that, m'lord. When she recovers, I expect her to be back in my studio. There's much to learn and little time left." Rizak announced, vanishing soon after.
Low curses left Finn's lips, leaning toward me.
"Sparky, what are you doing to me?" he whispered.
I wanted to turn to him, but that would've alerted him that I was awake and had heard everything—something I didn't want him to know. Yet, I relished his touch, unable to tug away from it.
It seems the ritual would've been dangerous for both of us. Damn it, then… from the start, you were playing to die to free your people? Is that what I'm getting at? Argh! Why is all of this confusing?
No! Screw it all, we have to be alive when this ends! So… after the curse is lifted and your blood lust taken, does that mean… if that happens… You might love me. If possible… I'll do the impossible to hear you say those words to me!