Heart of Darkness

Roxana’s heart stopped beating for a moment. The woman I love? Did he just tell everyone?

She turned to him and he took her hand in his under the table, smiling warmly. Roxana felt like crying again. Why was he doing this? She had just been so scared of him and she was still very confused.

“I guess it is another couple and children soon then,” Blayze said. “Children with wings.”

Wings?

Acheron pushed Blayze with his elbow as if telling him to stay silent. Why? Would the child have wings? What did he mean?

“Don’t scare her,” Lazarus said.

“The child will have no wings,” Rayven assured her. “Perhaps later when it grows,” he added.

Angelica reached out and put her hands on top of hers. “Don’t listen to them. They like to be too much.”

“Skender, you should explain better.” Blayze continued ignoring everyone’s warnings. He had a mocking lilt in his voice. “Roxana should know. Will the child also have some of the destroyer’s qualities?”

Destroyer qualities?

Roxana turned to Alexander. He glared at Blayze with flaming eyes. His hold on her hand tightened.

Alright. This wasn’t friendly anymore she guessed. And if these creatures could turn into whatever Alexander turned into earlier then she would witness another bloodbath when she hadn’t recovered yet from the first one.

There were some looks exchanged between all of them and then Blayze went back to focus on eating his food.

After they had their dinner, they all said goodbye and Alexander doing his magic thing teleported her back home.

“How do you do that?” She asked him.

He became thoughtful. “I am not sure. I just take a step and think of where I want to go.”

She frowned. That was so hard to digest.

“It has been a long day for you. Don’t think of anything for now and just rest.” He told her cupping her cheek. “I’ll send someone to walk you to the castle tomorrow if you want to come. Until then, don’t let anyone into your home. Shades can’t enter unless given permission. Uncle Ben and Fanny can enter without permission.”

She nodded. Angelica had explained it to her.

“You don’t have to worry. These are only precautions. Everything is alright.” He assured her.

“You were gone for so long.”

“I had to make sure everything was safe for you.”

“Are you not disappointed in me?”

He frowned. “Why would I be?”

“I said I would protect your heart. My actions must have been hurtful.”

He smiled with a shake of his head. “You handled everything so well, Roxana, and I wouldn’t blame you even if you didn’t.”

“I am still confused.” She admitted.

He took her hand in his. “I am patient.”

He was so calm that she remained calm even when she wanted to panic. She leaned against him, resting her head on his chest. He stroked her hair. This felt so right. So soothing.

“Why do they call you Skender?” She asked.

“My grandmother suggested I should be named Alexander. My parents change it to suit our language, so it became Skender.” He explained. “I only took back Alexander because Skender sounded strange to humans.”

“What should I call you then?”

“I like it when you call me Alexander.” He told her.

“King Alexander.” She said. “I shall come to the castle as your loyal guard tomorrow.” She had been absent for too long.

He grabbed her arms and pulled her back, watching her with a serious expression. “Only for some time, Roxana. I don’t want you as my guard forever. One day I want you beside me as my queen.”

She shivered. Queen? What she had been avoiding thinking about.

“People won’t like me. They won’t accept me.”

“You are the charming Rox. I am sure it won’t take you long to get everyone on your side.”

She shook her head with a smile.

“Am I rushing you?” He asked.

“No.” She felt good knowing at least one of them wasn’t confused. She felt calm knowing he still felt the same despite her own confusion.

He was honest and vulnerable despite having gone through heartbreak. She could also get over her confusion and be happy with him.

“If you need more time to rest then you don’t have to come tomorrow.”

“I’ll be there.” She told him.

He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “Good night.”

“Goodnight.” She said and then left him behind.

She knew sleep didn’t await her tonight but she was happy to have the time alone to think and sort her thoughts and feelings. As usual logic went against emotions and so she fell asleep at last with the conflict still going on.

In the morning she was happy to get back to work. She needed the sun, the work, and the interaction with other people to feel like the world was still as she knew it to be, but outside awaited her a demon.

“I am here to escort you to the castle.” He said.

Well, not so normal already she thought.

The demon kept his distance as he escorted her. He didn’t look her way nor did he talk to her even when she asked him questions.

“I am here to escort you only.” He made clear.

When they arrived at the castle, he was suddenly gone. He didn’t make a sound or say goodbye. He just disappeared. Oh Lord, she was going to lose her mind soon. She needed to see some normal people. Soon.

She hurried to the defense quarters. Sir Fulker. Yes. Normal human being.

“Rox. How are you?” He asked. “I heard you were ill?” He looked her up and down. “I thought I told you to add some weight and not lose some.”

“Ah.” She smiled too much feeling like normal was back. “Then can I have two plates? For those who wish to gain weight, we should be offered extra food. I will make sure to eat everything.”

He shook his head at her. “Night shifts were better for you.” He said and walked away. “Hurry and go to his Majesty.”

Already with his orders but she missed him.

Roxana went to the storage and picked up some weapons. Oh, she was happy to be back here. It felt like forever since she was here last. She hurried to find Gary and Peter first and have some normal mundane talk with them.

As she walked down the halls, she came across one of the lords. Blayze, if she remembered correctly. A smirk curved his lips.

“I see you are back on duty,” he said.

“Yes, my Lord.”

“You had a rough day yesterday.”

“I am fine. Thank you for your concern.”

He made her feel uneasy for some reason like he wanted something.

“I did not mean to scare you last night. I was only trying to introduce you to our world. There is a lot to know about demons.”

She forced a smile. “That is very considerate of you, My Lord.”

“I tried to be more considerate and save you all this trouble but the others refused. They thought it would be more fun to have you fooled when all of us knew you were a female from the day you stepped into this castle.”

Roxana wondered where he was going with this and how come all of them knew? Was it a demon thing?

“Especially Lord Shady who introduced you but you will probably be more upset with the man who claims to love you.”

Lord Shady? How did he know she called him that.

“I know because demons can read minds. Seems like your lover didn’t tell you. He must have fun still.”

Roxana froze.

Read minds?

Blayze shook his head. “I understand your confusion. Demons are deceitful. It is just in our nature. We can’t help it.” He shrugged. “You might get used to it.” He gave her a pretentious smile and walked away leaving her shocked and confused.

Read minds. She repeated the word in her head a thousand times as some pieces and memories fell into place. She went through all kinds of emotions. It started with wanting to run and hide or die and ended with wanting to fight. Her face which had been burning with shame first, now burned with fury.

Alexander.

You are dead!

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