Heavens grandmother gave her a necklace with a magic spell that would keep demons away from her. Despite that, the silver-eyed stranger visited her once again. Just as he promised.
If the spell didn't work, then maybe he wasn't a demon.
But… what else could he be?
She would guess a witch, had she not seen him at the party. As a witch, he would not risk coming to a party full of demons.
One thing Heaven was sure of. He was not human. He was far more sinister. The way he crawled into her bed made her shrink and shiver. What would he do to her this time?
She could feel him looming over her while she pretended to be asleep. She tried not to panic, but her heart was beating so fast she had a hard time breathing normally.
"I know you are awake." He spoke.
Heaven kept her eyes shut. Tonight she would not open them until he disappeared.
The stranger leaned closer. His soft hair fell on her face and tickled her. Then she felt his icy fingers on her neck. Heaven squealed internally but kept it together on the outside.
It's just a dream. He will disappear soon, she chanted inside her head.
But the stranger went nowhere. Instead, she felt his cool fingers get a grip on the necklace around her neck. Then she heard him chuckle.
"Did you think this would protect you from me?" He asked, amused.
Heaven continued to pretend to sleep, but he wasn't willing to leave.
"You don't need protection from me. I wouldn't hurt you." He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.
"Look at me." He urged softly.
His words were compelling, somehow taking control over her and forcing her to open her eyes.
No! Why did she open…
The words faded from her mind as soon as she saw his face. There was something about his appearance that took her breath away, yet when she woke up she couldn't remember what he looked like. Except the eyes.
"Why did you not come to meet me?" He asked.
"I was afraid." She blurted.
"You need not be afraid of me." He traced his fingers along her jawline and down to the curve of her neck.
His cold touch made her shudder, yet her body grew hot. Her senses came alive and his scent filled her nostrils. He smelled like wet earth after rain.
Heaven inhaled his delicate scent. She loved rain. The smell of it, the sound of it, and the feel of the cold water dripping on her skin.
Why did this man remind her of rain and storms?
"I'll wait for you tomorrow." He said, but it sounded more like a question. As if he was asking her if she would go to meet him.
"I can't." She shook her head.
His lips curved into a smile. "At least this time you didn't say you don't want to."
Heaven stared at him, confused. "It's the same thing." She said.
Suddenly he was out of her bed, standing on the other side. "I'll be waiting for you."
Heaven sat up. "I told you I can't."
"I am sure you'll find a way."
"I…" Before she could say anything else, he dissipated into smoke.
When she woke up this time, she was covered in sweat. This nightmare was affecting her more than she thought.
She reached for the necklace around her neck. It was still there, but it didn't protect her.
Her grandmother was a powerful witch. If her spell didn't work, then there could be two reasons. The first would be that the stranger wasn't a demon, and the second, he is too powerful for the spell to keep him away. After all, he had laughed at her attempt to protect herself, but he had also told her he had no intentions of hurting her.
Could she trust his words?
And if he didn't want to hurt her, then what did he want?
Rubbing her eyes, Heaven forced herself out of bed. She had her training with Princess Klara and Gina today, so even if she wanted to sleep a little more she couldn't.
Her handmaidens helped her as usual before she made her way to the backyard of the castle where she usually trained. Today it seemed her mother was joining them.
Not wanting to interrupt the fight between her mother and Princess Klara, Heaven went to sit next to Gina who was also watching the fight.
"Good morning," She greeted her friend.
"Good morning." Gina smiled without tearing her gaze from the fight between their mothers. "Aunt Hazel has become so much better."
Heaven nodded proudly. Her mother was truly a fighter, never giving up. Yet she was gentle in everything she did. That's why everyone loved her. Even now while fighting, every time she felt she struck too hard she would make sure Princess Klara was alright. She was so caring.
While their mothers fought Gina and Heaven decided to fight as well. Unlike their mothers, they were not gentle with each other. They really attacked one another, without holding back. Kicking, punching and wrestling, they bruised each other until one of them gave up.
Today Heaven gave up first. She had too many sleepless nights and her mind was somewhere else.
"All right, I give up." Breathless, Heaven accepted defeat
Gina fell on the ground, also gasping for air. They took a moment to catch their breath before retiring to her room.
Heaven ordered for some food and drink. She was starving. Then she threw herself on the couch to rest.
"So, how was he? The man you were chatting with at the party?" Heaven asked.
Zarin and she had left Gina behind that night because she seemed to have a good time.
"His name is Wren, and he was very charming. But I met someone else last night."
"Oh," Was all Heaven managed to say. Her friend was juggling men. Heaven didn't know how she felt about that.
��How was it for you? Did you find someone?"
Heaven shook her head. "No, but I found something. I think the man in my dreams might be an ancient demon."
Confusion settled on Gina's face. "But you said he was just a dream."
"Yes. I mean no. I don't know, really. But he feels so real and he told me to… meet him."
"What? Why didn't you tell me all this?" She hurried to sit next to her on the couch.
"Because I am not sure myself. A part of me wants to find him, the other part tells me it's dangerous."
"Why?"
"Well, if he is an ancient demon what could he want from me? Other than to hurt me. Maybe he is my father's enemy and wants to cause him harm through me."
"If he is an ancient demon, then he wouldn't be scared and hide in your dreams. Trust me. He would already have caused you harm. Also, ancient demons have no reason to be your father's enemies since they won't see him as a threat. They already have enough power of their own."
She had a point. "If so, what does he want?"
"Maybe he likes you, but is too afraid to approach you. Because you know, your father and grandfather. Did he indicate that he likes you?"
Well, he had said they belonged together. Did that mean he liked her?
"I'm not sure…"
"I think you should give him a chance. You are looking for someone to get married to so it wouldn't hurt to get to know him. "
Gina made everything seem simple, but something was telling Heaven this was more than just a demon liking her. He wanted something else from her. She had felt it in her dreams. The fact that the necklace didn't protect her was also distressing. If he wasn't an ancient demon, then he was something else. Something as dangerous if not more.
And if she didn't go to meet him, then he would come for her again, and again, Also, she couldn't deny the fact that she wanted to meet him. She wanted to know who he was and what he wanted.
Heaven knew she was about to make a selfish and dangerous decision, but she couldn't help it.
"Yes, maybe I should give him a chance," She finally said.
Her friend's eyes widened in surprise. "Good." She nodded excitedly. "Now where do we find this man?"
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