"Grandma, what did you see in your dream?"
"I saw a stallion, walking down a red carpet that led to the throne. He held a crown between his teeth as he stalked down the path to the throne where you sat. When he arrived, he placed the crown on your head."
A stallion? Heaven was confused.
"Horses are majestic animals. They are beings of power and represent nobleness and heroism. They stand for courage, confidence, endurance and competition." Her grandmother explained.
"Do you think the horse in this dream is Zamiel?" Heaven asked.
"I had this dream before you released Zamiel, so I didn't know who he was. I just knew it was someone I hadn't met yet. But I have had several dreams. In one of them a man was tending to an injured bird. A dove. Once it healed, he set the bird free to fly. In another dream, you were sitting under a large tree seeking protection from the sunlight. It provided you with shade and you lay down and slept peacefully."
Heaven tilted her head to one side and tried to understand the meaning of those dreams. "What does all of that mean?" She asked, unable to figure that out on her own.
"The dream where the man tended to the dove means he tented to his love and then set it free. Trees represent old age and wisdom. It means the man in your life will be old and wise. Just like a tree, he will stand tall and steady and provide you with protection. When you first released Zamiel, I never imagined him to be the one. But slowly things started happening. The bite disturbed me because that would mean you couldn't be with the man I saw in my dreams. So I went on a journey to find out more about the mark, and I came to the conclusion that you two are true mates. But then who was the man in my dream?"
Her grandmother took a sip from her tea and nodded before continuing. "Then one day you said you wanted to become a ruler. It reminded me of the horse placing the crown on your head. Ancients are powerful and horses represent power. I slowly started to put the pieces together. He was old, wise and powerful, and he encouraged you to rule. It fits into the description of Zamiel. The last dream I had, you tied a ribbon around a branch on the tree." She stopped.
Why?
"What does that mean?" Heaven asked.
"It can mean a lot of things. Being betrothed, married, bonded, mated. I'll let you interpret it the way you like."
Heaven nodded. She was happy that her grandmother had those dreams. She wanted Zamiel to be her man, to be bonded to him in everyway.
"He might not be as steady as a tree right now, but I still like him. Maybe I am prejudiced because I had a similar experience even though he seems to be more in control of his feelings unlike me. I almost killed Klara one day." She said.
Heaven's eyes widened in surprise. She never imagined her grandmother hurting anyone. She wasn't that kind of person.
"What happened?"
Her grandmother shook her head. "I don't remember the details. I was just horrified when I found my hands covered in blood and Klara covered in bruises and cuts. She might not have survived if she wasn't a fighter herself. I feel sorry until today."
Suddenly her sad eyes showed concern. "I hope Zamiel isn't violent?"
Heaven shook her head. "Not at all." Zamiel would never hurt her. In fact, she might have been the violent one.
She would have asked her grandmother for advice, but her grandmother was a turned demon and it was not the same.
"Here you are." Suddenly Gina appeared in the garden.
Her grandmother stood up. "Come sit. I have to go, anyway." She said.
She excused herself and left them alone.
"It seems like you were talking about something serious." Gina said as she sat down.
"No. We were only chatting. Zamiel is coming to meet my mother this evening."
Gina smiled. "That is wonderful. But you know I need details. Tell me everything from when he came to the party."
Heaven chuckled. She was glad someone was as excited as her, so she told her everything from the beginning and Gina listened intently. Now and then she would sigh with dreamy eyes, smile or clap. When she told her about the kiss and her demon awakening, both of them squealed happily and shyly at the same time. When she was done telling her everything, Gina sighed again.
"What a man. I am so happy for you." She smiled. "Now I need to find myself an ancient demon."
Heaven chuckled. "Does he have to be ancient?"
"Well, the older the better. We are not much human after all. Humans want to be younger because it means beauty, strength and health, but demons want to be older, almost for the same reason. The older ones are more attractive and powerful. Age means a different thing for us, and you have got yourself the best of them all." She winked.
Heaven shook her head. "I hope you find someone who truly loves you rather than just a strong demon."
"Of course." Gina said. "Lets just hope he is not too young. He has to be at least 300 years old."
Heaven smiled, not surprised by Gina's remark. Human females married males ten or fifteen years older than them, while demon females mated with males five hundred or a thousand years older than them. But demons were fascinating. The roles could be reversed. Males mating with a demon female who was a thousand years older than them. Demons were less judgmental of age and gender, which she liked. Being a human female meant nothing. They were only a property to be traded and owned.
"How is Zarin?" Heaven asked, knowing that Gina must already know by now.
"He isn't talking to anyone, but he will come around." She smiled.
Heaven nodded thoughtfully. She wasn't sure if he would come around this time, and even if he did, would it be the same? She didn't think so.
"Will you come later? I would like you to meet Zamiel." Heaven said.
It was hard to ask, since he hurt her, but if she was going to be with him for the rest of her life, they would meet sooner or later.
"Of course." Gina smiled.
Heaven spent the rest of her day feeling a bit nervous. Her stomach tingled strangely. She really wanted her mother to like Zamiel. Not just approve of him. She wanted Zamiel to feel as if he was a part of her family once they got married.
Meanwhile, she also waited for Ilyas, hoping he would come back with beneficial information, but the evening was close and he hadn't returned yet. Maybe he found nothing, and she had to come up with another plan.
Zamiel would probably arrive soon, so Heaven went to her room to prepare herself. She wanted to look good. She put effort into choosing a dress and borrowed Ylva to make her hair.
"You look nervous, My Lady.��� She pointed.
"I am." She stood up. "Do I look good?"
"You look beautiful as always." Ylva smiled.
"Thank you." She gave her a hug.
Ylva thought it was inappropriate, like always. "You never listen, just like your mother." She complained.
Heaven just gave her a smile and left the room. When she came to the hall, she found maids and servants gathered.
"What is happening?" Ylva asked who followed her, but then someone caught her attention.
Heaven turned her head and found Zamiel walking from afar.
Everyone gathered around him, eyes wide and mouth open in awe. Even she found herself staring.
This time, unlike the previous one, he had dressed to impress, wearing what looked like expensive clothing adorned with a silver that matched his eyes. The sight of him made everyone around him lose track of their thoughts. Despite the sharp lines and edges of his beautiful face, he had a natural expression, sometimes followed by a weak smile when people blushed at the sight of him. He was very well aware of all the surrounding attention, but he was modest about it. Even the male servants stared, and one look made them all flush red.
A maid holding a tray came across him and stumbled on her feet when she caught sight of him. She fell, dropping everything in her hands. Zamiel was startled for a moment before he offered his help.
"Are you alright?" He asked and offering her his hand.
Heaven felt a sting in her heart when the maid placed her hand in his and he helped her up. The maid couldn't tear her gaze away from his face, and her face flushed all shades of red. Heaven shouldn't blame her. Ancients had extremely good looks and a magnetic aura.
Zamiel almost had to pull his hand away from hers because she wasn't letting go. He gave her a weak smile and proceeded. The maid watched him as he walked away, and others kept sighing as if the sight of him alone was satisfying.
"Is that him?" Ylva whispered.
Heaven nodded.
When he came close enough, he smiled at her. "Your highness." He said taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. Heaven felt suddenly giddy.
What was this? It is not like he kissed her for the first time.
When he dropped her hand, she could still feel his hot lips on her skin.
"I am glad you came." She smiled, trying not to expose the way he affected her. "Come" She showed him the way to the dining room where he would meet her mother.
Her mother was already waiting and stood up when they walked in. She approached him with a smile.
"Your Majes…" Before he could finish the word, her mother slapped him across the face.