Heaven was left shocked after she listened to the young demon's story. She wasn't surprised only because of the story but the way he told it. He seemed very proud of what he had done.
The woman he claimed to help seemed to be greedy. She found a wealthy man to marry and then using his wealth; she went to find pleasure somewhere else.
"That is not helping, and it is wrong." Heaven said.
Tezznin chuckled. "Why is it wrong? Men can go find pleasure somewhere else when they are married and they face no consequences. So what stops women from doing the same? As for the wealth, men marry women for beauty, so why can't women marry for wealth?"
"Men who marry women only for their beauty end up going to other women and women who marry men only for their wealth seem to end up doing the same. No one is happy in the relationship, that is not helping someone. As for women facing consequences and not men, you are right. That is why you shouldn't have helped her. If she gets caught, which she will eventually, then she will be in deep trouble. Her life will be at risk." Heaven said.
"It will be worth it. Would you rather live a long life with no pleasure or a short one filled with adventure?" Tezznin asked.
Heaven looked at her for a long moment. She remembered once saying that she would rather live a short life where she was happy than a long one that felt empty.
Tezznin tilted her head to one side and smiled. "Many women don't get to choose their husbands and they get neglected after marriage. Don't they deserve pleasure? We are only helping them."
Even though Heaven felt bad for the women, she knew that these demons weren't helping them out of goodness.
"And why are you helping them?" Heaven asked.
"That is what we do." She said.
"You don't help humans." She emphasised the word humans because she knew her grandfather hated them.
Tezznin's smile faded, and she gazed at her with a serious expression. "Your definition of help might mean letting humans live a miserable life so they can go to heaven, but we help humans live their lives to the fullest. We don't judge. We free them so they don't have to fight what's in their nature."
Heaven had to admit that the way Tezznin explained it sounded good. She had an answer to every question and justified everything they did. According to them, they did all of this for good reasons, but why? Why would they care?
Taking a deep breath, Heaven turned to the young demon. "Can I choose not to reward him?" She said, changing the subject. There was no reason to argue with Tezznin.
"Of course. You decide. But they all want to be rewarded so he will come back next time with a better story." She smirked.
Oh, she was good. What a gentle way to threaten someone.
"Don't you have anything else to do?" Heaven asked the young demon.
"Like what, My Lady?"
"Like a proper job and then go home to your family."
"I don't have a family and this is my job. I get everything I need and more doing this."
Tezznin gave him a smile.
So this was how they made a living. Her grandfather offered them to stay in his kingdom for free exchange for their services.
"Do you have another talent besides helping people find a short-lived happiness that could lead to death?" She asked.
He smiled. "I can sing."
"You have a beautiful voice." Tezznin said, eyeing him before she turned to Heaven. "Doesn't he?"
Heaven kept a straight face. "Yes, he does. Your voice is soothing." She told him. "Do you know anything about human war strategies?"
The demon blinked a few times, confused. His gaze turned to Tezznin and then back to her.
"No, My Lady."
"Do you know anything about trading and the market economy?"
He shook his head. "No, My Lady."
Heaven sighed and leaned back. "Do you have a good memory?" She asked.
"I do, My Lady."
"Good." She smiled. "I will be impressed if you come back next time with some knowledge about these subjects. With you voice I would listen to your lectures." She told.
His eyes darted in confusion. Again he looked at Tezznin for some sign, but she just smiled.
"Will I be rewarded for that?" He asked, turning to Heaven.
"Of course." She smiled.
The young demon bowed, then left.
"It seems like you are preparing to rule somewhere else?" Tezznin pointed.
"I am sure that is no surprise to you." Heaven said.
Tezznin smiled, amused. "You are fun to watch."
Heaven knew she wouldn't annoy Tezznin so easily.
The next demon that came in was also a male. Again half dressed like everyone else. Heaven was starting to get used to it.
"Oh…" Tezznin's eyes widened. "Another young one." She said.
She seemed to like the younger ones, which was unusual for female demons. They liked older demons because of the power, but Tezznin liked to be the powerful one.
She gave Heaven a nod to start her interrogation, but Heaven asked something else instead. "Do you have a talent?" She asked.
"Yes, tell us. I would love to know that." Tezznin purred walking down the stairs to take a closer look at him.
He had short brown hair that was a bit messy, beautiful green eyes, and a youthful face. He looked innocent. What horrible thing did he do?
The demon stared, surprised by the question. "I… I can do anything you like me too." He said.
"Then would you undress for us?" Tezznin asked.
Heaven's jaw dropped, but the demon smirked. "It will be my pleasure." He said, grabbing the fabric around his waist.
"Don't!" Heaven called.
Tezznin groaned. "He wants to."
"But I don't want to." Heaven said.
Tezznin put one hand on the male's bare shoulder and gave him a sad expression. "Don't worry. You look fine. She is just not over her mate yet."
Yet? Heaven wanted to slap her, but she told herself to calm down.
The young demon nodded.
"Yes, your talent. Tell us." Tezznin cheered as she went back and sat down on one of the stairs that led up to the throne.
"I can paint." He said.
"I would love to have a painting of myself. Naked." She smiled.
"It would be my pleasure to make a painting of you." He said.
Tezznin looked back at Heaven. "Would you like to have a painting of yourself?"
"No, thank you."
Heaven understood what was going on. Tezznin was playing her game, but she was better at it.
"Can you do anything else?" Heaven asked him.
"I can do anything you ask me to do." He said proudly.
"Good. Then I want you to do nothing until next time. You will be rewarded then."
A frown settled between his brows, and Heaven motioned for him to leave.
The next demon was a male again. "Are all of them males?" Heaven asked.
"No. I just asked for the males. I like to reward them. My sister is taking care of the females." She explained.
This one was tall and well built. He had two braids on each side of his head and the rest of his hair fell down his back in golden waves.
And he had no talent.
"Everyone has a talent. You just haven't discovered yours yet. Try to discover your talent until our next meeting." And just like that, she sent him away, confused, like every other demon.
When she had met a dozen of them and sent them back with a new mission, she was done with her first lesson.
"It wasn't bad. It was fun." Tezznin smiled.
It wasn't at all. Heaven had tried to come up with excuses to not reward them and not make them do anything worse until next time. But they would probably still do something bad, whether she gave them a mission, rewarded them or not. Even though they addressed her respectfully, she knew that they would listen to Tezznin at the end.
Every time she said something, they turned to Tezznin for confirmation. Heaven knew Tezznin was only letting her do things her way, because it wouldn't matter. It was a waste of time, but at least some of them would come back with information that would be helpful to her. While she was here, she would keep educating herself.
When she went back to her room, her grandmother was still missing. Heaven wondered where she was because it couldn't be taking so long to talk to Zarin. She went to the window and looked outside. Her grandfather was clever to give them a room with a great view. He knew how much they loved their gardens.
Heaven stared outside, her eyes searching the garden, when she caught sight of her grandmother. She was sitting on a bench laughing at something a male demon seated close her said. While laughing, she put one hand on his shoulder.
Who was he? And what was happening?