“There are several theories about magic among the circles of the council.
Humans believe that beings blessed by Gods will possess potential to use magic; Elvin believing that the magic comes from nature itself, living creatures just being able to tap into it using various incantations.
The Werekin think that magic is the work of their ancestors, guiding them towards the future, while Dendrin profess that magic is an extension of one’s soul, reaching into the surroundings separate from the shackles of reality.
Demonkin, Drakkor, and Nazjars on the other hand, say that lower ranks in magical prowess are extremely simple to obtain, believing that every living being possesses some amounts of magical power in them.
Every race has its own theories about magic, and each of them have developed different means towards the same goal.”
̶ An Introduction to Magical Studies, Julian Carell, 1200 AS
----------------------------------------
My sleep ends with light falling on my eyes, notifying me that another day has come. I slowly take in my surroundings, feeling refreshed, but still somewhat groggy from my sleep. I sit up slowly, looking around me, as if trying to piece together a puzzle of what had happened last night. I find myself on a middle of a huge bed, a white silken sheet surrounding me. I look around the room I am in, the Sun behind me irradiating it with light.
I notice there is a small curtain on one side of the room, splashing of water can be heard behind it. I slowly get out of the bed, walking up to see what the curtain is hiding.
My hand moves the curtain away, revealing a large red figure behind it.
Cerolus is standing in a small room, looking into a mirror while holding a small blade in his arm; a yellowish foam on one half of his chin. He apparently spots me.
“Oh good morning, I am sorry if I woke you up. I’ll be done shaving shortly; I hate the feeling of my beard.”
I look away from his face, my gaze slowly moving down his body. His broad chest is moving slowly, Cerolus taking slow breaths as he stands. Eight finely defined muscles can be seen on his stomach, not a sliver of fat on it. His back slowly curves, his bottom accentuated due to his shallow bow; his long snaky tail moving slowly behind him. Short white pants cover his thick thighs. A large bulge can be seen in the frontal area of the pants.
He notices my gazing eyes, smirking. “Like what you see?”
My face flushes with heat, my hand moving the curtain back, a loud thumping in my chest, as I run out of his room and enter my own.
----------------------------------------
Well, I probably shouldn’t have done that. Teasing her would probably be the worst thing to do right now, we know almost nothing about each other, and I can still feel some fear and trepidation in her when I look into her eyes.
She did spend a lot of time watching my pants though, and I haven’t had shared a bed with someone in such a long time.
Her face looked charming, and her body, while a bit small, is certainly pleasant to hold. I remember the feel of her soft skin on mine as I woke up.
I slowly dismiss my daydreams, finishing my shave, looking forward to the new day.
----------------------------------------
My face is buried in my pillows, emotions swirling all over.
Am I starting to like him? And is that even bad?
But he took me from my home, my family! He dropped me into a complete unknown! He is so different from me!
Does he like me? Do I look like a small child to him? Does he think I’m a brat, capable of doing nothing on my own, relying on someone else?
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
My thoughts are interrupted by Tiana coming into my room. “Mistress, Master has sent me to inform you that breakfast has been served and that he would like you to join him.”
What is that supposed to mean? What does he want with me now?
“Very well, if I must. Come here and help me get dressed.”
I stand up, moving towards the small desk with the mirror, getting ready for the new day.
-------------------
Tiana leads me to the dining room, Cerolus already eating at the head of the table, Fluffy lying by his side.
I sit on the other end, the Imp already by my chair, getting used to being fed being my best guess. I slowly start taking in food, feeling great hunger all of a sudden from the pits of my stomach.
The usual silence of the dining room is disrupted.
“What would you like to do today? I have no present plans for the day, I am free to keep you company if you want me to.”
He wants us to spend the day together? Why? What are his plans?
I suddenly remember yesterday, wanting to ask about training or magic. If he doesn’t have any plans, maybe he’d be willing to help. Would it hurt to ask?
“Actually, I would like to ask you some questions.”
Cerolus is visibly intrigued by my words, prompting me to elaborate.
“How did you make that ring during the wedding? And how did you make your voice so loud?”
“Oh it’s simple magic, really, no huge deal.”
“No huge deal? I could count the number of Mages I’ve met throughout my life on fingers of my hands, and you’re telling me it’s no huge deal?”
“Well, most of the Demons can use magic, one way or another. It’s not that uncommon? I could even probably teach you if you’d want; it should not be that different than teaching a Demon child to do it.”
He could… teach me? But he doesn’t even know if I can use magic or not? What is this madness?
“I can sense your mana channels a bit, they are small, but they are indeed there? Can’t you feel them?”
“Ummm, no? I mean, I don’t know? How do I do that?”
“How about this, you keep learning the language from Tiana for a bit, and I’ll come in the afternoon and start teaching you magic slowly.”
I can maybe learn magic? This is wonderful! I’ve always dreamed of using it when I was little, imagining what I could do if I knew it.
“Anything else? This is your home too you know, if you need anything, feel free to ask.”
“Could I get some… combat training?” I ask meekly. Father has allowed me to start training with some of the younger recruits after I constantly asked him to let me train. I always liked listening the stories of men fighting great beasts, exploring the depths of caves for lost treasures, seeking out powerful artifacts that bring glory to those who found it.
“You want to train to fight?”
“Yes, I do.” I answer more firmly now, I need him to see that I am not weak or a pushover.
Cerolus slowly scratches one of his horns. A sudden thought of wanting to feel his horns pops into my head, before disappearing.
“Well, I guess we can start out slow, but I don’t really know how to begin even. I guess we’ll just have to see what you can do first. I mean it’s not really common for women to fight, but it’s not unheard of. If that’s what you wish, who am I to stop you?”
Is he being thoughtful? Defensive? Protective? I can never seem to know what he is thinking of me at times, is that because of how different we are? Is that because he’s a Demon? Or is that simply because he’s a man?
Am I overthinking, and he is just looking out for me? I remember the time the bandits attacked our carriage, he asked me if I were alright not even noticing his own wounds. A picture of his wide chest flashes in my head, my body feeling slightly warmer all of a sudden.
“Thank you, Cerolus.”
We continue our meal in silence again, anxiety filling me as I look forward to the coming day.