Manah had no idea how she ended up in such a mysterious, menacing palace, but she found refuge in a long conversation with a self-proclaimed demon King known as Azazel. They had spent endless hours in one another's company, the time endlessly flowing as they shared fears, regrets and general chatter, revealing pain and even common interests with one another.

His personality was charming, and his dashing looks were enough to make her heart flutter. His dark hair and glowing, golden eyes had completely captivated every fiber of her being.

Manah herself was an introverted twenty-year-old. Her long, copper curls flowed over her back, with a simple innocent aura about her. Her love for piano was one of intrigue to Azazel as he had honed a similar talent over his endless years. A talent he had all but forgotten.

They talked endlessly, two lost souls, who found one another, connecting through their shared loneliness

Everything was wonderful until Azazel took on an alternate form, which proved he wasn't just a self-proclaimed demon King, but legitimately who he claimed he was.

He had approached her, leading her into a soft embrace, when she could feel him shift in her arms into something menacing.

His form grew muscular, his build taller. A pair of black, feathered wings sprouted from his back, and sharp, long fangs appeared in his mouth. His golden eyes glowed with a carnal desire.

Manah wasn't frightened, but her body immediately responded. She was overwhelmed by his displays. She ran far from him, finding a room with a grand piano in the center. She hid behind a purple velvet nestled in the corner of the room.

She could hear the demon thrashing around the palace, attempting to locate her. The pale, small woman, didn't understand why he wanted her there with her, nor did she figure out where she even was through their conversations. One thing she did know was he somehow stole the emptiness in her heart.

Manah played with her copper curls as her small frame sat on the floor behind the velvet sofa, a relic from the Victorian Era.

"MANAH!" Azazel's deep voice could be heard as she heard crashes of objects on his path to locate her. The demon's emotional intelligence greatly stunted by his lack of history dealing with love.

He was lovesick.

Azazel had transformed when he became overly passionate during their encounter. It had been so long since he had been in the presence of another being. Not to mention, this being triggered a desire he never had. A fondness, an instinct to protect love and hold. His passion intensified every moment he spoke to her and peered into her innocent green eyes. The creature who appeared suddenly in the castle had captivated him like nothing had before.

So, there Azazel was, wanting nothing else but to infuse her with his essence and make her his immortal queen. it was a hunger he never knew existed, even after the endless centuries he had lived in his fallen angel form.

"Manah... you...cannot run... from me...I can smell you," his voice was heavy, panting in desperation to locate the beautiful creature. "....Need..."

Manah simply sighed behind the sofa. After the life she had lived and the way they spoke, she couldn't help but feel captivated by his features and endless charm. She felt empathy for his loneliness in a realm for him alone, as she felt the burden of a similar empty heart.

Manah stood up and could hear his voice from the nearby room. He seemed to be going mad in his search. Her dainty feet slowly approached the piano, which also seemed to have not seen love in ages. The thought maybe her beloved melody could calm his soul.

She brushed off the bench and examined the keys, her small hands running across them. The familiar touch of each key ignited fond memories of the endless hours she sought refuge in music.

The small-frame girl seated herself on the bench. With a deep breath and closed eyes, her hands moved to the memories of the melody.

Her muscle memory played an enchanting melody, written by her grandfather. Before he passed, he was the only human to ever show her love. He taught her the song he wrote, which told the tale of a goddess who had lost everything. She had fallen in love with a normal soul, a forbidden love affair ending up in tragedy, as her lover died in a war of eons past. She spent the rest of eternity alone, trapped in neverending loneliness perched from her personal tower.

The melody connected to Manah's soul, allowing her to reflect on her own life and suffering, with nobody to turn to except the notes blaring from the touch of piano keys.

Azazel could hear the enchanting melody from his position. It suddenly held a power over him, which he slowly gave into. He knew the source of the tune was emitted by the piano he remembered playing before he completely lost himself to the depression of lonely days in his palace.

He stepped into the piano room and was overtaken with a calm affection for the woman skillfully playing a beautiful tune he had never heard. He was captivated by the way the music was able to translate such a story that resonated with his demonic heart.

"You are beautiful," he murmured, his voice softening.

He could feel his body shifting, the long claws for fingers reverting to a human shape. The wings on his back disappeared, leaving behind a single black feather, reflecting his demonic nature.

"Manah," he whispered. His body had completely reverted to a human shape, with dashingly handsome features. He was impossibly beautiful, which fit the allure of being a beast such as himself. even so, the villainous energy of a demonic entity hung in the air.

With her eyes clamped shut, nimble fingers continued hitting keys skillfully. As the song neared its climax, tears began to roll down her cheeks. The tears flowed uncontrollably each time she played the melody. No matter how many times she encountered it on a piano, the therapeutic pain evoked her remembrance of past events and wishes for a better world.

Azazel stood there, in awe of the woman, a gentle tug clawed at his heart, a new feeling of empathy and emotional pain he was only somewhat aware existed by watching humans interact throughout the ages, from his palace hanging in unending loneliness, filled his possessed soul.

It was a concert for one, which he was allowed to witness with his own overbearing yellow eyes. He couldn't imagine anything more beautiful existing in any of the mortal or immortal planes.

The concert concluded, with the small-framed, deliciously alluring Manah sitting in silence as she processed her emotions once again. After what felt like hours passed, but only a few moments, she opened her eyes, revealing her emotional turmoil in the sparkling gaze she gave him, making his heart pound rapidly.

"It was beautiful," he simply stated.

Manah flashed him a gentle smile, another small gesture that filled him with new emotions.

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Slowly, he stepped by the piano, running a clawed finger across the top of the dusty, black exterior. "The piece you played was breathtaking."

Manah knew he had calmed. He revealed to her in their earlier talks the demonic side of him would emerge when he felt intense emotions, especially those unfamiliar to him. It was part of the reason she played the song, an ode to shared loneliness. She thought perhaps he would understand the meaning in the notes. Happily, he did.

"It is a special song to me, one which I find therapeutic," She spoke with honesty. "My childhood was filled with sadness from never feeling love after my dear grandfather passed. My mother became out of control - a total monster who hit and insulted me. She left both physical and emotional scars, without an ounce of love felt through the rest of my childhood."

A certain sadness enveloped Azazel’s heart. He had seen the actions of humans through the years, many interesting and exciting things, but he never had a glimpse of complex human emotions through simply viewing.

"Manah..." He whispered. His fingers made their way to her copper curls, gently brushing some of them behind her ear. "You never deserved to be so alone or unloved."

Manah shook her head. "My torment is nothing compared to yours! You had no outlet. You have been alone in this place for so long."

"It may be true I have been alone here for centuries, but it was my own doing. "

A spark of curiosity lit up in her eyes. The demon in front of her was fascinating. She wanted to learn even more about him and his feelings. Though usually labeled a devil, demon, or monster, she viewed him as oddly human. "Your own doing?"

Azazel chuckled at her question. "Your curiosity about this monster is endearing."

Manah frowned at his claim of being a monster. True, he could transform into a form that most would be frightened of, but even though she ran, it was fueld from the complex emotions she felt. "You are not a monster!"

Azazel took her small hand in his much larger hand, kissing the back of it tenderly. A quick flash of his fangs presented before her. "You dear, innocent creature, if only you knew of the real darkness in me."

Her face flushed pink from his actions. She was quite easily drawn in by the charm displayed when she was with him. New feelings of fondness were swirling, after a short life of pushing any thought of acceptance or love from others away. "I want to know everything about you and the long life you have lived!" Manah's voice was rather passionate with the admission.

Azazel lightly chucked. His large hand traveled to her flushed cheek. The color drove him wild. The adorable, innocent face was one he was unable to resist. "I am a mere fallen angel, cast aside for an eternity as a demon meant to ensure chaos continues in your world. I am an open book to you. Ask away, my precious lamb."

Manah was a bit taken aback by the confession. She had heard the stories of fallen angels and demons, but never believed such tales could be real. The man next to her was the most interesting human - well, demon - she had been graced with meeting.

She stood up from her place at the piano. Surely he had endless things to speak of after never having anyone to listen to his struggles and tales.

Manah closed the distance between them and grabbed his hand, pulling him to the velvet sofa she had previously sat behind. She sat down on its pristine velvet fabric, melting in the cushions below her. She gestured at the open space next to her.

Not able to resist the adorable demand, Azazel took a seat next to her on the sofa. He sat closer than was necessary.

"About earlier," Manah spoke as she inched even closer to him, her body leaning forward toward him, curiosity brimming across her face. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to enrage or even offend you. I wasn't scared, I promise."

Azazel smirked. What an intriguing woman. He faced her and wrapped one arm around her waist, tracing a clawed finger down her back. "Darling, you wouldn't have run if my passion didn't frighten you."

Manah shivered as she felt his fingers gently caress her. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach from his touch. "Maybe this is the work of a demonic being able to instantly charm me into submission,' her thoughts flowed internally. She could very quickly fall for him.

"It was confusing," she admitted. "I didn't know how to react to your sudden intensity."

Azazel smirked at her confession, some relief passing over him from the notion. "The sight of that side of me can be a bit hard to take in. I am sure you were confused as to what sparked my passion. "

He wrapped both arms firmly around Manah and pulled her on hjs lap, happy his newfound lovely little kitten did not resist his advances. "You ignited things I have never felt. It was too much for me to process, too intense. It caused my inner demon king to long for dominent actions over your lovely body. He doesn't play well when he wants something."

Manah's gaze communicated understanding in the situation. She smiled, her heart bearing rapidly. She placed a hand on his cheek, locking her eyes onto his. "I wouldn't mind seeing that side of you again. I think I could handle it better next time."

Intense urges of all kinds erupted through him from the sweet girl’s words. How he longed to turn to a primal state of desire, but it would be too much for her to handle. It had little control over that side of him when it emerged. It eas a miracle she tamed the beast through song.

Azazel nuzzled against her touch and lightly kissed her palm. The feeling of her soft touch felt mesmerizing. He wanted more. He knew he wanted an eternity to love and care for her, to protect her for human pain and suffering. "It has been lonely all these years."

"I wish you didn't have to be lonely," she said with sincerity. She moved a finger gently across his lips. She remembered the quick flash of his fangs earlier, causing her face to flush. For some reason the look he has given her in that moment was irresistible. She had felt new urges course through her body at his dominate displays.

"Ah, my dear kitten, I wouldn't need to be if you stayed with me," he confessed. "I could never be lonely with you here."

His words were intoxicating to her ears. There was no chance she would leave his side. She was quickly falling hard for the demon. He had captured her in his spell. "My life will be short compared to the eternity you will live, but I will stay here."

A smile spread across Azazel's face, which was quickly replaced by a mischievous grin. "Oh, sweet Manah, you do not understand what you are getting yourself into. There are ways to make it forever."

She laughed. "Nothing is forever! Except for you, I guess..."

Low, rumbling laughter escaped Azazel's lips. "You could submit, stay here forever if you chose, though I dint possess the power to reverse it if you grew tired from the new forever."

“There are even some things beyond me.”

Azazel placed his hand on the small of her back, pressing the precious woman seated on his lap closer, their bodies brushing intimately together. He heard a little moan escape soft lips. The demon had to do everything in his power to resist the urge to be driven completely lost in his desire.

Manah would be a liar if she told him she didn't like the current level of intimate touch. She felt she would be unable to deny any advances toward her from then on. It wasn't he who scared her, but this new feeling of longing.

"How does that work?" Her face spread with curiosity, fear, and desire.

She gave in to the touch. Manah nestled her face against his neck, taking in his otherworldly scent.

This woman was absolutely going to be the 'death' of him if she continued the sweet little acts of affection. "No, I will resist doing too much." Too much to a demon, however, would be completely crossing the line.

Azazel placed a finger under her chin. He lift it up so her face was mere inches from his. He could feel the hot breath escaping her soft, full lips. He longed to take that mouth in unrivaled passion, but the moment, he refrained. He could sense she was excited. He realized a demon could be charming to a mortal, but his feelings were genuine. He wasn't using literal magic against this one.

"It is simple, really," He mused, pressing his forehead against hers. "Allow me to give you part of my essence."

Manah felt electricity radiate down her spine from the intimate touch surrounding her. She was falling in love with him for sure.

She was captivated by the smooth skin lining his facial features, the way he spoke, treated her as if she were special, his touch....everything. She may have more than willing to give in to absolutely anything he proposed.

"What does that involve?" She was full of questions.

For Azazel, it was the question of the hour -- the one he had been waiting for. A little of his primal desire peaked through the surface, showing on his face and in his touch. He placed his lips close to her neck, breathing against her with his fangs baring.

The breaths sent shivers coursing through her, a feeling like none other. It was as if his goal were to drive her mad.

It was working.

"You take me, all of it," he whispered against her neck, a seductive tone radiating. "I fill your body with my primal passion for you."

He paused. A lustful look on his face. “I would fill you in more ways than one.”

With those words, he leaned in for a gentle kiss.