When Rizak came in, I carefully exposed my arm without showing the rest of my body. Even though three people had seen it, it didn’t mean everyone had to. Invoking a spell, he assessed what was wrong with my arm.

A white light sprouted from his wings, slowly guiding them down the dark mark. His eyes twitched as Finn stood next to him.

“My lord, can I kill Sebastian?” the owl sighed.

His eyes glowed brightly as a slight red aura came from the owl. It was nowhere near as deep as Finn’s, though.

“Did the orc do irreparable damage?” The demon king questioned, aura seeping out of him, too.

Instantly, it was darker and thicker than Rizak’s and more overpowering.

“No, luckily, he didn’t. It should stabilize with time. Though that Orc always fucks with everything. He set back Sylvia’s recovery time, too.” The owl answered, shaking his head.

That means I can’t do magic longer than I was comfortable with. Damn it, just as I wanted to help too.

Tugging his feathers away from my arm, he patted my head.

“If you don’t overdo it. You’ll be fine in a couple of days.” His touch left me feeling fulfilled in ways I had never been before.

You’re like the father I never had.

“Thank you. I’ll try not to.” I simpered.

Trouble seems to find me all the time, though. So, I don’t know if I can… Well, we’ll figure that out as it comes.

It triggered the owl to glance away, clearing his throat.

“Well, this old bird should take his leave. I don’t want to take time from you two younglings.” Rizak chuckled, heading for the door only for Finn to grab onto him.

“W-wait, the charm d-did it do something to her?” the demon king asked, voice squeaky.

The slight pitch caused him to clear his throat, too.

Charm? Isn’t that what Sebastian…

“What? No, she’s free of any influence.” Rizak answered, tilting his head.

Pulling away from him, the king appeared jittery.

“A-are you s-sure?” Finn struggled with his words, shifting his glance toward me.

His cheeks were bright pink, reaching past his ears.

Do you really think I'm charmed into wanting you? Dummy… you’re worth more than what you give yourself credit for.

A heavy sigh left me, leaving me shaking my head.

How can I…

“Yes, I’m sure. Is something bothering you, m’lord?” Rizak tilted his head, only to be shoved out of the room.

“N-no, nothing!” the demon lord closed the door.

Turning back to me, I saw those deep blue eyes give off a shimmering hue while they studied me.

“Are you insane?” he sighed.

It was the first time I saw him like that. There was that spark of life again in his eyes, too, which would’ve been a moment of celebration if my right arm wasn’t immobile.

“What? I think you lost me somewhere.” I tilted my head.

There was no red aura sprouting from him.

So, you aren’t angry.

Closing the gap between us, the next moment, he was on top of me, straddling me.

“Saying those things earlier. Did you mean them or?” he clarified, leaving me oddly.

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My stomach felt like there were knots in them when he caged me under him.

Is it always this hard to talk to you? Still, I have to…

“I-I meant them.” I tried to keep my heart steady.

His eyes widened, biting onto his lips. “You’re crazy. You want to be held by a monster?”

No… You’re mistaken.

Those words rubbed me the wrong way.

You aren’t a monster. A real one almost held me a month ago, and you’re nothing like him!

Before anyone else tried to take me, I would rather give it to someone I chose.

Plus, people say it feels nice. So, how good will it feel with someone I genuinely like?

This would be a choice I wouldn’t regret. The humans probably had a reason to hate him, but I didn’t share it. I never hated my stepfather for what he did.

That man probably had his reasons for treating me that way. Whether he was sick or something else, but you…

“You aren’t one—not in my eyes, and you’ll never be. What everyone else thinks about you, I don’t care.” I faced him head-on.

Please don’t run away.

Much to my surprise, he wasn’t. No, he was facing me head-on.

“Sylvia… You…” A second later, his lips clashed with mine.

A flurry of kisses followed, leaving me humming under him. His tongue tangoed with mine, triggering me to grab onto his arm with my good hand. Deeping in it, he caressed every feature of my mouth, leaving nothing untouched.

It left me a panting mess when he tugged away to see a string connecting with us. Saliva dripped from my lips when he licked it away. Warmth was erupting from my core, making me jittery. It only got worse when I saw Finn’s expression.

It was one full of lust and desire, eyes shimmering brightly.

“Fuck. When you cry, don’t forget I gave you many outs.” He breathed into my ear, trailing his lips on my jawline and down my neck.

His hands traveled down my curves. However, he froze when he opened the cloak covering the rest of my body. His eyes were set on the arm he severed. Reaching to him with my left hand, I tugged him back towards my lips.

Licking his lips, he allowed me in, only to feel him push against my tongue, winning dominance again. Tugging away from my lips, he bit into his. Those eyes were full of a different emotion from before.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, brushing his hair with my fingertips.

Shaking his head, he sighed. “No, let’s wait until you're healed.”

I giggled, triggering him to growl. “And he says he’s nothing but a beast,” I smirked, letting my hand fall onto the bed.

Always running away. If this is all an act, then fuck me. There isn’t a way I can’t fall for this. You’re… too much for my heart to deny.

“Oi, I’m trying my hardest not to hurt you.” He huffed; cheeks were rosy.

“I know.” I simpered, feeling cared for.

You’re a gentle giant, indeed, and it’s making me love you even more. Fuck, what am I going to do with all these feelings?

His cheeks flared up again. My giggles would soon die out by his following words, though. Perhaps I had pushed one too many buttons on this demon.

“You keep making me trip over myself. I think I need to show you my fangs. How about I show you what I meant by eating you in a different way?” he suddenly declared.

“What?” I mumbled, unable to keep up.

A second later, he dragged me to the edge of the bed. A yelp left me because of the sudden jerk. However, when he got on his knees, my heart stopped. His wings spread wide to avoid dragging them on the floor.

“W-wait, what are you d-doing?” I stuttered, finally on the other end of the tease.

A sly smirk rose on his lip, his cheeks redder than before. When he backed off, I thought he would run away, but it appeared I ticked him off. There was no red aura coming from him. No, instead, a soft blue hue emerged from him.

“I’m going to eat you, sweets. It’s also a perfect way to prepare you for the main banquet later.” He informed, lifting the cloak that covered my lady bits.

My heart left the building instantly, and my cheeks felt like they would fall off any moment. For all my bravado, I wasn’t prepared for that, especially when his hands gripped me at my hips, leaning closer to me. When I felt his breath on my tights, I held my legs together as he grabbed onto them to spread them.

“Wa—” I started, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.

It startled both of us.

“M’lord, Astrid’s demanding an audience with you. It’s about Soren.” Brielle announced from the locked door.

The red aura sprouted from him when that man’s name erupted from her lips, wiping away any remaining blue hue. In an instant, our moment was ruined.

“What perfect timing you have, Brie. I’ll be there soon.” Finn grumbled, pulling away from me.

Although flustered, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed when he withdrew. I quickly followed, covering myself with his cloak again.

“Safe, for now, Sparky.” He glanced back at me.

His aura was still radiating.

“Was I saved?” I mumbled, getting cozy in his cloak again.

It was warm and smelled like him.

I like it.

“Oi… I almost—” his eyes twitched.

Before he could finish, I announced with a smirk on my lips. “I’m keeping your cloak.”

It caused his eyes to widen before a nervous chuckle came from him. The red aura was nowhere to be seen again.

“Keep it. I’ll come to rip it off you later.” Finn smiled.

It caused my heart to skip a beat as butterflies threatened to erupt from me. However, this was no time to back down.

“Promise?” I whispered, feeling my cheeks heat up.

A second later, his hand grabbed me by the back of my head, pulling me to his lips. He was so fast I couldn’t comprehend what happened. However, he held me for a passionate kiss. Our tongues tangoed against one another as his warmth seeped into me, leaving me jittery.

Sadly, this was a moment I wished lasted longer.

Tugging away from me, he smirked. “Where did you get this cheeky?”

However, he vanished before a word left me, leaving me a breathless mess. I couldn’t help but fall back on the bed, covering myself with his cloak. Biting onto my lip, I giggled, feeling like a schoolgirl with her crush.

Solas laid his head on the bed, allowing me to pet him with my left hand. My thoughts filled with Finn; I didn’t even realize it when I drifted off into a dream with the man I had come to love.