After our shower, I ate a meal I had to prepare for myself. Gael was still recovering and feeding at one of Sebastian’s human farms after the changes in Traedan. I tried not to think about that as I ate, though. Finn stayed with me, ignoring Brielle’s stares.

Though she said nothing, enjoying the smile he had while watching me. Part of me felt subconscious, feeling his eyes on me, but we had already done worse.

After all, your stuff came up my nose the previous night. We have already left the boat with how comfortable we’re with each other. Not that I’ll have it any other way.

When it happened, it appeared to turn him on more.

I even saw your tail wag, too, yet your eyes haven’t changed much.

“Your face is going to stay like that,” I mumbled, taking another bite of the sandwich.

“Hm?” Finn hummed, tilting his head.

It appeared this demon was unaware that a smile had been planted on his lips since we had arrived. Solas chuckled and laid his head on my lap.

“Never mind.” I sighed.

Another cackle erupted from the she-wolf, who quickly teased her king.

“She means your smile, my lord. You’ve been smiling since you got here.” She pointed out, shifting her stance to rest against the wall.

It was the first time I had seen her show emotion other than annoyance, which was usually directed at me.

“Oh? Have I? Is that bad?” He asked, tapping his finger on my arm.

It caused me to tingle.

“No… I like it. But…” I mumbled, gazing to the side.

I don’t want anyone else to see it.

He hummed again, noticing my hesitance.

That doesn’t sound good. Now, will it? What the heck are you turning me into?!

“What is it, sweets?” he asked.

“Ah, no, how about you stop flirting and hurry to the generals, my lord? They’ve been waiting for hours now.” The wolf sighed, shaking her head.

She had been with us since we left the bathroom. Finn didn’t mind her, but I wasn’t comfortable around her, which probably had to do with the fact that we hardly ever interacted.

“Brie, I honestly couldn't give more of a fuck what they want. They can wait.” He huffed, leaning closer to me.

I was all that mattered to him, yet the affection he was giving me made me greedier.

Can I really ask you to be with me until death do us part? No… it’s too early for that.

The she-wolf’s eyes twitched. “My lord, they’re pestering me until you finally show yourself to them.”

“You can block them out, you know.” He pointed out.

Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms. “I dislike cutting myself off. Unlike you, someone needs to be updated with every development.”

Wait, what? You can hear others in your head like you used on me? Hm… That would explain how Nyla knows everything you want without her being nearby.

Finn shrugged, “Hm… Well, they can wait. I’m trying to woo my future wife. They’ll understand.”

“Oi! I’m being serious here! Ever since she got here, your mind has been elsewhere! Don’t you remember we’re at war! We can be invaded at any moment, or one of the generals may decide to move against us!” Brielle snapped, causing me to flinch.

It had been a while since I heard any of them scream. The shrieks from the humans Finn destroyed were silenced because of what he did to me. Noticing my reaction to her tone, he grabbed onto my hand.

“Watch your tone, Brie.” His voice went colder than ice.

It triggered me to gaze at him, only to follow his frosty gaze towards Brielle. She appeared to be frozen where she was.

“I-I’m sorry. I-I didn’t m-mean anything by it.” She stumbled over her words, wincing.

Instantly, I stood up, tugging Finn’s hand with me.

“I’m not a damsel in distress, idiot. Treat your subjects better. She’s just looking out for you.” I huffed.

He appeared surprised by my burst, though it only defined his smile.

“Hah, yes, sparky.” He breathed, gazing at me with none of the iciness from before.

Brielle, on the other hand, appeared utterly surprised. “Hah?! Did you just call our king an idiot?!” she burst, triggering me to gaze at her.

This wolf had a knightly air about her. Whenever I insulted her king, it flared her up like a cracker going off.

“Yes, she did,” Solas answered, wagging his tail.

The she-wolf appeared utterly taken aback before gazing at Finn, who was smiling at me again.

“Okay! Who are you?! What have you done with our King?!” Brielle gasped, sitting on a chair, unable to adjust to this new cousin of hers.

Her words didn’t bounce off him this time as his gaze locked on her.

“Oi, what’s that supposed to mean?!” he huffed, getting up from his chair.

Nyla opened the door at that moment, interrupting the bickering for a few seconds before running over to me.

“Good morning, my lady!” She simpered, triggering me to hug her in response.

The two other demons continued to banter with each other while I basked in her warmth. It had only been a day, and I missed her terribly.

This little goblin was the closest thing I had to a mother. Not that she minded my sudden affection. No, she let me hold her all I desired. Once filled, I separated from her only to receive a brilliant smile.

“How are you, Sylvia?” she asked, holding my hands.

“I’m finding more reasons to get up daily,” I answered blissfully.

Finn’s warmth still surrounded me.

“Yes, yes, that’s good! I hope you find many more!” she nodded, shifting her red eyes towards the door, which opened again, revealing Gael.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

When I saw him, I ran to him and hugged him tightly. Finn growled upon seeing me, but I was happy to see the incubus. We spoke little, but he was still essential to my mornings.

“I’m so glad you're back and well.” I breathed, pleased to have what I considered my family together again.

He made me some of the best things I had ever tasted whenever he was around. Just thinking about him injured made my blood boil, especially when he didn’t take his life to feed others.

Letting him go, I saw a soft smile rise on his lips before he patted my head. “Hey, little shrimp, happy to see you’re fine, too.”

“I wasn’t the one injured.” I pouted, shifting away from him.

It was gentle and different from how Finn made me feel. I guess you could say Gael was the older brother I never had. These demons all turned into a family I never had.

We’ve only been together for a little more than a month. How more important can you all become?

I couldn’t possibly think how much closer they could get.

“No, but you could’ve been. Thankfully, Finn brought you back in one piece.” He pointed out, prompting me to sigh.

So, you know all about what happened that night.

“Oi! Like I would let her get hurt on my watch.” The demon lord growled at the incubus.

“Excuse me, weren’t you the one who ripped her arm off?” Gael held no punches back.

His words caused Finn to flinch.

“Ah... I…” he trailed off, gazing to the side.

“Hm, thought so.” His friend walked past him, relishing his victory.

However, before Finn could feel worse, I tugged on his shirt. He turned to me a second later, allowing me to hug him, too.

“It’s okay. I’m fine, too.” I smiled.

“Ah, Sylvia… Are you getting brighter with every second, or is it me?” he simpered, touching my cheek.

“It’s you.” Brielle rolled her eyes, but he ignored her comment this time and focused on me.

“Now, now! Brielly, be nice to your cousin!” Nyla slapped her thigh, triggering her to sigh.

“I can’t help but worry about our kind, Nelly.” The she-wolf shrugged.

“Ah, he’s just falling in love with our princess, that’s all.” The little goblin quickly added, stopping my heart right where it was.

Finn’s falling for me?! Impossible… You said you…

Gazing up from our embrace, I saw his cheeks bright pink.

Are you falling for me too?

The demon lord winced before shifting his gaze towards the two women.

“Love’s such a strong word.” He sighed, biting his lip.

Stings rose in my chest, prompting me to bury my face once again in his chest.

Ah… right… that’s impossible for you to love me. Maybe you like me and lust for me, but will that be enough?

Feeling his hand on my head, he held me in place.

“But I don’t think I’ll mind falling for another if it’s with you,” Finn assured me.

He knew exactly how I felt about the matter, so his words didn’t have the weight they should’ve had, which hurt.

You’re only saying that because of what I said earlier. Damn it, Finn, I told you not to tell me lies!

It was hard to hold it in, but somehow, I kept my tears. However, my mood was souring.

“That’s what you thought the first time.” Gael rolled his eyes, “Look where we ended up.”

It was like a knife to my heart; even though the incubus didn’t mean it that way, I couldn’t forget I was still a wild card for them.

I hate that woman. How I wish I could erase her existence within all of you!

“Oi! Shut up!” Finn growled at him, who was unaware of my emotions.

“Shouldn’t we get going? You said you’d introduce me to the generals, right?” I announced, tugging away from him.

There isn’t any space for me in your heart. So why won’t you eat me? Why fill me with all these fake hopes?!

My words appeared to rub the she-wolf the wrong way. Before Finn could even respond to me, she squealed.

“You what?! Are you insane?!” She gasped, covering her mouth.

I didn’t even gaze at her when she said that. No, I planted my glance on the ground. It was the same when my father was screaming at me.

“Oh… is it impossible?” my voice shook.

In an instant, Finn grabbed my hand, tugging me at him.

“No, you’re coming with me.” He declared, prompting my orbs to meet with him.

I didn’t know my expression, but his eyes widened before biting his lip. Alerted by the mana flowing around the king, Solas jumped into my bag, shrinking to a teacup size. A second later, we weren’t in the diner anymore, but in a room, I hadn’t seen before.

Once there, I found myself on the wall, pinned by Finn, or at least I thought. Everything was so dark there as there weren’t candles lit up to allow me to see. Leaning into me, his lips claimed mine, triggering my heart to ache.

However, I couldn’t push him away. No, I didn’t know when the last kiss would ever be. So, I sought to enjoy every single one, and those lips were ones I would never refuse. Tugging away from me, he lapped my lips, only to be met with my tongue, which triggered him to deepen the kiss.

It wasn’t long until he drew away, licking them again as my mind became muddled.

“I was serious when I said that.” He announced, trailing his hand down my cheek.

“What?” I mumbled, feeling heated as flutters were radiating within me.

The darkness had heightened my senses. It was hard to focus on anything other than the heat coming from where he touched me.

“When I said—” he stopped.

That was when I heard footsteps headed our way.

“Oh! There you are, Finn! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?!” a girl’s voice erupted behind us.

“Fuck!” he muttered, tugging away from me.

In an instant, all the old candles in the room were lit, allowing the light to reach my eyes.

“Astred, what the fuck are you doing here?!” he snapped, standing between us.

His wings kept me out of view.

Ah… you’re the one who slept with him before I came here.

“I missed you! Why else would I risk angering you by coming here before you summon us?” she beamed, triggering me to hold onto his cloak.

“Get out. I’ll summon you when I’m fucking ready. Not before.” He growled, starting to emanate a red aura.

“But all of us have been waiting for five hours!” She complained, pouting.

“You, fucks, don’t have a measure of time. So, you can wait!” he snapped.

However, the tone of voice made me hug him from behind. I didn’t like it, not after having kissed me like that, which caused him to stiffen up.

“Oh? Are you hiding something from me?” The demon asked, noticing his response.

Her voice sent shivers down my spine.

“Did I stutter? Get the fuck out.” Finn snapped his fingers.

A second later, it was like blood-splattered where she stood. I didn’t see what happened, but everything was deathly silent after that. A soft sigh came from him, turning towards me.

“Who…” I trailed off, shivering where I stood.

“Astred, one of the generals you need to look out for. Well, she and Sebastian. The rest are harmless to a point.” Finn shook his head, pulling me into his chest.

“Oh… fuck… it felt like she wanted to suffocate me.” I trembled in his arms.

“She probably would if given the chance. Do you want to return to your room?” he worried about my well-being.

Shaking my head, I held onto him. “No! I’ll be fine.”

It was a blatant lie, yet I didn’t want to leave him alone with them anymore. The parts that had turned purple had receded to crimson again.

“Stay near me. Okay?” he sighed.

I nodded, following him to the main room. Where Astred had stood, there was a pool of blood. I could only imagine what he did to her. Sitting on a throne, he summoned a chair beside him for me. This room was worse than any other one, as blood was everywhere.

From fresh to dried ones.

“To be completely honest, Sylvia, none can be trusted. Not even Vabaru or Vorex, who helped you last time. Understand?” He sighed, focusing his blue eyes on me.

I nodded, acknowledging everything he said.

He shook his head, “I can also get very violent with them. Don’t step between me and them, okay?”

“Okay,” I mumbled, grabbing onto his hand. “I won’t do anything that you think will be dangerous.”

Another soft sigh left him, “There’s one more thing. They sometimes bring snacks with them. So, be prepared for that.”

“I understand, Finn; I won’t judge any of you.” I simpered, triggering him to lean into me and brush his lips against mine before tugging away.

“Okay, love.” He breathed, “Brielle, bring the others in.”

“Are you sure about this?” she asked, gazing at me.

“She’ll be fine. They won’t dare touch her while I’m here.” Finn assured her.

The only reason I was there was because I wanted to be. I had to prove myself if I wanted to walk in his world and if I wanted this to be my home.

I won’t back down.

A second later, five demons came in. Vorex, Sebastian, and Vabaru are with whom I was acquainted. However, the orc wasn’t on friendly terms. I couldn’t help but wince, remembering the pain he made me go through as I reached for my right arm.

The other two females were unknown to me; however, thanks to the blood on her clothes, I knew which one was Astred. Her green eyes only showed adoration toward her king, even though he had been violent towards her.

There wasn’t a single hint of anger in the beautiful white-haired woman’s expression. The other showed the same in her yellow eyes, yet her green hair was scaly. Heck, part of her body was snake-like as only her upper body was humanoid, leaving the rest to appear like a snake lady. Unfortunately, her lady bits were intact and out on display.

A lamia.

Luckily, she had her breasts covered in a green bra-like thing. The other girl wore regular, revealing clothes—nothing like the armor Brielle had.

The she-wolf is a priestess compared to these two.

It almost seemed like they were trying to seduce all the men there. The only thing Astred stood out from a regular human was her pointy ears and horns sticking out of her head. However, I quickly noticed she also had wings, more petite than Finn's, and unlike him, hers were scaly.

This wouldn’t be easy, especially since I already felt drowning, yet knowing Finn was right next to me comforted me.

An orc, vampire, lamia, succubus, chimera, wolf, and dragon are all under one roof.

Just how much I could handle was yet to be seen. Especially when that girl’s eyes landed on me, it was like I was her prey, and at any moment, she would eat me. How I would stand my ground against these five demons was unknown to me, but I wouldn’t back down.

No, the only way is forward. If I want to walk in your world. I have to be one of you!