7. Zephyr

7

ZEPHYR

T he wind howls outside, rattling the windows of my sanctuary. Inside, the fire crackles, casting a warm glow over Selena's face. The storm has been raging for a couple of days now. And in this time, I have learned a lot about this beautiful creature.

Sharing conversations, laughter, sadness, and loss has made me aware of how much I have missed the company of another.

On the eve of this night, the howling wind begins to silence itself slowly as the snowstorm begins to fade away. And here, my human guest is fast asleep across from me on the couch. I cannot help but stare at this fierce little creature. I can feel the fire burning inside her: the passion, the fierceness, the heartache, and anger.

As I study her features, something shifts. Her scent grows stronger, more alluring. It wraps around me, tugging at something primal and deep within. My demon stirs, recognizing what I've been too blind to see. And it whispers to me.

Mate.

The realization hits like a thunderbolt. This fierce, stubborn human is my fated match. The one meant to balance my darkness with her light.

I struggle with the thought. How do I tell her that fate has bound us together for eternity? In my world, I would just grab her and take her for my own without question. I am Zephyr, demon aristocrat, after all. But this beautiful creature is different. And despite our differences, are we really meant to be?

"Oh how much has changed in a single night," I say to myself.

Looking intently at her, I cover her with a blanket as I return to my chamber for slumber.

The next morning while she is still asleep, I prepare a spread for her along with a gift for my courageous human mate.

After a few minutes, she sits up, stretching her limbs as she sniffs the air.

"That smells good." She sits upright, sliding her boots back on as I lay the tray on the table in front of her.

"I have prepared fresh venison, an egg from a massive ostrichal beast, fruits, and this..."

The beast's heart pulses in my hands, still warm and slick with blood. I stare at it, wondering if this gesture will impress Selena or horrify her. Humans have such strange customs when it comes to courtship.

"What in the seven hells is that?" Selena's voice cuts through my thoughts.

I turn, holding out my prize. "For you. The heart of a great beast I slew this morning."

Her face contorts in disgust. "And what exactly am I supposed to do with that?"

"Eat it, of course. To gain its strength." Isn't that what humans do with the hearts of their conquests?

"Absolutely not." She backs away, hands raised. "Get that thing away from me."

Disappointment floods through me. I'd hoped this would please her, show her my worth as a potential mate. "I... I don't understand. Is this not how humans court? Show appreciation and affection?"

Selena's expression softens slightly. "No, Zephyr. We generally go for flowers, maybe some jewelry. Not... internal organs."

I let the heart fall to the floor with a wet thud. "I see." I turn to walk away, clenching my fists in frustration, trying to calm my demonic spirit who wants to take and claim her.

"It's... the thought that counts?" she offers weakly while getting up and reaching for my lower hands.

Her touch sends an electric jolt through my body. And I can't help myself as my demonic side takes over, whispering to me, "Mate."

Her eyes widen as my eyes turn blood red. Before she could question me, I grab her close to me. Surprisingly, she does not fight against it. I wrap my cloak around her as I direct the winds to carry us through the window and outside onto the grassy landscape that is now covered in snow.

Frustrated, I reach out with my power, summoning the winds to blow the snow away, revealing a bed of flowers. The wind whirls around us, picking up flower petals from the garden outside. I lower my hands to shape them into intricate patterns, weaving them through the air in a dazzling display.

Selena's eyes widen, following the patterns as they swirl around the air. Her face seems to light up as she smiles at me for the first time. "Now that... that's more like it."

Encouraged, I push further. The winds swirl faster, lifting us both off our feet. We float in the center of a vortex of petals and shimmering air currents.

My eyes change to a shade of lavender as I look at her.

"This is how demons court," I explain, my voice low. "We show our strength, our control. Our ability to protect and provide."

The flower petals whip around her face as she looks at me, wonder replacing her earlier disgust. "It's beautiful," she breathes.

I reach out, cupping her face with one of my hands. "As are you."

For a moment, we hover there, suspended in the eye of my windstorm. She stares into my lavender eyes and I am spellbound. The demon in me stirs. I lean in, drawn by her scent, her warmth. Our lips are mere inches apart...

But I pull back at the last moment. My demon spirit roars in protest inside me, but I cannot risk scaring her off. Not when we have made such progress.

I lower us gently to the ground, the petals settling around us like snowfall. Selena's cheeks are flushed, her eyes bright with excitement.

"That was... intense," she says, catching her breath.

"Demon courtship often is." I run a hand through my hair, trying to calm my racing pulse. "We're passionate creatures by nature."

"So…is this you courting me?" She looks at me with conflict in her eyes. I can see the struggle. "I'm a human. You're a demon. I hunt your kind."

"You hunt the monsters that prey on the innocent—beasts who only know primal instincts. There is a difference," I explain to her.

She nods as she cannot deny the truth in my words.

"I know it is hard to believe." I lift her chin to meet my gaze. "But here you are. Strong, fierce, stubborn, and relentless. Beautiful in every way. Think of it more as showing my appreciation. For now," I smirk. I desperately want to tell her she's my mate but hold back. Not yet.

She blushes and lowers her head.

Selena looks at me curiously. "Tell me more about demon customs. How does the whole courting or as you say, mating thing work?"

I clear my throat, suddenly feeling like an awkward adolescent. "Well, when a demon finds a potential mate, we begin by demonstrating our strength and abilities. Like the display you just saw."

"And the heart?" she asks.

"A more... traditional approach. Meant to show one's prowess as a hunter and provider."

Selena nods, processing this information. "Like human mating. The men show their strength and skills as hunters to their potential mates. In my village, the man who brings the biggest venison is a hero and favored in the eyes of the women as the strongest warrior and provider."

A rumble rises in my chest. "Similar methods, ours may be considered more extreme."

She chuckles loudly. "Extreme, you can say that. So, what comes next?"

"If the displays are well-received, we move on to scent-marking." I step closer, inhaling deeply. "We have keen senses. A mate's scent becomes... intoxicating."

Her pulse quickens. I can hear it as I smell the rush of blood beneath her skin. "And then?"

"Then comes the claiming." My voice drops lower, rougher. "It's... primal. Intense. A joining of bodies and spirits."

Selena swallows hard. "That sounds... different from human customs."

I chuckle, breaking some of the tension. "I imagine so. We don't have the same social constraints you do. When demons want something, we take it."

"That's a bit barbaric, don't you think?"

I shrug. "It's our nature. But don't worry, we don't claim anyone against their will. That's not how true mating works."

Selena raises an eyebrow. "True mating?"

"Some demons believe in fated mates. Two souls destined to be joined." I hesitate, unsure how much to reveal. "It's rare, but when it happens, it's... transformative."

The air between us crackles with tension. Selena's eyes dart to my lips, and I lean in, drawn by an irresistible pull. But at the last second, I jerk back. Fuck. What am I doing? She's not ready. I'm not prepared.

"I... apologize," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. "That was inappropriate."

Selena blinks, looking dazed. "No, it's... I mean..."

A gust of wind interrupts her, carrying a scent that makes my hackles rise. Humans. Many of them. And they're close.

"Shit," I growl, my senses on high alert. "We've got company."

"What? Who?" She looks around.

I turn to Selena, my eyes narrowing. "Your tribe. They're coming for you."

Her eyes widen in surprise, then narrow with suspicion. "How do you know that?"

"I can smell them. Hear them." I cock my head, listening. "About a dozen, I'd say. Armed."

Selena's face is a storm of emotions - relief, confusion, fear. "They're probably worried sick. I've been gone for days."

"They're not just worried," I snarl, pacing. "They're out for blood. My blood."

"No, they wouldn't-" She tries to explain. For the first time, I see fear in her eyes.

"Wouldn't they?" I whirl on her. "What do you think they'll do when they find you here with a demon?"

Selena's face pales as realization dawns. "We have to stop them. Explain-"

"Explain what?" My laugh is bitter. "That I kidnapped you for your own good? That we've been playing house while they've been searching?"

"That's not fair," she snaps. "You know it's more complicated than that."

I do know. But it doesn't matter. Not to them. Not when all they'll see is a monster holding one of their own captive.

The wind shifts again, and I tense. They're closer now. Minutes away at most.

"We need to move," I growl, grabbing Selena's arm. "Now."