6. Enoch

6

ENOCH

B ethana’s study reeks of incense and power. Her golden eyes, piercing and unyielding, fix on me as I enter.

"Enoch," she begins, not looking up from her ancient book. "I’ve found a suitable match for you."

"Mother, I don’t need?—"

"Nonsense," she cuts me off, snapping the book shut, dust erupting from its pages. "An opportunity has presented itself that we can’t miss. You’ll meet her at the ball we are throwing."

I grind my teeth, trying to keep my voice steady. "Who?"

"Vespera," she says with a smile that could slice through steel. "Daughter of Lord Draven."

"Vespera?" My stomach churns. Vespera is known for her cruelty, her manipulative nature. She’s a perfect puppet for my mother.

Bethana’s gaze sharpens. "This union will benefit both of our families. Your offspring will be powerful."

I nod.

She stands, moving towards me with the grace of a predator. Her fingers brush against my arm, and she freezes, her eyes narrowing. "What is this?" she demands, pointing to a lighter patch on my skin, shimmering faintly.

I glance down, my heart skipping a beat. It’s where Lily touched me, her warmth lingering like a brand.

"It’s nothing," I lie, forcing a smirk. "Just a minor burn from practicing fire magic."

Bethana’s eyes bore into mine, searching for deceit. "You should take better care of yourself, Enoch."

"Won’t that be what my future wife’s duties will entail?"

Her hand lingers on my arm for a moment longer, then she steps back, her eyes calculating. "Good. You’re accepting of the match."

I turn to leave, my mind racing. Vespera. Of all demons, she’s the one my mother chooses. She’ll bend to Bethana’s will without question, a perfect pawn. But Lily’s touch still tingles on my skin.

As I walk through the castle corridors, I catch snippets of conversation. Servants whispering about a grand ball being prepared. The air buzzes with anticipation, but all I feel is dread.

I find a secluded alcove and lean against the cold, black stone, closing my eyes. Lily’s face swims into view, her bright eyes full of determination.

The thought of her, of her touch, gives me strength.I push off the wall, determination flooding my veins. I need to see Lily.

I find her in the rose garden, her auburn hair catching the afternoon light as she prunes a bush with meticulous care, sharpening the thorns as directed by the demon gardener.

The sight of her, so serene amid the chaos of my life, brings a strange calm to my turbulent thoughts. I step closer, my boots crunching on the gravel path.

She looks up, eyes widening slightly before she schools her expression. "Enoch," she says, her voice a soft murmur. "What are you doing here?"

"Needed some air," I lie, but she sees through it.

"Air, huh?" She arches an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Or maybe you’re hiding from your mother’s matchmaking schemes? I overheard some demons talking about it."

I chuckle, though the sound is bitter. "Vespera is not my type."

Lily sets down her shears and file and puts a bleeding finger into her mouth. I watch her finger disappear between her lips. Desire suddenly sweeps through me.

"So, what is your type then?" she asks, oblivious to the need that is filling me like fire.

"Does it matter?"

Her gaze sharpens and she reaches out, her fingers brushing mine. The touch sends a jolt through me, grounding me.

I grip her hand, drawing her closer. "I’ve figured out how to keep you here for a few days at least, in the garden. Away from Griselda and my mother’s eyes."

She blinks, surprise and gratitude flickering in her eyes. "Why would you do that for me?"

"Because," I say, my voice low, "you’re the only thing that makes sense."

Her eyes search mine, and she nods, a silent agreement passing between us.

The sound of another slave moving through the garden makes us step away, Lily bending to examine another plant.

I sit on a rock bench and watch Lily as she tends to the roses, her touch gentle yet purposeful. The sight of her soothes something raw inside me. But there’s an unsettling undercurrent.

"Enoch, are you alright?" Lily asks.

I force a smile. "Just tired."

"That's not very demon-like."

"No," I reply, shaking my head. "It’s rather new."

I hesitate, unsure how to explain this strange new weakness. "Lily, do you ever feel like you’re losing a part of yourself?"

She tilts her head, considering. "I’ve felt that way since I was taken from my village. But you, you’re losing your powers, aren’t you?"

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah. It’s like the more I care, the weaker I get."

Her hand reaches for mine, brushing the top of my knuckles gently before pulling her hand away and making sure we weren't seen. "Maybe it’s not a weakness. Maybe it’s something else."

"Like what?" I scoff, but her touch grounds me, makes me want to believe.

"Empathy," she says softly. "You’re changing, Enoch. You’re seeing the world differently."

"Empathy," I repeat, the word foreign on my tongue. "Demons aren’t supposed to have empathy."

"Then maybe that's the problem," she counters. "Your demon body is adjusting to human emotions and finding it exhausting, which I'm sorry to say is normal. Our empathy is both our power and our strength."

I look at her, truly look at her, and I see a type of existence that's utterly new, terrifying, but feels somehow right.

"I can’t summon fire as easily, my strength is waning.”

She reaches out, her fingers brushing mine. “Enoch, that’s...”

“I know,” I interrupt, a bitter laugh escaping. “A demon without power is as good as dead.”

“But you’re not dead,” she counters, her touch sending a shiver through me. “You’re changing. Maybe it’s not a loss, but a transformation.”

“A transformation?” I scoff, though her words ignite a spark of hope. “Into what?”

She smiles. “Into something better.”

I shake my head, disbelief warring with a flicker of belief. “It’s not just that. When you touch me, it’s like...”

“Like what?” she prompts, her hand absently caressing a nearby rose.

“Like a new kind of magic,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “Something I’ve never felt before.”

Her eyes widen. “Magic?”

I nod, feeling a strange surge of energy when our eyes connect. “Yes. It’s... it’s different. Not demonic, but powerful.”

She looks away. “Maybe it’s love.”

“Love?” The word feels both foreign and right. “Love is weakness."

"No," Lily objects, her finger finding a thorn. She doesn't wince as it draws blood. She raises her hand and looks at it, then smiles at me. "It's the most powerful force in the human arsenal."

The scent of roses and earth mingles with the tension between us.

“I mean,” she says, her eyes meeting mine, “look at what it’s doing to us.”

The sound of footsteps approaching makes us both tense. But we aren't doing anything against the rules.

I put on my best scornful face and look at Griselda who is approaching.

"Enoch." Griselda’s voice grates on my nerves. "Your mother is looking for you."

"I swear I just left her."

"Something about table decorations."

I groan as I know I'm expected to go. "Like I care."

She narrows her eyes, suspicion gleaming. "You’d better hurry. She’s not in a forgiving mood."

"Is she ever in a forgiving mood?" I retort, a smirk playing on my lips.

Griselda huffs and stalks away, her presence like a dark cloud dissipating.

“I can’t relate to them anymore,” I confess, the weight of the realization hitting me as I watch Griselda stalk away. “The other demons. It’s like I’m a stranger in my own home.”

“Then make a new home,” Lily says softly. “With me.”

I look at her, truly look at her, and see the possibility of a future I never dared to dream. “How?”

Lily's smile returns as she goes back to gardening."No idea. But it's another thing we humans are good at. We find solutions to impossible problems."

I stand abruptly. Our eyes meet again before I turn and stride away, her words ringing in my ears.