11. Narina

11

NARINA

T he aroma of roasted meat and spices wafts up from the plate before me, stirring memories I'd rather forget. My stomach growls, betraying my hunger, but I can't bring myself to pick up the fork.

"You didn't have to do this," I mutter, unable to meet Dazirus's gaze.

He leans back in his chair, his crimson eyes never leaving my face.

"Consider it part of our arrangement,” Dazirus says. “I need you at full strength."

I clench my fists under the table. His kindness feels like a trap, each gesture of goodwill another link in the chain binding me to him. I'd rather he treat me like the prisoner I am.

"I'm not hungry," I lie, pushing the plate away.

Dazirus sighs, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

"Starving yourself won't help you find your sister any faster,” he says.

The mention of Claudia sends a jolt through me. I look up, meeting his eyes for the first time since sitting down.

"When are we going to start looking for her?" I demand.

He takes a sip from his goblet, the dark liquid inside swirling ominously.

"Soon” Dazirus replies calmly. “But first, you need to learn to control your new abilities."

"I don't need-"

"You do," he cuts me off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "What happened with those dark elves earlier? That was just a taste of what you're capable of now. Imagine what you could do with proper training."

I bite my lip, remembering the rush of power, the satisfaction of hearing their screams. It scares me how much I enjoyed it.

"Fine," I concede, picking up my fork. "But don't think this changes anything between us. I'm here for one reason only - to find my sister and get my revenge."

Dazirus smirks, raising his glass in a mock toast.

"Of course."

I push the food around on my plate, the weight of Mariel's memory crushing my appetite. Every second I spend here, safe and comfortable, feels like a betrayal. My chest tightens, guilt and anger warring inside me.

I can't take it anymore. The fork clatters against the plate as I set it down.

"I need to find my sister," I blurt out, my voice sharp enough to cut. "I can't wait any longer."

Dazirus doesn't even flinch at my outburst. He leans back, those unnerving crimson eyes studying me like I'm some fascinating specimen.

"It's not that simple," he says, infuriatingly calm. "Saturus lives in a remote part of Glacies. You can't just walk there."

"I don't care how far it is," I snap, my hands clenching into fists. "I need to go now. I can't stay here while Mariel's killers are still out there."

The words tumble out, raw and desperate.

"After I finish my business with my sister, you have to help me exact my revenge. My sister can help, too."

I expect him to argue, to remind me of our contract or my weakness. Instead, his expression softens, just a fraction.

"We'll go tomorrow," he says, his voice steady and sure. "I promise."

His words should comfort me, but they only fuel my impatience. Tomorrow feels like an eternity away. How many more innocent people will suffer while I sit here, feasting in a demon's lair?

Dazirus's words wash over me, soothing yet frustrating. I nod, biting my lip. The desire for revenge still burns deep inside, an unquenchable fire.

After dinner, he leads me to a secluded part of the mansion grounds.

The scent of exotic plants assaults my senses as we step into a secluded part of the mansion grounds. My breath catches in my throat as we come across a field bathed in silver moonlight. Red fireflies dance through the air, their gentle glow casting an otherworldly ambiance over the scene.

I can't help but stare, mesmerized by the beauty before me. It's unlike anything I've ever seen in Protheka. The fireflies pulse with an ethereal rhythm, their light reflecting off dew-covered leaves and creating a shimmering tapestry of crimson and silver.

One of the little nimbuses of light drifts closer, hovering just inches from my face. Without thinking, I hold out my hand. The firefly lands gently on my palm, its delicate wings stirring ever so slightly. Its glow pulses in a soothing pattern, warming my skin with each gentle flare.

For a fleeting moment, all my fears and worries melt away. The weight of my past, the urgency of my quest, the uncertainty of my future – it all fades into the background. There's only this moment, this tiny creature, and the awe-inspiring beauty surrounding us.

I forget about Dazirus standing beside me, about the contract binding us together. I forget about the dark elves, about my lost sister, even about Mariel. In this instant, I'm not a prisoner or a weapon or a victim. I'm just... me. A girl standing in a field of wonder, marveling at the simple magic of nature. Their soft light flickers around us, painting the night in surreal hues.

For a moment, I forget my anger, my grief. The beauty of the scene leaves me breathless.

"Why are you showing me this?" I whisper, unable to tear my eyes away from the dancing lights.

Dazirus's arms snake around me, pulling me against his chest. My breath catches, his warmth seeping through my clothes. The fireflies dance around us, their crimson glow painting shadows across his face.

"Do you like it?" His breath tickles my ear. “I had a feeling you might fancy it.”

I swallow hard, trying to steady my racing heart.

"It's beautiful," I whisper. “Thank you, Dazirus.”

“You are most welcome,” he whispers, breath soft as velvet against my skin.

His body presses against mine, solid and unyielding. The contrast between his strength and the delicate beauty surrounding us makes my head spin. I feel drunk on sensation - the cool night air, the pulsing light of the fireflies, the heat radiating from Dazirus.

"Why are you showing me this?" I ask again, my voice barely audible.

His arms tighten slightly, and I feel the rumble of his voice in his chest.

"Maybe I wanted to show you that beauty still exists, even in the darkest places."

I close my eyes, overwhelmed. Part of me wants to melt into his embrace, to forget everything but this moment. But I can't. I won't.

"I can't afford to think about beauty," I say, my voice stronger now. "Not when there's so much ugliness I need to face."

Dazirus doesn't let go. His thumb traces small circles on my arm, sending shivers down my spine.

"The two aren't mutually exclusive, Narina,” Dazirus says. “Sometimes, acknowledging the beauty makes facing the darkness easier."

I turn in his arms, looking up at him. His crimson eyes reflect the dancing lights around us, making them seem alive with fire.

"How can you say that?” I demand. “You're a demon. Aren't you supposed to revel in darkness and pain?"

A small smile plays at the corners of his mouth.

"We're more complex than your stories make us out to be.” He says with a shrug. “Just as humans are capable of great evil, demons can appreciate beauty and kindness."

Dazirus takes my chin gently in his clawed hand, lifting my gaze to meet his own.

"You're a novel experience for me, Narina. Something that brings color to my world." His crimson eyes search mine, intense and questioning. "What are you, Narina?"

Before I can form a response, he steps closer. His hand slides around my waist, warm and sure. My heart races as his gaze locks onto mine, unyielding and filled with an emotion I can't quite name.

Then, without a word, he kisses me. It's slow, deliberate - a mix of passion and restraint that sends shivers down my spine. His lips are soft yet demanding, coaxing a response I'm not sure I'm ready to give.

My mind spins as Dazirus's lips move against mine. The warmth of his body, the intensity of the kiss - it's overwhelming. I don't know what to do, how to react. My hands hover uncertainly, caught between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

As the kiss deepens, a whirlwind of emotions sweeps through me. Fear tightens my chest - he's a demon, dangerous and unpredictable. Confusion clouds my thoughts - why is he doing this? What does it mean?

But there's something else, something I'm afraid to name. A spark of heat low in my belly, a fluttering in my chest that has nothing to do with fear. My body betrays me, leaning into his touch even as my mind screams to pull away.

Is this because of the contract? Has our bond twisted my emotions, making me feel things I shouldn't? Or is this something else entirely?

I break the kiss, gasping for air. My lips tingle, and I can still taste him - spice and something darker, intoxicating. I search his face, looking for answers, but find only more questions in the depths of his crimson eyes.

"What are you doing?" I whisper, my voice trembling. "Why are you acting this way?"

Dazirus's hand cups my cheek, his thumb tracing my lower lip. The gentleness of the gesture contrasts sharply with everything I thought I knew about demons.

"I told you, Narina. You're something new, something I've never experienced before."

His words should frighten me, but instead, they send a shiver down my spine. I'm torn between desire and duty, between the warmth of his touch and the cold reality of why I'm here.

"This isn't why I came here," I say, trying to inject steel into my voice. "I need to find my sister, to get my revenge. I can't afford distractions."

But even as I speak, I'm not sure who I'm trying to convince - Dazirus or myself.