17. Narina

17

NARINA

H is arms cradle me, strong and sure, as he carries me to the bed. My heart pounds, a thunderous rhythm against my ribs. I can't believe this is happening. A demon - loving me? It seems impossible, and yet...

I search Darizus's eyes, seeking any hint of deception. But all I see is raw, honest emotion. My breath catches. It's real. He loves me.

"I love you too," I whisper, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. And I mean it. Somehow, against all odds, I've fallen for this demon.

He lays me gently on the bed, his crimson gaze never leaving mine. I reach up, tracing the sharp line of his jaw. My fingers tremble slightly.

"I never thought..." I start, then shake my head. "I was so afraid at first. Of you, of this place. But now..."

Darizus smiles, a soft expression I never imagined I'd see on a demon's face.

"Now?" he prompts.

I swallow hard.

"Now I can't imagine being anywhere else,” I say. “With anyone else."

He leans down, his lips brushing mine.

"You're mine," he murmurs. "And I'm yours. Forever."

The word echoes in my mind. Forever. It should terrify me, but instead, it fills me with warmth. Security. Home.

I pull him closer, deepening the kiss. All my doubts, my fears, my grief - they melt away in the heat of his embrace. For the first time since I lost my sister, since Mariel died, I feel whole again.

Dazirus' lips meet mine again, and this time, it's different. No hesitation, no fear—just pure emotion flowing between us. Our bodies move together in perfect harmony, every touch electric, every caress igniting sparks beneath my skin. I lose myself in him, in us, in this moment that feels like it could stretch on forever.

Afterward, we lie entwined, my head resting on his chest. I feel complete, as if some restless part of me has finally settled into place. His fingers trace lazy patterns on my skin, and I close my eyes, savoring the peace I never thought I'd find.

But then Dazirus shifts, and I sense a change in his demeanor. I look up to see his expression has grown serious. With a flick of his wrist, he materializes a small box in his hand. My breath catches as he opens it, revealing the necklace I thought I'd lost.

"The necklace..." I gasp, sitting up abruptly. My heart races, a mix of confusion and shock coursing through me. "Why do you have it?"

Dazirus sighs softly, and I can see the discomfort etched across his face. My heart skips a beat. What could be so troubling about this necklace?

"The necklace is more than it seems," he begins, his voice low and serious. "It is a powerful demon artifact from antiquity. It can be used to mesmerize demons to the will of whomever wears it."

My eyes widen in shock. I stare at the delicate piece of jewelry, trying to reconcile its innocent appearance with the power Dazirus claims it holds. How could I have worn such a thing without knowing?

Dazirus's gaze is fixed on the jewel, his eyes glinting with an emotion I can't quite place. Is it fear? Respect? Or something else entirely?

"I think that I feel better with your having it, Narina," he continues, his voice softer now. "It might keep you safe someday."

I reach out tentatively, my fingers hovering over the necklace. The weight of its power suddenly feels immense. Could I really control demons with this? The thought is both thrilling and terrifying.

"But... why didn't you tell me before?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "And why give it back to me now?"

Dazirus's eyes meet mine, and I see a flicker of vulnerability there. It's a strange sight on a demon's face, especially one as powerful as him. I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.

Dazirus' words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stare at the necklace, my mind reeling. Control demons? Is that how I ended up here? Did I unknowingly manipulate him?

"I... I didn't know," I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. "I swear, Dazirus', I had no idea."

He pulls me closer, his touch gentle. "I know, Narina. That's why I took it. I needed to be sure."

My fingers trace the outline of the necklace in the box. It looks so innocent, so harmless. How could something so small hold such power?

"When did you take it?" I ask, pieces falling into place. "Is that why you've been acting differently?"

Dazirus nods, his crimson eyes never leaving mine. "I removed it while you slept. I wanted to see if my feelings would change without its influence."

My heart clenches. All this time, he'd been questioning everything between us. And I never even noticed.

"And did they?" I whisper, almost afraid to hear the answer. "Your feelings, I mean."

He cups my face in his hands, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

"No," he says firmly. "If anything, they've grown stronger. That's how I know this is real, Narina. It's not the artifact. It's you."

Relief washes over me, so intense it leaves me dizzy. I lean into him, burying my face in his chest. His arms wrap around me, solid and secure.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," he murmurs into my hair. "I needed to be sure. For both our sakes."

I pull back, meeting his gaze.

"I understand," I say, and I do. In his position, I might have done the same thing. "What happens now? With the necklace, I mean."

Dazirus smiles softly, handing me back the necklace. "As I said, I want you to have it," he says. "Not truly as a weapon, but as a token of my love. My life is in your hands, Narina. I trust you completely. I'll never leave you. This is my promise."

Tears well up in my eyes as I clutch the necklace. The cool metal against my palm feels impossibly heavy with the weight of his words. No one has ever given me such power, such trust. He's giving me his life... his love.

My heart pounds, a mix of exhilaration and fear. He can't ever leave me. The thought is both thrilling and terrifying. I've been so scared of loving, of opening my heart again. Everyone I've ever cared for has left me - my sister, Mariel, even the life I once knew.

But as I look into Dazirus' crimson eyes, I see something I've never seen before - unwavering devotion. He's a demon, a being I once feared above all else. Yet here he is, offering me everything.

I run my thumb over the smooth surface of the necklace, feeling its power hum beneath my skin. With this, I could control him, bend him to my will. But that's not what I want. I want his love freely given, just as I'm willing to give mine.

"Dazirus," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I don't need this to keep you. I just need... you."

I'm taking a gamble, I know. Loving him could shatter me if I'm wrong. But as I look at him, I realize I'm willing to take that risk. For him. For us.

I cradle the necklace in my palm, its weight a reminder of the power it holds. But as I look into Dazirus' eyes, I know I don't need its magic to keep him by my side.

"I promise," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I'll never use this against you, Dazirus. Never."

He pulls me closer, his forehead resting against mine. I can feel his breath, warm on my skin.

"This necklace brought us together," I murmur, tracing the delicate chain with my fingertip. "I'll keep it... as a reminder of how much we mean to each other."

Dazirus' lips curve into a smile, his crimson eyes softening. "And what do we mean to each other, Narina?"

My heart swells.

"Everything," I breathe. "You're everything to me."

He captures my lips in a kiss, deep and passionate. The necklace glows softly between us, pulsing with a gentle warmth. It's as if it's sealing our bond, our love.

When we finally part, I'm breathless. Dazirus cups my face in his hands, his gaze intense.

"I love you, Narina," he says, his voice low and fervent. "Whatever comes next, we'll face it together."

I nod, leaning into his touch.

"Together," I echo.

As I settle back into his arms, my mind wanders to the future. We've accepted our feelings, sealed our love. But what lies ahead? The demon world is vast and dangerous. And there's still so much I don't know about this realm, about Dazirus' life here.

I think of my sister, of the revenge I once sought. Those desires feel distant now, overshadowed by my love for Dazirus. But can I truly let them go?

And what of Dazirus' position? He's a noble, with responsibilities I can barely comprehend. How will I fit into that world?

Questions swirl in my mind, each one bringing new uncertainties. But as I feel Dazirus' arms tighten around me, I push those thoughts aside. Whatever challenges we face, we'll face them together.