11. Meera

The ordeal of everything is beginning to catch up on me. I can feel my body's energy waning as the boat docks at Ikoth's port. All of this traveling has made me wary, and the heat only makes my exhaustion more pronounced.

I look up at the darkened red sky, shielding my eyes from the sun's rays. The burning orb is right at home in its crimson surroundings.

"Is something the matter?" Kavian asks.

"I'm worn out."

He nods and gestures to a waiting carriage nearby.

"It is a short ride to my home. You can rest there."

I follow him as we walk to the carriage, led by a reined zarryns whining and pawing at the concrete. Kavian opens the door and tells me to get in.

I settle down in the seats, my body melting into their softness. The entire carriage rocks side to side as Kavian enters, taking his seat across from me.

I hear the snap of the driver's reins, spurring the zarryns into action. Sighing, I lean my head against the window, watching mindlessly as the streets pass by.

The scenery of the streets catches my attention, and I mumble a little too loud for Kavian's liking.

"What is it?" he asks, brows crossed in either wonder or frustration.

"Ehm… sorry, it's just…" I throw a hand to the back of my neck. "Xaphans practically shove propaganda down our throats in New Solas, usually preaching about the brutalism in Ikoth's streets and how there's violence and bloodshed everywhere."

"I can't say I'm surprised," Kavian remarks, his brooding gaze now directed outside the window.

"Yet, this looks pretty normal to me," I continue, watching as demon children play on the sidewalk.

"We're not blood-hungry monsters… Well, at least not all of us."

Laughing, I return my focus to the goings-on of Ikoth. The continent certainly looks different from New Solas in its choices of architecture, with most buildings constructed from black stone. Most of their peaks are sharp like the tip of a sword. It's a far cry from the more modern design of New Solas.

Though Kavian says the journey is short, I find my eyelids heavier than ever, and I fight to stay conscious. Clearing my throat, I forcibly straighten myself up, struggling with the urge to close my eyes.

"Almost there," the demon says. "I'm more than certain you'll find my mansion quite comfortable."

Maybe I'm too tired, but did I hear him mention a mansion? I would ask him to repeat his words, but right now he seems caught in a moment of deep thought. I brush it off and rub my eyes, fighting off the tiredness for another while.

The carriage takes us into a less populated area, where there are fewer shops and more taller buildings, which I presume to be living spaces. However, it doesn't stop outside any of these buildings, instead continuing out towards another part of town with larger houses.

He must live outside the main hub of the city.

I watch the housing grow smaller behind us as the carriage takes a turn down a cobbled path.

In the distance, a glorious mansion comes into view. From here, it looks at least two floors tall. I think I see a garden in front of it, judging from the tips of shrubbery protruding, but it's hard to tell from this distance, and it doesn't help that a tall wall encloses the mansion.

The carriage rides too close to the wall for me to be able to see any more of the magnificent building.

But then it turns into the gate, and I realize then that I didn't mishear Kavian. The mansion that now looms closer must be his!

"This is your home?" I exclaim in disbelief.

Kavian nods as I look everywhere outside the window. Indeed there is a garden surrounding the mansion, set on either side of the driveway the carriage rides on.

Demon servants tend to the plant life, trimming leaves off the blackened hedges and fixing the horn-shaped flowers lining each path. Several fountains in the shapes of Aerasak wildlife spout water from their mouths.

Despite the dark colors of it all, there is a lush quality to the gardens and an air of serenity. It's the last thing I expected a demon to have in front of their home, again thinking of the xaphan propaganda. It seems alive.

I settle back into my seat, still in awe of the garden as the carriage pulls up in front of the mansion itself.

"We're here," Kavian says.

He dismounts first, again shaking the carriage as he jumps out of the vehicle. Extending a hand, he helps me exit the carriage, my feet landing on the smoothest stone pathway, kissed by the gentle heat.

Before me looms the mansion in all of its glory. I step forward, losing myself in its beauty as I take in every detail.

It stands three stories high, with four windows lining each row of floors on the mansion's front side, and balconies in between. Black in color, the mansion boasts spires on the edges of its rooftop.

Each curve in its material has been so excellently carved and cared for that it shows no signs of age. Statues of blackbirds sit perched on various peaks, their watchful eyes so realistic that I anticipate them swooping down on me at any moment.

"This way," Kavian says as he walks past me.

He leads us to a grand set of double doors, twice his height. With a wave of his hand, a shadow passes over the handles, and the doors slowly open.

Just when I think I couldn't be any more shocked, I'm proven wrong by his grand foyer.

I turn around as I slowly walk inside, marveling at everything I see. Paintings of the property and the city hang on the walls, and in between them are vases and pottery of differing sizes standing tall on their podiums.

Magnificent furnishings line the room, each leather couch calling for me to take a rest on them.

Straight ahead of me is a wide staircase, with a maroon rug running down its steps. Judging from the glimmer of the golden banisters, it's tended to very well.

A faint jingling comes from above me. I look up and see a chandelier gently swaying. Lit flames dance wildly, and I wonder how they got up there.

"This can't be real," I say aloud.

"Oh, it is," Kavian assures. "I realize that this kind of living space is not one you're used to, but again, I'm sure it will meet your needs."

Oh, it does. It meets my wants.

I turn at the sound of footsteps approaching from one of the many hallways breaking away from the foyer. A servant appears, his gait slowing as he spots me. He crosses his brows in confusion, tilting his head as his pupils run me up and down.

He must be wondering what a human is doing here. Gods I hope he's not an asshole.

"Ah, Korval, there you are," Kavian greets, slapping his hand hard on the servant's shoulder. "Come here, there is someone I want you to meet. This is Meera, an ally in my fight against Gorran's slave trade."

I extend a hand to the servant, pleasantly surprised when he takes it. He even bows his head as we shake.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Meera. Will you be staying with us for long?"

Unsure of how to answer, I look for Kavian.

"For the time being, at least," he says. "Is the premium guest room ready?"

"Yes sir."

"Very well, I'll show her to the room then. In the meantime, send word to the other servants that Meera is to be treated as an esteemed guest of the highest order."

"Of course, sir. Will there be anything else?"

"See to it that a meal is brought to Meera's quarters in about an hour's time."

Korval bows at us and then makes a swift exit, his walk full of vigor and passion. It seems he enjoys his job.

"Follow me," Kavian says, leading the way down an extravagant hallway filled with more luxuries.

We pass by a bathroom, a lounge area, and an armory. Although I only catch a glimpse of each area, it takes only a second to see how grandiose they all are.

I pinch myself just to check I'm not dreaming, but this is all real. Every inch of this home is the epitome of elite, further evident by the guestroom he leads me into.

The space inside is larger than any quarters I've ever resided in. The canopy bed dons silk sheets and curtains, with an eye mask laying across the plump pillows. Plush chairs sit beside the cabinet, which itself stands across from an en-suite bathroom.

I struggle to find a way to express my gratitude, stuttering over each word. Kavian simply smiles, standing in the doorway and ready to leave me be.

"I shall let you rest and recuperate then. As I asked Korval, some dinner will be delivered within the hour. That should be plenty of time for you to get washed up."

"Thank you, Kavian. Really, this is far better than anything I imagined."

"I have only one request to ask of you, to join me tomorrow morning for breakfast. We have some urgent things to discuss about our plans."

"Yes, of course," I say without thinking about it.

A small smile of his grows, and so he leaves after wishing me a good evening. I find myself oddly looking forward to breakfast.

I settle into the silk sheets of the canopy bed almost immediately after my meal, my body grateful for its warmth and comfort.

But as I pull the blankets over me, the voice in my head grows louder.

Don't you think you've gotten in way over your head?

Sighing, I can't help thinking that perhaps I have. But at the same time, my family was taken from me, my village was destroyed, and my whole life was upturned. What was that all for if I don't take this one-in-a-million chance I've been bestowed?

I must do this. For my family.

I can never take anything for granted ever again, not even the comfort of this bed or the food in my belly.

Closing my eyes, I turn onto my side and snuggle into the pillows, thinking of Kavian. The thought of him is strangely relaxing, and one I find myself welcoming.

I hope this demon keeps his word. This sinfully handsome man seems too good to be true.