To Bewitch a Devil

Jasmine’s lips lifted in a corner. “You sound so sweet for a King. But I am not looking for your care as a King but as your wife. I have a nightmare. What will my husband do?”

Zavian was stoic, with face and poise as if carved in stone. She met his gaze with a gentle one, and when he wouldn’t say a word, she came closer, closing the distance between them.

“Don’t, Jasmine”, a warning from Zavian.

“You have never touched me,” she said, ignoring him and coming even closer. “Not even when you still slept here. Even if it isn’t out of pleasure, I hope you know I will still bear you heirs, your Majesty.”

She stood in front of him now, body almost pressed against him, an invitation to claim her. She moved her hair away from where it lay on her left shoulder and put it behind her, so she was in perfect view to him.

“Am I not beautiful enough to you?” She asked him.

“You are a very beautiful woman, Jasmine,” Zavian said. “I just don’t feel any attraction toward you. My heart longs for another.”

If someone had given her a sudden blow to the stomach, it wouldn’t hurt as much as that revelation. But Jasmine stilled herself instead of recoiling. She remained in front of him and gave him a coy smile.

.....

“Perhaps I will be able to change your mind,” she said.

She slid her hand to the back of his neck, and Zavian stiffened and shook his head.

“Don’t, Jasmine.”

“Stop fighting me”, she whispered to him, her lips reaching up to meet his.

She reached out to hold his face with her other hand, but he was fast to catch it. Jasmine gasped, and fell forward to him, closing up the space between them both. Zavian held her hand firmly in his, his eyes tight.

“I said, don’t”, his voice was stern yet careful.

“But you feel it? Don’t you?”

“Jasmine”, his voice was apologetic. He put her hands down and stepped away from her. Jasmine’s body itched with the stings of his rejection.

“I am sorry I cannot fulfill my duties as your husband, but I really cannot bring myself to,” Zavian apologized.

Jasmine patted her cheeks, a way to tell the tears to stay put. “But you fulfill it all with Neera, don’t you?”

“You know why I am with Neera, Jasmine.”

“Unfortunately, I do.” Jasmine coughed out a laugh, hoping the trick would work on her body to show it that she wasn’t bothered and send back the tears pooling behind her eyes. “I always did. I just didn’t expect it to be in all aspects.”

“I can’t just bring myself to”, Zavian said, his voice still having that soft undertone that held pity for her, something Jasmine found grating on her nerves.

Jasmine stepped back even further. “I have heard you.”

Zavian watched her, her head lowered. He took the vial and searched for the right words for her, but there were none forthcoming. Soon, he thought, he would give her the chance to experience the life of someone who could have anyone who wanted her, and who she wanted in return. It was the least he could do for her.

“Please let the guard know if you need anything,” Zavian said.

Jasmine didn’t acknowledge him till he moved out. She didn’t give the tears a chance to display themselves, and she went to bend, slipped under the covers, and closed her eyes, but sleep was far evasive.

One day, Zavian would want her in return, and she was a really patient demon to wait till then.

….

Freya strutted to the two demons mounted on their horses, hips swaying in the leathered shirt and trousers that looked more scandalous on her than warrior-like as it was supposed to. Zavian and Azriel exchanged glances, and she stopped before the King’s stallion, one hand balanced on her hip, and one foot tapping on the ground.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” The King asked.

“Well, it seems there hasn’t been much happening, has there?” Freya answered with a question.

“Not really,” Azriel answered, pulling back on the reins of his restless horse. “The last occurrence was of death, and ever since then, there has been no report anymore.”

Freya looked at Zavian. “And why did this bit of information not make its way to me when I was busy poring through every book in the library?”

“Because we still need to find the cause,” Zavian replied. “It only shows the start of something. The humans haven’t returned. There has been no report of them being found. So yes, I still need you to figure it out, and I hope you have.”

“As I said,” Freya gritted her teeth. “There is no pattern, and I haven’t figured it out yet. And I am coming with you today.”

“It is a meeting with the Knights, you don’t have to”, Zavian said.

“Oh, but I want to, dear brother,” Freya remained firm.

There was another exchange of glances between the King and his best friend, a contemplation.

“Grab a horse and try to catch up with us”, Zavian relented at last. His stallion whinnied, matching the other horse’s impatience, and Freya rolled her eyes.

“Nice try”, she said. “But I would be riding with the Commander General”, she looked up to Azriel and reached a hand out to him. “If you don’t mind.”

“Certainly not”, Azriel chuckled. He grabbed her hand and lifted her to sit in front of him, her back snug against his chest. When Azriel caught Zavian’s eyes, hard and warning. Azriel raised his palms up in surrender, a mischievous grin parting on his face.