Ma’oz headed towards the garden only to overhear the matriarch speaking to someone. “Yes Mr. Naya. I will place the salt around every room. Are you sure the evil entity will leave?” “Oh. It’s just to contain. How long till you get here? Could you not clear your schedule for tomorrow? We’ll pay you double.” The matriarch sighed and picked at the branch of the plum tree. “I see. If it’s a powerful entity, it can be captured to further our finances. Moe will be happy to hear that.” “FOOLS! They don’t know who they are messing with.” The Demon King gnashed his teeth together. They intend to enslave me for their profit, huh? I should kill them all! He mind-linked my minister, “Damon! Get here now!” and marched back to Journee’s room before he moved in to kill off all these presumptuous fools. How dare they try to capture free beings? What right do the humans have? A true king always holds the laws of his realm closely to his heart. To break them is to rip his heart from his body. Pro
Journee’s thoughts raced as fast as her heart. She breathed in his musky scent. This is a real man. Demon or not… When Journee wrapped her arms around Ma’oz, once again he was reminded of how beautiful she was. Her soul, like a fragrant flower that is eternal, providing unconditional love through the centuries. He dared to breath in the peace he had sought for all his life. No. I mustn’t fall for her. No good can come from the union of a human and a demon. My subjects will maul her to death. But when she intertwined her fingers in his hair, Ma’oz was transported to his version of heaven. I doubt she realises that her tenderness took away all the pain I have suffered and gave me respite from the responsibilities I have been shouldering for centuries. If only she knows what she does to me. The walls I built around my heart to protect myself, my family and my realm are crumbling piece by piece. Being in her arms forever would be the reward I want in return for my sacrifice all these y
Ma’oz’s POVFrom my experience, when a demoness marches out with that sort of dark and tempestuous aura, all hell breaks loose. Homes will be wrecked, forests ripped bare, and the very course of the river will change. It would take days, if not weeks before the demoness can be placated. Usually, it involves the taking the spleen of whoever angers her.My mother was unusual. She never had such fits of anger or outbursts that damaged the realm. Many claimed she was too calm, too demure to be one of us.They were right. She was actually half-god, half-demon. No one else but my father and I knew. It would have been too dangerous. Even for a powerful being like her.Journee is human. Do human women behave like a demoness? Even if she does, how much damage can she do? She doesn’t have any powers. She can’t control anything, not even her own life. But this is precisely
Chapter 17: Taking the Blame “I miss you.” The Demon King heard a whisper caress him in the wind. “I miss you…” He felt the red strings pull at his soul, drawing him close. “I miss you.” This time, his entire being stirred with new hope, the renewed energy burning within the very depths of his being. “Come. I bid you to my side.” The command came. Gentle and coursing through his veins like a gentle stream, yet powerful and verging on rage, the call came. Resting his head back on the rock he had carved out, Ma’oz let out a sigh. His half dragon-self heating the air around. The smell of flying insects fried to ashes lingered for a fifth of a mile. Calling me whenever she pleases, forcing me to stay rooted to the ground whenever it suits her. Ma’oz closed his eyes and breathed. Simply breathed deeply, feeling Mother Earth’s soothing movements all around. Letting its natural vibrations resonate within him. This should have been how I felt. The total peace and clarity of mind. Inst
He is infuriating! Does he think I am some damsel in distress waiting to be saved? “Let’s get two things straight right now, Ma’oz.” Journee snapped. “I am still furious with you for not telling me about the repercussions while trying to manipulate me into making my 3rd wish.” Journee was suddenly out of breath as she finished her words. At a time when I truly need to state my point, I find myself having difficulty getting the words out. So annoying! “And the second?” Ma’oz raised his eyebrow at her, his lips stretched into a lazy smile. I mustn’t come across as weak. Clearing her throat, Journee widened her stance and placed her hands on her hips. “I…” her voice came out funny. It is way too high pitched. “I will NOT be making anymore wishes.” She firmly stated her resolve. I will not be sucked down this path again. To her dismay, Ma’oz’s only response was a smile. “I propose we hunt down every bookstore and find every reference we can. Someone must have written it somewhere.”
Chapter 19: Questions “I am still here. Am I dead? Did Ma’oz kill me?!” Journee paced the large room, slapping her face repeatedly, hoping she was just in very deep sleep. “Shit! Shit! SHIT! SHITTT!” Abruptly she turned and sat on the cold, hard floor. Massaging her temples, Journee breathed in and out through her mouth. “Calm down. I’m sure there is a logical explanation. Ma’oz can’t kill the human he is bounded to, I’m sure. Good kings don’t take risks. He wouldn’t do anything without confirmation.” A weird thought then crept into her mind. What if Ma’oz isn’t a good king? Or worse, what if he has found out he doesn’t need me alive! Her head reeled. She tried to regulate her breathing. “No. Definitely not. If he was sure, Damon wouldn’t be here searching. It is only logical.” Like usual, the little voice on her shoulder just had to be the devil’s advocate. “Perhaps it doesn’t matter if my physical body is alive or not? Maybe that is why I am here. Stuck here in his realm!” Sh
It was a bright morning. Journee awoke to the smell of brewed black coffee and freshly toasted garlic bread. Climbing out of bed, she was led purely by her stomach’s instinct as she walked out the door and headed towards the delicious scent of baked beans, roasted tomatoes, grilled sausages on a bed of button mushrooms and she sincerely hoped there were sunny side ups too! “Good morning! Isn’t it a lovely day for a tour?” the host beamed at Journee as she set a large plate of breakfast down. “Good morning. These smell absolutely delicious.” Journee dug in and little moans escaped her lips as she relished each and every bite. After some moments, she realised that in her hunger daze, she failed to check her outfit. Embarrassed, Journee hesitantly looked down. This kind lady hasn’t said anything or looked at me weirdly yet. Maybe I got dressed without realising it? Did I lose parts of my memory? She remembered her conversation with Ma’oz on how demons had been wiping out memories to
Journee woke with a gasp. Cold sweat ran down her back and the sides of her body. Where am I? The last thing she remembered was watching the past unfold with Ma’oz. “Hello?” She called out but the echo seemed to only return in her direction. It is as if I’m calling out to myself from the other end of this emptiness. “Is anyone there?” She tried again. This time, there were multiple versions of herself staring back at Journee. Nearest to her, was a mid-teens self. “Greetings, Journee. Isn’t this wonderful? You have pulled yourself out of depression. Good for you!” She smiled and faded away. On the right was 10-year-old Journee. “Did you ever meet our Dark Prince? Who is he?” Cheerful and filled with hope, her eyes shimmered with love. “Are you married to him yet?” In front, far-off in the distance, Journee could hardly make out who it was. She was dressed in white and gold. Hair teased into a low bun. She knew the situation might be dangerous. Keeping my distance would be the