A little old lady with snowy white hair stood, gaping at the man before her. There were lines of worry on her weathered face, her aura was dim and frazzled. “How can this be? Monty, my dear dear boy.” She said as her shaky hand reached out to touch the face of the one she loved, and pulled him into a hug. “Moe! Murphy!” The two men were running down the steps of the mansion into the garden, stunned by the sight before them. Humphrey had a hand on his waist, and another over his mouth. Montgomery Sr brisk walked towards his son and looked at him from head to toe. “Did they have the wrong person?” Granny asked Montgomery Sr. Instead of answering the old lady, he asked, “Monty, what are you doing back here? What happened in Paris?” The man stared from one person to another, seemingly confused himself. Huh? They can all see me? What is happening? He glanced at himself in the glass reflection of the greenhouse. “What the fuck?!” I am the splitting image of the human’s husband. Not

“Haha…hahahaha” Ma’oz’s voice rumbled through the plane. Journee looked up to see him sipping his Whiskey. The ice has melted, making his Whiskey on the Rocks just Whiskey and water now. “You seem to have forgotten who I am.” “Oh!” Realisation dawned upon her. Ma’oz can stabilise this plane should he wish to. But I am unwilling to make another wish. “So…what will you do?” “What would you like me to do?” He raised an eyebrow at her and winked. Journee felt the plane plunge again and the little hairs on her body started standing on ends again for the umpteenth time this week. “Decisions, decisions…I can survive this crash. But you, Journee and the other 3 humans will surely perish.” His eyes glowed red again. “Okay, okay!” Placing her hand together in prayer, she looked Ma’oz in the eye. My fear of death is far greater than my worry of how I will repay him right now. “Please…I wish for you to please let this plane land safely.” “Your wish is my command.” Ma’oz gave her a nod and th

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

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

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