Page 49 of Her Demon Daddy
SIARA
Time has passed quickly since being back on Galmoleth. The days are filled with joyous adventures of visiting the nearby settlements, building relationships with other demons in the court, and spending time with Asmodeus. We settle and discuss our days at night, make jokes, eat fine food, and make love.
Everything is easier now, not only because I’m in love with a King. My mind is freer than it’s ever been. Asmodeus and I have passed through the threshold of inner and outer conflict and know nothing can tear us apart. Of course, being in love with the King has its perks. I’m brought breakfast in bed when Asmodeus is busy with court matters early in the morning. I have a carriage waiting to take me wherever I please, and the gowns Asmodeus has the sewists sew for me are gorgeous.
Even if all this faded, if we were in one of the low towns of Galmoleth in a small shack, with nothing but our feet to carry us to and from the marketplace where we would have to oversee our finances, I would still be just as happy. I must admit, though, I love watching him conduct royal matters every day in court.
He presents as powerful but in a different way than before. His power now is one of respect and honor, not commands and intimidation. I often wonder if other demons regret not deciding to follow us here. I know the word has traveled back to Ikoth of the beautiful realm he’s created for us all.
I couldn’t be more proud to call myself his. After everything that’s happened, this is an ending I never expected. I arrived on Galmoleth, a terrified prisoner and a hooded demon. King told me my soul would be ripped from my body and locked in a dungeon. After weeks spent together in various castle rooms, listening to him respond to me in as few words as possible, I fell in love. Deep, true love that I almost admitted to him before I discovered everything about him was a secret.
I will never forget his face when he was in the middle of the crowd of demons, and his secrets were peeled back, as was his hood. The face of pure terror and fear will stay locked in my mind for the rest of my life because I know at that moment, he wasn’t worried about a trial or the heinous remarks shouted at him by the demons taking residence on his home planet. He was concerned about losing me.
Now, I can say that I’ve traveled to other worlds most on Protheka have never seen. I have met various species of demons and have lived to tell the tale. I rescued a King from execution with an argument made on a whim. I’ve been allowed to experience true unbounded love, and I have the blessing of looking forward to a long future with him.
The sound of a sword unsheathing breaks my sentimental thoughts. I wasn’t expecting Ya’rell in the arena this early. He’s a tall, broad-shouldered demon Asmodeus has made great friends with. He’s been like a brother figure to me, all too happy to train me when Asmodeus is busy. In case of another fallout, I want to be prepared for battle, mentally and physically.
Ya’rell runs across the arena wielding his sword over his head, and I duck under it and around him before spinning around to swipe at his back. He catches my blade with his sword over the back of his shoulder and sends me backward with a hard thrust. I shuffle backward, keeping my balance on the rolling sand as I try to strike his left side. He blocks it as he always does, and I dodge right and swing my blade to his neck, stopping just as it’s about to slice through his red skin.
He smiles and nods as he looks at me from the side. “Very good.”
“You have to stop blocking on the left,” I respond stoically. “Dodge it and go for my back.”
He chuckles and lowers the blade from his neck. “Aren’t I supposed to be the teacher here?”
“That’s what I thought,” I respond mockingly with a sly smile.
He spins and swings his blade at me again, and the sparring continues. We practice almost every day in the afternoons. He’s a fantastic teacher, and he’s taught me more than just battle tactics. He’s been accommodating in understanding more of demonic court politics and traditions carried over to Galmoleth. The only issue is sometimes he can be a bit too predictable.
I go for his left, and he doesn’t dodge right. Instead, he moves back and then forward quickly as my blade swings to the ground. Before I have a second to comprehend his new strategy, the blade of his sword is at my neck. We look at each other briefly before laughing and withdrawing our swords.
“Very nice,” I hear Asmodeus’ voice on the stairwell.
“Hi!” I exclaim as I run over to him, kissing him lightly on the lips, so I don’t get my sweat on his nice robes.
“Has Ya’rell been easy on you today?”
“Actually, she’s been easy on me,” Ya’rell answers with a grin as he wipes the droplets from his brow. “She’s a fiery one, Asmodeus.”
“Oh, I’m fully aware,” Asmodeus comments as he admires me.
“Is something wrong?” I ask Asmodeus through heavy breaths.
“No.” He smiles. “I came to inform you that we have dinner plans tonight.”
“Is it with the young couple in the Eastern woods?”
“No,” he says gently. “It’s a surprise. Also…” he pulls me close regardless of my body’s sweat. “A new gown is awaiting you in your old room for tonight.”
“Asmodeus,” I comment with a surprised and suspicious stare. “What are you up to?”
“All will be revealed soon,” he responds with a quick kiss as he lightly pats me on the ass. “Go get ready.” He looks at Ya’rell. “I’m sorry to have to interrupt your session.”
“No,” Ya’rell responds as he picks up his sword and sheaths it. “Believe me. I don’t think I will win any more rounds today. I got that last one, but she’s on her game this afternoon.”
Ya’rell walks past us before nodding to me. “Tomorrow?”
I nod and grin. “Absolutely.”