To Bewitch a Devil

282 Something others shouldn’t know

But Anna must have seen something she didn’t want the others to know, and Neera would make sure she came along for the next coven visit to ask her to elaborate.

The carriage lurched, and instinctively, Neera’s hands reached out to Freya seated opposite her. But Zavian’s arms were already around his sister, whose head cozied against his chest. She hadn’t woken yet.

Next to Neera, Azriel flicked back his hair as he watched himself in the large mirror.

“How would someone see me and think Eunuch?” Azriel asked.

“Let it go,” Zavian said.

“Your sister is as blind as a bat,” Azriel stated.

“I am not,” came a croaking sound. At once, all their heads turned to Freya. She pushed herself to sit up, and Zavian supported her lolling form with his side.

“You are okay,” the King said his tone light with relief.

Freya groaned. “Do you remember Kitana’s third cousin?”

.....

The demons exchanged glances, and Azriel said, “Tall, titanium white hair, fought in the first war, and has a great body?”

“Yes,” Freya panted out. “And had a litter of seven demons.”

“How do you remember her?” Neera asked Azriel, having problems trying to figure out who the cousin was.

Azriel shrugged, scratched the back of his ear, and held back a sly grin. Neera understood how now, and didn’t ask any more questions.

“She did the healing spell and told me it was like having kids,” Freya said. “Remind me to beat the living daylights out of her if I ever see her again. Maybe that would remind her of childbirth.”

Zavian smiled, “I take it was more painful than you thought?”

“Worse, you can’t imagine it,” Freya said. “And remind me to be grateful I don’t have children tearing out of me, and never would.”

When Neera looked up, she and Zavian locked gazes. She knew they were both thinking the same thing, when once upon a time they had soon planned to have kids. When Neera had agreed to be a demon for that purpose as well. Once upon a time, they had spoken about their offspring, and that once upon a time was now like something from a fizzled-out dream.

Zavian was the first to look away. Neera was stung, and from her side, she could see Azriel had observed their little silent exchange.

“So how do you feel now?” Zavian asked his sister.

“Not one single ache,” Freya said, moving her arms inside her cover. “But I could eat a horse right now.”

“We would soon be at the castle,” Zavian said. “Try not to eat us before then.”

“I’ll try. All your arms are beginning to look like roasted chicken wings already.”

When Freya raised her head, she was taken aback by Azriel’s hard stare.

“And what’s wrong with you?”

“Is there any physical indication that I, in any shape or form, look like a Eunuch?” Azriel asked. Neera held back her laugh, masking it with a cough.

“Not this right now,” Freya rolled her eyes.

“Azriel, allow her rest,” Zavian said.

“No,” Azriel had turned serious. “I need her to answer.”

“Fine. I would,” Freya sat up with the agility of one fully healed. “I mean, if you are castrated, you’d be nothing but a regular demon who only knows how to hold a sword.”

Low blow, even Neera knew that. Azriel was struck silent, and they all waited with bated breaths.

“You are saying there is nothing more to me?” Azriel asked, hissing his words.

“Apart from being a rake, is there?” Freya challenged him.

The burn plummeted, and Neera pretended to be interested in the trees that whizzed past, watching some kids throw stones to fall their fruits. Soldiers in their black gear strolled past, hands resting on the hilts of their weapons.

Zavian, on the other hand, could not stop laughing. Without looking his way, from the

(1000 words)

rigid and quiet demeanor next to her, Neera knew Azriel was mad pissed.

….

Freya was barking orders at the maids to be served the second they arrived at the palace. It was like she had no wounds before, and it was amazing how she moved so fast. The warrior was back.

Azriel jumped out of the carriage after Zavian and stretched a hand to help Neera out. She took it with appreciation, and his frown was directed at the maroon-haired half-naked woman who stormed into the castle.

“Is there any other thing we need to go over?” Azriel asked Zavian.

“No, till tomorrow.”

Penelope came out after Freya was in, and in her hand was a box of her belongings. Her face looked pale- like she had been crying and washed every trace of the tears.

Neera knew that look all too well, she had worn it for days on end.

Penelope walked to them and bowed in greeting. When she raised her head, a groomsman was already approaching with Azriel’s horse.

“Pen,” Neera closed the space between them and tightened her friend in a hug. Penelope smelt like flowers of the garden, sunshine, loyalty, and home.

Penelope squeezed back equally, and Neera felt a tear slip from her eye.

“I am sorry, Pen,” she apologized into her ear. “I shouldn’t have said what I did…”

“It’s okay,” Penelope whispered back. “I understand. It’s okay. I just miss you so much already.”

Neera broke the hug. “I will see you tomorrow.”

Penelope nodded. “I am counting the hours already.”

Azriel gave a humoured smile at their display of affection, and without warning, he lifted Penelope up on the horse, and she gave a shriek. He hopped in behind her, a smile the brightness of the sun on his lips, and for a split second, Neera imagined Zavian smiling at her that way too.

“See you in the morning, your Majesties,” Azriel gave a salute, and off the horse rode out of the gates.

It was just the two of them, she and Zavian, and some maids and guards waiting at a close distance. Zavian opened his mouth to say something, and Neera waited, hopeful.