"And you are here once more, priestess of the East."
Clairra swallowed hard as she raises her head. She was scared of the tomorrow without her looking after her people but this sacrifice that she's going to make is for her people. And to the soul that's from another world, she hopes she doesn't try to die in this era as well.
"I have decided," she stated. "I bargain my soul for that spell, Sage of No Name."
"Very well," he uttered, taking heavy steps towards her and stopping when he was in front of her. His finger slowly lifted and touched her forehead. A crescent moon marking appeared on her forehead but after a second, it disappeared. "Your lips are to be touched by the demon's lips and he will be under your command."
"Will it really work?"
The Sage of No Name slowly nodded his head. "Once you do, your soul will be bargained. You're wise. You would not show up in front of me if you had not found yourself a solution, priestess of the east."
"Of course!"
For the first time, the Sage smiled but it was a tricky one. "Very well. But be warned, priestess, the other world is so much different from our world. The soul you're about to use to keep your body unalive herself. She is bound to do the same with yours."
"I am gambling, as it is my last resort."
"You have been warned," he said and just suddenly snapped his fingers.
Clairra opened her eyes and she was back in her tower. Eyaren saw her and ran to her with furrowed brows and eyes that were red.
"Tell me you didn't do it!" Eyaren cries but all she could do was avoid her gaze and she sobs. "How could you trade your life? All our days together, you've been sacrificing yourself for the people! Why can't you think of yourself for once, Clairra?"
Tears came rolling down Clairra's eyes. She cupped her dearest friend's face and wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"I am a sacrifice, Eyaren. I need to save everyone and if not everyone at least you." She sniffled hugging her friend. "Take care of her for me and do not let her end her life. Teach her our way and treat her as if she is me."
***
As planned, when the moon was high above, Clairra went out and into a field of moonflowers. It was colder than the other nights but she needed to endure and get closer to the Demon King.
"Something is strange with you tonight, priestess."
That voice had alerted Clairra and she instantly looks at the tree. Slowly, the demon showed himself. He looked harmless but she knew he isn't.
"Nothing is strange," she replied. "I was not expecting that you would come back."
"You expected the least because I am a demon? Is that what you're saying?" he asked, tilting his head to one side. When Clairra could not affirm he stated, "So, what is it that you have planned for me, human?"
"I wish to marry you," she blunted which made his eyes grow wide. It didn't last long and he snickers, throwing his head back.
"You make me laugh, priestess. I see hatred in your eyes so why would you wish to marry a demon? Do you feel threatened knowing your arrows are no match for me?"
"Yes, I am threatened," she answers frankly. "If I can't kill you then I should make you some sort of an ally to me."
"An ally?" he scoffs. "You wish to marry me so you can attain peace in both our lands? Peace? What does it even mean?"
"It means no one is hurting each other." She inhaled and exhales, letting all of her guard down. If she was to die here, it is to save her people. "Would you agree to marry me, demon?"
"I was told that men are the ones to ask women for marriage."
"I am desperate for my people!"
"Then I guess you don't know about love, priestess."
He was about to turn away when Clairra suddenly grabbed his hand which made him dart his electric eyes at her. When Clairra realized what she did, she immediately let go of him, looking away.
"I apologize," she muttered. Never in her life has she held a demon's hand but the demon king's hand was warm. It isn't like what is said by anyone or in the books.
"You apologize? For what, priestess?" He lowered his head just so he could meet her gaze. Instantly she flustered and he smiles, moving back. "The moon looks beautiful tonight. I might as well give you the night and if you convince me, I might consider."
As the demon sits down on the field of moon flowers, Clairra couldn't believe what she is witnessing. He was not what she had expected and that was given but look at him! He is calm and is almost like a noble human who adores his surrounding. He was undeniably gorgeous.
One thing she's worried about the most is how to convince this demon to marry her. Should she act in love? No, that's a terrible idea. He knows by looking into her eyes.
When she glances at the demon, he was already laying on the ground and her brows instantly knitted together. He is so carefree.
"You're enjoying yourself," she remarks which made him look at her. "Must be feeling ecstatic knowing you have won and my offer is terribly baseless because you have my people wrapped around your fingers."
"It might be that you're thinking too much of it, human. Your head will start hurting," he calmly said, ignoring her outburst. "You've shown me what you assumed of me. And it upsets you because I am not what you expected."
The demon has a brain and she could not argue but there was no way she wouldn't look proud at all. While he lies down, she stands still with a grumpy look.
"Why don't you adore the night and not think of anything... just for the night, Clairra."
That was the first time she hears a demon call her name and he was no mere demon, he was the Demon King. The night was soothing even though they were enemies. Could this be what it's like to be at peace?
Clairra lets out a heavy sigh and sits beside the laying demon. She looks at the night sky and said, "It is indeed beautiful."
"This is one way to start what you humans call love," he spoke.
She glances at him but her eyes went wide when his face was so close to hers. But before it even started... it had ended.
Slowly getting Serra's consciousness back, she gradually opens her heavy eyes only to find a weird setup. She spent her time just gazing, wondering if it was the ceiling or a hood of a bed. Am I in heaven? She raises her hand and moved her fingers. It seemed real but her hands were looking softer than she remembers. She doesn't even remember having a soft bed. When she realized that, she abruptly sat up, looking at her surrounding through what seemed to be a thin curtain that was tied to the poles on each corner of the bed. Serra felt like she was in a lucid dream so she decided to pinch her arm but all she felt is a little pain from pinching herself."What in the world is this?" she murmurs under her breath. "Is this how it is to die?"Right at that moment, there was someone knocking on the door which made her look that way. Before she could utter any words, it suddenly opened, revealing someone who is as pretty as a sunrise. Perhaps an angel."You're awake!" the lady gasped the mo
(Serra's POV)The letter didn't contain why I couldn't remember living as Clairra. Written there were just details of who Clairra is, her responsibilities as a priestess and to take care of her husband-to-be. If I am really Clairra, why would I write that letter? Have I known that I would forget?"My priestess, is the temperature of the water just right?" Eyaren asked.I open my eyes and turned to her with a smile. "Yes, it is. I'm just really wondering why there have to be so many servants in this room when I can bathe myself." "I can make them leave, priestess.""Please do."Eyaren did as I instructed. Finally! Time for me to think. I still can't shake the fact that this seemed like a dream or an experiment. What if I was just saved to be fooled into thinking I'm in another universe? Scientists are crazy. The world has gone insane so it can be the answer.This isn't my only problem. I am going to get married soon to someone I don't recall ever meeting. Do I even love him? Maybe w
Once awoken, Serra abruptly sit up, wide awake while touching her neck with shaken hand. She feels alright, no pain or anything but she’s just scared. Was it a nightmare? She asked herself. “You’re awake,” a masculine voice said that made her look up. Her eyes immediately grew large to see the man who was draining her life in the nightmare. “It seems like your spell had worked on me.”Spell? What does he mean? Serra was left to stare at him with furrowed brows. Earlier she thought it would be the last pain but here she is ending up alive again. Strange enough, she don’t feel any pain in her body. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stated. “Who are you anyway? What’s your deal with me?” He raised a brow, a smirk forming at the side of his mouth. Sera couldn’t help but feel alarmed by it but she could never shout. “You tricked me, Priestess. And now you’re acting like you don’t know who you’re betrothed to.” It took Serra a couple of moments to finally figure it out. Thi
Serra was told to rest by the demon that took her. It has never occurred to her until now that she doesn't know his name yet. She couldn't sleep knowing she is in an unfamiliar place again. Why don't I check the place? Tiptoeing to the door, she reaches for the handle. Her face lightened when she found the door unlocked. She sticks her head out, looks right, and then left. There was no guard at all so she opened the door wider and stepped outside. The only lights were from candles and she felt terrified. "Ha! This is nothing compared to my way home in that other world!" She muttered and bravely made her way to the hallway. As she goes on, she finds scratched paintings and most of them ruined, hanging for their existence. Some of it is even on the cold floor already and she swallows hard, thinking about the danger she might encounter. Not long enough she finds herself in front of a staircase. This seemed to be a ballroom with a roof made of glass in which the moonlight reaches the
"Zeirux is the name given to me," he answers and before she could ask any more questions, he snapped his fingers and he was gone in an instant."What the heck?" Serra gasped. She knew this world is full of magic but to see him disappear like that shocks her. "I can never escape him if he can teleport!"The very next day, Serra woke up later than Zierux had expected so he teleported in her room. He got worried that the damn human who tricked him would get an upset stomach for not getting her meal at the right time. But as soon as he sees her in a messed-up sleeping position, he knew he was overreacting."Does she always sleep like this?" he mumbled, frowning as he strides towards her bed. Zierux stared at the priestess he once trusted, his eyes blazed with hatred at her betrayal. He can't seem to shake what had happened between them. That very night, he let himself feel what humans called love and on that same night, that feeling was taken away. A soft groan snapped Zierux out of his
The sight of food had Serra drooling and she could not help herself but dig in. She didn't care about what these men thought of her until this new guy asked. "Has the priestess always behaved like this?" She chokes on it and coughs, reaching for a glass of water. "I hear the Priestess is scary but I see you're a joker," he added.How do I act? she asked herself. How the hell does a priestess act? Ah! Right! Royalties in movies! I'm sure they use more words and go around the bush!Serra clears her throat and fixed her posture before smiling at Narth. "My apologies. I could not stop myself from seeing the delicious meal prepared. I shall keep in mind the persona that you have in me."The trembling of her legs was quite obvious to Narsh and he smiled it away. "Forgive my calling you a joker," he apologized and she flashes a smile. "From today on I will be attending you on the sideline. If I may ask, how are you finding the maids?""I just met them," she answers. It would be useful if
"This is my town?" Serra asked in disbelief, looking at her surrounding. It was packed with people since it was the central market where people bargains for their goods or sell off their potions or whatever things they have. "Life here is so simple!" Like the rural areas in the other world, this is so like it. There are stalls everywhere. She wonders if the outskirts of the land are as lively as the central city. Since they didn't have much time to explore, they needed to teleport here. She could not complain because if the Demon King knows of their disappearance, it will be an earful."The streets are packed so I suggest you don't wander too far, sister." Serra looks back and opened her palm which Narth had stared at with a raised brow. "And what is that?" he asked."Hold my hand so we don't lose each other," she cheerfully answered."I shall not," he said. The warmth was dangerous but he dare not say. "It is not good that I hold the hand of my brother's bride.""Ridiculous!" She in
"Are you asking me out on a date?" Serra asked. Though she was unsure if it was what the Demon King wanted, she was sure he wanted to take her out."A d-date?" His face was messed up. "Yes! Like you taking me out to see my town and spending time with me is a date." "I've not heard of that but yes, it is what I am implying though it is not to spend time with you."Serra giggles. So men such as this demon have a soft side. She thought she'd be in trouble but it seems like they are pretty much getting along."Alright." She nods her head softly. "We didn't stay long earlier. Maybe it's more beautiful at night. Should I get changed?""No, human. You are to look like the townspeople. We don't want to stand out." Zierux moved his fingers inward, giving her a look. "Give me your hand, we're going to town."Serra knew that she would get the sick feeling of teleporting again but she really wanted to see what this world could offer her. So, she put her hand on his and while looking into his ey