Chapter 18

*Devlands POV*

Watching Daeva’s demons show her the respect that they did made my heart soar. She was a perfect leader. Very much loved but feared even more. I will admit, I did want to see her in action, but I was already feeling possessive and if they actually landed a blow, I know I would want to destroy the culprit. But, she told me to behave, so I will stand here with my jaw clenched keeping a lid on my thoughts.

Ziggy was bouncing up and down, excited for the fight, Roo elbowed my side with a grin plastered on his face. They have seen her fight more than anyone and know what she’s capable of more than I. Than was leaning against the wall looking almost bored. I was relaxing from their reactions alone. The bigger one of the two came into the ring first but waited for the smaller one to join.

The ring was basically a human boxing ring but much bigger and everything was much sturdier, built to withstand much more damage. The big one was built like a machine, only slightly smaller than I am, but Daeva didn’t seem concerned. I watched her look him over, lingering on his knees and back, did she already have him figured out? The two got ready to attack as she looked bored on the other side. “No tap outs, no murder, you leave the ring you lose. You know the rules, and if you win, I’ll sweeten the pot and let you run to that blonde you idiots want so bad.” She said, obviously taunting.

The ‘idiots’ looked at each other and grinned. They rushed her at the same time, she dodged them both but grabbed the small one and flung him into the big one both crashing to the ground. She stepped back and laughed. “She might not even want you, ya know. It’s not up to either of you which one she takes either way.” The small one hopped up and went towards her, he was fast.

She blocked each of his hits lazily and jumped out of the way when the big one tried to get to her from behind, again sending them crashing into each other. It went like this for what felt like ages. They had been in there 30 minutes and neither of them had gotten a hit on her. “Should I tie a hand behind my back, or will you two get a move on?” She said, Ziggy giggled and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Another 30 minutes went by and the two demons were sweating and getting frustrated. The big one grabbed the smaller one and sent him flying towards Daeva, she just smiled and slammed him back into the ground from the air. The big one took the time that she was distracted to land his first blow to her cheek. I saw red but I kept my control. She already sent him flying back towards the other end of the mat. “Good” she said with a smile, “My turn.”

She was impressive before, but now she was moving so fast that humans probably wouldn’t be able to see her. She started wailing on the big one, when the small one joined the fold she used him to beat the other like a pinata. She turned and knocked the small one out before he knew what hit him, and then a guard drug him out of the cage. Her fists were dripping in blood but the only blood that was hers was the small cut on her cheek.

She turned back to the big one and took his knees out then landed a few hits to his back. He was on the verge of collapsing and she easily flipped him over herself and onto his back. “Repeat after me” she said, “Humans are only toys if they agree to play.” “Humans are only toys if they agree to play.” He mumbled. “And if I break another countertop without Daeva’s permission, I’ll never have sex again.”

After she said this he looked up at her, pleading, but repeated it word for word. “Good boy.” She said before knocking him out cold. By end of the fight, both demons' true forms were barely being contained, but Daeva was barely breaking a sweat. She was perfect. She hopped out of the ring, winking at me. “Who’s next? That was barely a fight.” We all laughed and I had to back up to keep myself from breaking her rules and taking her right here on the mat. “Fine,” she said when no one took her up on the offer, “but I need more to drink.”

When we got back upstairs the mess was already cleaned and bottles were waiting at the bar. Her workers knew her well. After a few more bottles, I was ready to rush Daeva back upstairs, but the others were having too much fun to interrupt. “You’re not getting out of shopping with me tomorrow, Princess,” Ziggy said to her. “I know, Puddin,’” she said simply. It was after 3 in the morning when we were finally left alone to make our way back to her suite. She didn’t kick me out when she realized that she drew blood in her sleep, I just had to keep her open to me. She started stripping down and threw her clothes down a covered hole in the wall. Clever. “I really don’t like laundry,” she said after seeing the look on my face.

I let out a deep rolling laugh at her and started stripping my own clothes off. I laid on her bed and watched her move around the room, tidying up and picking out her clothes for the next day. That’s why she’s so fast in the morning. She came back into the room and played with her hands. She sat down on the bed with her eyes swirling. She has been falling asleep quickly after sex, but it looked like she was struggling to decide something. Before she had the chance to run or kick me out I grabbed her waist and pulled her against me so her ass was on my hips and started running my fingers down her shoulders.

“How have you been sleeping?” She asked. “Better than ever, my love” I responded. It was the absolute truth. I never got more sleep than I needed before and it was always spread out in little naps throughout the day. I was getting more sleep than I ever had and sleeping beside her was more peaceful than I’ve found in all my years.

Until she tries to kill me, that is, but I would take the 4 peaceful hours ending in attempted murder every day for the rest of my existence if she would let me. “As much as I enjoy trying to kill you every morning. I feel like you need to be able to sleep soundly without me spilling your blood” she said. I sighed, “my love, I used to sleep for an hour at a time throughout the days. I would always go back to the 3rd circle in my sleep so the little that I did get, was never sound. Since I met you, I am getting more sleep and I have not been back to that place.

My demon and angel are less guilty and being able to hold you” I squeezed her tighter against me, “Is more peace than I have found in all of my years. Being able to pull you from your nightmares in the morning has done more for my demon and angel side than I have been able to achieve in centuries. They are less fearful of each other, and are already working together more than I thought was possible this quickly. You are really doing me a favor, so please don’t take that away from me.”

All of what I said was true. I didn’t try to get all of my sleep at once. The more sleep that I got the more likely I was to go back to the circle that I destroyed. I would sit in the ruins that I created and mentally kick myself for losing control. Since being with her, I found that the guilt I felt lessened. I wasn’t dreaming at all. She was quickly consuming all parts of me and fixing pieces that I was too proud to admit were broken. If she would stop trying to run from me, I was sure that I could help her the same way. Daeva was an incredibly sexual being and I loved it. I wanted more though, I wanted her soul, like she has mine.

The silence lasted forever once I finally finished but I could feel her body relax and saw her hold back a smile. “Fine, but I can’t promise that I will stay like this all night.” I laughed hard at that. Before her nightmares start, I always find her clinging to me or pushing herself up against me. It was only her waking brain that was hesitant to touch me. “Okay, my love. Go to sleep.” She was out like a light and I followed not long after.

Her sweat woke me up, good, I was earlier than the screams this time. “It’s me, my love, only me.” I said before pinning her hands to her side. Her face was contorting to her demon form, the scar on her face deepening. “They can’t hurt you. I will not leave you again.” It felt like her demon was forcing her angel side back to the corner of her mind. The last two nights I have asked her demon to open her mind and show me the dream. I thought that if I could see it and understand it, maybe I would know how to help. Just like before, she wouldn’t budge, even in her subconscious.

So I let my demon sweet-talk her and talk dirty to her until her eyes flew open. I knew it was safe to loosen my grip when her eyes started swirling again. “I beat my time from yesterday,” I said with a grin. I fully expected her to roll her eyes, hell, I was hoping for it. Instead, she flipped me onto my back and granted me the best morning sex of my life.