The Bait

“How did you know that they have me?” Devon asked when they are already in the comfort of their house.

Daemon drove as fast as he can until the mansion where she has lived all her life was out of sight. He held her cold hands as tightly as possible and even when they’re inside their room, he still didn’t let go of her.

There was not a drop of hesitation in his eyes as if he will really do anything for her, as if he will do anything that she’ll ask him to at the blink of an eye.

“I knew about it last night. I got my men around the house but I most feared about your safety so I decided that I won’t kill a single human unless I made sure you are safe.”

She heaved a sigh and sat on their bed that felt a little too familiar for her now. She's just away for a night and yet she already missed everything here.

"My mother lured me. I thought she really wants to see me but when I got to the parking lot, it's Jeffrey who's been waiting for me."

Her tears fell again upon remembering the betrayal that did not come from an enemy. It comes from the only person she still hoped that will be there for her even though she already knows that her mother will always be loyal to her father and the group.

She hanged for that little slim thread of chance because she's still her mother.

"I thought she really missed me and that she really wants to see me. I thought that since we didn't see each other for weeks, she'll realized that she missed her only daughter but... It's just another one of my wishful thinking. Sometimes I think I'm dumb for still hoping that they'll honor my choices as a woman. I always forgot that I should stop chasing for their approval and love because they will only destroy me."

Daemon kneeled in front of her and took her hands inside his.

"Devon, you have to learn that just because they are our families doesn't mean that they will accept who you are or the choices you'll make in your life. Not every people is lucky enough to have the true essence of having one."

She tried to read the nuanced emotion on his face but failed. Daemon isn't as transparent as she wished him to be.

"Will you also do that to your children? Will you force your decision to them? Is that what you're talking about?"

The way he stared down at her is unbearable so she turned her eyes away from his.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry," she said in a tiny voice while silently castigating herself.

"Good. You're forgiven."

He stood up but she immediately stopped him. They both looked at each other, his expression bewildered while hers is begging.

She bit her lips and threw it all to the heavens. She can’t stop herself now. She crossed their distance and practically threw herself to him. She wrapped her arms around him and bury her face on his chest feeling his warmth, soaking in his scent, and relishing to the unbelievable relief she found in his arms.

Daemon was caught off guard but hugged her back after a few seconds.

“Thank you. Thank you so much for saving me again, Daemon. You don’t know how much comfort I felt earlier when I saw you coming to me. I thought it's the end of everything for me. I thought they really got me but you saved me again for the second time." She tightener her arms around him while taking a deep breath and finishing what she wanted to say. "I think I am falling for you. I think I love you, Daemon.”

There was an eerie silence in the air. Daemon pushed her away and stood up. She slowly lifted her eyes to him. Devon didn’t bat while waiting for the answer from him while Daemon is just there, hands on his pockets, his eyes turning icy-cold just like the first time she saw them under the dim light.

“You don’t have to say anything. You don’t have to answer me now. I… I am not pressuring you to…”

She tried reaching for him but the knot on his forehead stops her from doing so.

“No one can pressure me,” he stopped her. "How confident of you to say that."

He crossed his arms and studied her. "Of course, Devon. I care for you. You will bear me a son that will inherit my kingdom. I can't blame you for falling for me. Every one of them does. They fall in love with me, they want more of what I will give to them, they will hate me, and then betray me. I'm curious if you will follow the sequence or will right away betray me, Devon."

Devon's lips quivered in pain.

"Then why did you save me of you don't want me to feel this way to you? You knew it will happen but why did you still went there and save me?"

"You should have figured that by now, Devon. You're one great investment. A liability at first but I realized I can make you into an asset. I want a son from you because I saved you once but I thought it's too small for what I had gone for the daughter of an enemy. The times have changed. I want more than a kid from you. I need two or more."

Her eyes narrowed in confusion. "W-What? What do you mean? I need to bear you two kids?"

"Not necessarily coming from you. You'll be the surrogate, Devon. If you happen to be that for me, then your freedom will be guaranteed. I'll give you a new identity, a house and lot, a business away from here only if you dutifully do the job."