I must kill.

Kazaxon wakes me up in the early hours of the morning, my bride still curled up against me with an arm draped over my chest and a leg over my hip. I give the top of her head a kiss to see if she stirs, but she is fast asleep and I easily slide out of bed. I make my way over to the wardrobe and dress myself. Usually Bash would have set clothing on the bed for me when I woke up, a weird morning ritual that always made me feel like a child, but the sun has not yet risen; there is a glow on the horizon that dawn is approaching and that is Kaz's preferred time to hunt.

I walk past Bash whose smaller bed is usually at the foot of mine, but luckily he found it in the corner where I moved it. Poor man must have been waiting outside the door for hours to figure out when it was time for him to come in, and I can't help but smile. I made love to my bride several times last night, waking her up with kisses and caresses. She never spoke a word of protest, just gave me a coy smile as I settled on top of her. She was just as hungry as I was. Perhaps this meant she forgives me for how I acted before.

Now Kazaxon's energy has been drained and he must indulge in his wrath to replenish it. I haven't needed to sleep too long since I can just rely on Kaz to give me strength, and though I would be completely fine lying in bed all day with Edeva, I have a country to run and Kaz has a human to power.

You kept me up all damned night, he growls in my head as I slip past Bash and the guards at my door. Their shift will end soon but they are used to seeing me sneak out around this time once every few weeks.

It was my wedding night, Kaz, I think in return as I head down the hall. Did you forget about our sexual appetites?

Well, it had been a while, had it not? Laughter resonates in my head. I was a virgin when Kaz and I merged, and my first night with a woman was awkward for the fact that I had a voice in my head telling me what to do. That whore my uncle bought for me said if I ended up becoming king she would volunteer to be in my personal harem so I knew Kaz's advice was good. Jean killed her just in case she was a spy for Henry, but that was fine since I had no real care for a harem. After the first few times with a woman, things became more comfortable and I grew used to the demon having a say in my sex life. Unfortunately when you become king, standards change and I would not let just any woman in to my bed. I never even had a mistress, and the women in the brothels never really satisfied me. It was just sex. Soon I refused it all together.

I suppose it had. But this just means you will get to hunt more often to keep our strength up.

I pause as I enter the courtyard, and then walk up to the castle walls. The guards nod to me and the drawbridge is lowered. I begin to run towards the forest, lowering my body and stretching my fingertips out.

If you had killed her and angered these supposed rebels I would have plenty to hunt.

I am a special type of Diablarist - demons usually just give a mage its power, not inhabit the mage completely. Kazaxon can take over my body and shift it in to his, though he has never done it without my permission. Normally he can see what I see, feel what I feel, and hear what I hear. Last night, he was just as much a participant as I, even if Edeva didn't know that. I am a bit unsure how to explain it all to her.

Don't act like you didn't gawk at her the moment I lifted her veil, I tell him after a moment. You were stunned to silence.

She is pretty. It is why I tolerate your decision.

I shake my head a little as we head deep enough in to the woods, and I undress. Kaz is hungry, and I have a feeling we will be traveling far in to the forest behind my castle to find something big enough to put up a challenge. He prefers the fighting more than the killing. Less rebels frequent the city Ustria below since it takes little to call upon the Legio Mortis, who rest underneath the courtyard.

Stretching my arms above my head, I feel Kazaxon start to take control of my body. I watch the skin on my hand darken to red, and my fingers extend in to long, black claws. Kazaxon has two forms; one human and one beastly. I know the form he chooses this morning, his less human form, means he does not want to spend all day out here.

I say 'human' in the barest sense of the word. Kaz has red skin, black eyes, large horns, cloven hooves for feet, and teeth so long and sharp he can barely close his lips over them. In his beastly form, his legs are thicker, arms longer, with a slightly extended snout. It is as though I am in the form of a whole pack of wolves which magically merged in to one. The wind on my face as Kaz takes us through the trees (literally sometimes) and sniffs out a drove of large boars. Most will run, but a few will attack to defend their territory. Exactly what we seek.

We both lose all sense of time after we kill all of the pigs, a lone stag, and a bear. We leave their bodies where they died; what use do we have for them otherwise? Though, I think of Edeva and how she lived with a hunter before marrying me. I bet that man, Eldislav, would not be pleased at Kazaxon and I wasting meat and hide. All the more reason to leave it; a petty gesture but enjoyable.

Do you hear that, Kazaxon?

Kaz lifts his head up from the bloodied cavern that once held the bear's intestines. When my demon friend is in the throes of blood lust he often cannot hear me, but right now he is calmed and sated. I feel his curiosity echo mine. We are close to the castle, but I hadn't noticed. A mile in to the woods feels like a long time to me, but to a demon like Kaz it is quick run. This sound was at first, barely audible from the distance, but now that Kaz's strength is replenished and his senses are enhanced tenfold, I can hear it clear as day. Someone is singing...

He is sated, but what is one more body to add to the pile? Perhaps it is some virgin maid who thought to attract a unicorn with her voice. She will be very disappointed to find Kaz instead. He licks his lips and starts to stalk towards this melody that gently glides over the morning air. There will be no fight this time of course. I suspect the demon will rip the girl's throat out and toss her in to the moat. I should caution him against that; it connects to a river and she might wash up somewhere.

The sun is low and the sky is a pale yellow now. I feel energized and excited. The sweet voice is getting louder and we come upon a hill with a woman standing underneath a large tree, watching the sunrise. She is not anyone from the castle, not one of the new cooks or maids. She is no one from court either. Her dress is green silk and her hair is beautiful waves of light brown...

Kazaxon! I shout in to his head as the realization strikes. Turn back. That's Edeva!

Fuck, of course Edeva would be the one out here, singing a beautiful song like some angel in the clouds. Of course no one would think to warn her about leaving the castle walls while Kaz hunts. It's her first night here and I didn't think about it either.

Kaz isn't stopping, having settled back in to his blood lust. He either can't hear me or chooses not to. He could block me out completely but it has not come to that just yet. His steps are silent as he sprints up the hill and stands only a few feet behind Edeva. His breathing is heavy, and we smell like blood, that much I know. It drips off his maw menacingly as he growls. If the smell wasn't enough to catch her attention, that growl is. Edeva's singing abruptly stops as she slowly turns around to face Kaz. Eyes go wide, mouth lulls open and one hand presses against her chest. She looks so vulnerable like this, and I realize how fragile my queen is when faced with the demon before her.

Kaz... Listen to me, I plead with him. Focus on my voice. Do not kill her. Turn back.

In one fluid motion Kazaxon stalks forward and slams his hands in to the tree, backing Edeva up and then trapping her in. She can only gasp and stare up at us while I feel dread sink in to the pit of my stomach, mixing with Kaz's desire to kill. I cannot take control of my body when he is like this; he has to relinquish it and he will only do so when the hunger is sated or if I can somehow get his attention.

Edeva turns her attention towards the arm to her left, her right, then looks Kaz straight in the eyes. "Was... it my singing?"

Kaz tilts his head slightly.

"Did you not like it?"

He growls again but does not make any further movements. I can tell she is frightened and resisting the urge to flee, but... Is she really making conversation with a beast that is seconds away from slicing her in to ribbons?

"I was taught to sing when I was about four. Josie was always better, though. Or do you not like the song itself? It is a church hymn and therefore probably not a demon's favorite thing to hear. That is what you are, is it not?"

Edeva garners a slight nod from her captor and his lips twist in to a grin, which clearly unsettles her. Meanwhile I keep trying to plead with Kaz in our mental connection, sending calming thoughts throughout. It never worked before, but I am desperate.

"If you wish me to stop, I will, then. I deeply apologize if I woke you or disturbed your... breakfast."

I can feel the confusion in Kazaxon. He does not seem to know what to make of her bravery and willingness to speak to him. Part of him is incensed, the other amused, and yet another part fascinated. Edeva begins to look around, possibly for a way to escape him or to see if someone could help her, and Kazaxon lifts a single claw up against her cheek, turning her gaze straight back to him.

"Aahhyoooouuu...." Kaz hisses out. "Sssssinng wwwwell..."

"Oh, thank you." She nervously smiles up at him. "Then perhaps I will sing more, but not so early in the morning. I was just looking for my husband and could not find him. His valet said breakfast would be in an hour so I thought I would pass the time here."

I feel a ping of understanding enter Kaz's consciousness. "Aaaahhleehksooooo..."

"Yes! That is his name! He is the king." Her brow furrows. "Do you know him?"

If you can hear me Kaz, we need to leave. NOW.

Finally, I know Kaz is listening. He takes a step back from Edeva, giving her a chance to run. She just stands there with a worried expression on her pretty face. Kaz notices it too. He leans forward and sticks out his forked tongue. At first I assume it is to try and scare her away, but instead he snaps it against her bottom lip before taking off back in to the woods.

You son of a whore, did you just kiss her?

I know he can reply but he says nothing, just runs as fast as he can, deep in to the forest, circling back around. Searching for the usual spot I hide my clothing, I can only imagine what Edeva must be feeling right now. There is no way she can't be scared out of her mind, but when she asked Kazaxon if he knew me... the look on her face shook me to the core. After facing down a monster covered in blood and snarling at you, the idea that I might be connected to it is what scared her the most. It makes sense. I am a diablarist and not many people really understand what that means. For all she knows, it could mean I have a coven of demons in the forest behind my castle.

Or it could mean I have one that inhabits my body and can shift in to its true from at will.

He relinquishes control without a word and I get to work dressing. it is easy enough to walk back in to the castle unnoticed; I leap over the moat, using my power to move the air and give me lift. When a guard turns around and sees me stepping over the ledge of the wall, he jumps at first but then sighs and bows before me. I give him a nod in return before heading inside through the gate house.

I want to find Bash and smack him upside the head. I want to find the nearest mirror and yell at Kaz, knowing he'll see how angry I am for almost killing my queen. I want to shake Edeva for not running away at the first sign of danger.

"Your highness," Edeva's ladies maid, Kwenthrith, curtsies low, her dress pooling about her. Gisela does the same behind her. I nod, then look the girls over with somewhat of a scowl. Gisela is my sister in-law now, so the fact that her dress is black and tight around the waist, exposed shoulders framed by black feathers bothers me. Her hair behind a coif but that is about it regarding practicality. Kwen is dressed the same and it still bothers me.

"Who designed these?" I reach forward and toy with one of Kwen's feathers as she stands up.

"Prince Jean did, your highness. Do you... not like them?"

"It just seems silly to have you ladies wearing tight, frilly garments while working."

Kwen smiles, but it does not quite reach her eyes. "You need not concern yourself with such matters, my king. Our duty here is to serve you and your queen."

"It is quite constricting," Gisela pipes up behind Kwen, who spins around and I assume shoots her a deadly glare. "What? He asked."

"That is your king and you will do well to respect him!"

"Settle, my lady, settle. She is right. I did ask. And I will speak to Jean of it next I see him." I give Kwen's head a pat before I continue across the courtyard. She looks... shocked. I suppose no one would expect me to have much consideration for the servants. I don't expect it either.

Just seeing little Gisela dressed like a sinfully sweet offering to all of the men here... That is Edeva's sister. If it bothers me, surely it must bother her.

When I arrive at the dining hall, I am relieved to see my queen sitting at the far table in front of everyone. Beside her is Jean, who keeps pointing to things on the table and describing them for her. She looks uncomfortable, but relaxes upon seeing me. I see a little bit of a smile creep on to her face, and I will take that much.

I make my way over and sit down at the large, empty chair on the other side of her. I grab her hand and begin to kiss the back of it while I glare at Jean. "She is not a simpleton, uncle. She knows what mortrew is." I look back her way, feeling hunger, but not for the food in front of me. "How are you this morning, my sweet?"

"Many peasants still observe the overnight fast," Jean defends. "Edeva said her family did not eat until around midday."

"Are you calling your queen a peasant?"

"He is just trying to acclimate me with royal life again, your highness," Edeva says. "It has been so long." She looks uncomfortable, so I quickly change the conversation. If she prefers I not remind Jean of his place, I will lighten up on him.

"Call me Alekso." I tell her. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, Alekso."

"I hope you are not too exhausted..." I wink at her, and she freezes in the middle of biting a strawberry. Her cheeks flush the same color as the fruit. "I promise I will let you sleep longer in between--"

"Oh, are those figs?" She interrupts me and gingerly reaches over me to grab a plate of figs. "I have not so much as seen these in years! I remember my governess always had fig jam for her cream tea."

I cannot hide the amusement on my face. Instead I watch her distract herself with more fruit, which distracts me from anything Jean or Anselm attempt to discuss. Those soft, plump lips pressing against the fig as she bites in to its purple flesh, the look of sheer bliss in her eyes as she enjoys its sweet flavor; I feel my cock straining in my pants under the table.

She has not yet mentioned what happened to her and Kazaxon. I will not bringing up myself, though. Let her think what she wants, as long as she is not traumatized by it. Kaz, on the other hand, still has not said a word. I decide I might as well prod him for answers now.

I have never seen you hesitate on a kill before, Kaz. What happened? What made you change your mind?

She did.

How?

The demon doesn't reply at first. You do not kill something so beautiful, human. Even I know that.

That's all? Her beauty made you decide not to kill her? You have killed beautiful women before.

Her beauty is not just physical. It goes deeper. No human ever looked me in the eyes as Edeva did. She hid nothing from me; not her fear or her curiosity. She wanted to touch me. I wanted to touch her back. The urge to kill left me.

I can feel Kaz's longing in my consciousness. It had been a while for him too, after all. His sin might be wrath but I suppose demon men have needs, too. I am fully aware he has a cock, the damn thing smacks against his thigh when he hunts.

"Eva," Edeva's voice brings me back to the discussion at the table.

"Eva?" Anselm asks. "That is what your friends would call you?"

"Well, I did not have any friends because I tried to stay hidden, but it is what Eldis and my step sisters called me. So it is what you all may call me as well, if it pleases you."

I smile. "Eva," it rolls off my tongue quite nicely.

Eva... Kaz practically purrs in agreement.

I haven't forgotten that you kissed my bride, Kazaxon.

Our bride, Alekso. We share in all things, do we not? She is ours.

That should make me jealous, I think, but then again, the bond Kaz and I share is unlike any other. Eva looks over at me and bats those thick lashes, and I feel my hand reach over and take hers again. It is Kaz willing my body, as he is able to do. I don't stop it. I just continue to smile at her.

Ours.