When I awoke, it wasn't in the darkness of the dome, in a chair fit for torturing seraphim. I woke to the sight of Niko's bedroom. I sat up carefully, looking around in confusion but not spotting him anywhere in the room. Then I looked at myself. My skin still felt warm from the sun, the effects still echoing from within as though all the energy that had been pouring out of me was now throbbing vibrantly within me.

I stood slowly, heading towards the only remaining door I hadn't tried to open as of yet. It first led into a passageway, where on one side a row of shelves with various fabrics such as bedsheets and towels were all stowed away. On the opposite wall was a collection of glass bottles of various shapes and colors. I reached forward, tracing my fingertip over a blue bottle before picking it up carefully. I opened the top, lifting it to my nose, and sniffed curiously. It smelled sharp like the wine, but possibly even sweeter. I placed it back where I found it and continued down the hall to another set of doors.

These led to a massive bathroom that I felt could qualify as a bathhouse in its own right. When I walked into the room, the lights automatically flickered to life and the sound of rushing water began. It looked like there were three different forms of bathing; a large walk in shower, a separate and equally large Jacuzzi like bathtub, and a third which looked more like a fountain including a small built in waterfall. A separate door was to the side, making me believe it probably connected to the hallway for the servants to access in order to assist in bathing. I paused, glancing towards Kol's bedroom cautiously before glancing at the bathroom further.

I wanted to bathe myself, but I didn't have any clean clothes. I would have to just wear my same dress again, despite the fact that it looked like it had been through more than I had. I returned to the passageway and grabbed a large bath towel before heading back to the bathroom. After stripping bare and placing my clothes folded carefully on top of the nearby set of sinks, I approached the shower, my hand rubbing nervously over my arm.

The shower was consuming. I found the feel of cleansing everything that had tainted my skin these past days was therapeutic. I wasn't sure how long I spent in there, but when I finished, I stepped out to a surprise. On the counter, the towel remained waiting for me, but my clothes were all gone. I reached for the towel quickly, wrapping it around my body protectively, and then looked around for any sign of someone in the bathroom with me.

"Hello?" I called out, my voice quiet to spite me.

When no one answered, I opened the bathroom door slowly and peered into the hallway. The bedroom door was opened, the light left on as it had been when I left it. I stepped forward cautiously, my heart pounding nervously in my chest. I stepped into the bedroom and turned, gasping sharply.

Kol was standing not too far away, waiting for me. I grasped my towel more firmly, never having been left so exposed to someone before. The towel covered my torso and extended to my knees, but I still didn't feel it was enough. I absently pulled my hair forward to attempt to cover my shoulders and chest. Kol watched me silently, his expression hard to decipher.

"I'm sorry. I used your bathroom without asking permission first," I apologized quickly.

Kol took a step towards me and I tensed. My body's reaction confused me. I felt an immediate excitement, something like desire asking things from this man in front of me. I only tightened my grip on my towel further, trying to keep my breath even.

"I'm glad to see all the nightburn has gone," Kol said dangerously.

"Yes. Thank you-," I gasped when he closed the distance between us, reaching to lift my face as though to check my neck for any remaining evidence of nightburn. My skin burned red at his touch, singing of a hunger to be touched further.

"I can feel the sun's warmth on your skin," Kol mentioned slowly, running his fingers over my face with a flash of hunger in his features. I closed my eyes briefly, feeling his rough skin over mine along with the hint of those sharp claws. I swallowed with much difficulty before fluttering my eyes open once more.

"I lost my clothes," I told him naively, watching as his features transformed into one of deviant intent. I knew then he must've taken them himself. "Can I have them back?"

"I don't know what clothes you're talking about," Kol answered easily. He looked down at my grip on the towel around me and absently trailed his fingers from my face to my shoulder, shifting my hair to reveal what skin I had tried to hide. "I like you like this."

My breath came shallow as I stood unmoving before him.

"I haven't...," I began, but lost my voice when his finger hooked onto the towel briefly before he let it go without doing anything to me. He moved closer to me, making me step back, only to move closer again until my legs hit something solid behind me. I yelped as I stumbled, falling onto the surface of the bed.

Kol stood over me a moment and then bent over to crawl on top of my stunned form.

"I haven't...," I said breathlessly, my skin heated just from a look. Kol lowered his face over mine, tilting his head slowly until I found myself doing the same. When he didn't continue, I lifted my chin hesitantly, feeling my lips meeting his softly. My hands laid in surrender palms up on either side of my head, next to Kol's hands which caged me. I lifted my head further to ask for more from Kol and then fell to the surface of the bed with shallow breaths.

"Do you think I'm Niko?" Kol asked me, a hint of confusion in his tone.

"No," I whispered, gasping when he suddenly lowered himself over me and claimed my lips further. Kol moved his hand to my knee, lifting and then spreading my legs until he could fit easily between them. I whimpered as the movement moved the fabric of the towel apart and left nothing between us but his own clothes.

"I'm going to fuck you before Niko does," Kol growled into my lips with a deep hunger. I trembled as his hand moved from my knee to the flesh under my towel. It felt like fire followed his touch and it was enough to make it impossible for me not to squirm under him. His hand trailed over my stomach to my lower back, lifting me to push further against me. I cried out at the responding pleasure, turning my head to the side in a way that revealed my neck and shoulder to him vulnerably. "Mmm, my fiancé is always so tempting."

"Please," I asked breathlessly, again not knowing what it was I was asking for.

Kol growled with immense approval. "I'm not Niko. If you ask me, I won't find a reason to say no." His hand burned across my lower back to over my bottom, squeezing and releasing me as he began to rock against me suggestively. I'd never felt such pleasure. My skin shined with it, enough so that when I looked into Kol's eyes again, I could see the gold reflecting off his crimson gaze.

"I want to be yours," I admitted, feeling lightheaded from the adrenaline. Kol moved his hand from my bottom and instead reached between us, his grip cupping my sex before exploring even more intimately. I gasped, grasping at his arm with one hand and the bedsheet with another.

"You are mine," He growled above me, his touch sending an unexpected wave of pleasure throughout me. I moaned spreading my legs wider as though asking for more and more. Kol released his grip on me, reaching to remove the clothes which now seemed torturous between us. My towel had already slipped by now, baring me in several intimate places which Kol's eyes raked over with desire.

I felt like my skin was on fire with the deep blush that covered it. And yet, I didn't try to cover myself. I watched with my heart in my throat as he stripped before me and made to crawl over me again. I felt vulnerable and exposed, but at the same time I felt my own desire refusing to give me any ideas about fighting against Kol further.

Before he could continue, Kol abruptly halted. For a moment, there was no expression on his features, but then a look of pain crossed them as he reached up to his head.

"No," He growled at something unknown, the anger in his voice fresh. "I want her now." He didn't say anything further for a moment, but the pain seemed to grow because he abruptly cried out. I immediately grasped my towel, securing it around me quickly before crawling further into the bed in surprise. I was both startled by whatever was happening to Kol and by how I had reacted so readily to him.

Kol suddenly became silent, panting at the end of the bed before looking at me dangerously.

"Are you okay?" He asked, the voice just slightly different. I didn't hesitate. I moved back towards him, sitting in front of him and reaching for his face curiously.

"Niko," I said in wonder.

"Just in moments," Niko sighed, standing to put his clothes back on determinedly. I watched him silently, a feeling of disappointment rising within me despite how unladylike that made me. I wanted Niko, too. I wasn't sure what was wrong with me, to want such a troubled man and a daemon at that. I also felt embarrassed. Even though Kol and Niko shared the same body and shared memories for probably his entire life, it no doubt wasn't very pleasant to know his body was being used to do things he didn't want to do. Maybe Niko really didn't want me.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, pulling my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around my legs defensively. The glow of my skin had already begun to fade under the cold atmosphere as Niko continued to dress himself haphazardly. He didn't look at me, even after my apology. "Are you mad at me?"

"This wall here is a door to the changing room. I'll call someone to help you get ready. They won't enter here." Niko ignored my question stiffly. He pressed on a section of the wall, cracking the hidden door just an inch before touching one of the buttons on the speaker twice. No one answered, not that he waited for one. Niko left immediately after without another glance my way.

I groaned once he was gone, grabbing a nearby pillow and attempting to suffocate myself with it. Why did I act that way? I turned to pudding under Kol, even without being bitten. For what? Because he had kissed me instead of bitten me? Was I that easily swayed by a handsome man?

I had a flash of an image of Kol holding my wrists to keep me from hurting myself on the shackles in that strange dome room. I lifted the pillow from my face and looked at my hands curiously. The marks from being tied up on the ship were already faded like a distant memory. He was... kinder, wasn't he? Even as he had crawled towards me intending to take my maidenhood, it wasn't the same violent, ill intent he had originally held, was it? A blush crept over my cheeks and I lowered my hand over my face in embarrassment.

Niko was trying to help me. He was trying to buy time to figure out a way to get me safely home. He didn't intend to follow through with this fake engagement. I shouldn't let Kol's motives get in the way of my only chance to finding a safe way home. I shouldn't let him kiss me and I definitely shouldn't be kissing him.

I sighed and pushed myself to my feet, walking towards the door to the changing room hesitantly. A group of three maids were waiting within the room patiently, along with a professionally dressed woman who was definitely a Daemon and four similarly dressed women behind her. I was surprised to see so many people waiting for me.

"Greetings, Lady Corrine. I am Madame Lena. I'm here to present you with a new wardrobe and to have you fitted with our finest dresses in Seola befitting of a future Queen," Madame Lena announced dramatically, bowing carefully before all the maids and assistants followed suit. I lifted my hand to my lips nervously, feeling shy suddenly. I was used to the lavish spoils of wealth being that my family was already pretty wealthy, but due to my father's protective nature, even things like personal maids were limited for me. I was used to bathing and dressing myself, so that there was less chance of anyone finding out what I truly was. I had been fitted before, though, so I drew on this experience.

"Thank you for your assistance, Madame Lena. I will leave this task to you," I responded politely and she looked up in surprise, her red eyes light among her features. The maids and assistants all glanced at each other quickly as well, as though I had said something outrageous. "Did I say something wrong?" I hesitated uncertainly.

"Ah, no. It's nothing! If you're ready...," Madame Lena gestured towards where there were several displays of dresses prepared for me. I followed her obediently.

Madame Lena began to relax not long after we began to try on the dresses, adjusting the fit where needed. Even the maids and assistants seemed to become less stiff over time, asking me questions on what I preferred and beginning to offer compliments on what they viewed as their own ideas of what looked best on me. My own uncertainties slipped away as well. I began to enjoy the process, smiling as they fussed over my hair and makeup, trying on various jewelry with the outfits.

"I suppose these will do for now, but if it's okay with you, I'd like to return in the near future with a more adequate line up," Madame Lena said once we had finished with the fitting of the outfits selected. I looked at her with surprise.

"But all of these are just wonderful. Why would you think they're not adequate?" I spoke honestly. I was used to more comfort oriented outfits, being that I wasn't ever really allowed to public settings, so thoughts of the dresses I was fitting now were out of reach for me in Numa.

"Ah, but look." Madame Lena said, reaching to turn my face to look into the mirror. The dress I wore was a deep red color, sleeveless and though it had an extravagant elegance, it didn't look like anything I'd ever thought I'd wear before. It made my skin look paler, despite the tones of suntanned gold it typically held, and my hair looked less colorful among it. "You are like a sunflower being dressed as a rose. I had never met you before or else I would've been more prepared. Will you consider, Lady Corrine?"

"If that is what you wish, then of course," I agreed politely. Again, the maids and the assistants looked at each other and even some began to whisper while Madame Lena looked entirely surprised by my response.

"I will bring you the best dresses I can possibly create and your true light will be blinding, my Lady. Thank you. I am so grateful," Madame Lena declared with such sudden intensity that I was suddenly startled. I wondered for a moment if she was an isolated type of woman. Perhaps she wasn't given many chances in the past. Were Daemons normally so... deprived?

"Oh, no. I'm the one who's thankful. I will love anything you create for me," I answered, smiling brightly. If she was deprived, then I would praise her as much as I could. "Thank you for assisting me, even if I'm not a daemon."

"Oh, believe me. I thought you would be someone hor- er, I mean... because the Mad Pri- I mean... you weren't what I expected Prince Nikolas' intended to be like at all," Madame Lena gushed quickly, stumbling over her words in panic. "I must leave! I will be back. Thank you, Lady Corrine!"

I watched her and her four assistants scurry from the room quickly with my mouth parted in mild surprise. The maids that remained continued to work on my hair, helping me change into one of the less extravagant dresses being that I wasn't attending anything particularly special yet. Once they were done, all but two left. The other two remained expectantly. I hesitated, looking at myself in the mirror they had seated me in front of.

"Do I need to do something?" I asked them uncertainly.

"When you're ready, Prince Nikolas has requested your presence. We'll escort you," the bolder maid answered simply.

"What's your name?" I asked her curiously. I knew every name of every employee that worked at the Adara mansion. Because my social circle was too small, I felt something of an attachment to those I did meet, even if their feelings were halted due to differences in status.

The maids looked surprised at the question, both of them glancing at each other hesitantly.

"I am Vienna and this is Shan," Vienna introduced herself with uncertainty.

"Did you both come from Numa?" I pressed further.

"I was born in Seola," Vienna responded, not speaking of Shan's origins.

"I came from Numa last year," Shan added quietly.

I looked from their uncomfortable forms to my appearance in the mirror. I didn't want to pressure them further, if they weren't comfortable with the personal questions. Even back home, the staff kept a safe distance from me, per the orders of my father. The only comforts I was given were in the form of my three cherub faced siblings. I looked to the corner of the mirror, remembering them sleeping in my bed, their breaths soothing in the night. I wondered what type of people they would grow into; stunning beauties and a lady killer, no doubt. Did they miss me as much as I missed them?

"Lady Corrine," Vienna interrupted my daze quietly. "Are you ready?"

"Yes. Sorry," I sat up straight back to attention. I stood and began to follow them towards wherever it was Niko would be summoning me to. Would he still refuse to look at me? Was he still angry with how I had been acting towards Kol, even after all the mess he'd put me through?

I was led through the massive castleque building until Vienna and Shan stopped before a set of double doors. They stood expectantly, waiting for me to enter on my own. I paused, but then lifted my hand to push open the door on the right. Niko was within a large study, standing in front of six Daemons; five male and one female. I couldn't hear what he was speaking to them about, but he stopped once I entered. Niko turned his gaze on me and I froze, expecting him to be cold as before. But he looked at me as he'd done before; with concern and something of uncertainty.

I stepped towards him hesitantly, my eyes glued to his as a part of me reached out for the safety that I knew he had offered before. He lifted his hand for me beckoningly and a wave a relief warmed me as I moved more certainly to take it.

"Rin," Niko said simply before turning to the six daemons before him. "These are guards I've handpicked myself. I want you to pick one." My sight had been entirely on Niko's form that I had nearly forgotten the others before him. I hesitated and turned to look at the daemons uncertainly just briefly, not even looking at them long enough to discern them apart before looking back to Niko.

"Why?" I asked hesitantly.

"You'll need someone to protect you at all times. You're not a daemon. You're weak and vulnerable to attacks," Niko explained carefully, looking at me with a frown. I watched him for a moment unhappily. Even in the Adara mansion, I wasn't given my own personal guard. If I was in danger, the guard would be the first to find out what I was. One slip up and they would know. It was a risk, especially for them being daemon, wasn't it? But I couldn't ask this now.