The next day
Kael leaned against the rough wooden frame of Ivy's cottage, the morning sun casting a soft, golden glow over the clearing. He watched the gentle sway of the trees as the wind whispered through their branches, his mind lingering on how Ivy had clung to him last night, her soft moans echoing in his ears, her taste still fresh on his tongue.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps crunching through dry leaves snapped him from his thoughts. He straightened, his keen eyes catching Ivy's figure emerging from the trees, a woven bag full of fresh vegetables clutched in her hands. She looked radiant, her cheeks flushed from the walk, her hair slightly disheveled from the wind. She paused when she saw him, a small, surprised smile lighting up her face.
"Oh, you're awake," she said, her breathless voice carrying a hint of warmth as she approached, quickening her steps to close the distance.
Kael pushed off the doorframe, meeting her halfway. "Here, let me help you."
"Oh, it's fine," she began to protest, but he had already taken the bag, their fingers brushing briefly, sending a warm tingle up her arm.
She let out a soft laugh, watching as he easily lifted the heavy bag as if it weighed nothing.
"You shouldn't be carrying this alone," he said, his tone lightly scolding.
"It's okay," she said, beginning to unpack the vegetables. Kael watched her, his eyes following the delicate movements of her hands as she placed a bundle of herbs beside a pile of carrots.
"So," Kael said, leaning against the counter beside her, arms crossed over his broad chest, "did you get these from the old man at the market again?"
Ivy smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Yes, he insisted on giving me a few extra things. Said I reminded him of his granddaughter."
She pulled a small jar of honey from the bag and held it up for Kael to see.
"He gave me this, too."
Kael took the jar from her, their fingers brushing once more.
"Sweet, just like you" he teased, a playful smirk curling his lips.
Ivy rolled her eyes, a soft blush rising to her cheeks. "You're getting too good at this," she muttered, hiding her smile as she turned back to her work.
Kael's smile faded slightly as he leaned back against the counter, thoughts drifting to the conversation with his father. Humans were supposed to be a threat, a danger to demonkind, yet every human he had met,especially Ivy,had been nothing but kind, gentle, and full of warmth.
"How could they be a threat?" he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing as his mind raced.
Ivy glanced up, catching the distant, troubled look in his eyes. She reached out, gently touching his arm.
"Kael?" she said softly, tilting her head to meet his gaze. "What are you thinking about?"
He blinked, his eyes focusing on her, warmth returning as he forced a small smile.
"Nothing. Just… thinking about how lucky I am to have you," he said lightly, though his mind still turned over the puzzle his father had set before him.
She raised an eyebrow, unconvinced but willing to let it slide.
"Mhm, you're a terrible liar," she teased, turning back to the vegetables, her knife moving swiftly.
Kael stepped closer, arms sliding around her waist from behind, chin resting on her shoulder as he watched her work.
She felt his warm breath against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.
"You know," he murmured, lips brushing her ear, "if you keep being this adorable, I might never want to leave this cottage."
Ivy laughed softly, leaning back into his solid chest. "Oh? You'd give up your palace, your grand halls, and all your demon luxuries just to stay in my tiny, creaky cottage?"
Kael chuckled, his chest vibrating against her back.
"I would," he whispered, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the side of her neck, his hands tightening around her waist. "Because none of that means anything without you."
Her heart fluttered at his words, cheeks warming as she leaned her head back against his shoulder, eyes drifting closed to savor the warmth of his embrace.
"Well, if you plan to stay, you better learn how to chop vegetables," she said playfully, handing him the knife, eyes sparkling with mischief as she twisted in his arms to face him.
Kael took the knife, eyes locked on hers, lips curling into a slow, teasing smile.
"Oh, I can handle that," he replied, leaning in to brush his lips softly against hers, hand resting on her hip, holding her close. "But I think I'd much rather handle you."
Ivy's breath caught in her throat, heart racing as his words sent a warm, thrilling rush through her veins.
She opened her mouth to respond, but the look in his eyes,dark,intense, and filled with unspoken desire stole the words from her lips, leaving her breathless as his mouth claimed hers in a slow, passionate kiss that left her head spinning.
They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's warmth, the world outside the cottage forgotten. Their hearts beat in time as the fire crackled softly beside them.
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other's arms, the soft, comforting sounds of the cottage surrounding them, their breaths mingling, their hearts entwined.
---
The next day, Kael teleported himself back to his chamber, something suddenly popping into his mind.
He began to suspect that the stories of humans being a threat were exaggerated.
His time in the human villages,watching them live their fragile yet determined lives and his beautiful time with Ivy had planted the first seeds of doubt. But doubt was not enough. He needed proof.
Without wasting time, he sought out the oldest demon scholar in the kingdom, a reclusive sage known as Varion, who had lived for thousands of years and seen more than most. Hidden deep within the mountain archives, Kael confronted him.
"Tell me the truth," Kael demanded. "Were there ever great wars between demons and humans? Did they ever pose a real threat to us?"
Varion looked at him with tired, knowing eyes. "You ask dangerous questions, young prince."
"Because I seek the truth."
The old demon sighed, then gestured for Kael to follow. He led him to a hidden chamber within the archives, where ancient scrolls lay untouched by time. Kael unraveled one, expecting tales of war, but found nothing.
"Long ago, there was no enmity. But then the kings—your ancestors—saw that fear was a more powerful tool than trust. They rewrote history, told us that humans sought to destroy us, so we would never mix, never dilute the bloodline. The truth is, humans were never the ones who waged war. It was us."
Kael clenched his fist, heart pounding. His entire life, he had been told a lie. A lie that had dictated his people's fate for generations.
Now, standing before his father in the throne room, Kael felt the weight of that knowledge like fire in his chest.
King Malakar's presence was oppressive, his crimson eyes burning with quiet fury as he regarded his son.
Prince Kael stood before him, jaw clenched, fists tight at his sides. He had long since abandoned hope that his father might understand. The weight of generations bore down on them both, but Kael no longer wished to carry it not at the cost of his heart.
"You would throw away centuries of strength for the sake of a human?" Malakar's voice was calm, but power beneath it was unmistakable. "Do you even understand what you are doing?"
Kael met his father's gaze without flinching. "I understand that I love her. And I understand that you would rather kill her than let me choose my own fate."
Malakar exhaled slowly, as if speaking to a stubborn child. "You believe this is about your happiness. It is not. It is about the survival of our kind." He rose from his throne, standing face to face with Kael. "Demons do not mix with humans. It is a law as old as our reign, one that has ensured our strength for years."
"A law built on a lie," Kael shot back, voice echoing through the chamber, defiant. "You fear weakness, so you tell our people that humans are a threat. But they are not. You weave tales of war and treachery to keep us apart, to keep us afraid."
Malakar's lips curled into a slow, humorless smile. "You think you have uncovered some great truth, my son. But tell me, does it matter? A lie believed by all becomes as powerful as any truth." He stepped closer, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And the demons believe. They will never accept your human."
Kael's nails bit into his palms.
Malakar sighed and said, "You will marry Lucianna. You will uphold the strength of our bloodline. And you will forget this foolishness. That's final."