Illicit Flower

Regret Nothing

"A prostitute?! What were you doing with a prostitute?!"
"She was in trouble-"
"Well I hope you're proud of yourself."
Riya leaned back in her chair as Jasmine continued her rant. While Riya wanted to explain, she stayed silent because she knew Jasmine wouldn't give her the chance.
Riya was back at the castle, in the dining room. Her father, Adrien, sat at the other end of the table, with Jasmine. Adrien was trying (and failing) to calm Jasmine down. He tried to touch her arm, but she sharply turned and glared at him, and he kept his distance. Selene sat on the couch behind the dining table and behind Riya. Aya told Riya that Selene had a sly smile on her face. Yet Aya also sensed fear and relief in her eyes. While Jasmine yelled at Selene far less than Riya, she'd still target her if Riya hadn't done anything. But Selene seemed a bit too relieved that Riya was in trouble, like she was hiding something.
Lola was still on Riya's mind. Despite her difficult situation, Riya envied Lola. She was tough and fearless; if someone wanted her, she wouldn't go down without a fight. Still she wondered where Lola even got silver bullets from. Being frequently harassed by those werewolves must have made her desperate.
When Jasmine came, the guards immediately took Lola away, and Riya never saw her again. Even though Lola was cold to her, Lola was clearly upset to be separated from Riya. She even hit a guard in the face when he grabbed her arm. Lola was a fighter to the end.
But right now Riya had no other option than to mentally prepare herself for another one of Jasmine's speeches of disappointing the family.
Ugh, kill me now.
What do you think she'll say next? Aya asked. It's either, "Do you realize what you've done?" or "Think of the family!"
Nope, said Riya. I know her better than you do. She's gonna tell me about how I'm such a disappointment or how stupid I am.
Aya scoffed, Oh please. I don't think she'll-
"How could you be so stupid?" Jasmine said. "Seriously, even in the world of disappointments, this is low even for you. Can't you think about anyone other than yourself for once?"
That got Riya's attention, "Are you fucking serious? Lola was being attacked and I saved her. She'd be puppy chow if I hadn't done anything!"
Jasmine rolled her eyes and stood up. She took a few steps away from the table. Jasmine put her hand on her chest and Riya could hear her breathing.
Is she... trying to calm herself? Aya noticed. That's new for her. I'm impressed.
Even Adrien and Selene were surprised. They were used to Jasmine's explosive anger. Now she was actually trying to contain it. Still her body was trembling, as if a small part of her was afraid.
"It's bad enough she's a hooker, but a mundy?" Jasmine finally said. "We're not supposed to even talk to them. Why get involved in the first place?"
"She needed help." Riya said firmly. "And it's not like I brought her to our world. Rafael did. The werewolf leader. Does that not concern you at all?"
At this point, Adrien spoke up, "Riya, we try not to get involved in what your kind does, much less think about it-"
Riya raised an eyebrow, "My kind?"
"Werewolves. Vampires." Adrien's eyes met Riya's, "Demons. Children of darkness."
He didn't say succubus but Riya knew he was thinking it.
"Our people are already suspicious of you," Adrien continued. "The lies we had to tell to keep the situation from escalating. And when they find out-"
"Minerva trusted me." Riya said firmly. "She was an Angel, yet she showed kindness to me, a demon. She actually loved me. So if she was able to, what's your excuse?"
Jasmine couldn't keep quiet any longer, "What were you thinking? Associating yourself with that slut?"
"Why do you think, mother?" Riya heard Selene say. "She and the mundy aren't that different."
"Well the difference is that Riya uses her magic on poor unsuspecting men," said Jasmine. "They have no chance to fight back. But yes, she must know more than she's letting on."
Riya rolled her eyes, "Yep, I admit it. I rescued a girl, who happened to be a sex worker, from a terrible situation. And afterwards I proceeded to treat her with compassion and respect because she's, you know, a person. Officer, take me away."
Jasmine couldn't take it anymore. She stormed up and slammed both hands on the table, "You think this is funny?!"
Riya scoffed, "Yep. I think it's fucking hilarious." Then she stood up, "I don't regret helping Lola. I'd do it again, but this time I'd leave with her."
"Oh really?" Jasmine challenged. "There's nobody for you here or on Earth. Even if you somehow managed to run away for good, where would you go?"
"Anywhere's better than living with you!" Riya snapped. "Even after what Minerva did, she was a much better person than you! At least she had a heart!"
Selene gasped. Riya's eyes glowed green, and a matching green aura surrounded her. Even Riya's blue hair was glowing. Selene was right to be afraid of Riya, and this was proof. She was done feeling sorry for her. Jasmine was right to call her a monster. Then Selene noticed something else. The butterfly birthmark on the back of Riya's shoulder was glowing too. Panicked, Selene pulled down her sleeve and looked down at her own birthmark. It wasn't glowing yet. Good. She hadn't turned yet. She quickly pulled her sleeve back up. If Jasmine found out that she had one too...
Even Adrien was afraid; Riya was his daughter, but his priority was protecting his wife and Selene. They were his family first. Yes Riya was part demon, but was it their fault? But what really terrified him was Riya's glowing green eyes. It was her succubus aura, exactly like her mother's the night Adrien met her in that bar. As if he needed another reminder of that woman.
Riya inhaled and closed her eyes, Aya. Don't.
But she's-
I can handle her, Riya assured Aya. I'm not scared of Jasmine anymore. But believe me, you'll know when I need your help.
The ice in Jasmine's glare contrasted the fire in Riya's eyes, and it looked like they'd tear each other apart. Selene had to do something.
"Riya, you'll never see Lola again," Selene said. "Even if you knew exactly where on Earth she lived, she wouldn't recognize you."
The fire in Riya's eyes died down, "What?"
"The Council erased her memory," Selene continued, relieved that she successfully distracted her sister. "After the guards separated you two, we had them lock her in a cell until The Council came. We can't have mundies knowing about our world, Riya. The Council did it to protect us."
She'd only met Lola a few hours ago. Why does she care? Maybe because Riya felt connected to her. They both wanted to be free. Lola fought and still lost even with Riya's help. It wasn't fair. Or maybe it was another reminder for Riya that no matter what, even if you fight for your escape, even if you did everything right, you can still lose. But if Lola really forgot everything, Rafael would try and get her back. And the cycle would start all over again. What if Rafael bit Lola this time?
"What about Rafael and his pack? They kidnapped Lola and brought her here!" Riya reminded them.
"Werewolves are elusive," said Adrien. "They, like other demons, hide in the shadows. The Council have their agents looking for them, but until they're found-"
Jasmine sighed irritably, "Who cares? One thing's for sure, we've been far too lenient with you. You're always causing trouble when you run away. First those poor men at that bar on Earth. Then that other deranged succubus, honestly I couldn't tell the two of you apart. And now, meeting a hooker? This can't keep happening, Riya. This pointless rebellion of yours needs to stop. And you will respect us."
"Give me something to respect, then we'll talk."
Now Aya gasped. Sure they talked about the one day where Riya would tell Jasmine off, but Aya was still shocked to hear her host actually say that. Nevertheless, Aya was prepared to protect Riya at all costs.
Selene, anticipating the worst, sunk lower into the couch. Riya's already in trouble, why make it worse? Has she lost her mind? Or does she just not care anymore?
"Riya, please just go to your room." Adrien suddenly said, surprising everyone. Even the anger on Jasmine's face temporarily vanished.
Selene exhaled, relieved that her sister and mother wouldn't tear each other apart. At least for now.
"Go to your room," Adrien repeated. "Please, Riya." Then he turned to Selene, "You too. Your mother and I need to talk."
Jasmine didn't know what to say. When did her husband suddenly become so... sure of himself? Where was this energy all those years ago?
Selene rushed up the stairs, eager for the chance to get to safety. And Riya followed her; not running, but calmly walking up the stairs with a smile on her face. Riya stopped caring, she wasn't staying in Lyria for long.
It's my life, Riya said to herself. And when I leave for good, I won't look back.