In Love With The Devil

Chapter 11

I awoke in a corridor in front of a door. I could hear voices on the other side. "Sir, you need to wear it..." Then someone interrupted saying "I do not, this is not the first time I've been challenged." I knew that voice it was Roland, then the first voice spoke again saying "yes sir, I know sir, I just want you to be safe sir." I had no idea what they were talking about but I knew I couldn't stand there forever. I looked down that I was wearing and it was a simple outfit jeans and V-neck shirt both black though. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

I heard footsteps come to the door and it swung open. In front of me was a male satyr, he looked at me at me lazily and turned to Roland who had his back to us. "It's a girl, sir." I watched as Roland slowly turned around, when he saw me he gave me a warm smile. I immediately felt better, safe. Roland then said "let her in, then you may go Rufus." The satyr, Rufus, bowed and left closing the door behind him. Roland was dressed in black chain-mail and I could see a breast plate leaning against the wall.

Roland looked at me and stated " back again I see." He had a faint smile on his lips but he looked a tad worried. I then replied "well I had a lot of fun last time so...why not?" He laughed though it didn't  seem to totally reach his eyes so I asked "what's wrong, do you not want me here?" He walked towards me took my hands and sighed. "I do want you here, it's just a lot is about to happen and I don't want you to be scared." I gave a small smile and say "why would I be scared?" I was nervous to hear the answer, and I knew he could tell. He looked me in the eye and stated "someone challenged me for my throne so I have to fight, I have to prove my worth..." he paused and I knew what he was going to say so I finished it "you have to kill." He nodded and said "yes, and I don't want you to be afraid of me, I can be...pretty ruthless out there." I simply nodded, not totally sure what to say.

There was a knock on the door and someone saying "the challenger and the arena are ready, sir." Roland immediately answered "I'll be right there." He gave my hands a small squeeze and said "you don't have to come and watch, you can stay here and relax." I shook my head, I knew that if he was fighting someone I would not be able to relax one bit. I would be worried sick. He gave another sigh and dropped my one hand  but held the other as we walked to the arena. As we walked I could feel my clothes change from jeans and a blouse to a somewhat short dress. It had one sleeve and it was long, at the hem of the dress there were flames coming coming up it and the end of the sleeve as well, the rest of the dress was black.

Roland then whispered in my ear saying "that's more fitting for this kind of event. After all you will be seen with the winner." We reached these two huge wooded doors and on one side I saw Rufus waiting with a sword on his hand. He handed it to Roland, then Roland whispered something to Rufus, that I couldn't hear. Rufus nodded and said "right this way me lady." I raised my eyebrows to Roland in question and he gave a stiffened nod. Then said "Rufus take good care of her and if you lay one finger on her..." Rufus started nodding repeatedly showing he understood. Rufus led me up a few flights of stairs to a balcony in which I could see the whole arena. He gestured for me to sit in the throne.

I sat in the throne not totally sure that I should be but soon forgot as I saw Roland enter the arena. He looked directly at me and winked. I then saw the two doors opposite of Roland open and someone walked out. I didn't know what to make of his opponent, he didn't look very strong. Barely strong enough to lift a sword, but yet he was twirling his sword around and around.

I heard a horn go off and soon they were fighting. Roland was quick, I've never seen anyone move that fast. Then his opponent struck him in the chest leaving a gash. AT first I didn't believe it, I mean how could he have touched him he was such a blur most of the time. Then i saw blood on his chest, I stood suddenly not able to stay seated. That seemed to anger Roland more than hurt him because the next blow decapitated his opponent. I watched as his opponent's body turned to ash.

Rufus then ushered me down a the stairs and into the arena through the doors Roland went through. I ran to him, wanting to make sure he was okay. I couldn't make total sense of my feelings, I was feeling concerned for Roland, scared to see him hurt, and most of all anger that he was hurt. I've never been an angry person so I didn't totally know what to do and I wasn't scared of Roland what so ever. I gently put my arms around Roland.

As we stood he asked "you're not scared of me?" I smiled and replied "no, I know you would never hurt me." I then gasped because the pile of ash was turning into a huge bird. Roland followed my sight and whispered "he was a phoenix, he'll change back to human form in a few hours." Roland then turned towards the bird and said "I'll let you live, but if you challenge me again, you will not be reborn." Roland gave a nod and few people came down and led the phoenix away. Roland then pulled me back the way we came and into the same room from earlier. This must be his bedroom, I then noticed a small table with a basin full of water and a rag was brought in. Roland pulled a chair over to the small table and I knew he was going to try to clean his wound.

I lightly put my hand over his and dipped the rag in the basin then looked at Roland. The only way I would be able to clean the wound properly is if he took off his shirt and chain-mail. I couldn't help but blush at the thought of asking. Roland seemed to read my mind and slowly took off his shit and chain-mail. I couldn't help but stare. He was stunning, he looked  to be sculpted from stone. Then his wound drew my attention. I set on cleaning it and he didn't even flinch.

Roland watched my every move and every expression. The wound wasn't as bad as I thought and it seemed to be healing quickly. Soon it was just a thin line, like I was erasing it with every wipe. After I put down the rag he stood. He put his arms around me and kissed me. After he put his forehead against mine and said "I'm glad you're not scared of me Valerie. I don't know what I would of done if you were." I then stated "I would never be scared of you because I know you would never hurt me."