Falling

Ch 4

"What's wrong?" He asked worriedly, putting his hands gently on my arms.

I didn't pull away, instead relaxing slightly into them while still trying to control my breathing. "This is just too much right now. Please, I...I need to go back."

I heard him sigh deeply before his grip tightened a little, and the black floor suddenly morphed into the ugly grey carpet that I knew so well.

"Do you need to sit down?" He asked gently.

When I nodded, he led me towards the couch and sat me down, standing in front of me quietly. I ran a hand through my hair and stared wide-eyed at the floor, trying to slow my breathing down. After a few seconds I closed my eyes, reminding myself over and over that I was home.

No.

I clenched my jaw and forced the voice back with a frustrated groan.

"Did something happen?" I heard him ask.

I nodded, not saying anything for a few moments as I gathered my thoughts. With a sigh, I straightened slightly but still looked down at the floor as I said, "There was a voice I heard. In my mind."

His legs shifted and then he moved to squat down in front of me, effectively capturing my gaze. His eyes were a normal blue.

I didn't like it.

"What did the voice say?" He asked with a sudden sense of urgency.

"Just the words 'home' and 'no'," I said quietly.

I fell silent again as I took another deep breath, filling my lungs as best I could before slowly sighing the breath out. But even though my body was starting to relax, there was a tense feeling growing stronger throughout my mind.

He didn't say anything for a while, simply watching me. But then after a few minutes he asked, "Do you feel different from before?"

I blinked. "Yes. I'm not sure I can describe it though."

"That's alright." Asmodeus gave me a soft smile then and said, "I believe the voice you are hearing is your demon half. She is waking up."

Almost as if to agree, I felt a stronger wave of the new feeling wash over me, and I saw the excitement flare in his eyes.

"What?" I asked in a slightly panicked voice.

"Your eyes and skin just shifted color," He said quickly, taking my hands. "We must celebrate!"

I stared at him, my jaw dropping slightly. "What...celebrate?"

"Of course!" He grinned. "Your true nature is starting to come alive again, and that is something worth celebrating!"

I stood up quickly and pulled my hands out of his. He stood up as well, pausing to give me a confused look as he asked, "Is everything alright?"

"I'm...I'm not sure," I said slowly, avoiding his eyes and taking a deep breath. "This is all just very sudden and I'm not sure how to process it."

"What's to process?" He asked then, confused. "You are a half-demon who is rediscovering her true nature and will be the future ruler of my kingdom."

"That's exactly what I need to process," I said, stepping away to slowly walk aimlessly through my living room while ignoring a sudden prickling feeling in my chest. "Remember, I'm still part human regardless of whatever demon side I have. And don't get too settled on the idea of me being your future bride; I haven't accepted that yet."

He sighed exasperatedly. "You already agreed to it."

"I was sleeping!" I exclaimed, turning around to glare at him while gesturing towards my bedroom for emphasis. "Contracts are not binding when one party is asleep, we've gone over this!"