Chapter 16: Chapter 16

A huge sigh of relief slipped out of my lips the moment I found out the baby was safe. There was nothing more I was invested in than my baby and the health of my child. It's so weird feeling that I cannot explain but the thought of something happening made me dizzy with fear. A sense of protection and affection developed over the fetus in my stomach. It did not matter that it was the result of a one-night stand and not something I had planned. The only thing I care about was looking after the health of the baby.

From past these days while I was locked up in my room the only thing I did besides read talked to my stomach. It gave me some kind of relief just knowing that someone was hearing me. Someone who would look exactly like me.

Lukas's eyes were red. The moment I sat down on the couch they turned red. Bright red with black at the edges. I had never seen someone with that eye colour. Obviously, it must be because he was the Demon King of Hell. They made me wanted to reach out and comfort him like I knew that he wasn't some kind of stress.

"Why didn't you tell me that?" He growled, staring at Gia. She was sitting beside me after I cleaned off the colour from my stomach. They had applied some sort of green gel on my skin.

Sia bowed down her head, "We did not want to worry you, my King."

Lukas snorted, his nails threatening to come out, "Yeah well you succeeded then!"

It made me realise that the only reason his inner demon was threatening to come out must be his anger. That's why his eyes were red and he was burning up. The room was warmer than before and it prickled my skin.

Mia nervously giggled, as if trying to ease the tension in the room. I blinked my eyes at her. She was always the mediator in between her sisters as well. No wonder she was trying to do her best to control the tension.

"Lukas" I softly whispered, staring at him. His eyes were still red as he whipped his head towards me. My breath hitched in my throat. Instead of staying away, I was indulging myself into helping him.

It was silly because I had the perfect opportunity to slip out of there while he was angry on the fairies but I did not take that way out. I rose from the couch and took hesitant steps towards him.

"Miss Talia don't" Mia shook her head, trying to pull me back with the hem of my dress.

"Yeah, I don't think that's such a good idea" Kira mumbled while staring at Lukas and then back at me. I was not scared of him. Sure at first his eyes terrified me but they were also fascinating to me and I had this serene knowledge that he would never hurt me.

Sia softly mumbled, "Let her do it"

Lukas felt like a wounded puppy, standing in the middle of the hall. The four of them was staring at him like he was an animal who would hurt them. I sharply breathed as I stepped towards him. His breathing was harsh, head ducked down and I wanted to see those eyes again.

"Lukas" I called out as my hands went towards his shoulders. He jerked at my touch at first and I pulled back. Maybe it was a bad idea but when his shoulders sagged down in defeat I tried again. That time however he responded by tilting his head up.

I froze, staring at his face. His true face. He had fierce red eyes, black ashes at the corners, almost terrifying to stare at them in the night. The light from the hall cast on his face which made me take a step back. A flash cast before my eyes and I blinked several times. In that time I could see that his true face was burned, coal-black and entire body on fire. His entire body was black and he was on fire without even flinching. What was he? How could he do that? My body was paralyzed with shock and fear as my eyes were stuck on him.

He stormed out of there without even turning back. I stayed there, rooted, staring at his retreating form. It took me a while to get back to normal but I felt something inside me shift.

***

Kira was trying to talk to me. Mostly trying to know what I saw which made me numb for a few minutes. I couldn't even describe it because it was that terrifying. I knew that Lukas was something unimaginable but seeing his true form even for a flicker of a second terrified me.

"Miss Talia?" Kira cleared her throat and I realised that she was still in the room.

"What do you want?"

"I think it is better if you take a walk outside"

I laughed, my hollow laughter echoing around my room. How was walking around the halls of hell going to make me feel any better? Funny enough those words did not sound as crazy as they would before. If someone would have said that I would be giving birth to a child of demon I would have slapped them on their face but after laughing at them of course.

"Sure let's go"

I pushed the covers off my body. Sitting idle in my room was even more haunting anyways. We started to walk from the other side of the hall which was actually bright and painted.

"What is this wall painted?" I questioned Kira, my fingers tracing the flowers painting on the wall.

Kira stared at the wall before blinking at me, "Miss Lauren lives in this side of quarters. She was a painter in the 19th century so that's why the fascination with flowers and all this post-impressionism art"

My mouth opened and closed that. How is that possible? As much as I knew all the dead souls were in the chambers on the other side of the bridge.

Kira cleared her throat, "The only reason Miss Lauren is still alive is because of her ability to sculpt. All the statues you have seen at the entrance are her creation."

I shook my head, "I did not see the entrance"

Kira flustered at that, "I'm sorry I forgot about that"

She had no reason to apologize for Lukas cavemen behaviour. He had someone kidnap me from the earth so obviously, I ended up in one of the rooms rather than travel through the front door. Now that she mentioned it I was interested in taking the tour of the entire place.

"Can you show me the entrance please?" I made puppy eyes at her because they worked every time.

Atleast that's what Jackson used to say. His name bought a bittersweet smile on my face. Only if I had the chance to say goodbye I would make everything right. Even though he had many friends to rely on Jackson always came back to me. I could not even imagine the things he must be going through to search for me.

Kira worked her bottom lip in between her teeth, her fingers wrung together. I knew the answer before she could answer. Of course, she might have the order form above to not take me outside. Did Lukas already know what was going in my mind?

"Maybe if you ask my King he will allow you"

I rolled my eyes, "That's never happening"

"Well, then you would never see those sculptures" Kira mumbled pushing the door as I gaped at her. Since when did she become so confident and bold enough to drag me? It reminded me of Mira.

Kira looked over her shoulder, "Just a warning you should be a bit cautious of Miss Lauren"

I was sceptical at that. What would a sculpture do to me? Rolling my eyes I stepped through the door and entered the room. My eyes widened staring at the huge display of statues everywhere. It must be the biggest room in the mansion.

"Wow did she do these?" I wondered, my fingers tracing the grey statue of the lion. The details were interesting.

Kira hummed, "She has been here for over two centuries now so yeah this is all her work"

My feet crunched against the floor as I walked ahead. Suddenly I felt a huge force come through front and arms wrapping around my body. I made a sound, staggering back at the impact of sudden weight.

I looked at Kira, "Is this why you warned me?"

Kira made a face and grimly nodded her head. I pulled back from the hug and crossed my arms against my chest.

"Did the King finally grant me my wish?" Lauren giggled staring at me. I turned towards Kira because I had no idea what she was talking about.

"No" Kira started, "This is Miss Talia, Demon Kings Mate"

***