Chapter 17: Chapter 17

My eyes widened at Kira's words. What did she mean by Demon Kings Mate? As much as I was aware no one mention that detail to me before. Laurens's eyes were the size of a saucer at that and she bowed down in front of me.

"What are you doing?" I asked her, my voice hoarse. My head turned towards Kira, trying to make sense. I needed to know if whatever she said was true. Was there something Lukas was hiding from me?

"Bowing to the future Queen" Lauren made a funny face as she pulled back and straightened her back. I shook my head at her. Nuh-uh I was not the future Queen. Atleast I hoped I was not.

The thought of being near souls made me shiver in fear. Is that what everyone was thinking? That I was going to rule beside Lukas? How can it be possible when he hates me and the only reason he kidnapped me was for his child?

"I'm not..." I took a deep breath, "I am not a Queen of anything. Just call me Talia please"

Lauren stared at Kira like I had said something she could not even comprehend. My eyes were trained towards her so she quickly nodded her head.

Kira nervously giggled, "Miss Lauren why don't you show us your creations? Perhaps something you have been working on lately"

My eyes flickered towards Kira at her tone. It felt like she was purposefully avoiding the topic but I had to find out no matter what. Lauren's face lighted up like a child on a Christmas as soon as she heard those words.

I felt a pull on my hand when I realised that she was dragging me towards her latest sculptures. But I thought she was a painter. Before I could open my mouth to ask the question Lauren beat me to it.

"Painting is something I do only on requests. It feels more like work and less fun" She stared at the wall and I followed her eyes.

Staring back at her I asked, "Who requests you?"

"Mostly I get requests from my King so that he can gift to my paintings to the guests. Sometimes there are special orders from other Kings but they should be approved by my King"

I hummed, taking the information in. It was amazing actually that she had people appreciating her talent. Lukas did not seem like the one to be interested in art but hearing her words made me doubt my own assumption.

"Do you enjoy living here?" I questioned, noticing that Kira was way behind us. I need to know that because Kira would have a biased opinion. Also, she is a demon so it would be natural for her to take Lukas side.

Lauren laughed, nodding her head, "Some may think that it's stupid that I took the deal but I like it here. My King is very generous, I get to have this entire quarter to myself, any kind of food and drink I want. Also, I'm allowed to travel around for a few days if he likes my art. What more could you want?"

Freedom. I quietly thought in my mind. She may be happy doing her work and enjoying food and everything but I was not. And the thought terrified me. It made me think that something might be wrong with me. What if I can never be happy?

The question revolved around my mind the entire time I was with Lauren. She showed me most of her art but I still could not stop thinking about that question.

***

The next morning I decided that I was not going to stay in my room anymore. As in I would try to get out as much as possible. Feeling cooped up in the same place was one of the reasons I felt on edge. To get rid of that feeling I had to get out of my room.

The first time I saw the wardrobe in my room my eyes were wide with shock. It was completely filled with all the designer brands on earth. Every single item I had seen on the billboards and in the malls, on the models behind display glass. As much as I felt like trying on everything they were a lot. Also, I was having this anger about Lukas bringing me against my will so I never tried anything flashy or expensive, sticking to the plain tees in the bottom.

However, after talking with Lauren, I decided to change a few things about myself. I was not going to sit in that room and feel sorry for myself every single day for unknowingly sleeping with a demon. He was at fault as much as I was.

"Let's see..." I licked my lips while pulling out a white crop top which had 'not heartbroken' written on the left pocket. As the writing was in grey I picked a grey knee-length skirt to go along with the leather ankle boots.

Also, I decided that I was going to ask Lukas for my phone. It was stupid since I did not even know if it worked from Hell. But Lukas carried a cherry red iPhone with him every time. That meant something.

"Let's do this" I breathed, staring at the vanity mirror in front of me. There was an unusual glow on my face and I felt different. Maybe it was because of my curls or the makeup on my skin.

Whatever it was I wanted it to be that way.

***

When I stepped out of the room I had no idea which way to go. Kira was the one who bought me breakfast every day and I never saw the direction she came from. But I knew that one side leads to Lauren's chamber and the other side to the red room. Taking a deep breath I took the third hallway, hoping that I would reach the dining hall.

"Good morning" I smiled when I noticed a huge dining table in the centre of the room.

"Talia!" Lauren waved her hand, sitting on the right side of the table. My eyebrows lifted in surprise. I thought that she would be the one to get her orders in the chamber. Anyways it was a win for me as I knew her and maybe she can help me with my argument. Then again she seemed too loyal to Lukas.

"Morning Miss Talia" A deep voice grunted, his head turning over his shoulder and I blinked at the person sitting opposite Lauren. Of course. It was Dean. The guy who abducted me from the earth.

"Dean?"

Lauren's face fell as she peeked at me, "Do you know each other?"

I glared at the back of Dean's head. There was no one I despised at the moment except for Lukas of course than I did Dean. He was the reason I was not on earth. Clenching my fist by my side I walked towards the dining table. It was huge with almost twenty chairs on each side even though the staff was less in number. Or maybe it was just me. I only met a few of them, Kira is the only one I recognised from that bunch.

"Unfortunately I do" I snarled, pulling the chair beside the grand seat.

Dean's lips twitched by his side as he took a bite of his waffle. My eyebrows furrowed at him. I had no idea that demons had an appetite. They are dead after all.

"Huh?"

Dean stared at Lauren, his lips pulled in a smirk. At that moment I was angry enough to lift the fork nearby and stab his face. Multiple times. The thought made me disgust, a few seconds later. Hell was starting to affect my thoughts and in a bad way.

"Actually I had the privilege to bring Miss Talia to Hell."

Lauren bobbed her head taking a bite of her chicken. My nose scrunched at that. It was too early for fried chicken.

"Are you trying to affect your health?" I questioned, unable to hold back. Lauren blinked at me for few seconds before realising that I was talking to her. She giggled.

"This?" She lifted her fork and stuffed mouthful of chicken. I made a face and shook my head.

"Don't worry Talia I already died a few centuries ago. Nothing can affect my health"

Dean chuckled along with Lauren as I felt my cheeks turn red. How did I forget that information?

The maids from around started rushing around, arranging the table once more. I noticed that Dean was still now, Lauren following his lead.

"What's going on?" I questioned as Lauren quickly gulped the water from the glass and wiped her face.

"My King is arriving at the table"

My brows furrowed in confusion.

"How do you know that?"

Dean cleared his throat, "Master always has his breakfast at eight in the morning."

I glanced back at the big clock in centre of the room and it was eight in the morning. Footsteps echoed towards the table and I ducked my head down. From the corner of my eyes I noticed Lukas and his feet stopping an inch away from my chair.

"Good morning Talia"

***