DEVAS
I was destined from birth to serve the princes of darkness. My entire existence was meant to revolve around fulfilling their orders, no questions asked.
Even as a child, I was taught to use my powers and obey every command as if I were nothing more than a tool in their hands. But after countless battles and years of blind obedience, I began to realize that a being without a will of their own is nothing more than a puppet.
Demons may reach their full power at twenty-five and no longer age, but our mindsâour feelingsâgrow throughout our lives. Decades of struggle and doubt followed, until I finally found refuge with Baldur.
While the other princes despised me for my sarcasm and willful nature, he was amused by it. With him, I felt no pressure, no expectations.
In long conversations, he gave me the answers to the questions that had tormented me for so long. And then the day came when I had to make a decision.
I realized⦠my life didnât have to revolve around malice. Just because I was born a demon, it didnât mean I had to be evil.
All the doubts, all the contradictionsâthey confirmed to me that everything I had been taught was nothing more than lies. Brainwashing, to make us submissive.
But then Baldur disappeared, and I was given a young demon called Bael as a pupil. I was supposed to instill in him the same blind obedience that had once been forced on me.
But I recognized myself in himâand soon we both fled from Portus Mali, the cruel place we once called home. It took a long time before King Elior trusted me.
Baldur had to do some convincing to get people to accept me on the side of good. But over time, distrust turned into friendship.
We fought side by side, and for the first time in my life, I felt that I had truly arrived. I was no longer a tool of the darkness.
I was free. But this freedom was denied to me once again by evil.
I didnât immediately recognize it, blinded by the thought that we were safe in Antaris. But I saw it in Averyâit looked triumphant through his eyes as I turned to him one last time before I was banished through the portal.
The battle for Baldurâs Child was the cruelest we had seen in decades. The princes of darkness wanted revenge on their brother, whom they saw as a traitor.
Yet Baldur was no longer my warlord or princeâhe was my friend, a father figure. On that day, we lost not only Baldur and his wife, but also the queen.
Nothing was the way it used to be. Elior was devastated.
But he said at the time that he was not allowed to feel anger or hatred because that could destroy all good beings. Now I also understood why.
But back then, I was trying to understand how a soul bond could lead to such a cruel end. Love had been foreign to me, but I yearned to understand it.
Over time, I learned to love not only Antaris, but every creature that lived there. The years I spent with Eliorâs children and Baldurâs son taught me compassion and kindness.
As they grew up, I discovered through them the beauty of lifeâlike a child seeing the world for the first time. Elior recognized the change in me.
Despite his contempt for my kind for the death of his mate, he spared me. I found another brother in him, and I remember countless days and nights of laughing, crying, and fighting side by side.
Thatâs why he asked me to look after his children in case anything happened to him. I should have known⦠he knew his end was coming.
Elior could have lived for decades, but that would only be agonizing for him. What is such a long life if a part of you is missing?
He only reached the age of forty, too short a life for an almost immortal. But he did it to save his people, to give all those children the opportunity to be happy.
It was a blessing for me to see these childrenânow adultsâfinding their soul mates and starting families of their own. Even Bael, whom I loved like a son, couldnât escape the turmoil of love.
Although he was afraid of losing his mate, he eventually found peace by Avaâs side. When Iris was brought back home and stood before me, I was overcome with sadness and joy at the same time.
It took me days to process everything and get my emotions under control again. She was my best friendâs child, my sister, and I needed to help her.
These kids meant more to me than anything I had ever known in Portus Mali. And though I was the oldest being on Antaris, I suddenly felt overwhelmed by this world.
Yet evil knew exactly what it was doing. Banishing us here wasnât just a strategic move to get rid of all those demons who had realized the truth.
It was also a perfect way to separate us from our people. For good.
I could only hope this plan would be recognized by someone on Antaris. But I was speechless when I saw Iris.
How brave she was to come into this nothingness to look for me. She was either brave, or completely stupid.
But her mere appearance here would give courage to all the banished demons. We stuck together in the hope that we would get back home.
And that hope was now kindled like a blazing fire, thanks to Iris. I felt her presence as soon as she stepped through the portal, and we set out to find her.
But just like Irisâs power, I felt another very strong force in this forest. I would never have dared to dream that this warm energy was coming from Evangeline.
I froze when I saw Iris. But when my gaze slid over to this young woman, I was bewitched. She turned towards meâand my breath was taken away when her glance met mine.
Her eyes were the first thing I saw: like liquid honey in sunlight, so clear and penetrating that they seemed to look right through me. A hypnotic blend of golden warmth and fiery depth.
Large and expressive, framed by thick, black lashes that made every glance she gave me a breathtaking promise. When she looked at me, it was as if the world around us blurredânothing existed except this one moment.
Her lips, full and a natural red color like the first roses of spring, slowly curved into a smile. Not friendly, not gentle, but charming in a way that made my blood run cold.
It was a smile that told stories of danger and promise, a smile that drove men mad and provoked the wrath of gods. Her every movement was pure grace, as if she were not of this world but a creature who had left heaven itself to punish mortals with her beauty.
The way the moonlight caught in her blonde curls, the way her breath enlivened the air between usâthere was no creature more beautiful than her. I should have said something, but I was lost for words.
Until she ran towards me, intent on killing me. My entire life flashed before my eyes. I could feel her unstoppable power.
Although I was a very strong demon, I knew I had no chance against her. But what surprised me the most was the shockwave that pushed her away from me.
I didnât do this⦠it wasnât my power, it was hers. Questions flooded my brain. Why would her own power turn on her?
She seemed surprised by this herself. Yet she stared at me as if she saw more in me than just an enemy.
An incredible feeling enveloped me, so strong that this horrible world was no longer a danger⦠as long as I was near her. I could feel her heart beating, every breath she took.
Her lips parted in shock, and I was on fire when I saw her like that. I was greedy for the sight of her.
It was strange how one person could feel like a home⦠youâd never known you were missing. She brought calm to my chaos, with just a look.
A light when everything seemed engulfed by darkness. I was powerless in front of her.
Completely dazed by her appearance, I caught sight of this little feather falling to the floor.
It didnât come from nowhere. It belonged to her. And the question inside me popped into my head immediately.
What was she? But how could I dare to ask her that?
As I knelt beside her, I could feel her warmth. A sweet scent rose to my nose, awakening an explosion of happiness inside me.
It couldnât be⦠after all these decades. But she seemed as if she didnât realize.
Like she didnât feel the mate bond between us. ~Mate~, it echoed in my head.
She was my mate. Evangeline turned her head away from me.
My chest tore, pain filled me so strongly that my fingers began to tremble. Only when Iris took my outstretched hand did I snap out of this despair.
âLetâs go to safety,â I said to Iris as I helped her off the floor.
Evangeline got up immediately, her gaze glued to mine.
But I couldnât feel her, no emotion, not even a hint of what I should feel. As if Iâd hit an invisible wall.
âItâs not safe here, Devas. Letâs go to the camp,â I heard the voice of one of the demons.
The narrow path swallowed the group one by one until only I was left behind. The last steps between me and the others felt like an invisible threshold.
The forest breathed around us, a whisper in the branches, a rustle in the undergrowth. But it wasnât the shadows between the trees that made my blood run cold.
It was Evangeline. She kept turning her head, her gaze cutting through the darkness like lightning.
Too often. For too long.
Her eyes were not concerned, not kind, but⦠knowing. As if sheâd seen something that I couldnât see.
Like she was waiting for it to happen. Suddenly, she stopped.
The others carried on walking, but she turned around to face me.
Her mouth moved, but no words cameâjust a silent warning.
Then her fleeting flinch as something touched the ground behind me. I wanted to turn around.
But her scream pulled me back.
âDonât look! RUN!â