Night had come and Lydia was sure she had walked in circles blindly looking for the demon.
He was no where to be found.
Leaning against a tree, Lydia began to cry.
She was collecting mushrooms when a hunter attacked her.
He was ripping off her clothes and began forcing himself onto her.
Before the worst could happen the demon stabbed the hunter.
The demon grabbed her and together they ran away.
However, they were chased to a cliff and that’s when those vicious men began to torture the demon.
The final blow was the blade that stabbed through the demon’s heart.
Lydia sobbed and covered her eyes.
“Devon…”
His eyes were the only thing she remembered as he fell backwards. Pained and yet still looking to her.
Lydia knew she loved the demon.
It didn’t happen instantly. His actions made her love him a little more everyday.
Crying her heart out, Lydia almost passed out.
At that moment a weak voice called out.
“Stop crying.”
Lydia flinched.
Low and softly spoken was Devon’s voice.
Standing up Lydia focused on where the voice had come from.
She called his name again.
“Devon, where are you?”
“Look to your left.”
Lydia spotted some bushes.
Creeping towards them she seen the demon lying in blood amongst rocks.
“You cry too much.” He said flatly, “stop crying.”
Lydia dropped to her knees and ripped a piece of her dress off. Bunching it up in her hand, she tried to dry him of blood.
“It’s no use… I’m close to my end-“
“Let me do this for you Devon. It’s the least I can do.”
Quietly, Lydia worked to bandage him.
“That’s enough Lydia.”
He stopped her hand and Lydia looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“Please, forgive me.” She said, “I’ve burdened you.”
“Hm. You had your moments.”
Lydia sighed. She stared at the hole in his chest.
Why did she wake this sleeping demon?
She lived her life in the small house isolated from most other people.
The day she met the demon, she woke him from his restful nap alongside the river.
They met each other almost everyday in a way that most would consider meeting a secret lover.
Lydia slipped away from her house to walk with the demon in the forest.
He was waiting for her always.
And now look… there would never be another day he could wait for her… perhaps only in her dreams of a happier world.
“Kiss me.” He said suddenly.
Lydia shook her head.
“You need to save your energy.”
“Lydia, I am dying as we speak. Tell me you haven’t realized that I’ve wanted you.”
Lydia nodded her head. She sighed with relief.
“Thank you. I hoped you would say something like this.”
Leaning down, Lydia gently kissed his lips.
His hand touched her arm and swept to her neck. He pulled her head lower and kissed harder.
“Be careful.” Said Lydia with tears.
“I want more than that dull kiss. You can do better.”
Lydia blushed and opened her mouth. Her tongue was welcomed by his. Smooth and firm, the demon’s tongue was so slick it was difficult not to shiver.
Placing both hands on his head, Lydia lifted the demon’s head so she could go deeper.
Warm and sweet, the kiss felt so good that Lydia wished they had done this sooner.
Still, nothing could replace the happiness they shared in the forest together.
It was bliss.
He had saved her from the misery of her lonesome life.
He was unlike any man or demon she had known.
Soon his breath became heavy and Lydia knew Devon was forcing himself to continue.
Backing away, Lydia smiled with tears.
“Devon, I love you.”
The demon gave no hint of his feelings. Instead he closed his eyes with a faint smile.
“I know.” He answered.
Resting her head on his chest, Lydia felt his arms wrap around her.
As Lydia held him, the soft tone of Devon’s voice spoke the kindest words to her with his dying breath.
***