At night Heaven waited for Zarin in her room. She had asked Gina to send him to her, but she hadn’t told her why. Heaven wondered how Zarin would react. She knew he wouldn’t like the idea, and he would probably not agree to help her. 

While waiting nervously she prepared her speech in her head, but then slowly she became afraid. Would this ruin her friendship with Zarin? She didn’t want to lose him. And where was he, by the way? What was taking him so long? She was getting impatient and tired. 

Just when she was about to give up and go to sleep he appeared out of thin air. Heaven felt jealous everytime he did that. She wanted to be able to do that as well, but she couldn’t. Only demons and half demons could do that, and she was neither. Being partly witch, human and demon made her a complicated creature. 

“Good evening, Princess.” Zarin bowed teasingly. “How can I be of service to you?” 

Heaven smiled at his childish behavior. “You are late.” She complained. 

He straightened himself and then ran his fingers through his messy hair to adjust it. Heaven studied him closely. He was handsome, and just like both his parents, he made heads turn. 

On top of that, he knew how to dress well, and he would always experiment with his hair. Today he wore a blue shirt that matched his blue eyes, with a pair of black trousers and a black jacket adorned with fur on the shoulders. He let his black hair down except for the one braid on the left side of his head. His pink lips were slightly red. Heaven could tell he had been drinking wine and probably partying. 

“I apologize sincerely. But I am here now.” He grinned. 

Heaven stared at his mouth. His fangs had elongated, which meant that he had been s.e.x.u.a.lly active. When aroused, demon’s fangs elongate. 

“I am sure you had a good reason to be late.” She said ironically. 

“Well, I was in the middle of something difficult to get out from.”

Heaven nodded knowingly, but she didn’t know why it bothered her. Zarin had always enjoyed the company of women. 

Stumbling a bit, he took off his jacket and threw it on her sofa. Just how much did he drink? Demons and half demons could only get drunk after drinking enormous amounts. 

“So…” He began as he came to sit next to her on the bed. “You wanted to talk?”

Heaven got suddenly nervous and her heart began to beat erratically.

“What is wrong?” He asked, after hearing the fierce pounding of her heart. 

She turned to him slowly. He was sitting close to her and looking at her intently. 

“Zarin, I need to ask you a favor.”

He gave her a nod. 

“I want you to… to marry me.”

The world went still for a moment before Zarin blinked a few times in disbelief. 

“What did you say?” He asked. 

Heaven stood up, hands fisted at the sides of her body. She gathered more courage before speaking again. “I said marry me.” She repeated this time, less afraid. 

Zarin seemed baffled by her words, so she decided to explain before he told her how stupid she sounded. 

“See, I don’t like any of the men I met so far and probably won’t like the ones coming too. Also, I don’t think any of them are worthy of being a King. I am comfortable with you and I trust you. Don’t worry, the marriage will just be a formality. We don’t have to consummate the marriage and you can have any woman you like. Besides, you get to become a King.” She paused. Did she say everything she needed to say? 

Zarin expression only seemed to get worse. 

“Do you hear yourself?” He asked. 

“Yes. And I wouldn’t say this if it wasn’t the best option.” Or the only option. “So what do you say?”

He stood up hastily.”I say no.” 

“Why?” She grabbed his arm to prevent him from leaving.

“Because it’s a bad idea.”

“Then tell me a better one.” She demanded. 

“Tell your parents the truth.” He suggested. 

“And then what? They will say all right, take your time but father will always have to listen to those complains about why I haven’t gotten married yet. People in the kingdom will cause commotion. Also, there is no guarantee I will find someone in the next few years.”

Zarin sighed. “Listen, I can’t give you a better idea. I just know this is not a good idea.”

Heaven dropped his arm. “Fine. Then I will just say yes to the first man that comes here tomorrow and live unhappy for the next thirty or forty years.”

“Don’t try to make me feel bad!” 

“You should feel bad. You can’t even help a friend in need.”

“Heaven! Marriage is not a child’s play.” 

“I am not playing Zarin. I am desperate.”

“All right, all right. Let me think.” He said sitting carefully back down again.

He was silent for a long moment while Heaven waited restlessly. 

“Get dressed.” He said when he finally spoke again. 

“Why?”

“We are going out. You were right. You can’t meet someone while locked in here.” He explained. 

“Father won’t be happy if he finds out.” 

“I’ll handle it. Just get dressed, and not something too fancy.”

Heaven nodded and went on to pick a dress. Then she hid behind the folding screen and slid into the most simple dress she owned. A blue long-sleeve dress. 

“Is this all right?” She then asked Zarin showing him what she was wearing. 

“You look beautiful.” He complemented before reaching his hand for her to take. 

Heaven placed her hand in his, and he drew her into his arms. 

“Ready?”

She nodded, and just like that they were somewhere else. It went so smooth and quick that she felt nothing but the air blowing her hair and dress. 

Heaven looked around once Zarin released her from his hold. It was midnight, and they both stood in front of a large mansion with all the lights on. Heaven could see people drinking, chatting and dancing through the windows. 

Zarin had brought her to a party. 

“This is Lord Augustins mansion. He is a very wealthy demon Lord, and he invites other wealthy demons to his parties. I think demons might interest you more than humans.” He explained. 

“So all those inside are demons?” Heaven asked, feeling slightly nervous. She had never been in a room full of demons before. 

“Most of them. There might be a few humans.”

Heaven looked at the big Iron gate where two guards stood. The butterflies in her stomach went wild. 

Zarin put his arm on the small of her back. “Don’t worry. I am here.” He assured her. “Just don’t act like a royalty. You are a friend of mine and your name is Anna. Look around, speak to some men, see if there is someone you like. All right?”

She nodded and Zarin led the way in to the party. 

Heaven was surprised and looked around excitedly. She had never been among so many people before. Her father was not the kind to throw parties. Yes, they have had many dinners but she could only remember one party and she was very young back then. 

Now she found herself surrounded by people in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry. Some of them were dancing, others sitting at a table while either eating, drinking or chatting. 

“I’ll leave you alone now.” Zarin whispered. 

Heaven panicked. “Why? Don’t go.” She held onto him tightly. 

“Men will only approach you if they find you alone. Otherwise they’ll think you are with me.” He explained. 

“But… what should I do if they approach me?”

“Just speak to them and enjoy your time. I’ll be over there, so don’t worry.”

Before she could protest, he pulled his arm away from her grip and left her standing there alone. And it didn’t take long before a man came up to her. 

“May I have a dance with a beautiful lady?” He asked, reaching his hand out for her. 

Heaven took his hand hesitantly, and before she knew they were dancing across the dancefloor. He smiled at her surprised expression. 

It must be a demon thing, she thought. She had never danced with a demon before. She looked around. All of them were good looking, including the man she was dancing with. He had dark brown eyes, almost black, with a hair that matched in color. His pale lips were surrounded by well kept facial hair that hid most of his well-defined facial features. 

“May I ask your name?” He said while they flowed over the dancefloor. 

“Anna.” 

“I have never seen you before, Anna. Are you from here?”

“Yes.” Was her curt reply. 

“Strange. I would never forget your face.” He smiled at her. 

Heaven was used to men finding her beautiful, but right now she was in a room with women as beautiful as her if not even more. 

“Why?” She asked.

“Look around.” He said. “No one has a face like yours. And your eyes, they are magnetic.”

A blush crept to her face. She was not used to men complimenting her this way. 

“My name is Benjamin.” He introduced himself. 

“Nice to meet you, Benjamin.” She said. 

“The pleasure is mine.” 

Benjamin continued to ask her question and shower her with praises before he got interrupted by another man who also wanted to dance with her. 

The other man, Ricard, was also charming in his own way. Afte dancing with him, Heaven got the chance to speak and dance with many more men, and all the attention and compliments she got flattered her. 

She couldn’t deny she had a good time, but no specific man caught her attention. 

After a while, her eyes searched for Zarin in the room. He was sitting in a corner with a beautiful lady and both of them seemed to have a good time. 

Heaven was about to avert her gaze when suddenly someone caught her attention. A man sitting alone in a dark corner of the room. He was holding a wine cup in his hand and he seemed to look at her. She couldn’t see his face because of the darkness that surrounded him, but his eyes, she recognized them from her dream. 

It was him. 

The silver-eyed stranger.