Devil's Love
Chapter Nine

From Blade's Point of View

Chief and I are running around the courtyard. A part of his morning workout routine. The one that makes me puke most often if I am honest.

I let my mind wonder as we continue to run the courtyard. He does a ridiculous amount of laps each day. And as a trainee, I have to run them too.

I think about Drax. I wish he wasn't a king sometimes. It's not that I mind that he is in a position of power or anything like that.

I have made it clear that when we are alone that doesn't matter to me in the least. And he doesn't hold it over me to make me do things I don't want to do.

He will tease me about it on occasion to be playful but he never uses it to force his way with me. Which I am grateful for.

If he was as big of an ass as I pick on him being I would have left a long time ago.

But frankly, he is a good guy.

He has problems, like the fact that he doesn't know how to feel about his dad being gone. He misses his dad. Hell, it sent us all for a loop when he died. He has been king for several hundred years. And before him, Drax's grandfather.

For many years, we have been ruled by Lord Satan son of Satan. And now we are ruled by Drax son of Satan.

There's constantly chatter about how in the world such a young demon would become king. He is essentially still a child in the opinions of the public.

But when you see behind the scenes, you see that he is working hard to better the kingdom.

He is taking into account what his generation's wants and needs.

We have never had gay marriage outlawed here. We understand that it happens naturally and that there is no reason to punish someone for the way that they experience love. But even then, we as demons replace it hard to see others when they are struggling.

We think that all we can experience is strength and rage. But especially young demons struggle with feeling unseen and fall into depression.

Chief clears his throat, "that's good. Onto the push-ups now."

We do about 50 of them. And then he gets out practice swords.

He looks at me, "we have established you can defend yourself well enough in hand to hand. Now let's see what you can do with a sword."

I hold the sword a little awkwardly, "I have never done this before."

He chuckles, "it'll come as second nature when we are done."

He shows me how to hold it right and then he holds up his sword in front of me.

His eyes meet mine, "to begin just block my attacks and get ahold of your sword. We will move up to counterattacks and then we will work into you initiating attacks."

I look at him, "don't we have guns?"

He looks around, "yeah we do but in my opinion this is a more sophisticated form of fighting. You should strive to be a professional and honorable man. Never strike down a man for the hell of it. If he must die, let him die with honor and integrity rather than slowly and painfully."

I nod, "understood Chief."

We practice with the swords for a bit and eventually I get sick of being struck on the thigh with the flat wooden side of his sword.

He laughs a little, "do you concede already?"

I huff, "what is the point of having the shit beat out of me?"

He holds the sword lower to the ground, "there is beauty and power in pain. I hit you, you learn that I can see spots that are weak. Eventually natural instincts will take over and you will cover those weak spots as though it was a natural reflex."

I hold my sword towards the ground too, "I don't understand why you think my body will naturally take over. I am still in my head thinking and trying to predict your next move."

He nods, "that is a good attribute but also our minds can be our greatest enemy. The body knows things that we never intentionally taught it. And if we stop thinking it will take over in order to protect us."

Drax comes out with two glasses, "I brought you tea."

We put away our practice swords and take the tea.

Chief sips his, "thank you your highness."

I kiss Drax softly, "thanks babe."

Chief stands up tall, "no kissing the king."

I wink at Drax, "I'll have to make sure I do it extra later."

Drax slips a ring into my palm and hurries off, "see ya later."

I hold the ring looking at it. What in the hell does this mean?

He didn't say anything about it. Just gave it to me so casually. What does it mean?

I slip it on my finger and finish my tea.

After we are done training, I'm hot and sweaty. And tired.

I head home and replace Drax, laying in his recliner.

He has a book on his chest and he's fallen asleep. Fitting nap for a king.

I kiss his head and make us something quick to eat.

I gently shake him when I am done, "hey Drax."

He blinks slowly, "I'm awake."

I kiss him softly, "I made some dinner. Come eat."

He sets his book on the little coffee table by his chair and follows me to the dinning room.

He sits and eats slowly.

I look at him and then quickly back at my plate, "so what's the ring mean?"

He pushes his good around a little, "I mean what does a ring usually mean?"

I look at him again, "marriage."

He nods a little.

I take the ring off, "now isn't a good time to be talking about getting married Drax. We are both neck deep in work right now."

He swallows and stands up, "I understand."

He leaves the table letting his plate unfinished. I expected that he'd go up to bed but I replace him in his office.

I decide to try and lighten the tension, "I am not saying no forever. Just now isn't a good time."

He moves towards me, his eyes flashing red slightly, "get out of my office."

I step back, "Drax please don't be mad. I don't want you to be angry with me."

He shuts the door in my face and I hear the distinct click as he locks the door.

I sigh and take a shower before I settle into bed. It feels empty without him in here. He's massive and takes up most of it himself but it's comforting when he has his arms around me, keeping me close to him with his big arms.

I try to fall asleep but I'm unsure of how to handle the situation. And it keeps me awake most of the night.