The strange boy

Dyvian's POV

A demon’s rule? Never get too close to humans.

Yet, here I was, sitting in a carriage with him. The sound of the wheels crunching against gravel filled the silence as his gaze remained fixed on the scenery outside.

His lips pressed into a thin, unreadable line, and his fingers twitched ever so slightly against the seat.

There was something about him—something that had forged an unexpected bond between us. Bonds like this, where human and demon fates are intertwined, were unheard of.

I’d assumed it was because of my half-human blood, but even that didn’t explain it. No record in history spoke of such a connection.

“So, how was it?” I asked, stretching my arms lazily across the back of the seat. “Feeling the pain without me around?”

His head whipped toward me, his sharp eyes gleaming as if they could cut through stone. Those eyes of his—bright, alive, and utterly human—always held a force that was impossible to ignore.

“Seriously?” he snapped, clicking his tongue in frustration. “What was that for earlier? Are you doing all this just so I’ll agree to go with you? Just stop already!”

I chuckled softly, tapping a finger against the wood of the seat’s edge. The sound reverberated faintly in the small space. “I told you I’d give you time, didn’t I? You have until I leave for the capital to decide.”

He crossed his arms, glaring. “I’m not leaving with you, no matter what. And stop pretending to be the Third Prince. If that’s your plan to manipulate me, it’s not going to work.”

The corner of my mouth lifted into a smirk. His stubbornness was amusing, but his ignorance was even more so. “Impersonating? Oh, it’s a bit more complicated than that.” I leaned forward, resting my chin on my knuckles. “I am indeed from the royal family, Avaris.”

His brows furrowed, the skepticism written plainly across his face.

“But that’s not important right now,” I continued, my tone softening just slightly. “The pain you felt earlier? That’s just the beginning. If I hadn’t been here, or if I was even a day too far from you…" I let the pause linger, savoring the subtle shift in his expression as dread began to creep in. “...you might’ve died.”

The color drained from his face. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out.

I turned my gaze toward the window, pretending not to notice his growing panic. But then I heard his voice.

“I'm not afraid of death.”

Of course, I know he was waiting for death the first time we met, but that's just how humans are. One moment they want to die, and the next they do not want to die again.

But what does all of this mean to me? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

If not for the stupid bond, I won't be here in the first place? And if not for him, this strange boy…

As the carriage moved forward, the trees outside blurred into green and gold streaks. I chuckled lightly. “Let’s try to cooperate for now while I figure it out. Although,” I added with a careless shrug, “I can’t promise I’ll be able to fix this.”

He gulped audibly, anger flashing in his voice. “And what if you can’t? What then? Does that mean…" he trailed off.

Before I could answer, the carriage jolted violently. The wheels struck something, and Avaris was thrown from his seat, landing squarely in my lap.

The moment froze.

Without thinking, I instinctively wrapped my arms around his waist to support him. His body was tense against mine, his breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps. His face was so close to mine, his warm breath brushing against my skin.

The shock in his wide eyes was almost endearing, and the deep flush spreading across his cheeks made me grin.

“Well,” I said teasingly, “this is unexpected.”

He blinked rapidly, clearly struggling to piece together words. His lips parted, trembling as though he wanted to say something, but the words were caught somewhere in his throat. His eyes swept across my face and rested on my lips for a moment too long.

“You are staring, Avaris,” I smirked and leaned in closer, tilting my head slightly. Between us, his clean, slightly earthy, slightly sweet scent permeated the air. “Awestruck by how handsome I am?”

His breath hitched audibly, and I could feel the heat radiating from his skin.

I leaned closer, deliberately closing the remaining space between us, my lips almost brushing his. “If I can’t sort it out,” I murmured, “then I guess you’ll be stuck with me forever.” My smile turned into a witty and playful one. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

Before he could respond, the carriage door slammed open with a loud bang, the sound shattering the moment.

Standing there was Prince Theo, his face frozen in shock as he took in the scene before him—Avaris sprawled across my lap, our faces mere inches apart.

Avaris jolted upright as if burned, his movements so sudden that he nearly stumbled. His cheeks were burning red, his lips quivering as he stammered. “Your… Your Grace!” His voice cracked slightly. “It’s not what you think!”

I laughed. Before he could pull too far away, I grabbed his waist, tugging him back against me with ease.

Turning my gaze to Theo, I offered an intentional smile. “Oh, it’s exactly what you’re thinking, Theodore.”