Page 37 of Promised to the Demon King (The Demon Brides #1)

Nova moaned as she began to stir awake. She knew she was back in bed and no longer with her dream man. Although comfortable, the bed was not nearly as inviting as Asmodeus'.

Perhaps it was because the man himself was not present within it.

Just to be sure, she reaches out her arm and finds the other side as cold as she fears.

"Damn!" she mumbles into her pillow.

'Who are you sadder, isn't there me or him?' Roz asked from the chair across the room. Nova sprung awake and sat up instantly in bed.

"Roz! You're back. Oh my gosh, Roz—" Nova hopped out of bed and ran over to where Roz sat, clearly still upset from their argument the other day. Her arms were crossed, and she wouldn't look Nova in the eyes.

'Don't mind me. I am just doing my job. I'll stay my distance. I'd hate to get my disgusting Demon scent all over you. Us lowly, vile creatures need to keep to ourselves.' Roz spoke. Her snarky comment was bitter, but the hurt was evident in her voice.

"Roz. I am so sorry. I regretted what I said that moment I said it, but you were already gone. I tried to find you, but--"

'I went back to where us sinful creatures belong!' Roz spat. Her chin was lifted, and she stared at the wall on the opposite end of Nova.

"Please forgive me, Roz. You're my best friend. I can't have you upset with me like this. I need you to forgive me. Tell me what I need to do, and I'll do it. I can't lose you." A few renegade tears escaped Nova's mournful green eyes, and Roz had to steel herself against the sight of it.

'Anything? Be careful, as a vile evil creature, I may condemn such a precious soul like you.' Roz watched Nova's head fall to her chest in sadness from the side. She didn't try and hold back her tears after that. Nova's emotions were wearing down Roz's resolve to make Nova suffer in silence longer.

"I don't care. Whatever it is, I'll do it, just as long as we are together like before afterwards. I can't lose you, Roz. Please."

'If you didn't mean it, then why say it?' Roz questioned.

"Because I'm an idiot who didn't consider your feelings while lost in my fears and concerns. I lashed at you because you were calm about it while I was internally freaking out, and that was wrong. Once words are released, they can not be taken back. All I can do is hope that the consequences aren't losing you. You're more than my best friend, Roz. You've been like a mother to me; even if no one else can see you, you've always been by my side. I can't--" Nova looked away, wiping her face. She was thinking about what she had done and what Asmo had told her last night. Roz was her most trusted ally, no matter what, and she needed to fix this.

Roz watched the young lady before her with tortured emotions. She wanted to make Nova suffer, to feel the same level of pain that she felt when Nova spoke rejection, but she also knew that she loved Nova like her own and hated seeing her tearful face. Her haunting expression was the same as she had at her father's funeral: broken. It ate at Roz.

'You are inviting a demoness back into your life? Do you understand the repercussions?' Roz challenged.

"I don't care. I only have you, and I won't lose that. I am so sorry, Roz. Please."

'What you said hurt me, little Star!' Roz had to be honest-- because it did. Few could get past Roz's walls, but Nova did, and it hurt to feel her spoke rejection.

"I hurt us both. I won't do it again. I accept you and what you are, Roz. I promise I won't do it again. Please don't leave me."

'Yes, you did! Nova, letting people in is hard, and I don't handle rejection well. How can I be sure you won't continue lashing out at me?'

Nova was stunned. There was a hint of vulnerability in Roz when she was speaking, and it twisted Nova's heart to know that this was because of her. "I promise I won't behave like that again. You are the last person I want to hurt, and I was behaving like a child, but the thought of you leaving me because of it was terrifying. I will never do that again, Roz. I need you in my life, and above that, I need you in this next chapter of my life because, much like you, I also don't let people in easily, and I couldn't think of anyone else I'd want to be by my side when I take this next step. I am coming to the realization that Assi isn't just a dream. He is real, and everything else around me is-- temporary. I need my best friend to keep me grounded; that person is only you."

Roz sat in silence, staring at Nova for what felt like an eternity for Nova. She was chewing the skin of her bottom lip while she waited for her friend to respond.

'Every year, you threaten to hang Christmas decorations off my horns. Does this mean I can hang decorations off yours once they arrive permanently as penance for her behaviour?' Her tone was salty and perhaps slightly juvenile, but Nova laughed regardless.

"Yes! If you forgive me, you may hang Christmas decorations on my tiny horns. Even though yours are bigger, and they would look much better with the colourful garland than mine, I agree!" Nova smiled.

"Does this mean I am forgiven?" Her voice was hopeful.

'You are, but you take your frustration out on me again--'

"I won't!" Nova quickly responded. "Thank you, Roz. I am really sorry for causing a wedge between us. I never want to risk losing you again."

'Good! Now, I am told you are learning some tricks. Go shower, you smell of depraved sex and sweat. I want to see your tricks learned.'

With that, Roz got up and left the room. 'I'll meet you in the kitchen.'

Thomas and Allister had already gone to the office when Nova was showered and dressed; it was just Roz and her, but they were both okay with this.

After breakfast, Nova attempted to snap things to appear. It took a long while to get the hang of it in the Earth's realm. It was much easier while she was in Hell with Asmo to guide her. However, with Roz's instructions and continued support, she could easily make the coffee mug appear and disappear.

'Good job, Little Star. You're doing great. Now, do you want to learn a new trick?' Roz said excitedly.

"Yes!" Nova responded without hesitation.

Roz gave her instructions and thought that even though they couldn't physically touch, she wanted to wrap behind her like she saw in the Patrick Swayze movie Ghost.

'Let's make some pottery, Little Star.' Roz whispered comedically, causing Nova to burst out in laughter.

"You're ridiculous!" Shaking her head in disbelief that of all the things a Demoness assigned to Earth, this is what she was doing.

'Shh, now focus.' Roz schooled her.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing, Roz? I feel ridiculous right now." Nova whined as she took the instructed stance.

'Stop whining. You said you wanted to learn to move things with your power; I am showing you. Now focus. Clear your mind of everything around you. Solely focus on that glass in front of you.'

"Roz,"

'Enough! Yes or no?' Roz sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"I want to, but this stuff is only possible in my dreams. It's not going to work in real life, Roz."

'Bullshit! Now focus!'

Nova shook her arms and steadied her focus on the highball drinking glass on the kitchen island as Roz told her to. She cleared her mind.

'Imagine there is a dumpster in your mind. Toss away all your distractions in it. Feel your eyes warming as they brighten in their beautiful green brilliance."

Nova inhaled and exhaled, controlling her breaths and thoughts. There was a slight warming in her eyes. If Roz hadn't assured her that it was normal, she'd be alarmed. She tossed away distractions like Timothy and her mother. She pushed aside her grief and used her desire for vengeance for her father as a motivator. She could feel her eyes continuing to warm.

'Good. They're glowing perfectly. My little hybrid Queen is nearly fully awakened. Continue to allow the warmth to take hold. Keep your mind focused on the glass, only allowing my instructions to enter your space.'

Nova's focus on the glass was unrelenting. Doing this type of stuff in her dreams seemed much easier, but that was also because of Assi. She suspected that he helped her do the things he was teaching her. There was no way she could actually do it herself.

'Now tell your mind where you want the glass to move to. Picture it sliding to that particular place in your mind. The heat from your eyes fueling your will.' Roz continued.

Nova pictured what she wanted the glass to do, but nothing happened. She growled in frustration and turned to Roz.

"It's not possible!" She snapped in anger.

'Stop! I didn't raise a quitter!' Roz snapped back, her face burning red with frustration. Instantly, Nova slumped in self-appointed defeat.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that, Roz." Nova's words were filled with remorse.

'I'll have none of that. There is no room for self-pity when you are a Queen. Now, turn around and try again. I believe in you; you just need to do the same. You're stronger than you realize, little star.'

Nova closed her eyes briefly to prevent them from misting. Roz had always been her number one fan, supporting her. She let out a deep exhale and turned back to the glass.

Clearing her mind, she focused on the glass and pictured where she wanted it to go.

The warmth filled her glowing eyes and took hold of her entire body, pulsating from her pores.

'That's it. I can feel your aura growing. Let it take hold, my little Queen. You're doing great. Stay focused; feel it grow within you.' Roz encouraged with excitement.

Nova could feel something taking hold. It was similar to that feeling she had when she first met Asmodeus—that unknown energy within her. It felt like it was clawing to be released. The difference this time was that Nova was being encouraged to do just that—release that aura, that demanding presence deep within that was demanding recognition.

She did. She didn't hold back. It felt like she was stripped bare, exposed to the world. The warmth from her eyes, pulsating throughout her entire being, only encouraged that deep presence within her. It was finally being freed from the shackles of its human shell.

Next, she knew, Roz gasped behind her, and the glass was no longer on the kitchen island countertop. No, it was across the room, shattered against the wall in the hallway.

Nova felt herself still changing within; things were shifting. The heat was calming, but something had awakened. She felt stronger.

Her eyes widened in sheer surprise when she walked over to the glass.

It worked!

This wasn't a dream. Assi didn't help her. She did this of her own will, with the guidance of her best friend, Roz. But ultimately, she knew she had moved the glass.

"Roz!" Nova shrieked, still looking in disbelief. "Did that just happen? Like, I am awake, and this isn't a dream?"

'You definitely just did that, my Queen. More than that, you are now awakened.' With those words, Roz knelt before her. 'It is an honour to be the first to witness your awakening, my Queen.'

"I prefer your little star, Roz." Nova, the eyes still brightly glowing in dominance, smiled at her companion.

Roz raised her head and smiled, tears of pride in her eyes. 'I've waited so long for your awakening. Welcome!'