Page 22 of Taken to the Deadlands (Stolen Demon Brides #1)

Chapter 22

Aris

F enix let out a loud sigh beside me as he sent out another burst of his power across the land.

The once graying, rocky soil was starting to turn a dark brown. The dead trees growing from it had straightened, and for the very first time, bright green leaves sprouted from their branches.

I patted the young demon on the head, trying my best to send him an encouraging smile.

“You can stop for today if it’s too much,” I said. “Let’s go back home. I’m sure Thera has some broiled meat for us?—”

A loud yell caused us both to turn and look toward the tree line. Just beyond was the house.

In the last three months, it had been renovated with the help of some of the weaker demons I took from the auction house.

I visited every week. I went there every time just to make sure the human I let go would remain free. It was hard to see others getting dragged to their deaths, but I would continue to do it just on the off chance that I would see her again.

The demons I collected had been in some of the auctions. Many separated from their families and sold for whatever Madam wanted. They were different from the ones that still lingered on the borders of my realm, digging up roots.

After Mia, I had realized just how lonely my existence was. It was another reason why I sought them out. I didn’t expect them to stay or to even treat me the way they had, but all of them had surprised me by how well they acclimated.

They were scared at first. When I bought them, they thought the worst, but instead I gave them some projects and a few chores, and after they completed them, they were free to live in my realm so long as they heeded my rules.

1. No eating humans.

2. Respect each other.

3. Don’t force anyone into anything.

4. Don’t ruin others’ work.

There had been no incidents so far, and dare I say, some of them even started to feel like a sort of family unit. It had helped ease the loneliness.

Two things I never thought possible: to feel even more alone than before Mia, and to find a sort of family when I never had one.

I often looked forward to waking up now.

My demons took all the rotting wood out of the house and, with the help of those with the powers of plants or nature, rebuilt it. The fresh coat of yellow paint gleamed in the sunlight, and the patches of dark grass beneath it pulled the whole thing together.

Would she like it in yellow?

Another yell drew my attention to a smaller demon, who was now lying face first in the dirt. Taming animals was Shyla’s job. I had tasked her with bringing in the weakest types of demons and spreading them out throughout the realm to assist in the growth of nature, but the role seemed to be too big for her.

One of the furry demons was sitting on top of her, its face barely visible save for two blood-red eyes. Its long, black tongue stuck out as it panted. Two more of its kind were sitting on either side of her, licking her hands.

“Get off me!”

Fenix let out a laugh, and I couldn’t help the tilt of my lips at the sound of it.

“Go help her,” I ordered.

He shook his head and pushed himself off the ground to run to her.

With ease, he moved the one sitting on her and helped her into a standing position. She looked like she might cry.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Thera’s yell from the house stopped me.

“The meal is ready! Hurry before the blood thickens!”

The two younger demons bounded inside. I let myself follow them slowly, enjoying the moment of peace we had.

I couldn’t remember a time my realm had been so lively. It was called the Deadlands for a reason. But now, there was grass growing and trees that could even bear fruit someday.

Would the green and the fruit make her more comfortable here?

The mist that had settled over the area was still there, though much lighter than before, and hopefully with a few more demons we could get rid of it once and for all.

My stomach turned, and a sour feeling spread across my tongue.

It was coming along so nicely… Yet there would always be something—someone—missing.

I had tried so hard not to think about Mia— the human —since I had Yien sneak into our room while she slept and send her away. But her smell still lingered in my bed, on my clothes, and in parts of the house that remained untouched by anyone else.

I had the chance to get rid of the smell, but every time the thought crossed my mind… I found myself unable to.

As much as I tried to distance myself, every part of my life was still very much intertwined with her. And I found myself often wishing I had never asked Yien to take her away from me.

I went back to the auction house for her. I rebuilt my house for her. The entire realm was changing only so I might be able to bring her back home if I ever saw her again.

Can a human survive here? she had asked when she caught sight of my house.

Probably not then, but maybe one could now.

“Aris?” Thera called, her head poking out of one of the first-floor windows. She met me with a smile as if I had not broken her leg for touching my human three months ago. “Come, everyone’s starting without you!”

I gave her a forced smile.

“Coming.”

Yes… this is my life now.

One I should be grateful for.

One that absolutely did not need the human in it.

Right?