Chapter 166   - 43

"Heaven, I can be the man for you." Zarin blurted.

Heaven blinked a few times, her brain unable to process what he said. What did he mean? He couldn't mean what she thought he meant.

No.

He would never.

"Zarin," She went and grabbed his arm and led him toward the door. "You are a friend to me. You need not be anything else."

She grabbed the door handle and opened the door. "I am exhausted and need to get some sleep before training."

"Heaven." He grabbed her wrist and stopped her from throwing him out of her room. "We have spent little time lately. Spend some time with me tonight."

Tonight? She was supposed to be with Zamiel tonight.

"Alright." She agreed.

Zamiel would understand, and she needed to make her friendship with Zarin work like it did before all this.

Once Zarin left, Heaven went straight to bed. At first she kept thinking of what Zarin told her. She could still not figure out what he meant. Then she decided to stop pondering about it, and her thoughts gradually drifted to her night with Zamiel. Just thinking of his name made her stomach flutter.

She had never experienced so much joy and nervousness in one night. She recalled their kiss, and it caused her to blush and roll back and forth in her bed and when she remembered her fangs she buried her face in the pillow embarrassed. How was she supposed to sleep now? All she could do was to dream of their night together while awake and yearn to be with him.

She felt giddy just thinking of seeing him again.

Was this how it felt to fall in love?

At last she could sleep but only for a short while before Kate woke her up. "Your Highness, you shouldn't miss your meeting."

Heaven had told Kate she wanted to become a ruler. Kate was very supportive of her decision and very excited. She would help her remember her meetings and lessons when things became hectic.

While Kate took care of her, Anna her second handmaiden took care of her clothes, shoes and jewelery. She was a very organized young lady, and that is why Heaven had chosen her.

After getting ready, Heaven hurried to the meeting. On her way, she thought of her mother. She would pay her a visit afterward.

The meeting didn't start well. The council already began to complain about why Heaven couldn't just get married. Citizens were getting upset.

Her father didn't give much importance to their complaint and moved on handily to the next subject.

Heaven listened mostly like she usually did and only gave her opinion when she was sure about something. It was getting easier to keep up with their conversations. Soon she would be able to understand everything. She felt proud of herself.

When the meeting ended Heaven went to look for her mother. She was sitting on her favorite place. The white swing. Her mother had told her about how she and her father fell in love and what the swing meant for her. Heaven thought it was very romantic. Her father was romantic and her mother was difficult to not fall in love with.

She just had that vibrant aura that made everyone feel special and good. Heaven was very protective of her and liked to see her happy. It hurt her the most when her mother was hurt.

"Heaven." A smile lit up her mother's face. "I was thinking of visiting you, but here you are. Come." She tapped on the seat next to her.

Heaven went and sat beside her mother.

"Mother, are you upset with me?" Heaven asked.

"Yes." Her mother replied. "Not because of that man, but because you didn't tell me anything. Your grandmother explained everything to me."

Her grandmother? What did she explain? How much did she know, and how?

"You don't tell me anything anymore. Don't I listen to you, Heaven? Have I not been a good mother? You can tell me."

"Mother," Heaven was surprised to hear that. She never regarded her mother as a negligent mother. Never. "I am the luckiest daughter in the world to have you as my mother."

The reason Heaven kept things from her mother was because she didn't want her to worry. She was a mother, after all, and they worried the most. Especially her mother because of her caring nature. Heaven didn't want to disrupt her happiness and peace of mind. But she didn't know she was hurting her.

"Then talk to me. I am your mother. I want to know what is going on with you. I want to be there for you. Nothing makes me happier." Her mother explained as if she could read her thoughts.

"I am sorry. I never meant to hurt you." Heaven apologized.

Then they sat for a long time and chatted.

Heaven told her mother about Zamiel and what he went through. Her mother already seemed to know that, which meant her grandmother knew more than she told her.

"I still don't like him Heaven." Her mother admitted. "I understand why he did what he did, but I still don't like him. I saw how you looked all those sleepless nights. I never want to see you like that again. But I'll trust your choice and I'll try to see the good you see in him."

"Mother." Heaven hugged her mother out of joy. "Thank you."

Her mother stroke her back. "All I want is for you to be happy." She said.

Heaven pulled back and smiled at her.

"Ask him to come over sometime." Her mother said.

"I will."

As Heaven walked back to her room, her face hurt because of all the smiling. She was so happy, and now she could ask Zamiel to come over and meet her mother. Heaven was sure her mother would love him.

Heaven waited eagerly for the night to come. Even if she couldn't be with Zamiel, she was excited to tell him that her mother wanted to meet him. She wanted him to feel welcomed by her family. Especially since he didn't have his own.

When the night came after what felt like forever Zarin was the first to visit her. Heaven wondered how he planned for them to spend the night.

She realized he felt different when he arrived. He seemed more serious.

"What are we doing tonight?" Heaven asked.

"Anything you want, as long as we spend time together." He replied.

Heaven tried to think of something. "Shall we leave this place?"

"Where do you want to go?" He asked.

She had to think more. He never asked where she wanted to go before. She had always been satisfied as long as he took her outside.

Heaven tried to think of where he liked to go. "Let's go to a party." She said knowing he liked those. Heaven only liked the parties because she got to meet other people who didn't know who she was. So they treated her like anyone else. She liked that feeling of being like everyone else.

"Alright." He said, reaching his hand out for her.

Heaven grasped it, and he drew her closer before teleporting them to the party. It was a fancy one with rich demons; it seemed. Heaven looked down at her dress. It was fine.

"You look beautiful." Zarin assured her.

"Thank you." Heaven smiled at him, taking notice of a female approaching them.

Heaven recognized her when she neared. It was one of Zarin's many female friends. The ones who liked to share time together, n.a.k.e.d.

"I am glad you came." She smiled seductively, ignoring Heaven as if she was invincible. "Come, let's dance." She said taking his hand.

To her surprise, Zarin drew his hand away from her grip. "I am sorry. I promised Heaven a dance." He said turning to Heaven.

Heaven was confounded by the sudden change of attitude. He was acting strangely.

He offered her his hand. "May I?" He asked.

Heaven put her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor.

"What happened? Did you two fight?" Heaven asked as they began to dance. She could see his female friends throwing daggers at her with her eyes.

"No. I just want to dance with you. I told you I wanted to spend this time with you." He explained.

Something caught Heaven's attentions as he spoke.

His female friend was talking to a man in a corner behind, while looking at her. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but the man's gaze suddenly turned to her and he stared directly into her eyes. It wasn't a good stare.

"Zarin, let's go back home." Heaven whispered but as soon as she finished her sentence the man already stood next to them.

He tapped Zarin on the shoulder. "Sorry to interrupt." He spoke when Zarin turned to him. "But may I have a dance with the lady?" He now turned to Heaven.

Zarin still held her tight. It was as if he didn't want her to dance with this man. The man raised his eyebrows questioningly.

Heaven gave Zarin a nod that it was alright and he slowly released her. Then the stranger offered her his hand, and they began to dance. She understood that all this was caused by Zarin's female friend just to get her away from him.

"What is your name?" The stranger asked, eyeing her.

"Heaven." She blurted and then realized she told her real name.

The man's lips curved into an amused smile and Heaven panicked. "So you are the halfbreed." He said. "I knew it. Those eyes could only belong to a witch."

Oh no. Heaven cursed inwardly. This wasn't good.