“That’s funny.  I am a woman with needs too.” I whispered back, cupping his balls discreetly.  “I want you as well, but until you give me the respect I deserve you won’t get a damn thing.  Have fun with your blue balls.”   Smiling warmly, a lump formed in his throat.  Standing straight up, my eyes fell on his father.  

“I would hate to burden you, but may you point me to the facilities?  It was such a long ride here.” I asked sweetly, watching Jameson squirm behind me with a fake smile on his face.  A deep blush rose to his cheek, the kind emperor snapping his fingers.  Two maids rushed to my side, guiding me through the golden doors.  Something seemed off, and I did not like it all.  A heavy object whacked the back of my head, everything going black.  

A single beam of sunlight blinded me, black iron chains wrapped tightly around my wrists.  Shit, the black iron drained all of my magic.  A familiar voice sent chills up my spine, my eyes scanning the mildew covered rock all around me.  An icy breeze nipped my bare skin, my only dress getting devoured by flames at my feet.  

“Did you really think you could steal my man!” Marissa fumed furiously, holding a demon made whip made for punishing demons. “I shall punish you like the trash you are.”  Raising her hand, the crack of the air broke the still air as the spikes tore my skin.  Silent tears streamed down my face, blood dripping down my back.  My blood covered her black leather ball gown, a sick grin dancing across her face.  

“He picked me, not you!” I retorted sarcastically, pain ripe in my tone. “How about you let me go, and I tell no one about this.”  Shaking her head, she slammed a black skull dagger into my leg. A scream of pure agony exploded from my lips, poison lined the blade.  Slowly the venom spread through my body, maniacal laughter exploding from her pink lips.  Inky blackness dyed my veins, spores growing inside of my lungs.  

“I don’t care.” She screeched, raising her whip again. “You don’t belong here, at all.  You are all just demon trash.”  Another scream exploded from my lips, the spikes of her whip tearing off more skin.  

“Dragon!” I called out desperately, the world blurring. “I need you.”  Tears streamed down my cheeks, my lips quivering.  No one came, the whip striking me over and over again.  Nothing, I felt nothing as no one came to my assistance.  Blood dripped onto the floor, pooling into the cracks.   

“What the hell is going on here?” A familiar voice snapped coldly, Jameson and his father coming into my blurring vision. “How dare you Marissa!  She is my bride.  Let her go this instant!” The chains clattered to the floor, a thick black cloak getting draped around my shoulders.  Marissa called out in disbelief, Jameson scooping my weakened body into his strong arms.  

“You belong to me!” She yelled indignantly, crossing her arms. “How dare you pick demon trash over me!”  Turning back towards her, his icy death glare made her freeze in her tracks.  Cold sweat glistened on her pale skin, the whip dropping to the ground.   

“I am condemning you to d-” Jameson began, my trembling fingers grabbing his sleeve.  Shaking my head, the venom was making it hard for the words to come to my lips.  Taking a spore filled breath, my lips parted to speak.  A curious look danced across the two men’s faces, Marissa now begging on her knees.

“Let her live, but strip her entire family of their titles.  Then make them leave the castle.” I wheezed, coughing up blood. “That would be a fate far worse than death.”  A sly grin curled on Jameson’s lips, guards grabbing Marissa by the elbows.  

“Let it be known!” Emerald decreed sternly, snapping his fingers. “The Develles are no longer royals, and please escort them out of the castle immediately.  She may remain in school, but she will be in the villain class for she has behaved as such.”  The nervous scribe nodded, Jameson gazing warmly down at me. 

“Are you okay?” He asked genuinely, passing me a milky liquid. “This will take care of your venom.  Try not to run off again again, I don’t know what I would do without you.”  His smile was real, so were his words real?  Also how could he get even hotter, especially when he smiled.  Gulping down the liquid, the effect was instant.  The spores died, my veins returning back to normal.  Relief washed over me, air flooding into my lungs.  Silently, he carried me to the bathroom in our bedroom.  The water was steaming, petals floating on the top of the water.  Setting me gently into the tub, the soap stung my open wounds.  

“Sorry for being a burden.” I mumbled numbly, pulling my knees to my chest. “I am so sor-” His touch paused my words, my heart sinking into my stomach as he rolled his eyes.  However a touch of sadness flickered behind the layer of defiance.   

“Listen up.” He exclaimed roughly, cleaning my wounds. “I need to know why you are covered head to toe in bruises, well everywhere except your face.  I actually kind of care for you, vixen.”  Him saying my nickname so nicely melted my heart, my cheeks burning scarlet.  I should tell him, right?

“My family was overthrown in the demon realm.  I was in line to become the next empress, and a rebel army led by my grandmother killed everyone but me.” I explained, a sigh tumbling from his lips. “I was demoted to a servant, and turned into everyone’s punching bag.  It is okay, though.  I deser-”  Scooping me out of the water, he pulled me close to his chest.  His heart was beating faster than mine, my water soaking his white button up shirt.  

“No one deserves that type of treatment.” He growled irritably, his own kindness shocking him. “You do something to me, and I don’t know what it is but the thought of you being hurt infuriates me.”  How sweet he was confused by his own feelings?  His lips pressed against mine sweetly, the pain in my back melting away.  A soft blush rose to his cheeks, the cold look dimming his eyes.  Setting me down on the bed, he sprinted off.  Okay, I thought to myself.  

“Hey, do you mind wrapping me up?” I stammered, hanging on the door frame of the bathroom watching a maid walk in holding towels. “I don’t want my wounds to get infected.”  Nodding the mousy brown haired teenager wrapped me up.  

“Is that all you need ma’am?” She asked anxiously, bowing her head. “I will get you a fresh set of clothes.”  She turned to leave, my arms pulling her close to my chest.  Tears flooded from my eyes, the pain of everything hitting me.  

“I am so sorry.” I blubbered pathetically, sobs wracking my body. “Can you sit with me and talk with me, what is your name?”  Clearing her throat, her copper eyes looked into mine oddly.  Standing to her feet, she turned to leave.  

“I am Molly, your majesty.” She replied coldly, smoothing out her skirt. “I have work to do.” Her black uniform swayed as she walked away, her black boots clicking on the white marble floor.  Another set of footfalls woke me out of my wallowing, Jameson standing in front of me with a red silk ball gown.   

“This is my mother’s.” He said rudely, tossing me the dress. “Don’t ruin it, okay.  Cover up, vixen.”  Turning to leave, my trembling fingers grabbed the white sleeve of his suit.  A confused gaze met mine, his lips curling into a snarl. 

“Can you stay with me for a minute?” I pleaded pathetically, my arms wrapping around his arm. “I feel so alone.”  Flinching, he pulled me into his arms.  Looking up, childish impatience flashed in his eyes.  

“Why are you so needy all of a sudden?” He queried calmly, his face softening. “How about you get dressed for tea, and I will walk you through the garden?  We do need to keep up appearances, right?” Nodding my head, he dropped the dress over my head.  The fine silk felt soft against my skin, his nimble fingers tying the red ribbon until the top of my dress fit me like a glove.  The sleeves covered my arms, a pair of black gloves sitting in his palms.  

“Thank you.” I stuttered nervously, sliding on the gloves. “I am so grateful for everything you have done for me.”  His lips parted to speak, my lips kissing his lustfully.  Wrapping my arms around his neck, my head nuzzling into his neck.  I was expecting him to shove me off of him, but his arms wrapped around my waist.  

“Don’t get soft on me, Vixen.” He warned half-heartedly, patting the top of my head. “I like it better when you are snappy with me.  Hop on my back.  I want to feel your giant breasts against my back.”  Tilting my head with his sudden change with his attitude, my eyebrow twitched.  The crack of my slap echoed in the bathroom, his expression darkening.  

“How dare you hit me!” He barked irritably, forcing me on his back. “Your punishment is to now be forced to allow me to carry you.”  Giving up, he shot me a warm smile.  All afternoon, he showed me around the castle until teatime came around.  Was he having fun?  The whole time in school he was serious as one could be, yet here he was smiling and laughing with me.  Setting me down finally, a table with his father and a few faceless royalty family members sat around.   

“You two are late.” Emerald teased playfully, rubbing his chin. “Are you busy making grandchildren?”  Jameson’s eyebrows twitched, the other people at the table laughing jovially.  Taking his hand, my poised smile graced my face once more. 

“Shouldn’t we wait until marriage, father.” I joked lightly, Jameson sighing with relief. “Let’s have some tea.  It smells like a wonderful blend of black tea with a touch of orange.  Didn’t you know that is my favorite?”  Chuckles tumbled from their lips, Jameson pulling out my chair.  Sitting down, my dragon huffed in annoyance.  Pale faces came into my view, all of them looking like Jameson with golden eyes and black hair.  They said their names, but the dead look in Jameson’s eyes was tearing me apart.   

“Did you know that you have to give us an heir within the first year of your marriage to make it legit?” An aunt of his blurted out, the tea exploding from my lips onto the woman herself. “You shouldn’t marry this trash!  She is just a demon girl who you chose to rebel against your father.  She doesn’t even have any manners. You should have chosen Marissa, and I heard you stripped her of her title.  How dare you!”   Her face darkened, a blush rising to my cheeks.  Her hand was raised, Jameson grabbing her arm.  

“I love her for her sharp tongue.” He announced passionately, the numb look leaving his eyes. “Step down, or I will strip you and your family of your titles.  No one treats my vixen like this at all.  She is mine, and mine alone.  Maybe if you idiots had paid attention, you would have noticed that I hated all of the choices you picked.  They were all annoying little bitches out for themselves. So yeah she is a little rough around the edges, but she is the most genuine person I have ever met.  I said human because I have heard all of your whispers about how she is a demon, but she has emotions as well.  Guess what, you will have your bloody heir by the end of the year.  Let’s go!”  Ripping me from my chair, he dragged me into the garden.  Shaking, he was visibly shaking.  His eyes were wet with tears, his composure slipping.  Pulling him into my breasts, sobs wracking his body.  Where did his confidence go?  

“I will carry your children, if you need me to.” I promised genuinely, the thought of my belly being swollen with his child melting my heart. “I want to help you no matter what.”  A rare loving gaze met my eyes, my body collapsing to my knees.  What did I just say?  His head rested on my lap, the black roses swaying around us.  Deep down he was so soft that the stony exterior was just a damn wall.  Playing with his hair, he began to snore in my lap.  Sighing deeply, footfalls snapped me out of my trance.  

“I am sorry for her words.” Emerald apologized weakly, crossing his hands. “I want to thank you for making my son a better person.  Normally he would just sit there and take the insults, but I saw a bit of his mother when he stood up for you.  We lost her to a disease when he was ten, then I remarried.  He loved that woman, but she left us for our enemy kingdom’s ruler.  That is probably why he hates women.  So thank you.  I miss the old son that I had, and glimpses of him are returning.  I personally don’t care that you are a demon, you are my daughter.  But what she said is true, you do need to produce or at least be pregnant within the next year.”  Smiling to myself, my long red hair blew in the breeze.  

“Of course, and you are welcome.” I said softly, watching Jameson sleep in my lap. “I will always stay by his side, no matter how rude he is to me at times.”  Chuckling to himself, the emperor sat down on a bench next to me.  His emerald green suit hung over the edge, his green shoes shining in the afternoon sun.  

“You are just like my first wife, you know.” He explained sadly, resting his elbows on his knees. “Strong on the outside, but soft on the inside.  You even smile in horrible situations just like her.  I miss her so much.  When he wakes up, do you mind meeting with the designer of your wedding dress?”  Chuckling to myself, my eyes met the eager eyes of Emerald.  

“Sure thing father.” I replied happily, watching him leave us alone.  Was this what family was?