Chapter 154: 31

Zarin got furious when Heaven told him that Zamiel bit her. He began to curse and say that he would kill Zamiel. Heaven barely stopped him from making the mistake of seeking out Zamiel. It's not like he could win a fight against him.

"Zarin, please relax. The mark is gone."

"How can I relax? That man bit you against your will. Does your father know?"

Heaven panicked. "Promise me you won't tell him."

Zarin turned away from her, not wanting to make that promise. 

"Zarin! Don't make me regret that I told you. Promise me you won't say a word to anyone."

Zarin swore under his breath. "Alright, I promise. But if he comes for you again, I'll kill him."

Heaven sighed, deciding not to tell him the rest. She only told him about the bite and he was so angry. If she told him the rest, he would put himself in danger.

"Is that why he was here? Because the bite is gone and he wants to bite you again." He asked. 

Heaven opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

Zarin shook his head. "I'll stay here with you every night." He said with finality. 

"No. I don't want you to."

"I don't care. I am not letting you out of my sight."

"You can't guard me forever. If he wants to bite me, there is nothing you can do or anyone else for that matter. Only I have the chance to do something."

"There is always a way out." Zarin told her. "I won't let him near you." 

"Zarin remember, I was the one who went to him. I have it under control." Heaven said, but regretted it when anger blazed through his eyes. 

"It's the mark doing all this." He said with clenched teeth. 

"The mark is gone." She reminded.

Zarin frowned. "Then why did you go to him?" 

How she wished she had the answer to his question. "I don't know." She shrugged.

Zarin hit the table with his fist, causing the wood to break. Heaven was taken aback by his fury. She had never seen him like that before.

"He is manipulating you." 

Oh no, Heaven thought. It was a terrible idea, telling him.

"Don't worry. I won't let him near you, but promise me you won't go to him."

How was she supposed to promise him that?

"Heaven, promise me." He urged.

"I can't." It came out as a whisper. She did not want to hurt him. 

"Why?" He yelled.

"Because… because he is my husband."

His eyes widened in shock, and he just stared at her for a moment. Heaven was shocked by her own words. That wasn't the way she imagined getting married.

"Heaven, he forced you." 

No, he didn't. He just did what he had to do. He never wanted to be mated to her. If she was forced then he was forced too.

"That doesn't change the facts." She said.

"Maybe not, but the mark is gone now. We just need to make sure that he doesn't bite you again and you will be free."

Free? What did it mean to be free? She thought being free was making her own choices.

"Alright. Let's forget about this for a while. We have only been arguing lately. I missed having fun with you. Let's do something fun together like we used to." She tried to distract him away from the topic. 

Zarin stood up from his seat and strode back and forth in the room. She could see that he was not willing to let go of the subject.

"You know, your father has been training me. Let's see if you can still win in a fight with me. I bet you won't." 

Last time she could beat Gina because of her intense training. Heaven was sure she could win over Zarin this time. 

Zarin who loved a challenge couldn't turn down her request.

They made their way to the backyard, picked their swords and then prepared to fight.

"Are you ready?" Zarin asked.

"Never been so ready to beat someone." Heaven said. 

Before she could finish her sentence Zarin swung at her, but Heaven was quick to avoid his attack. 

"I see you have become quick." He smirked. 

"Or maybe you have been slacking."

Again and again she avoided his attacks. It surprised her that she could predict his movements. Uncle Roshan's lessons did indeed help a lot.

Her new developed skills impressed Zarin. Now she would show him what she really learned from her demon slayer uncle.

Roshan had taught her to always move the opposite of how she was supposed to attack, and that speed and timing was crucial. Now was the perfect time to try it. 

Heaven moved with ease around Zarin, making him believe she would continue to defend herself and then she attacked when he least expected it. She did not let him recover between her attacks, and he kept blocking her until he missed. 

Zarin was surprised by her sudden strength and speed and was trying his best to keep up with her when she suddenly knocked the sword out of his hand, headbutted him, and kneed him in the stomach before grabbing his arm and throwing him over her shoulder. 

Zarin fell on his back with a groan. Blood seeped from his nose.

"God. When did you learn all this?" He asked while getting up on his feet again. He wiped the blood from his face. 

"While you were sleeping around." She replied mockingly. 

Zarin smirked. "Are you perhaps jealous?"

She walked up to him. "I was. Not anymore. I beat you."

He shook his head at her. 

Heaven was happy to get her annoying friend back. They spent the rest of the day annoying each other as usual. When the evening came Lincoln came looking for her. 

"Your Highness, General Kian is here to meet you." He informed. 

"I'll be there," Heaven said and Lincoln left.

Zarin gave her a questioning look.

"I am trying to learn more about being a ruler." She explained. "I need to go now. Don't wait for me."

She knew he would still insist to stay the night in her room. 

"I'll wait for you." He said ignoring what she just told him. 

Heaven decided to take the fight with him later and went to meet General Kian.

He was waiting in the parlor and stood up when she walked inside. "I am sorry I came this late." He apologized.

"It's alright. I am glad you could come. Please sit down." 

They both sat down. "I hope we can see each other more often from now on and that you can support me in my cause."

"Any help you need, I'm here to provide." He said. 

"Thank you. What I need now is to learn how the royal army works, and how do I gain their trust?"

Kian was happy to provide her with any useful information. He spoke to her about the royal army and how they worked. But he could not provide her with all the details, so they decided to meet again. 

After saying goodbye, Heaven went back to her room. She expected to find Zarin there, but he was nowhere to be seen. He had been insisting on staying so she didn't think he just went back home. 

Where did he go? 

Suddenly her mind thought of Zamiel. Her heart raced inside her chest and she didn't want to believe what she was thinking, but she was probably right. 

Zarin went to Zamiel. 

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???? BONUS CHAPTER after this one. 

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