Devyn looked up into those deep grey eyes, stunned. A fresh tear streamed down the human's face as he continued to gaze up at the demon. Devyn swallowed before slowly shaking his head. "No. It won't make you remember, and I don't wish to suddenly appear in your life and pull shit like this." Devyn's words made Denzyl grow silent. The human looked down before apologizing, "I'm sorry. I should leave. I would...appreciate any help-"

"You're not going anywhere," Denzyl's deep voice sounded, drawing Devyn's gaze back up. "My father would never let a sacrificial human leave...plus," Denzyl leaned down so he was a breath away from Devyn, "I can't let you leave now. You showed up in my life without permission, so there is no way you are leaving without my permission."

"Denzyl-"

"So, are you going to tell me what happened between us?" Denzyl let out a breath when Devyn remained silent and averted his gaze. "Ok, how 'bout this. You have two choices. You can either tell me what happened from the moment we met until now and I will do my best to help you get back home, or you can not tell me and I will walk out of this door and you will never see me again as I will have nothing to do with you."

Devyn's lips parted as he gazed up at the crimson-haired demon. "Fine, I will tell you. But on one condition: trust me. Everything I will tell you is true. I have no ulterior motives. My one intention is to survive."

Denzyl nodded. "Very well."

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

"Ryiak, that bastard," Denzyl growled when Devyn relayed what had happened up to Denzyl being tortured by Ryiak. "So, I created a crypt?"

Devyn nodded.

"And we were in it for fifty years?"

Devyn nodded.

"It's strange that I can't remember any of this."

"You were injured really badly. It could have been worse. Be glad memory is the only thing you're having trouble with," Devyn tried to comfort the bewildered demon.

Devyn sucked his teeth before running his fingers through his hair. "It's strange, though, that my memories with you are the only ones missing."

"I wasn't in your life for very long. I wouldn't worry about it."

Denzyl looked at Devyn intently before tilting his head. "I would have remembered someone like you. I would not easily forget a face like yours."

"Well, I guess I am pretty forgettable, then," Devyn let out a small smile.

"No, there's something else to this. Some things aren't adding up."

Devyn nodded in response. A few moments passed before Denzyl asked, "So after Ryiak interrogated me, my mom brought you here?" Devyn nodded in confirmation. "And my father...did this to you?" Denzyl inquired as he looked over the human's wounds. Devyn nodded slightly. The human looked up to see the demon's eyes flash red.

"It's okay." Devyn touched Denzyl's arm in an attempt to calm the demon. "I'm healing much faster than I normally would." The human managed a small smile as he looked up at the avex.

Hearing Devyn's words, Denzyl gently turned the human around and looked at his mark infused into Devyn's skin. The mark began to glow and pulse as Denzyl ran his thumb over it. Warmth spread through Devyn as the avex gingerly touched the mark. Seeing his mark for the first time but not recalling infusing it, instinct possessed Denzyl to make the mark a part of his memory.

Without a word, Denzyl leaned down and pressed his lips to the mark. Devyn's breath hitched as he prepared to feel the same pain as he felt when Denzyl first marked him. But only a soft heat ran through the human's body. This heat was different. It was not desperate to save a life. It was warm and soothing. Devyn felt Denzyl deepen the kiss on his shoulder, and the heat became exciting, making the human's heart flutter. Soon, Devyn was light-headed from pleasure. He took deep breaths as Denzyl made the mark his memory.

With Denzyl's action, the mark became stronger as the demon infused more of his power into the human. This is commonly performed between mates during intimate times to strengthen the bond with each other. 

Devyn had broken into a sweat by the time Denzyl pulled away. Denzyl's eyes widened when he realized what he had done. "I'm sorry. I didn't-"

"It's okay," Devyn interrupted the demon. He did not want Denzyl to feel bad about something that made him feel good. "It didn't hurt."

"Did it hurt the first time?" Denzyl asked in concern. Marks were not supposed to bring pain when they were infused. They were meant to be pleasureful as they were usually part of the mating process.

Devyn nodded slowly in response.

Denzyl let out a breath and pulled the human into his arms, startling Devyn. Devyn was about to push the demon away when Denzyl brought his hand up to his head and began petting him. Tears entered Devyn's eyes as he recalled the demon petting his head to soothe him before Denzyl lost his memory.

"I'm so sorry." Denzyl's voice was quiet and broken. What had happened? Why was I so desperate to save you? Denzyl brought Devyn to arm's length and looked into his emerald eyes. "There's something you're not telling me."

"What-what do you mean?" Devyn's heart began to race. I thought I could leave that part out. It wasn't important.

"A mark only brings pain if both the receiver and giver are in pain, either physically, psychologically or both. There is something you didn't tell me about that day. You were brought to the hold, and I was brought to the clan house when the crypt broke. You said I went to the hold to get you out and then marked you. But something happened to make me mark you when we were in pain." Denzyl paused when he saw Devyn's eyes fill with tears. He softened his voice before continuing, "Devyn, what aren't you telling me?"

Devyn's bottom lip quivered as he recalled the assault. "...Ryiak tr-tried to...he tried to..."

Denzyl's blood boiled when he heard Devyn struggling to speak, and he quickly brought Devyn back into his arms. "Shhh. It's okay. You don't have to say it." Denzyl knew what the human was trying to say. Denzyl heard Devyn sniffle as the human slowed his tears. "I got there in time, right?" The demon let out a sigh when he felt Devyn nod into him.

A few moments passed as Devyn continued to stand in Denzyl's arms. The demon felt Devyn relax in his embrace, and he could not help the small smile that tugged on the corner of his lips. "Why don't you get some rest, hm?" Denzyl suggested.

Devyn nodded as the demon brought him to arm's length before stooping down and picking up his shirt from the floor. Devyn accepted the shirt and pulled it over his head before walking to the bed. Denzyl walked to the door as Devyn sat on the bed. Before Devyn could say he would not mind sharing the room with Denzyl, the door had already shut, leaving Devyn alone.

The human let out a breath as he got under the covers. Tears began to form as soon as he set his head on the pillow. The past weeks had been hell for the human, and the only person who had been there for him every step of the way had forgotten him. Devyn knew telling Denzyl everything that happened would not bring back his memories, but he could not say he did not have a glimmer of hope that telling Denzyl would spark one of the memories. Devyn looked at the door Denzyl had just walked through and longed for the demon. He missed the warmth and safety he provided, but he understood why Denzyl left. According to Denzyl, Devyn was someone he had just met. Devyn could not expect Denzyl to want to hold him at night.

Right, Devyn, get your act together! You are a grown man. You should not be wanting someone to hold you. You need to rely on yourself and yourself only, just like you were before. Tears dropped onto the pillow all the while Devyn lectured himself. When the lecture had concluded, Devyn determined to return to relying solely on himself. He could not afford to allow himself to become vulnerable. He hated being vulnerable. He was vulnerable for the longest time, and many people took advantage of that. Devyn had worked so hard to become the man he was, and he could not let it go to waste. He would return to being Devyn Vaumyr, CEO of Vaumyr and Co., the man who built himself up from tragedy.  

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Denzyl let out a huff as he sat down on the bed in one of the many guest rooms. His thoughts were full of the human next door. He could not get him out of his head.

"How could I forget you?" Denzyl mumbled aloud as he thought about those emerald eyes gazing up at him. "Why does my heart hurt every time I look at you?" Denzyl bit his lip in frustration as he racked his brain for any memories of the human.

I wouldn't feel like this if I didn't know you. What did I forget?

Denzyl ran his fingers through his hair as he lied down, his legs still hanging off the bed. I wonder if he's alright. He has been through so much. Is it okay that I left him alone? Should I have stayed...?  Uncertain and regretting thoughts ushered the demon into a restless sleep.

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

The cold slowly crept up the demon's hand, through his arm, and into his chest. Denzyl sat up to find himself sitting on the rough ground of what seemed to be a shallow cave. The chilled night wind blew through the cave, ruffling the demon's crimson hair. A warm glow brought the demon's attention to a fire crackling in the middle area of the cave. A body lied on the ground covered by a blanket. Denzyl's gaze flowed over the sleeping man to the person sitting at the mouth of the cave. The demon's breath hitched as he saw himself sitting on a fur and gazing out into the night.

What is going on? Denzyl slowly stood to his feet and walked over to the fire. He looked down at the unconscious form on the ground to see the soft features of Devyn's face. His lashes fanned on his cheeks beneath his closed eyes, and his lips were lush. A slight furrow of one of the human's brows grabbed Denzyl's gaze. He squatted next to the human to see beads of sweat lining his temple. Denzyl placed his hand against the human's forehead and felt his feverous temperature.

Denzyl quickly looked around for something to treat the human with. While scanning the contents of the cave, the man at the entrance's turned face startled Denzyl. The demon looked to see the crimson-haired man staring at him. Wait...no, he was staring at the unconscious human next to him. Denzyl watched as the man stood and walked over to Devyn. Ignoring Denzyl, the crimson-haired demon knelt and gently pressed his hand to the human's head to check his condition.

The man let out a breath and took the human's hand. Denzyl watched as the man gazed at Devyn softly. The crimson-haired demon reached out and swept a fallen strand of hair out of the human's face before going to tend to the fire.  

This is a memory! Denzyl hurriedly looked around, soaking in every available detail in hopes of triggering another memory. But it was to no avail as Denzyl sat up in bed. The demon found himself panting and his heart racing. His hair dripped with sweat as he threw back the covers. Tears touched the corner of his eyes as he struggled to recall his memories with Devyn, but none came.

Denzyl got out of the bed and went into the shower. Activating the shower, the demon stood beneath the cold water and let it flow over his heated body. Why can't I remember you? Denzyl hit his fist on the side of the shower in frustration as he saw those emerald eyes looking up at him through glistening tears.

Denzyl recalled seeing the way he looked at Devyn in the cave. The Denzyl that knew Devyn loved him. Denzyl's fist unrolled and pressed flat against the wall. The demon let his hand slide down the tile as he released a deep breath and came to a conclusion. There was a version of him who knew Devyn and went through hell with him. There was a Denzyl who did everything in his power to keep Devyn safe and warm. There was a Denzyl who loved Devyn. But there also was a Denzyl who was willing to know Devyn, who was willing to do all he could to save the human who stood before him in pain and gazed up at him through teary eyes. There was a Denzyl who would finish what the other Denzyl started.