Saif ul Malook stood at the door to his room, his arms crossed and brows furrowed in deep frustration.

It had hardly been a day since he made companions out of the two demon brothers and they had spared nothing in making themselves at home. Sur, who the prince had assumed to be less demanding of the two, had claimed nearly half of his chamber, having decorated the space with his newfound collection of musical instruments and trinkets. He had then spent the morning hours humoring with the trinkets until he had managed to compose something that could be passed for a song.

Faaki'r was hardly different. A demon of different greed, he demanded something new to be served for every hour of the day, which he devoured within minutes of arrival. He had then taken the liberty to roam the palace grounds without so much as informing the prince.

"I believe the whole palace thinks me mad," Saif sighed, shaking his head. "I had to have those instruments smuggled without questions. It is not easy, even with my title."

"Perhaps," Faaki'r replied, clawing between his teeth,"but the food was justified."

"They think I am eating like a glutton," Saif cried.

"Should you not after forty days of near starvation?"

Saif ul Malook opened his mouth to argue, then decided against it. He walked to his bed and fixed his gaze on Sur.

"How do you live with this brother?" he asked, making no effort to hide his exasperation.

"I believe you should be asking how he lives with me," Sur chuckled, strumming on his setar.

"Do I dare ask?" Saif blinked, bemused.

"I used to make my own instruments with whatever I could find," Sur explained, a sheepish grin on his demon lips.

"Tell him of the time you summoned winds to blow into a hollow log!" Faaki'r yelled from his seat. "I think the Giants in the Koh-e-Kaaf departed after that monstrosity of a horn you sounded!"

"Koh-e-Kaaf?"

The sudden change in his voice had the brothers turning to the prince in unison.

"You know about Koh-e-Kaaf?" Saif ul Malook asked, hopeful.

"We would not be demons of this forest if we did not," Sur sang, floating closer. "How do you know about it? You're a human."

Saif ul Malook knew it was now time for his demon companions to learn of his secret. He motioned with his hand for the two to huddle closer. Then, leaning down, he began in a soft whisper.

"I met a Faerie," he said.

"YOU WHAT?" Faaki'r erupted and hit his horns into the ceiling.

Saif bit hard on his tongue as Sur flung over to his brother, grasping him by the sides of his arm to bring him down to ground. It took a moment before Faaki'r had regained some semblance of peace.

"Are you a fool?" Faaki'r said, his eyes scared. "Tell me it is a lie! Tell me you did not dabble with the women of the Horned Giants?"

"It is like he glimpsed into my past," Saif winced, leaning out of his reach.

Faaki'r may have thrown himself at the ceiling. Now, he looked as if he was prepared to bury into the earth.

"That is quite the bold move for a human," Sur tittered, trying to lighten the fury of his brother.

"He could have summoned death and it would have been no different," Faaki'r grumbled, pounding his fist between his eyes.

"She did not seem too opposed to the notion," Saif spoke, meekly. "I even brought her to the city."

"Sur," Faaki'r turned to his brother. "Sound the horn in the hollow. I may well be dead before I am found making merry with a human of this audacity."

Saif ul Malook had to cough to conceal a laugh forming in his throat. For all his show of power, Faaki'r still had a sense of humor.

"If you don't mind, human," Sur began, putting an arm around Saif. "Can you describe what this said Faerie looked like?"

"I will not," Saif declined, with a devious smile. "I will let you see if you help me get into Koh-e-Kaaf."

Faaki'r raged at his brother in a veil of black smoke. Then, grabbing him firmly by the arm, he pried him away from his human companion.

"I must save you from his whispers!" The demon shrieked. "I cannot have you indulging in the unspeakable as if it were prancing with the shades!"

"They are not very clever," Sur protested. "I am curious as to why he wants to go to such lengths to see some Faerie."

"I am in love," Said admitted.

Faaki'r stiffened in his battle for dominance and glared at Saif,his brother held at an arm''s length by the throat.

"Love," Sur sang. "It is forbidden love!"

"The younger demon slipped through the clutches in a pool of ash before gathering back into his form. Then, floating closer to Saif, he gave his auburn locks a violent ruffle.

"God," Faaki'r looked wildly to the skies. "If you are there, take me now!"

"A forbidden love between man and demon," Sur continued to sing. "I simply must sing to that!"

"Terrible time for a song," Saif and Faaki'r said in unison.

"Mountain Rose, Oh Mountain Rose," Sue began singing with complete disregard. "In the light of the morning sun."

"I am in pain," Faaki'r winced.

Saif ul Malook sighed at the demon covering his ears. He slowly walked to Sur and placed a hand on his setar, lowering it with a slight shake of his head.

"I appreciate the gesture," he said, "but I do need help. I need you to help me get to Koh-e-Kaaf."

Sur quickly abandoned his antics and fled to Faaki'r. The Prince watched in great anticipation as they exchanged word in whispers, worried that his request would be met with rejection. It surprised him when it was Faaki'r who spoke of the solution first.

"We can take you to Koh-e-Kaaf," he informed. "I have a way. Of sorts."

"It suddenly sounds questionable," Saif leaned back with a worried glance.

"No more dangerous than what you suggest, little prince," Faaki'r growled. "It does, however, require a bit of effort. Tell me. Does this Faerie wish to return with you?"

Saif ul Malook thought back to the last conversation between him and badri Jamala. He did not know if she wanted to but for sure knew she would have to.

"Yes," he answered, firmly. "She will not refuse."

"Alright, brother," Sur sang, beating into his shoulder. "We can take him to Koh-e-Kaaf!"

"We can take him to death," Faaki'r groaned, "but yes, we can take him to Koh-e-Kaaf."

"How is it that you suddenly want to help?' Saif asked.

"There is a reason," Faaki'r tried to be discreet. "If it is favorable for both of us, we need not concern ourselves with the particulars."

"I suppose," he shrugged. "So what plan do you propose for this?"

Faaki'r brought both of his palms together and placed them against his forehead. His eyes fell closed as he began to read something in an unknown language, concentrating his prowess in the hold of his hands. Smoke formed where he kissed his fingers and produced the fabrics of a black cloak, which he then held out to Saif ul Malook.

"This is a Sumlaimani Cloak," he announced, appearing rather proud.

"You are giving me something to wear for the occasion?" Saif ul Malook asked as he hesitantly took the cloak.

"No, you halfwit," Faaki'r snatched it out of his reach. "This cloak carries a fraction of my internal prowess."

"It will turn you invisible," Sur explained. "You haven't the need to be vague, Faaki'r."

Saif ul Malook stared at his marvel with his eyes widened. His hand smoothed over the fine fabrics of the cloak until he found the hood. Then slowly, he threw it over his shoulder and quickly did the clasp.

"Are you sure this will work?" he asked, looking worriedly at the two brothers.

"I give you my word," Faaki'r smiled. "What day do you wish to go to Koh-e-Kaaf?"

"Tonight. It is the night of the full moon and father will be holding court. No better time to show the splendors of my palace than now."

Faaki'r glanced once at Sur. It spoke more than any rage ever could.

"I do this with a heavy heart," Faaki'r declared, "and fear. Alright, let us be off."

Saif ul Malook pulled the hood over his head. He heard the demon brothers brewing a storm of black smoke as they swirled where he stood, their powers summoned to gather in the eye, and he felt the comfort of his private chambers abandoning him at the first touch of cold. When he finally opened his eyes, he found himself standing at the foot of a grand door.

"This is the farthest we can take you by magic," Sur declared, hovering from behind. "From here on out, we must venture into Koh-e-Kaaf on our own."

"Does either of you know how grand of a place it is?" Saif asked, not looking up from the door.

"Hardly grand," Sur stated, derision tracing his voice. "The White Horned Giants lack the taste of human wealth."

"Never thought I'd live to see the day where we ridicule the castle of the Giants," Faaki'r sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "They will have our heads should they catch word."

"They will not," Saif assured him with a decisive nod. "Let us be on our way."

It took the joint efforts of Faaki'r and Sur to open the door for the human Prince. When he had entered, they carefully pulled it close behind them before following him down a straight hallway.

"I expected there to be some demons guarding it," Saif suddenly said as he tailed after Faaki'r.

"Demons have no need to conduct their affairs like humans," Faaki'r replied. "If any of us were found, we would not see the light of the day."

"They do have good music," Sur added, hesitantly.

"That is because they have Faeries singing for them," Faaki'r explained. "Their music before was as ghastly as your woodland trinkets."

Prince Saif ul Malook reached the end of the hallway only to find his path divesting into three. He looked between them, utterly confused as to which would lead to his beloved Faerie, then looked up to Faaki'r for guidance.

"I am not some disowned child of the Giants," Faaki'r retorted, fuming smoke. "I do not know the way any better than you."

"I do," Sur suddenly sang. "Well, I do not know the way but I know something about the castle."

"Then pray tell, you ghost of a bard," Faaki'r growled, pounding the smaller demon between his tusks.

"That was unnecessary," Sur squealed, rubbing his hair furiously.

Saif ul Malook hurried to the demon's side and threw his brother a sharp glare.

"Alright, Sur," he spoke gently. "What do you know about the castle?"

"I know how it was built," he answered. "There is an East Wing, a West Wing, and a main courtyard at the Heart of the Mountain. I assume each of these paths lead to those respectively."

"Are you not the most clever of demons," Faaki'r said, sarcasm thick in his voice.

"I am not finished," his brother countered. "I know that the House of the Faeries is in one of the wings. The White Horned Giants may have invited the Faeries to live with them, but they do not share their quarters lest married."

"Something human," Faaki'r nodded. "They must meet in the courtyard though."

"I do not know that," Sur said, scratching his hair.

Saif ul Malook glanced between the pathways once more. There was no sign as to which would lead him to his beloved Pari and to venture into the wing of the Horned Giant was a promised death. For the first time since their arrival, he felt his body tremble, fear finally making way into his heart.

"I can hear something," Sur suddenly declared.

Faaki'r and Saif watched in sheer bewilderment as the demon hustled down one of the paths, his ears pricked and horns glowing white. When he returned, he had the most satisfied grin on his face.

"I hear the Faeries singing from this wing," he announced. "The East Wing has to be the House of the Faeries!"

Prince Saif ul Malook darted down the hallway without listening to anything further, leaving the two demons to stare after until he had disappeared at the end.

"That was surprisingly fast for a human," Sur sang, baffled.

"I concur," Faaki'r nodded. "Shall we make way to the Courtyard?"

"To the Heart of the Mountain it is," Sur clapped his hands.

Saif was barely paying mind to the path he traveled by as he hastened down the unfamiliar hallways. Soon enough, he too could hear the voices of the singing demons and was nearly enthralled by their enchanting notes. They seemed to be coming from everywhere, ringing in the very halls of the wings and pulsing in the grounds he ran on, but when he tried to use them as a guiding light, they betrayed him.

"Wherever are you, Pari?" he mumbled.

He appeared to have ventured deep into the Eastern Wing of Koh-e-kaaf but knew he was no closer to Badri Jamala than he had been at the gate. Exhausted from his vain efforts, he stopped and rested his back against the walls, slumping to the ground as his aching legs gave way. He sat there, his breathing heavy as sweat trickled down the side of his face.

"The dusk colours the evening sky," his eyes opened to the notes of a song. "And the birds cease their songs."

"Pari," he gasped, jerking to his feet.

"Come nightfall, the Faeries fly," she sounded absolutely divine.

"I have to follow her voice."

Her voice seemed to have restored some strength in his limbs for in the next moment, he was sprinting down the hallway, determined to not let her notes fade from his hearing. It must have been a miracle that he somehow arrived at the open door to her chambers and found her alone.

"Pari," he sighed.

At the sound of his voice, her eyes widened and a scream burned in her throat. Clapping a hand to her trembling lips, she turned slowly, hoping it had been a trick of her mind, and when her granite eyes met his black ones, she nearly unleashed the shriek.

"Please don't!" Saif pleaded.

"Saif ul Malook," she gasped, a hand placed on her racing heart. "How did you get into Koh-e-Kaaf?"

A soft smile graced his lips and he hurried into the room, mindful to close the door after him. Then, he knelt before the High Faerie.

"You wound me, Pari," he teased. "You thought me a mere human and unworthy of entering this sacred palace."

"I thought you were incapable," she corrected, concern clear in her voice. "It seems I may have misjudged. I should have thought you a fool."

"A fool who comes seeking a Faerie," he looked up.

She gazed at him. His auburn hair looked as magnificent as fire in the light of her chambers and his eyes were glistened with tears. The relieved smile that refused to leave his lips had her heart sinking.

"How did you do it?" she asked.

"I had something," he answered, brushing his shoulder. "This cloak helps me stay invisible to demons."

Her eyes narrowed and she stared at this newly acquired item. Then, as he held it out to her, she snatched it from his hands.

"I don't believe it," she gasped, watching it work as she draped it over her arm. "It really does turn one invisible!"

"It is quite a treasure," he chuckled, taking it back. "Sadly, it is not mine. It belongs to some friends."

"I don't believe that some humans lent you something of this sort," she said, her brows furrowing. "I can sense a demonic presence on it."

"It was given to me by demons," he confirmed. "I seemed to have gained their favour."

She fell back a few steps at that statement. Saif ul Malook had half a mind to rush to her aid before she could collapse.

"You summoned demons?" she shrieked.

"Gracious, no," he winced, fear evident in his eyes. "I would never do something so sinful. They chose to appear before me."

"Just when I feel I know all there is to your madness, you return with a newfound fervour."

"I shall take that as praise from the High Faerie."

"You take that for what it is, Saif ul Malook."

She watched him dissolve into a laughter, a carefree sort so vastly different from the kind she had always seen. She had to press a hand to her heart to silence its desire to join.

"What did you come for?" she finally asked him, smiling.

"I thought you would know," Saif replied, raising a brow. "You did strike the bargain."

"You would not."

She stormed up to him and locked her forehead with his. This was the closest the two had ever been to each other.

"I should warn you that Giants roam these halls," she whispered coldly. "You may have reached my chambers alive, but I fear that will not be how you leave."

"You are scared for me," he leaned into her. "My heart is moved."

"I may be," she replied, "which is why I ask you to leave. I will even escort you out."

A gasp escaped her as she felt his hand take hers and bring it to his lips. The warmth of his tender kiss touched her skin and her heart forgot to beat.

"I will not leave without you," he said, his gaze deepened with sincerity. "You gave me your word that you would come with me if I came to Koh-e-Kaaf."

"I cannot," she replied truthfully. "I want to, I truly do. But I cannot today."

He leaned back and blinked at her in utter confusion.

"Why is that?" he asked.

"Badri Jamala? Are you in your chambers?"