Eveleen

Red! I screamed in my mind, struggling and pushing them both away. My shadows swirled as my screams became audible.

"Breathe, Eveleen," I heard North's deep voice saying over and over again. "You are safe, Queen. No one is going to do anything you don't want. Just breathe, baby." I felt his arms around me and began sobbing.

"I...I'm sorry," I cried. "I'm so sorry." He held me tightly as his body rocked me like a small child.

Owen gripped my hands, "Tesoro, you have nothing to apologize for. You did nothing wrong. Our choices were taken from us. We still love you, just as you still love me despite what happened."

I looked into his eyes, which were once again grey, and nodded. "I just...something clicked and I...I remembered something Erebus had done and I panicked.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Gabriel asked. I nodded and let out a shaky breath.

"Some things happened only in dreams while Deimos had me in the sleep spell, but others were after he woke me. Erebus became angry that Deimos had started to actually care for me. He felt cheated out of his revenge so he pushed Deimos's incubus side until he lost control. He did it twice, both times while I was under a spell like the one from the biker bar."

"Wait, you mean Deimos had you acting like a cat?" North gaped. "What the fuck?"

I hid my face, "It was actually helpful. He pushed my humanity so far down that I wasn't scared anymore. It was like an escape really, and he knew it. Yes, we had sex, but he never tried to abuse me when I was under the spell, he actually protected me from Erebus and the girls until one time I wandered off. That's when Erebus cornered me and forced me to do things. He had put his shadow into me when I was still in the sleep spell and used it to compel me. Then when Deimos caught him, he threatened to turn me unless Deimos let him finish."

"Fuck," Gabriel muttered. "I swear I'm going to kill them both."

"It wasn't his fault," I said quickly. "Deimos tried to resist and he even felt horrible afterward. Erebus knew his incubus wouldn't be able to resist once he triggered my desire using the shadows.

"Is that what happened the night I came for you? Did Erebus trigger his incubus again?" Victor asked. I nodded, not saying anything. "Deimos woke up after Morpheus and I took you. He cried out begging you not to leave and to forgive him."

"He...he spoke to me before you woke me. He said he was glad I got away and hoped I was safe. I could see that Erebus had imprisoned him, but I wasn't really sure if it was just a dream," I said.

"Jewel, I know you feel like he protected you, but I need you to remember that it was Deimos who put all of this into motion. His motives were not and are not pure," Victor said.

I cringed. I knew he was telling the truth, but I still felt a pull to Deimos. I didn't answer, only nodding.

****

After what seemed to be an endless amount of hours, Victor had declared we all needed rest. He'd transported all of us somewhere in Northern Europe and we had settled into a large room for the night, none of us being willing to sleep away from one another.

My sleep was restless as I tossed and turned until I finally found darkness behind my eyelids.

Pet, I heard his voice call to me and shot up blinking my eyes rapidly.

Where am I? The room and my husbands were once again gone. Yet, I couldn't see anything other than emptiness.

Pet, can you hear me? His voice sounded so broken, so alone.

Wh...where are you, where am I? I finally asked him.

I'm in the cells in my own dungeons, he chuckled hollowly. Fitting I suppose. As for you, I have no idea. I can't see you anymore. I wasn't even sure you would hear me. I'm sorry, Eveleen, so sorry.

I choked down my own fear and scolded him, You should be. What you did was wrong, Deimos. You've hurt me and everyone I love. I...I don't think I can forgive that.

I know, I know, he said softly. I just wish... Close your eyes, pet. Just for a moment, please.

I don't know why, but I did as he asked and gasped as he appeared before me. He looked horrible. He had clearly been beaten, his flesh marked with stripes from a whip probably similar to what Sang had used on Owen.

Pet, he breathed in, tears streaming down his face, you look so beautiful. His voice was filled with awe as he fell to his knees.

I stepped closer, What have they done to you? I reached out and touched a mark on his face.

He groaned and leaned into my touch, It doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is you are safe. His eyes landed on my stomach and then darted back to my eyes. Who? He asked.

I bristled, pulling back. Not yours and not Erebus. That is all you need to know for now.

His shoulders slumped, I'm sorry. He lifted his eyes to mine again, I know I should let you go, but I can't. I told you once before, demons weren't meant to love and when we do, it consumes us. You consume my every thought, Eveleen. I won't let you go without a fight. Once again, determination filled his eyes and he took on a slightly predatory gaze. I felt his essence begin to wrap around me as I leaned closer to him. You're stronger now, but my claim is still here, he placed his hand on my heart. Start with your dogs. They will resist the least. I do not know how to separate the hellhound from them, but to free Kota, you only need to remove the collar Sang placed on him and give it time.

Why are you telling me this? I sputtered, searching his eyes for some trick.

I cannot prove my regret if I do not make amends, pet. His hand stroked my face and I instinctually leaned into the touch. He chuckled softly, Ahh, my beautiful pet. Do not tell me your location. The less I know, the less Erebus can pull from me. He's already frantic that Sang has gone rogue.

I stiffened at the name and he noticed.

Hmm, interesting, he mused. Again, do not tell me. Go now, your dragon is concerned. He pressed a soft kiss to my lips and vanished.

I felt warm hands on my body as the room went dark, then my eyes opened to meet Victor's fiery ones.

"Jewel," he growled in an angry tone. "What the fuck did you do?"

I scooted back, confused, "What do you mean?"

He pointed to my chest. "Explain that."

I looked down to see a moving tattoo resembling a rose vine over my heart where Deimos had touched me and gasped. My fingers reached for it, trying to brush it off or make it stop moving, only to feel his essence when I did. "I...I don't understand," I stammered.

Owen cupped my face, "Look at me, Tesoro. Take a deep breath and start at the beginning." After two or three breaths I began to explain the dream he had pulled me into. I hid nothing, from the conversation to the suggestion of retrieving Kota, Luke, and Nathan first, to when he touched my chest.

"What did he mean, his claim, Queen?" North asked hesitantly.

I lowered my gaze, afraid of Owen's reaction. "Sh...shortly after Owen and I, well somehow Deimos figured it out. He didn't realize I was pregnant, but he could tell that I'd managed to reestablish one of my bonds. He placed a claim on me that day, on my soul. Told me I would feel what he felt. He told me he loved me and would give his life for me." I looked up at them and said confidently, "He has done horrible things, yes, but never once has he lied to me. He told me the claim would take root in my heart and mind as I made my decisions." My hand once again touched the tattoo, "I guess this is a physical manifestation of that claim."

Gabriel looked at me, then at the tattoo. His eyes were mournful as he spoke, "No little wolf, this is the physical manifestation of your response to his claim, your acceptance. The rose represents pure love, the thorns are the twisted nature of his demon that taint that love. How much it grows will depend entirely upon you."

"I don't love him," I whispered, shaking my head.

"Not yet," Loki said softly. "But you do care for him, and he has managed to create an influence in you, to bind you to him if you will."

I sat, stunned at their words until Owen let out a fierce roar. "It's my fault, all my fucking fault," he raged. "If we hadn't...if I had just been content to hold you, then he wouldn't have placed that fucking claim."

I threw my arms around his neck and cried, "No, don't do that. When you and I connected again, I felt hope for the first time in years. Deimos would have placed his claim sooner or later no matter what. If he was falling in love with me, then it was just a matter of time, and we already know he isn't stable. Please, please don't blame yourself, Owen. We will figure this out." He sobbed against me as he clung to me. I looked up and saw Victor's eyes still filled with anger. He turned and stormed out of the room.

"I'll go after him," Gabriel said and quickly followed him.

The look he'd given me was hatred. My dragon hated me.

Author's Notes: Do we believe Deimos or not?

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