The Demon’s Bride

"Come here, Elise," Ian ushered her with his hand, leading her to the cupboard where Elise had placed the cups she used to train her power. It was time for Elise to learn how to use her power, using it for herself. 

Ian didn't want Elise to became smaller than she already is. If she shy away from touching people or him, he could tell Elise would be reduce to her shell which don't sit well with him. He believed Elise deserve the happiness he would shower, for her to smile. And for that to happen she need confidence and this power of her was hindering it.

"But I don't have cups anymore," said Elise, looking at the cupboard which was now filled with ash from her previous experiment. She was scared to use her power after seeing how potent it had become, but at the same time, she can't help but to feel eager to learn about her own power. She wondered if she could use this power of her to protect herself. 

It would be good if it's true, thought Elise to herself. Her power would make her feel less useless when it come to protecting herself from danger.

"Don't worry, we can use everything in your room. I'm paying for everything, losing some wouldn't make me a peasant," Ian met her eyes, his mischief running high again, "You could even try destroying the whole castle. I would instead look forward to it. For a Demon like me, it's rather an amusement, you know," he tipped his jaw to the side, "to see things destroyed is one kind of a stress relief sometimes."

"I will try not to turn the castle to ash," Elise answered to receive his grin and a chuckle. When he raised his hand a decorative plate was brought to the cupboard with other several items. 

Ian hand touched above her arms, and Elise could feel his chest pressing to her back. Her ears felt hot when his breaths hitting her, and Elise who had just been pushed to the bed, felt that it was hard to take her mind away from him. "Let's try."

"How should I harness the energy?" she asked, "I still don't know how." Elise watched Ian playing with the two played and another glass ornament made to the shape of a rabbit féves. 

"It's easy," he whispered to her and somewhere she doubt it would be easy, "Think of your cause for anger, close your eyes," he guided and Elise closed her eyes, "Follow my voice," Ian watched Elise with closed eyes, and his gaze stared intently on her pink lips, "Now do you feel a burst of energy on your palm? You are doing good by holding back all your power to your palms but now direct the energy to your fingertips, imagine and feel them."

Elise closed her eyes, following the instruction that was whispered to her ears. It took her a few minutes before saying, "I think I could do this now."

"Let's touch this then," she opened her eyes to see Ian leading her hand to touch the plate, this time, Elise touch the plate without her palms but fingertips. She saw the plate crack, but unlike before, the process cooled down. The circular edge that came first with her skin turned darker and slowly it breaks to pieces, turning to a dark snow-like particles.

"Good," Ian whispered to her ears, "There is room for improvement. Would you work better with a prize?"

Elise retracted her fingertips, her eyes turning to corner to see his face right beside her, "What prize?" She then think she sounded to excited as the previous prize granted her to go out with Ian which made her look forward to more, "I don't need anything," she whispered.

"I know you don't. You are a simple woman which makes you all the more beautiful in your own way. Even without jewelry or crown, you look like a Queen, sweetheart," he praised her smoothly, "You are the diamond yourself. Crystal clear, unbending and would not break, but prone to danger. How about if I tell you a little past of my own? A glimpse. I will tell you soon the rest," his black hair fell from the side of his head which he pulled back to his chiseled jaw.

That did the trick to light a burning curiosity to Elise's eyes. She did want to know about Ian's past, but she was careful not to ask as she wasn't sure whether Ian liked to tell his past or not. Not every past was easy to tell or reiterate. Some people like to keep it hidden, letting it to grow dust and mold on the corner of the mind, as remembering it would be painful or heartbreaking.

Ian was ruthless and at times could be said cruel, although Elise didn't experience it on first hand, she could feel that there was still in him the blood thirst he covered, only showing it at times which perhaps stemmed from the events in his past. She could tell it wasn't easy nor peaceful as others had.

The last time she remembered, he didn't continued to tell about his mother, which led her to think that perhaps it would take a little more time before Ian would tell her the rest. She knew Ian had never hide things from her.

"Let's continue for the reward," added Ian. He stepped away from her, leaning his shoulder to the wall beside her while watching Elise. Raising her hand, she placed took a mouthful of breathe to calm her nerves. Perhaps it was because of the reward of the very presence of Ian that give her the push she needed.

Closing her eyes, Elise try to imagine her power like a stem, starting from her palm to separate into her five fingers. She touched the other plate but this time, she imagine herself closing all five paths of energy. Opening her eyes, she saw that the plate didn't break, not a crack to be seen, and her eyes lit up in excitement. "I did it!" Elise beamed. 

She can't express enough how happy she was that she managed to put a brake on her own power. This would prevent her from harming anyone and the thought make her happy.

"You're a natural," Ian remarked taking the plate, it didn't break, and Elise managed to do it faster than most people would have been on her place. She needed the praise Ian knew she deserve. He leaned forward kissing her forehead, "Great job. I know you could do that, I have faith in you," the words made the already wide smile of Elise to grow wider, "So what would be your question to me, sweetheart?"

Ian watched Elise's eyes her mind contemplating of what to ask as there were too many questions she want to learn from his past.