The frown deepened and Asmodeus didn’t need magic to foretell his request was not a simple one.
“Are you referring to ‘blissful ones’?”
Was he? The teaching he could recall had cast a more romanced version of bloodlines merging. The urgent desire to touch, wasn’t that how they put it? It wasn’t urgent what he’d experienced, it was uncontrollable. Made him act differently. How could that mean what he had with the troll was a blissful connection? Nothing about it was blissful, nothing.
He had also never met a soul who claimed to have a blissful one. Except, this gave him the opportunity he needed to get them to search. “No, this was not what I meant. But now you have mentioned it, I’m intrigued. When you teach of a blissful one being part of a demon’s soul, yet why have I never encountered a demon who claims to have one?”
Rote looked at the others, wrinkles appearing, as he rubbed a finger over one brow. “I could see where it would be difficult to believe without the evidence.”
“Exactly. I believe if we are teaching young demons of this concept, then it must be based in fact.” Warming to the idea, he waved a hand once more at the scrolls. “You will need to search through the scrolls. Go through our history and find me the proof.”
Mouth open, Rote made a noise that suggested Asmodeus had asked for the impossible. He arched a brow, giving the demon in front of him a hard stare. “Is there a problem?”
“T-there are tens of thousands… more… scrolls, Your Highness. It could take a very long time.”
Asmodeus had nothing but time. “Then you best get started.”
Coughing came from the other two demons and Asmodeus gave them a stern look that caused them to fall silent. “When you find any mention of a blissful one, I want to know immediately, do you hear?”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Rote murmured.
“Good, I will leave you to it.” He swept out of the room and had taken no more than four steps before his human half started to complain.
Did you see how many scrolls there were? This could take forever! I can’t wait to see our troll. No. That is not happening.
You are a pain.
Don’t. You feel what I feel. I need to see him. Have the choice to see him whenever I need to.
He growled, his teeth clacking together as he headed in a different direction to his chamber. Going to the one place that would allow them to go to the forest.See, I knew you’d understand.
Understand what?
If you refuse to bring our troll here where he belongs at our side, then leaving him with half of a pair of our viewing crystals will do for now. We can give it to him, and keep its matching half in our chamber so we can see him anytime we want. It’s a solution for now.
He wanted to argue with his human half, he did, except he didn’t. Would it allay the feelings of separation, the ache? He wasn’t sure. For now, until he understood more of why he felt this way, it would keep his human half happy…
And you. Your excitement at seeing him is the same as mine.
There was no point denying it. It was the first time he felt more than the crushing weight of responsibility and loss. The loss of his father was one thing, but the loss of not being close to his troll was equally burdensome.
He cast a glance about, checking he was alone before he went into the room where the portal was. He found a pair of crystals and imbued them with magic, using incantations to strengthen the connection between them.
When he was finished, the two stones, when touching, formed a glow of light that warmed his hand. Would his troll feel the power of it? Feel him?
Come on, get on with it,his human side muttered impatiently.
Sometimes I wish I could separate myself from you!
You are such a ridiculous demon.
Asmodeus walked to the portal and checked before he stepped through and into the dusky forest. The sky above held the dying rays of sunlight, casting hues of orange and red over the leaves. Bold colors made everything appear alive as he glanced around, getting his bearings.
He inhaled deeply. The scent of the air held the growth of the plants and the rain that had not long fallen. So much fresher, and there was a flutter on the breeze of their troll. He transformed into his human half, naked, holding the crystals they roamed into the woods, searching.
“You returned,” a voice murmured softly behind him as a hand slipped around his waist. Skin to skin, Asmodeus inhaled the richness of his troll's scent and the ache he’d held in his heart disappeared. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” His lips brushed his throat. The soft caress set Asmodeus’ pulse racing, except with it came a calmness that swept over him, conflicting with the arousal jutting out from his body at the gentle hold.
“I came with a gift,” he rasped, lifting his clenched fist in front of him.