Eden

"What?" I stop walking, stunned by what Jericho just said. "I said I'd tell you while we walked, we don't have time to stand around." He says as he slows his pace, giving me a chance to catch back up.

"Okay, fine then, I'm walking. What the hell do you mean Aries is their love child?" I ask, since it seems he isn't very eager to continue the explanation.

Jericho looks at me before continuing, seeming bored. "Many centuries ago Theia and Hades had an affair, from the affair Aries was born." He states.

"Theia wanted nothing to do with Hades and began raising Aries on her own, determined to keep her inner darkness at bay, being the offspring of Hades it's something inescapable, the darkness that lingers inside. Everything was fine until Aries became a young adult, causing chaos in Theia's domain. She cast her out, sending her to Hades to deal with-"

"Aries mother cast her aside because she was a rebellious teenager? That seems a bit harsh.." I say, interrupting him, he doesn't seem to mind and just nods his head, confirming it.

"After Elaine, the first Mother witch, died Aries appeared before Theia, stating it was her birth right to inherit the power as Theia's first born daughter. Theia denied Aries, sensing the darkness that lingered in her heart." Jericho pauses and looks at me, probably looking for a reaction of some sort, I simply nod, signaling for him to continue.

"Determined to gain the power despite the Light goddesses doubt in her, Aries told Theia she would bet her soul she would be able to love and lead the Light Witches coven with a pure heart. Intrigued by the wager Aries presented, Theia agreed to grant Aries the power she seemed so determined to gain, no matter the cost. Theia traveled with Aries to the underworld and forged the soul contract, stating if Aries ever betrayed the Coven or the Light goddess, she would cease to exist. When the time came for her to be a true leader and lead the Light Witches to aid in the wars, she hid away, therefore she has forfeit her soul to Hades, as per their contract." He finishes.

I'm at a loss for words, unsure of what to make of any of what he's just told me. "Aries father agreed to wipe her from existence? And her mother is okay with it? They basically set her up for failure!" I say, baffled at the thought of her parents so easily letting their child cease to exist, let alone forge such a soul contract in the first place.

"They're gods, no one understands the way they work, why they do the things they do, not giving even a shadow of a thought to the struggles of other beings. Not even the ones they've created. Not unless it effects them." He stops walking at that moment and turns to face me. "Not until their worlds become out of balance because of the unrest in this world." He finishes.

I have too many questions I feel Jericho wouldn't even be able to answer, the fact alone that Aries is the daughter of two separate gods is still making my mind reel.

She has more power than I could have imagined, hiding away within her, the daughter of two gods, how the hell will I ever be able to beat Aries?

"We're on the outskirts of the village, keep your head down, don't draw attention, don't ask questions." Jericho says to me, I'm instantly annoyed at his demands of me to practically just follow him around as a mute.

"You've been away from this world for almost 160 years, Eden, things are not the same as they were, I don't want you giving us away by saying or doing something out of the ordinary." Jericho says, apparently sensing my agitation.

"Okay, okay. I'll just quietly follow you around, you won't hear a peep out of me." I assure him sarcastically, he takes my sarcasm in stride, smirking at me before grabbing my hand and yanking me into his arms, he runs his nose up and down my neck, inhaling deeply before he whispers in my ear. "Good girl." He says, his deep voice exciting me despite our current situation.

"Jericho, someone might see us." I say while I glance around as his face is buried in my neck and long hair, he makes an annoyed noise in his throat before standing up straight, releasing me from his embrace.

I still don't know what to make of Jericho's confession to having feelings for me, Reapers don't take mates, so what is this? Is he just looking for a fling? Something fun?

He said I ignite something within him though.

I'm hesitant to develop feelings for this man other than the ones that have already seemed to surface, I have a physical attraction to him for sure, my body practically buzzing any time we touch. But I can't let the guard down around my heart, I can't let myself fall too deeply for something so unattainable.

I'm not a woman who's okay with just having fun. I don't enter relationships for fun.

"Who cares if someone does see? We're simply a man and woman sharing an embrace." He states, as though I'm being ridiculous.

And I guess I am, people have embraced each other since the dawn of time, it's not like we're out in the open having sex.

My face automatically heats at the idea, even though my intentions weren't to have my mind wander to such inappropriate things.

Jericho's jaw splitting grin that's suddenly plastered on his face tells me enough, he knows any time I'm feeling some sort of way towards him, and I don't like it. I should be able to lust after this sexy Reaper without worrying my reactions are being observed so thoroughly.

"I'll never get tired of that." He says after staring at me for a moment longer. "Unfortunately we really are too close to the village for me to settle down your desire for me, as I did last night." He states.

My face heats even more at his words. "Okay, enough, I get it, you can fucking smell my emotions basically. Pretty unfair, considering I'm sure I'd get quite the laugh if I could smell yours." I say to him.

He looks thoughtful for a moment before responding. "Why would you need to when I so easily admit my attraction to you? You're the only one trying to deny what's between us."

My mouth slightly opens in astonishment at his words. "Okay, then what is this between us?" I say while gesturing between the two of us.

Jericho looks taken aback as he decides how to answer me, and decides to go with completely ignoring my question. "We should get moving, I've been hearing your stomach growl for the last 20 minutes, and I know you didn't pack any food."

I roll my eyes, knowing my stomach has in fact been basically screaming at me, not to mention my bladder is on overload, but I'll hold it till I explode before I pee in front of Jericho in this baren forest with nowhere to hide for proper cover, plus, his creepily good hearing.

I turn from him and begin walking in the direction of the village again, he's quickly right by my side in close proximity, our arms lightly brushing as we walk, before Jericho reaches out and grabs my small hand in his overly large one, linking us together.

My heart feels like it's beating out of my chest as I look down at our interlocked fingers, and then back up at Jericho, though his eyes are turned forward to our path, not so much as looking at me as I stare at him for an answer to his blatant display of affection.

"I don't want people in the village thinking you're on your own, while we're in this village I'd like to appear as a couple. Women aren't treated as nicely as they once were, evil and cruelty running amuck these days. I'd snap a man's neck if he tried to touch you. Most women in this village are whores, so women just expect to be treated a certain way living here, I'll not have them treat you as a lowly whore. Nor have them thinking you're my whore, either."

Slightly touched at the notion he won't have people looking down upon me, I'm also left saddened at the fact things have become so harsh women are expected to sell their bodies just to make it by.

What have we let the world become while we hid away? Guilt threatens to overcome me, and I have to turn my mind towards other thoughts before it consumes me.

Me and Jericho walk together, hand in hand, something I've refused to do with anyone for decades, it shouldn't feel as intimate as it does, especially when he was touching all over my body last night.

But somehow it feels extremely intimate, maybe it's the sparks that seem to ignite between us any time we touch.

My nerves grow as the village comes into view, it's been only a few years for me since I've been to a village outside my forest, but really, it's been over a century out here. This is not the same world I knew.

Jericho squeezes my hand slightly, a reassuring gesture. "Don't be nervous, I'll be with you every step of the way. There's nothing to fear as long as I'm with you, Eden."

I stare up at him as he says reassuring things to me, trying to ease my worries, not watching where my feet land as we walk my boot strikes a large rock just wrong and leaves me stumbling slightly, Jericho's large hands catch me before I fall, he helps steady me, then begins walking again, hand in hand.

"Are you always so clumsy?" He asks, and I gasp at his outright insult. "No, in fact I am not usually so damn clumsy."

"Mmm, so it's just my presence that leaves you stumbling over your feet and words?" He smiles deviously.

"You know what? You're pretty damn arrogant, Jericho." He seems slightly offended at my words. Good. I'm getting tired of him acting all high and mighty, like I practically turn into a puddle at his feet.

"How's me stating the obvious arrogant? You do stumble over your words and feet around me, and I do turn you on, even when I'm not meaning to. So, tell me, is it arrogant to be aware of the effect I have on you?" He says to me.

Fuck. Him. And his logic.

"And like I don't have the same effect on you?" I tell him, annoyed that he's right.

His laugh booms out at my statement. "No, I don't seem to be having the same difficulties with my legs or mouth, actually. But I won't deny you turn me on, even when you're unaware of it."

"Well, you've had a lot longer to practice your flirting skills than I have, living forever I'm sure comes with its perks, like being able to win over any woman that catches your eye." I don't realize the bitterness in my voice till it's too late.

"Actually, you'd be surprised at how many women aren't jumping at the opportunity to be with a demon. And usually the ones that were jumping on the opportunity, aren't the kind of women you'd want around, anyways. I've been treated like a walking plague most of my existence, Eden. No one good wants anything to do with evil, monstrous, demons." He says, no emotion present on his face, though I can tell by his words it effects him negatively, the way people view and treat him.

"I'm sorry, Jericho, I didn't mean to-" he brings my hand to his lips as we continue walking, placing a soft kiss on the back of my hand, making me blush over the sweet gesture.

"No need to apologize." he stops talking, seemingly thinking. "You can make it up to me by telling me something? Plus, I told you the story of Aries, I feel I'm owed a story in return, yes?" He asks me, what he's wanting to know I'm not sure, but I'm instantly nervous and curious as to what he'd want to know.

"Sure, I feel that's fair." I agree with him, "What would you like to know?"

We walk hand in hand, something that I've honestly always hated, the way peoples palms grow hot and sweaty, but I don't mind it with Jericho, perhaps because his hands aren't super sweaty.

He smiles before answering. "I'd like to know why you thought I was an incubus." I practically choke on my own spit as he says this, causing me to cough, which makes him laugh at me and my reaction to his question.

"You had to have known I'd want to know eventually." he smirks. "I mean I've honestly never been accused of being a sex demon before and I'm quite intrigued to see what caused such a reaction out of you."

We officially make it past the outskirts of the village, and I'm met with the sight of busy streets full of busy people, trading for goods and conversing loudly, children running down the dirt street playing and laughing. I didn't realize it till now, but I've missed the hustle and bustle of the world outside my quiet forest full of only grown women. The laughter of children bringing a smile to my face.

"Right now isn't a good time to discuss such things, Jericho, we're in a busy marketplace it would seem." I say, smiling brightly up at him, he tried his best to look annoyed, but my blatant happiness seems to keep him in check. "Very well, but you will be telling me once we find an Inn and settle in for the night." He says.

I nod and then inhale deeply, smelling what I can only describe as baked goods, fluffy bread and sticky pastries seem to be calling out to me.

And then it hits me.

I have no money. No copper, silver, or gold. I have no money to buy anything at all.

I try not to look too panicked as I realize how big of an idiot I am, what was I thinking leaving the forest with nothing but clothes? I didn't bring any food or money. And money is important out here.

Jericho leads me by hand over to a bakers cart. "Jericho, I don't have any money, I can't afford to buy anything." I whisper to him, trying to go unheard by the people standing nearby in the busy street.

He looks at me out of the corner of his eye, uncaring of my words as he continues towards the bakers cart. "I'll take two large sweet rolls," He says to the older gentleman running the bakers cart.

"That'll be two silvers," the husky man says in a bit of an accent I can't quite place. Without a word Jericho reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bag full of coins, grabbing out two silvers and putting them on the cart as the older man hands over two steaming sweet rolls, I can't help but eye the delicious bread, my mouth already watering.

"Have a good day." The baker says, Jericho simply nods his head in acknowledgement to the man's words.

Jericho hands me both the sweet rolls as we walk away from the cart and down the street. "Aren't you going to eat?" I ask, feeling guilty for not only him paying for my food, but for apparently having no intentions of eating what he just paid for.

"I don't like sweets this early in the day, I'll find something else to eat as we walk." He says, seemingly bored.

"Then why'd you stop to buy this? We could have gone to a fruit stand or something else.." I say to him. It's not like I'm super picky, I would have eaten whatever he had decided to get us.

"Because I could practically see you drolling as soon as you caught a whif of that bread, I don't see why I wouldn't buy you something you wanted when it's such a simple thing."

"Because.. it's not my money and I honestly feel awful you're wasting your money on me." I say to him, feeling awkward about the whole ordeal, I don't like needing help, over the years I've grown very independent and practically despise having to have others help me.

It's a fault of mine, not needing others isn't a strength, it's a weakness.

One I can't seem to overcome.

"I enjoy spending my money on you, and you shouldn't feel bad, like I said, you were coming with me on this mission no matter what. What kind of man would I be if I demanded you accompany me, but refuse to help you along the way? Seems counterproductive to me." He tells me, trying to ease my guilt of spending his money on me.

"I'll pay you back when this is all over, Jericho, I mean it." I say to him before taking a large bite of the delicious bread.

"Hmph, you'll do no such thing, woman. I'll spend all the money I have and never take a copper piece back in return. I've lived many lives, Eden, the treasure I have in my home would leave you in awe. You should have no negative feelings about me spending money on you, it will not affect me in the slightest." He states to me.

"Treasure?" I ask, dumbfounded at his blatant bragging.

"I'm a demon, Eden, I can't help some of my characteristics, I'm a selfish being when it comes to certain things." He says as he sweeps his eyes up and down my frame, sending a small chill up my spine, before turning his attention back to the dirt path ahead of us.

"If you think I'm not going to pay you back in some way, then you don't know me very well." I've never been a taker, always the giver, and I don't like switching roles.

"You're right, I don't know you very well, but I greatly desire to do so, Eden." He says in a low, sweet voice as we come upon a small building with a quant sign that simply reads "Mary's Inn & Pub".

We walk through the tall door and are met with loud laughter and the smell of good food and drinks.

It's been years since I've had even a sip of alcohol, one or two drinks would do me some good.

The thought is slightly appealing given my current situation, I deserve a nice drink, right? After all I've been through within such a short time.

Jericho makes his way over to a beautiful red headed woman with bright red lips who sits behind a small makeshift desk. "One room for the night, please." He says to her, she smiles brightly before leaning forward slightly, showing off her cleavage. "Will that be one," she pauses and looks me up and down before continuing. "or two beds for the room?" She says, twirling a springy curl around her finger as she does.

Jericho let's go of my hand before wrapping his arm around my waist, bringing me closer into his side. "One bed." He states, leaving no room for another comment by the beautiful woman, obviously trying to charm Jericho with her stunning looks.

I roll my eyes. Whore.

Holy shit, what's wrong with me? Why did I just think such a crude thing about this woman? I should be damn ashamed for thinking such a thing, Jericho isn't mine and I shouldn't be acting this way just because a woman is flirting with him.

But, we did walk in here hand and hand, she blatantly disrespected me just to hit on him.

Deep inhale. Exhale. Let it go.

The woman reaches behind her and grabs one of the keys hanging there and hands it to Jericho, brushing her fingers against his, to which he quickly moves his hand away.

"That'll be 3 gold coins for the night." She states. "Seems a bit pricey considering the place." Jericho says while eyeing the surrounding area.

"It includes food and drink for the night and one meal in the morning." She says sweetly to him, he just nods his head and turns to leave.

"Your room is number 4." She calls after us as we walk away. "Yeah, I got that information from the tag attached to the key." He calls over his shoulder to her, not bothering to give her a second glance.

I can't help but smirk at his actions, obviously annoyed at the woman for so openly throwing herself at him. Bet it'd be a different story if she knew what he was, she has no idea what she'd be getting herself into, anyways.

We come to the room we're supposed to be sharing when it really hits me, he said only one bed. My annoyance at the beautiful red head had me distracted and not thinking about what exactly was being said.

Jericho unlocks the door and pushes it open, gesturing for me to enter the room first, it's small with one bed and a nightstand with a few drawers, and one other door at the other side, I'm assuming the bathroom. Thank the goddess, I'm about to piss myself.

"So, you promised to tell me once we got to the Inn. Why'd you