Disclaimer: the characters, places and some of the plot do not belong to me. Also, there may be some spoilers for The Dark Jewels Trilogy. It is my first story so stick with me while I figure it out. This story takes place shortly after Daemon thinks Luciver's died in Heir to the Shadows. While he is still living with Surreal and is in the Twisted Kingdom.
Chapter 1
After weeks of being distant and vague, Daemon emerged from his room in the latest apartment Surreal had found for them looking nearly as calm and collected as he once had.
Like he had been before.
His golden eyes were clear and focused, his steps purpose-driven. Surreal looked up from the breakfast she'd been making them both.
"Daemon?" She tried not to sound as alarmed as she felt by this unexpected change in him. "Where are you going?
He looked up from tying his shoes and smiled. A real smile. "Little Surreal. It's been long enough, hasn't it? It's time for me to go."
"But where?" Surreal came around the counter and knelt in front of him, trying to help him stay in the present as much as possible.
"To see an old friend. Someone I'd forgotten about. He's the one who can help me."
Surreal pushed aside a jab of resentment. Wasn't helping him what she'd been doing? "Give me 5 minutes. I'll come with you."
To her surprise, Daemon shook his head and took her hands. "Not this time. You can't go where I'm going."
"Daemon, please," she made her voice young and helpless, "You're all I have."
For a second, it looked like he was going to say no and she didn't know what she could've done other than let him go. Even so far lost in the Twisted Kingdom, he was still 100 times stronger than her. Then he nodded and smiled again but this time it was a terribly sad smile, filled with something not unlike regret.