The sound of Londoners talking and shouting drifted in through the open window of the carriage Rowena and Sebastian sat in. Rain clouds formed above their heads, as many scurried and scuttled to get home, before the rain fell. However, luck was not on their side, as rain pelted the people, horses and carriages alike a few seconds later. Thunder rumbled in the heavens, promising the strike of lightning sooner or later; Rowena guessed sooner, but hoped for later. Sebastian sat beside her, a smirk playing on his lips, uttering the words he didn't.

Never in her life had she felt so defeated. Even when everything had been taken from her, she hadn't felt how she did now. This demon. This irksomely handsome demon had found a way to keep a hold on her. She remembered the conversation they had had afterwards, it had not gone how she wanted it to. At all.

-/-/-/-/-/-

Rowena had woken up during the darkest hours of the night to find Sebastian lying next to her, intently watching her.

"Sebastian..." she mumbled, not having woken up completely yet. Sebastian murmured to show he had heard her, "why is it that you always seem to be saving me?"

A soft, low chuckle escaped from his throat.

"Well," he murmured quietly, "I was ordered to take care of you."

"Ahh," she mumbled, expecting as much, yet it still didn't stop the sinking feeling she felt, which she recognised as her old friend, disappointment. Pushing the feeling aside, she opened her mouth to ask yet another question, however, Sebastian beat her in speaking first.

"Also, because I enjoy it," he murmured, recognising the poker face Rowena wore to mean she was hiding whatever ill emotion she felt. She accidentally let her guard slip for a second, surprise evident on her face as a result. Sebastian closed his eyes and smiled genially, "did you not think I would like to be near you?" he asked softly. Rowena avoided eye contact, unsure as to how to answer his question.

"I do not understand your reasons for it..." she mumbled. With a start, she realised the pain in her hands had gone. Her eyes widened, as she brought a hand up to eye-level to inspect it, "Sebastian...you..."

"It was the least I could do," he murmured, smiling graciously. For a moment, Rowena saw a glint of guilt flash in his eyes, however it was gone instantly, making her feel she had imagined it. Sebastian tenderly grabbed one of her hands and place his silk-like lips on her fingers. "How on earth could I have not mended these delicate fingers immediately? The thought is absolutely absurd." he murmured against her hand. A light shade of pink dusted Rowena's cheeks; before it could darken, she gently slid her hand away from his lips to rest by her side.

Sebastian stared at her intently, his gaze not wavering; Rowena found herself being captured by his smouldering ruby eyes. A stray hair fell in front of Sebastian's face and, before she knew what she was doing, she had reached a hand out to brush the hair away from it. Sebastian's eyes widened at the affectionate gesture, but his expression immediately changed to one of reserved happiness. A soft smile played on his lips and Rowena's blush darkened even more when he grabbed her hand to stop her from moving it away.

"Forgive me," she said quietly, biting her lip. She didn't know why, but she felt her heart speed up ever-so slightly. Sebastian placed his lips on the palm of her hand, causing Rowena to breathe in sharply at the unexpected touch.

"Forgive me," he murmured, emphasising the "me", "however, I am not apologetic for my actions."

"Then why apologise?" Rowena questioned quietly, staring at anything but him. She didn't know why, but all this seemed so...intensely intimate. As if something was going to happen and what they were doing now was building up to that moment. Sebastian murmured something which Rowena didn't hear.

"Do you feel tired?" he questioned.

-/-/-/-/-/-

A dark aura surrounded Rowena, which Sebastian was well aware of, however, he couldn't help himself from angering the fiery dragon sitting next to him; it was all too amusing.

"My la-"

"What is it you need?" Rowena growled, not looking at him. Sebastian smirked; she was still angry about what he'd wanted from her as part of their small contract. She was yet to provide, he reminded himself, however, he wasn't a patient person, no matter what people thought; if she didn't give, he'd take.

Sebastian chuckled and lightly ran a hand through her hair, holding a lock of it between his index and middle finger and playing with it. Rowena immediately swatted his hand away.

"Do not touch me," she growled, glaring at him. Sebastian's smirk became wider.

"Now, my lady, I do believe you're being quite unfair," he chuckled, seeing the incredulous look she gave him.

"What you have asked for is unfair," she muttered angrily, "how on earth are you able to call yourself a perfect butler when you have asked for such a thing?"

-/-/-/-/-/-

"I have decided what the condition will be," he murmured, anticipating her reaction already. Rowena raised her eyebrow, knowing what he was referring to and waiting for him to continue.

That was when it had all gone downhill. For once, they had had a civilised conversation, only to be ruined by what he had said next.

-/-/-/-/-/-

"You forget that I am also a demon," he murmured. If it was possible, Rowena become even more furious at what he said. This... This... Infuriatingly handsome demon. Great goddess Hecate, all she wanted to do was punch his irksomely perfect face.

"Now, will you provide it to me, or must I... obtain it myself?" he murmured, grabbing her chin with his thumb and index finger, "It isn't as if you have not done so already, therefore you should not find it such a difficult task to do."

Rowena glared at him.

"You will get it once the time is right," she growled, swatting his hand away and turning to look out of the window again. She heard Sebastian chuckle from beside her and just wished she could turn deaf to the infuriating sound.

Thunder rumbled in the skies and lightning whipped a far way off, giving the dismal, grey clouds an eerie glow. Rowena shivered, feeling the cold bite her skin.

"What terrible weather," Sebastian murmured.

"Still your lips, demon," Rowena uttered immediately. She expected to hear his chuckle, but didn't. In the reflexion of the window in front of her, she could see him frowning. And she wondered why.

The rest of the carriage ride was passed in silence, aside from the thunder rumbling outside, putting Rowena's hair on ends. No matter how hard she tried, she kept focusing on the frowning demon's reflexion in the window, wondering why his mood had suddenly changed.

"We will be reaching our destination shortly," he suddenly said in his overly-courteous tone, which he used when addressing guests. Rowena sighed and nodded.

After a few moments, the carriage stopped and Sebastian got up to open the carriage door. He got out, then turned around and held a gloved hand out to help Rowena out of the carriage. Rain pelted the demon, as he held an umbrella in his other hand, waiting for her. Rowena took his hand, out of necessity, not want, she told herself. She stepped outside, onto the murky, damp ground and immediately made a face of disgust. Sebastian closed his eyes and smiled at her, seeming to be unfazed by the ground he stood on.

"Shall we get going?" his smooth voice asked. Rowena nodded, feeling the nervousness and fear settle into her stomach, causing her to bite her lip, while she anticipated the worst.

Sebastian led her through the grimly grey and gloomy streets of London, Rowena not particularly paying attention, as her mind had taken her to another world, one where her thoughts roamed free. She doubted she could recall what she was thinking about at that moment...Ahh. That's right. How could she forget what had happened.

-/-/-/-/-/-

"I am not tired," Rowena replied, staring at Sebastian with reserved curiosity. She had realised he intentionally changed the subject, however, she didn't comment on it.

"I am glad to hear it," he replied, closing his eyes and smiling at her. Sebastian realised he was still holding her hand; he inspected it closely, then placed a tender kiss on her fingers again. Instead of stopping when Rowena tugged at her hand gently, in order to move it away from him, he kissed further up it, then continued kissing upwards. Soft, light kisses traced up her arm, a tingling sensation being left behind and, for a moment, Rowena enjoyed it and didn't wish for his lips to leave her skin. However, she realised what was happening, but couldn't break from this trance-like state she felt she was under.

"S-Sebastian," she breathed, "stop...s...stop..."

"Ahh, but you do not really wish me to," he murmured against her skin. When he reached her elbow, he was met with the cloth of her night gown. Using his teeth, he pulled it down her arm, then off it, leaving her right arm and shoulder bare.

"I..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Hush," Sebastian murmured. He trailed kisses up her arm, the silk-like feeling of his lips lingering on her skin; he continued kissing upwards, causing Rowena to stare upwards wide-eyed. She didn't know what to do, or how to react, her heart raced and goosebumps had formed on her skin; as much as she denied it, she didn't want him to stop. Once Sebastian reached her collarbone, the tip of his tongue snaked out of his mouth to be pressed against her skin, causing her to breathe in sharply. Sebastian smirked against her skin, but resumed kissing her skin, this time across her collarbone. Before Rowena could stop herself, her hands had buried themselves in Sebastian's raven black hair; they were met with a material that was surprisingly soft. It was as if her hands were not surrounded by hair, but smooth, black feathers.

For a split second, Sebastian tensed, but then immediately bit the base of her neck, causing her to moan out loud and grip his hair tightly. Sebastian kissed up her neck with more fervour than before, the feeling of her nails grazing against his scalp and the tsmall tugs on his hair by her grip, arousing him. It won't be long till she finally realises what is happening, Sebastian thought, so he had to make the most of this while he could. He had to go quickly enough, however, if he didn't savour the moment, there would be no point. It was then that Sebastian decided he was going to quickly; once he reached a certain spot on Rowena's neck that caused a muffled moan to escape her lips, Sebastian smirked against her skin. He lightly nipped the area the had caused such a reaction, to be greeted with a gasp. Rowena tugged his hair gently, but just that touch nearly made him lose his senses. He had forgotten about the weaknesses of this body; he wasn't sure whether he was completely dismayed by it, in all honesty. He just had to master self-control. He had realised, whilst being around his wife, his mind had not remained as clear as always. Indeed, having her squirming body underneath his was a welcoming thought, and he couldn't deny that.

"Sebastian," Rowena gasped. Sebastian stopped kissing her neck and sat up, gazing into the half-hooded green eyes of his wife. She turned her gaze to meet his, as his face hovered above hers. When their eyes locked, he could clearly see the uncertainty swimming in them. And beneath it, was the fear she tried so hard to hide.

"Place your trust in me," Sebastian murmured, immediately regretting saying what he did. How could she? After all, it was his fault...

However, seeing Rowena's expression lighten and relax made him close his eyes and smile. Before doubt could flood his mind, Sebastian closed the gap between their faces, pale lips meeting with rosy pink ones. His eyes took in the wide-eyed gaze of his wife's, before the reds his eyes were hidden by his eyelids. Sebastian's lips moved against Rowena's and it took a moment for the latter to do the same, her eyes closing while she did so. The kiss wasn't terrible, but it wasn't perfect; which was exactly why it was interesting. His lips didn't move in time with hers, but they felt extraordinary. It was soft, it was sensitive, it was undemanding. And she craved more.

Aaaand finally, the long-awaited chapter. I'm so sorry I didn't have the two kiss in the last one, my friend's favourite number is 21 and asked me to have them kiss on that chapter number and then she told me she didn't care ._." welp. I hope you all enjoyed it!