Here is the final chapter! I do have some ideas for a sequel in mind, but need some time to think it through. Enjoy! (:

Chapter 7

The next morning I woke up and suddenly remembered something. When I had first met the talking desk he had told me about a demon's promise. It contains three parts right? So the first person gets a second 'favour'. My father had said that he made a deal with the demon to save him and then he had to serve the demon. That's it! He should have another favour left, so he could demand that the demon let him go!

I looked everywhere, but Rael wasn't there. I ate breakfast and cleaned around the house for a while, but Rael still didn't come back. Eventually I asked the desk if he knew where he went.

"The master...did not say."

The way he said it sounded strange.

"You're lying."

"How dare you!" the desk said, but without much force. I noticed that everyone here lately seemed...depressed.

"Please! I need someone to be honest to me for a change! I want to help Rael, but I don't know how and he keeps pushing me away. If you know anything, please tell me, I beg of you!"

The desk sighed sadly.

"Oh, what use is it anyway?"

"Eh?"

"Come...I will show you."

I followed the desk to the room that was always locked. He stood next to the door after putting a key in the lock.

"Go on."

I opened the door and stepped in. The room wasn't very big, but there was a tree in the middle of it, the tree I saw when I peeked through the keyhole. But the tree had barely any light left. Almost all its leaves had fallen down. It was starting to look withered.

"What...has happened to this tree?" I asked the desk who was now standing next to me.

"This tree is connected to Rael's life. He had known for a while that this would happen... it means...he is about to die."

"What?! You have to tell me where he went! I have to go to him!"

I rushed out of the room.

"Annabelle, wait!" the desk called out to me, "you will not find your way in this place without help!"

"Then...who can show me?"

"I can!" brush suddenly piped up from a nearby table, "I've snuck out in master's pocket before without him knowing!"

"Please will you show me the way?"

"Yes! He's gone to fight the demon that holds your father hostage."

"What?!"

Why on earth would he do that?!

"Master cares more about you than he shows," the desk chimed in sadly, "he couldn't bear to see you unhappy. He said this was the only way."

"No it isn't!"

Both the desk and the brush looked surprised.

"The demon owes my father another favour! I have to get to Rael quickly! This doesn't have to end this way!"

The brush directed me down so many passages and stairs that I lost count. A couple of times I had to hide when we encountered demons. Out here I had no protection without Rael. At last we came to a door that led out onto a walkway between the cliff wall and another cliff wall. It was very long and wide. Above it I could see two flying figures.

"Rael!" I called, but they were too far away to hear me. I could see them flying in circles, avoiding each other's blades. I ran closer. Then I noticed someone was lying on the stone floor.

"Father!"

I dropped to my knees next to him. He looked unconscious, but didn't have any obvious wounds on him. I shook his shoulders and kept calling out to him. Eventually he opened his eyes.

"Annabelle?"

"Father! You have to listen to me! Summon the demon and stop the fight! He owes you a favour!"

I explained to my still dazed father about how demon favours worked. He then called his demon by its name and almost instantaneously the demon appeared next to us. A demon is compelled to come when summoned.

"What did you interrupt me for!" he screamed angrily at my father, sword still drawn.

"You owe my father another favour!"

The demon looked at me with surprise. Just then Rael landed as well.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked, but stopped when he saw me.

"Annabelle..."

"And...how do you arrive at that?" the other demon asked, ignoring Rael.

"You helped him first and he served you. So you owe him another favour!"

"Now that is...immensely annoying...how did you figure that out? Never mind...very well...what is your last favour?" he said looking at my father.

"I wish that you let me and my daughter...

"and Rael!" I interjected and my father looked at me in astonishment.

"Please..." I pleaded with him and he sighed

"...and Rael...released unharmed."

"Very well," the demon said and after glancing at Rael walked off.

After a while we all let out breaths of relieve.

"Annabelle!" my father called out joyfully and embraced me.

"Father!"

He held my face in his hands and I could see tears running down his face.

"Let's go home," he said to me. I turned to Rael.

"Rael?"

Rael's face was one of disbelief and shock. I walked over to him.

"Annabelle!" father cautioned.

"He is not like them," I told my father while still looking at Rael.

I took one of hands into mine.

"I'm so glad you are safe," I whispered.

"Annabelle..." he finally said and for the first time I saw tears in his eyes. He pulled me into his arms and hugged me.

"I am so sorry," he whispered.

"Please don't apologise...Rael, I have to tell you something. I...I love you."

"What? How can you love a demon?" he asked in astonishment.

"I have thought about it and realised that it is not the outside that matters, but what is in here."

I pressed my hand against his broad chest. His hand covered mine and held it there.

"Annabelle..."

Just then I heard a swooping noise and Rael stiffened. I quickly stepped back and saw that there were two arrows sticking out his back.

"Rael!" I screamed as he sunk to his knees. On the other side of the walkway an archer was walking towards us. I would never have guessed who it would be.

"Erik! What did you do!" I shouted angrily at him while holding Rael who was bleeding badly. He seemed paralyzed somehow.

"Demon arrows," Erik said with a satisfied grin on his face, "very interesting. It paralyses and kills them within a few minutes."

"No! Rael, stay with me!"

I was about to pull the arrows out when Erik grabbed my arm and pulled me away.

"Let go of my daughter!" my father yelled and wanted to interfere, but Erik held a knife to my throat.

"Come any closer and she dies too."

My father stopped in his tracks.

Erik laughed.

"I promised I would have his head thrown into my storeroom didn't I?" he said to me, "besides I had to get the bastard back for leaving me to die."

"What do you mean? That was just a shoulder wound!" I said.

"Shut up! You are mine now, so be obedient!"

"How dare you break our promise!" another voice interrupted. It was Serena. She was shaking with anger.

"You were supposed to kill her, not Rael!"

"Sorry, I don't trust a demon to uphold their part of the bargain," Erik replied, "good thing I made you give me the demon arrows in advance. Now I don't have any use for you any more so be gone."

"That is not how it works here!" Serena fumed. Since you broke your part of the bargain I am free to do as I wish," she said coming closer to us. I've never seen her look that fearsome.

"Stay back!" Erik said and let me go to quickly ready an arrow in his bow.

Serena snapped her fingers and they disappeared.

"Those are my arrows. They can't be used against me."

Erik stepped back, suddenly very fearful.

"No! That's not supposed to be what happens! I won!"

"You can only win if you play by the rules," Serena almost whispered and then faster than light rushed into Erik and they fell over the side of the walkway. I could hear Erik's scream for a while before it silenced.

I fell on my knees again next to Rael and pulled the arrows out. Rael spoke, but it was very soft and weak. I leaned closer.

"It is too late, Annabelle. The poison has already spread through my body..."

I was crying.

"No! Surely there must be something we can do! Please!"

"Annabelle..." Rael said with a smile, "remember I have a favour left to ask of you? I want...you to forget about me and live a long happy life. I am happy to have met you...and I..."

His body went limp in my arms.

"Rael!" I called out, but he didn't respond.

"No! Rael, don't leave me! I...I...love you," I whispered and sobbed.

I softly kissed his still warm lips and then everything around us started to fade.

"Annabelle!" my father called out and grabbed my shoulder while I held onto Rael. He was fading too. What was going on?

"No! Rael, don't go!"

The next moment my father and I were in the woods near our house and everything was quiet. I stood up and we looked at each other in astonishment and then embraced. I cried like I never did before. I was so happy to be back home and that my father was safe, but at the same time I felt the worst pain imaginable. How could life be so cruel?

Three months had passed since we returned to our old life. Father and I never spoke to anyone about what had happened. Somehow only a day has passed since I left with Rael. Time seemed to have passed differently in the demon court. My father and I had put a simple headstone up in the woods in remembrance of Rael. I went there every day to put new flowers on and to talk to him, hoping that wherever he was he could hear me.

I was working at the bakery as usual when my colleague rushed into the kitchen.

"Annabelle! You will never belief this without seeing it with you own eyes!" she said and pulled my arm.

"Wait! I'm busy making bread rolls. What is so important for me to see?"

"Just come and look!"

I took a peek through the kitchen door and saw a group of unknown people sitting at a table.

"Foreigners?" I asked and looked at my colleague. Why would that be so exciting? It's not like we never get foreigners here. Our town is located on one of the main trading routes after all.

"They're elves!"

"What?" I said and looked more closely. Indeed...they had elven ears...

It didn't make any sense to me. They were extinct. Everyone knew that...

I was still trying to solve the puzzle when the bakery's owner came into the kitchen.

"Does anyone know how to cook elven food?" he asked in a panic.

"Er...I do," I said hesitantly. The owner looked relieved.

"Great! Then it's settled! Please cook something elven for our guests!"

I ended up making the vegetable dish and bread that Rael had made before. I felt very sad. Rael would have loved to see this. He was wrong in thinking that the elves all disappeared.

"Annabelle!" my colleague said as she came rushing into the kitchen again some time after the food was served.

"They want to speak to the cook," she said excitedly, "you won't believe how handsome the guys are. This is your chance!" She winked at me.

"I...I have to go," I suddenly said and dashed out the back door.

"Annabelle!" she called, but luckily didn't come after me.

I sat on a box just outside the back door. I couldn't really leave now, since it was only midday. Perhaps if I wait here a bit they will leave and I can go back in? Why did the elves have to come here? Had things been different I would have been thrilled to meet them, but now it all just made me remember things I was desperately trying to forget. I sighed.

"Miss?" a voice asked. I was very surprised when I looked up and saw an elf standing there. He must have followed me out the back door! I quickly wiped the tear that escaped and got up.

"Em...can I help you?"

"My apology for disturbing you, but I very much wanted to speak with you."

This elf had long blonde hair that was braided in the traditional elven way. His clothes was definitely elven too and looked expensive. He had dark blue eyes and very beautiful features. What was I staring for? Get a grip Annabelle!

The elf continued in spite of me not answering.

"It is customary to thank the person who prepared a very enjoyable meal, so..."

He said something in elven tongue. I guessed it meant thank you. I felt flustered. Here he was being polite and all I did was stare at him.

"I learned how to make this from a friend, so you should actually thank him," I replied.

"Oh, a friend? I see..."

The elf looked at me in a peculiar way as if he wanted to say something but didn't know how. Just then another elf came out of the back door. It was a woman.

"Raelan?" she asked.

He quickly replied in elven tongue, but I definitely heard him calling her Serena. This was just too much for me. My mind must be playing tricks on me.

"I have to go..." I said and ran. I kept running until I got home. I ran past the compost heap into the barn and climbed up the ladder and eventually sat on the roof, holding my knees to my chest. It hurt so much. Even after three months I can't think of Rael without feeling like my chest want to tear apart. For days after he died I had cried until I had no tears left. Why did these stupid elves have to come here for!

"Annabelle?" a voice asked and I looked towards it to see the same elf I spoke with earlier poke his head through the window.

"How did you..."

Perhaps my colleague told him my name, but how did he know I would be up here? Did he run after me?

"May I please join you?"

"Why?" I asked, avoiding looking at him.

"Because I still have something to say to you."

"..."

He climbed out onto the roof and sat next to me. What was it with this elf?

"It's a nice view," he said. I got irritated.

"Was that what you so desperately needed to say to me that you chased after me?"

"No...it is just that what I have to say is not going to be easy for you to accept."

"What do you mean?" I looked at the elf and saw that he was looking at me very seriously. I felt very uncomfortable. Who was this elf? Why did he act so familiar towards me?

"I am Rael."

It felt like I fell off the roof. I couldn't breathe. I stared at him in silence.

"I...don't believe you."

I was shaking. Could this person be a demon in disguise? He must be!

"You broke the spell over me and my people. Once a long time ago, my brother wanted to be king. He used sorcery to contact a demon and made a deal with it. The demon tricked him and father ended up dying instead of me. It was clever in asking my brother to do something for it first so that it had the third favour. It demanded that we all become like them. The sorcerer that my brother had used to contact the demon then cast a spell which interrupted the demon's favour. It ensured that there was a way out. My brother could not deal with his grieve and killed himself... The sorcerer died casting the spell so I researched for years to understand how to reverse the demon's curse. Eventually I learned that if a human could love a demon, truly love, it could break the curse, but who would love a demon? I kept searching and found an unknown text that indicated that stabbing yourself with a certain ceremonial dagger in the stomach could break a demon's curse. I eventually managed to track it down and stabbed myself with it..."

The elf looked a bit embarrassed.

"It turned out it wasn't the dagger I had thought it was since I woke up on a cart in a barn and a very nasty wound."

He was right...it was too much for me to accept...

I stood up.

"You can't be Rael, he died in my arms. I am done with demons playing tricks. I don't want any part of this! Go away!"

I jumped off the roof onto the cart full of hay that was currently standing there. Angry tears soaked my face. How dare he! I didn't stop to look back and locked the door behind me when I entered the house. That night when father came home I told him about what had happened that day and he was very sympathetic.

"Annabelle...you say this elf said that he was Rael? Did you ask him to prove it?"

"What good would that do, father? We both know he died. How could he have miraculously come back from the dead?"

"I know what you saying is true...but what if it is him? Did this elf try to make any sort of bargain with you? What makes you think that he could be a demon?"

"I...I don't know...it just seems like the only logical explanation. Why would there suddenly be elves, who we all thought were extinct?"

"You should at least give him a fair chance. If it isn't really him you will soon find out."

"Oh, father! I don't want to get my hopes up and be sorely disappointed... am I really strong enough for this?"

"You are stronger than you think, Annabelle."

"Gosh...I was so rude to him. I don't even know if the elves are still in town anymore."

"I heard from the butcher that they are staying at the local inn. You could try going there in the morning?"

"I...I don't know...let me think about it."

I didn't sleep at all that night and got up very early while it was still dark and left the house. I ran until I came to the inn, but suddenly my courage faded. I was so unsure. I so much wanted to believe that Rael was alive, but I didn't want to get hurt... I stood in the shadows for an unknown amount of time before passing by the Inn and going into the woods. There was a road from here through the woods that would eventually come out not far from our house, but it was considerably longer this way than the way I had just come. I chose it because it would lead past the place where Rael's headstone was.

I could hear crickets, frogs and other night creatures as I walked. The moonlight lit the path enough for me to see where I was going and eventually I reached the place.

"Hello," I said to the headstone. As usual all I could hear was the whisper of the wind through the trees and the night sounds. Then I noticed there were different flowers on the grave than the ones I put there the day before. Who could have done this? I was the only one that ever came here...

Just then I saw a silhouette of someone standing next to the nearby pond. The person had turned towards me and was walking closer. I considered running, but then recognised the person. It was the elf that claimed he was Rael.

"Um..." I suddenly didn't know what to say to him. All the words I had practiced in my head over and over before going to the Inn had disappeared.

"Annabelle!"

"Did you just come from the Inn?" he asked.

How would he know?

"Yes..no...I mean I did not go inside..."

I was making such a fool of myself...

"I...wanted to speak with you, and apologise for being rude to you yesterday."

"You don't have to. I knew when I told you it would sound ridiculous...have you decided to believe me?"

"I...don't know yet... I want to ask you some things if you don't mind?"

"Of course."

"Why did you say to me that you didn't know what happened to the elves at Edenvale?"

"If you knew that I wasn't a demon, but an elf cursed into demon form would you have fallen in love with the demon or the elf? I never thought it was possible, but after meeting you I had thought that just maybe...but I couldn't bring myself to believe it. That was why I couldn't let you kiss me..."

I couldn't become soft now. He could have been a demon that followed me and Rael to Edenvale. I had to press on!

"What about Serena? She wanted me dead? Why is she travelling with you now?"

"Serena...is the captain of my guard."

What?!

"Remember it was not only me who got cursed, but those left of the house of the tree as well. We were forced to live with the other demons as the curse made our home uninhabitable..."

"You mean Edenvale?"

"Yes...the curse slowly eats away at your soul. Some...of my people in time really did become demons when they finally gave in to despair. Serena...has always been fiercely loyal to me even since we were kids, but I've never had feelings other than that of a brother for her. Her demon form made her irrational. I can assure you that she will not cause you any harm and that she deeply regrets her actions towards you."

"How did you survive? You died in my arms...and everything disappeared..."

I had trouble keeping my voice steady now.

"I had thought that I died too. When I came to Serena and the others were around me and we were back at Edenvale. We were all restored to our original forms as well as our home. I didn't believe it myself at first..."

Everything he says makes sense... what else could I ask? I suddenly remembered something.

"Um...please don't think of me as being forward, but...could I?"

I signalled to his stomach. He untied the belt he was wearing and pulled his shirt up. I felt very embarrassed doing this, but I wanted to be sure... I hesitated at first, but then slowly let my fingers trace over the area where he had been wounded. It was not light enough yet to see clearly, but I could definitely feel hardened skin where the dagger had pierced him...

"Oh...!" I said softly.

"It is me," the elf said and reached his hand out to my face. I let him caress my cheek. A loud sob suddenly escaped me chest. I couldn't keep my emotions back anymore. Before I knew it I was embracing the elf tightly and crying my eyes out.

"What...sob...took you so long?"

"Most of Edenvale was restored when the curse broke, but the only way out was still blocked by debris. It took a while to clear the path. And...Edenvale is a lot farther when you have to travel by land..."

"All this time I had thought..."

I was sobbing again.

"Shhh my love, I am here. We'll never be apart again," Rael said as he stroked my hair and then kissed me.

Morning had already broken by the time we arrived at my house, walking hand in hand. I was surprised to find father was still at home and had the kettle boiling water on the fire.

"Tea?" he asked me and Rael when we entered the kitchen. I excused myself to go wash my face while Rael talked with my father. I couldn't clearly hear what they were saying so I quickly splashed my face until the worst of the redness and puffiness of my eyes had gone down and slapped my cheeks to get some colour back to them. Now that I knew he really was Rael other things started bothering me. He was an elf. Elves are quite different from humans...they live for hundreds, sometimes thousands of years. Their customs are different and they speak their own language. I would have to learn to speak it... Could this really work? Come on Annabelle! You are putting the cart in front of the horse!

When I entered the kitchen both men looked up at me.

"What?" I asked self-consciously when they both just looked at me, "is there something stuck to my face?"

"Annabelle," father spoke up first, "Rael has asked me for permission to marry you."

"What?!"

I was so surprised that the word just slipped out.

"Unless you don't want to?" Rael asked.

"Of course I want to! It was just...so unexpected...isn't this going a bit fast?"

"I would say that after staying alone with the man for several days it is the honourable thing to do," my father said with a cough while busying himself with the coals on the fire. Surely he doesn't think that we...?!

"We weren't alone!" I protested, but my face got red thinking that we did share a bed even if it was a very big bed. I also remembered a particular night when I was wearing very little and Rael's words to me... and earlier in the woods we were being very intimate with each other though we didn't actually "do" it.

"There were...others too!"

The moment I said it I realised that I never asked them their names...I just always thought of them as talking furniture... I wonder if I'd recognise them if I saw them now?

"I don't think the other demons count in this matter," my father replied. I decided not the mention the furniture...

"Besides...I want to take you back to Edenvale with me," Rael interrupted, "I have every intention to court you and make you my wife. Both you and your father are invited to come and live with us in Edenvale."

"Thank you son, but I am an old man who is set in his ways. Just promise to make my daughter happy and bring her to visit me every now and then. That will make me a very happy father. I will of course come when you wed."

"I promise to do so..."