#seducemeseptember

It had been… odd, to say the least, when about a month into dating James, he had revealed that he was an incubus. Sure, Iridessa had always found him to be unbelievably handsome--all of his brothers were oddly enough--but to realize that attractiveness was actually supernatural, largely due to the fact that he was a sex demon? Not only that, but magic existed as well and a lot of her friends apparently knew about it?

She felt almost out of the loop. It hurt a bit, to have been kept in the dark while everyone else seemed to be in on the little “secret”, but Iridessa also now understood that rules existed and whatnot regarding knowledge of the magical world. She didn’t let it bother her too much.

Still, when James had come to her with a serious expression, asking for some of her time in order for a “talk” between them--she had definitely thought he was going to break up with her. Tall, handsome, sweet and intelligent man that he was, it would have made sense that he could have found someone more impressive than her, right? But no, instead the discussion involved the two of them sitting down in the privacy of Iri’s little apartment above the flower shop, and James revealing the fact that he was in fact not human. A demon, a creature that most stories and media painted very negatively, evil beings that were said to bring disaster and steal souls.

Funny, James definitely didn’t seem like he wanted her soul. He seemed so normal, just a tall nerd who enjoyed learning, reading books, held a penchant for flowers and a proficiency for cooking.

It had been a few days since James had admitted he was a demon, and Iridessa could still remember her disbelief, so palpable she could barely form a coherent thought around it. The undercurrent of fear because a demon--but she had tampered that feeling down, because James had been nothing but gentle and kind with her, even as he was disclosing something so personal with her. Somehow, she knew he didn’t mean her any harm, and perhaps foolishly she trusted him, even when he had cast a slight enthrallment on her per her request as a way to prove himself, the golden glow of his eyes still haunting her mind as well as the instant calmness she had felt.

Gracefully, he had allowed her some space afterwards to sort her thoughts, and finally she had texted him to ask if he wanted to meet in her apartment again. It would only be a few minutes now, and despite the ever-familiar nervousness bubbling in her chest, there was still a bit of happiness at the idea of seeing him face-to-face again. After thinking it over for a few days, she had come to an answer regarding James and their relationship.

So when he finally arrived, Iridessa had wasted no time in beckoning him forward with a hand, enough so that she could lean up to press her lips to his chastely. She had pulled back with a smile, holding back a giggle at the surprise on his face, murmuring, “...I still like you, and I trust you. So, if you still want me… then I’ll happily accept an incubus as my boyfriend.”

Thinking about how his expression had melted into one of warm happiness still brought a smile to her lips, made her heart beat just a bit faster, even about an hour later as they lounged together on the couch and watched a movie. It was peaceful in her little apartment save for the soft sound of the TV, the quiet thumping of the rain outside her window, and the sound of James’s breath near her head as she leaned against his shoulder.

“Iridessa,” James said softly, bringing her attention away from her thoughts and back to him. When she leaned away to blink up at him questioningly, he raised a hand to cup her cheek gently, his amber eyes serious. “I… would like to tell you something else about me, if you’ll allow me.”

“Something else?” Iridessa straightened up to face him properly, wondering what other thing he possibly had to tell her. Was there more besides him being a demon from another realm? What else could there be? Was he going to say something else, like not only was he a demon prince, but he turned into a mermaid or something when he touched water? Wait, he’d been in contact with water around her, hadn’t he? Maybe it was something he could control? Did mermaids exist too?

James took her hands in his, his warm fingers squeezing her cold fingers a bit as though trying to pass on some of his heat. He stared into her eyes, and she fought the urge to look away at the weight of his gaze, embarrassment making her cheeks prickle with phantom warmth. “I’ve told you that I’m a demon, and I’m beyond happy that you still accept me despite that fact. You trust me, miss, and I trust you as well. As such, I… wanted to tell you something important. My name.”

Iridessa tilted her head to the side, her eyes narrowing. “Your… name?”

“When we came to the human world, my brothers and I were given human names, but all demons have a true name. One that holds power, and one that is not given easily unless it is to someone we trust without hesitation. And I wish to tell you it.”

“Are you… sure?” Iridessa asked, her eyes wide. “It’s--I mean, you don’t have to feel like, obligated to tell me…”

“I trust you, Iridessa.” James smiled, lifting one of her hands to press a kiss against the back of her hand. “...My true name is Raestrao. If you ever find yourself in any danger, call my name, and I swear I will be there.”

Iridessa froze, a soft exhale escaping her lips as she felt something in her mind lock the name in place, as though she would never forget it. Swallowing against the sudden dryness in her mouth, she tried the name out, wondering at how it felt on her lips. “...Raestrao.”

A visible shiver ran through James’s body, his hands squeezing hers a bit tighter, and she blinked, a wave of concern washing over her as she examined his face carefully. “Um, are you… okay? Should I--should I not say it? Sorry, I was just kind of curious…”

“No, no, Iri, it… it’s perfectly fine. I was only surprised, is all. It sounds… rather nice to hear you say it, if I’m honest.”

“So you… like it?” Was it just her imagination, or were his cheeks slowly beginning to tint pink? Feeling a little devious, she smirked, leaning in closer to him and brushing her lips against his. “Should I call you Raestrao more often?”

Narrowing his eyes, he let go of her hands and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into his lap and startling a yelp out of her. He chuckled at the shock on her face, his fingers finding their way under the hem of her shirt and rubbing circles into her skin. “It’s dangerous to tease a demon, Iridessa.”

“...Oops?” Iridessa shrugged a little, a sheepish smile on her face. “...Guess I should save the true name for when we’re alone, then?”

“...I’d say that is certainly more agreeable, yes. Unless, of course…” He pulled her closer with his free hand on her upper back, his lips teasing the soft skin of her neck for a moment before he moved to whisper directly into her ear. “...You want to tempt me so obviously in public?”

“Oh my god.” Iridessa muttered under her breath, bowing her head so her hair momentarily hid her face. “....Probably not, no.” ...Not yet, anyway.

James laughed, his hand slipping from her back to find her cheek, urging her to look at him again. His eyes were fond if not a bit mischievous, his smile warm as he gazed at her. “....I wasn’t lying, however. I do enjoy hearing you say it, but perhaps it would be best kept between us… for more, ah, intimate moments.”