Journey

Iris didn't know why her heart suddenly picked up the pace and started thudding loudly in her ears. Oh my, was she nervous? Why? Because of Ramiel? Certainly not, right? This must be because she was going to meet the queen of hell. She was not ready. She realized she had reached the last steps, Ramiel was gazing at her. The moment she put her steps forward to move further, she was going to slip and there he came running and stopped her from falling. She was in his arms. There eyes met.. once again. This time Iris knew what she had to do. She gave him a very loving smile. Though it was fake. Ramiel too gave him a smile. He gave his hand to her. They both stepped out of the palace. The carriage came and they sat. Ramiel told her that the journey is going to be long. With a deliberate slowness, Iris turned her face to him. When she lifted her face, his perfect face graced her eyes again. She was looking at him as if she wanted to ask something but then turned her face again towards the carriage window.

"What happen? " his deep and masculine voice echoed inside the carriage. She answered "I.. I only want to know about the queen so that I can be a little familiar with her. A small smile curve on her husband's face, Iris almost forgot to breathe.

" That's right, my mother is a tall, slender, curvaceous woman. She is graceful, regal and politically charged. Apart from this she loves her kids and I am her most favorite one"he said this all in a single breathe, Iris could sense the love and respect he has for his mother and also the excitement to meet her. Iris kept her hand on his hand and he turned his face towards her and looked at her in confusion. He smiled and pull his hand back. Iris understood in order to make him fell in love, she would have to go close to his mother. Ramiel leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. "don't worry you will love the meeting with my mother."

Iris bit her lip but before she could say anything, he continued.

"She is your mother too, Iris".His voice became a little firm. But then he opened his eyes and leaned closer to her her. He stared so deeply into her eyes that Iris couldn't turn her gaze away even if she wanted to. The moment Iris was going to touch his face he moved back. Iris was hating the thing which she was doing, she was trying to show fake love just for the sake of the world. The carriage rolled on and on, until suddenly, the carriage bounced and Iris nearly fell on the floor. She was instantly startled and she lifted her face, just to find out that strong large hands held her shoulders, steadying her. Ramiel had kept her from tumbling to the floor. Still, she flinched and stiffened the moment their eyes met. Looking at him, she wondered if he was falling in love Or not. Silence reigned between them once again. Iris's eyes began to become heavy again.

"Come here", the prince said suddenly, causing Iris's head to whip towards him. " Lean on me and sleep".

Iris blinked she didn't expect his offer at all. And her shocked expression sold her out. She got a chance. She leaned in so close that Ramiel almost gasped.

Finally, Iris slept. They were cozy. After sometime Ramiel too slept.While they were in a deep sleep the carriage once again bounced but this time it didn't continue to move further ahead. Ramiel woke up and asked "Why did it stopped? ".

" I think there's some problem in the wheels, it will be fixed soon"said the servant.

When Iris opened her eyes she found that Ramiel wasn't next to her and the carriage wasn't moving. She looked out of the window, She saw Ramiel standing , she opened the door. Ramiel came towards her and stretched out his hands towards her. Iris put her hand on his hand and he gently helped her down. Since the moment he had held her hand at the alter, this man, she noticed, always held onto her with an almost exaggerated gentleness- something she never, ever expected from her evil husband.

"Have we reached? But I can't see the palace" she said.

"No, our carriage's wheel is damaged bit it will ve fixed soon, till then have a look around" he said.

Iris was walking nearby and Ramiel kept an eye on her. The servant called Ramiel. Till then Iris went a bit far from the carriage. She looked around and found herself in the middle of the forest. That forest was dark but she wasn't afraid at all. Maybe she was confident because now she was the princess of Hell. She heard the sound of footsteps which seemed to come towards her. She hide herself behind the tree and saw Adder wearing black cloak going more deep inside the forest. She was surprised to see Adder there. What was he doing there? Iris became more suspicious of him, she was going to follow him till then Ramiel reached there.

"Wife, " Ramiel pulled her attention to him as he walked closer to her. "What are you doing here?" he asked. Iris didn't said anything because she didn't wanted to show her detective side to him. "I love forest" she said and moved towards the carriage.

"Are you ready? " he asked. "We're going to use the carriage again".

Without wasting a moment they sat inside the carriage.

" What.. what was the name of this palace, Ramiel?" she asked.

He looked at her in a shocking way. "You aren't supposed to call me with my name" his deep voice penetrated in her ears. Iris lowered her gaze and apologized. The man fell silent but Iris felt he was staring hard at her.

"Dark valley" said the prince.

"When we will be reaching? " she asked.

"Do I disgust you so much that you don't even want to stay here" his eyes narrowed. Though his expression remained calm. Iris felt chills as soon as she looked into his eyes. Shaking her head, Iris spoke, "No, That's not what I meant. I just want to reach as soon as possible".

Iris sat silently and kept thinking about Adder. The inside of carriage was enveloped with silence. Finally, Iris slept once again, for her comfort Ramiel wrapped her in his arms. She felt his chest move Beneath her ears.

She slept in his arms like a small baby. Ramiel kept staring at her.