You shivered again more violently as the night's brisk wind ran up your back.

"Now what?" You asked. Your gaze scanned your surroundings with the question. Home was. By your guess, a good ways off, the demon had stamina, you'd give him that.

The heir stood dusting off his pants.

"Now," he muttered annoyedly. "I take you home."

Your gut wrenched and your jaw fell. Had he really forgotten about your deal so quickly?

"I can't go home he'll-"

"Not your home, you idiot! My home." The heir shouted correctively.

You blinked in shock and he sighed.

"Since I cannot leave your side more or less. You will have to stay with me at my court until I can be rid of you."

You stared up at him dumbfounded.

"And here I don't even know your name." Moving a little quickly aren't we?" You asked with a teasing smirk.

The heir's hair burst into flames.

"Don't get smart with me, peasant girl!"

"Oh why not?" You asked starting to get up. "You can't exactly hurt m-"

Suddenly, something rammed into your back with such force you were thrown to the ground. This knocked the air from your lungs, and in an instant you were pinned with your arms behind your back.

"Your ability might keep me from killing or even hurting you. It does not however, stop me from restraining you." The demon informed you with a smug tone. "I can simply gag you or knock the air from your lungs and suddenly your ability is rendered useless." His grip on you vanished then and he stood back allowing you to get up. "I wouldn't rely to heavily on your ability if I were you." He warned darkly before turning and stuffing his hands in his pockets. He stalked away his over coat billowing behind him.

You dusted yourself off and scampered to follow him.

"You still haven't answered my question."

His head shot up.

"Huh?"

"What's your name?" You questioned with a smile. "I'm y/n by the way."

The demon gave you a disgusted look then winced as blood dribbled down from his scar.

"I am Red son." He answered dismissively.

"Oh you're bleeding!" You exclaimed and dug into your backpack. "Let me clean that up for you."

"Don't concern yourself, peasant girl." Red son jeered. "I will have it handled properly once we arrive at the court."

"Come on please?" You begged hopefully. "I would feel awful if it got infected and I feel bad for getting you in this situation." You looked up at him as you pulled the first aid kit from your bag.

Red son paused at your look. He examined your face for a moment. Something seemed to click in his eyes but he turned away before you could figure out what. he blew out an agitated scoff.

"Fine. But hurry up."

You smiled brightly as he sat on a rock and you began cleaning his cheek. You used a clean rag from the first aid kit to dab some alcohol on his scar gently. You expected him to flinch or at very least growl, but he only sat glaring at you with his arms folded over his chest.

You examined his face subtly as you cleaned away the dirt. His eyes were sharp and focused on your hand, his eyebrows turned downward, and his lips pulled into a thin line.

"Does it hurt?" You ventured carefully when you finished cleaning the cut.

"It stings slightly, but nothing to fuss over." Red son replied as you readied a bandage.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" You asked as you began to apply the bandage to his cheek.

"Aheh what? You didn't think the son of the Great Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan would know how to defend himself?" Red son scoffed haughtily.

A heat burned your cheeks. Of course he knew how to fight. His parents actually cared about his well-being. He was someone. You shook your head lightly to dispel those thoughts.

"Could you teach me?"

Red son studied you.

"No."

"What? Why not?!" You demanded watching him get to a stand once again.

"Why?! Because you snuck into my home, stole my belongings, and forced me into this horrendous situation."

You gave a pout and Red Son huffed.

"Not to mention you're the third most annoying person I have ever met." Red son began walking away.

You blew out a scoff and started putting your things away.

Meanwhile.

"Ah I've been expecting you." Your father smiled at a shadowed figure who knelt before him. "I want my daughter alive. The demon is disposable, dump his remains near his home where his parents can find them. I want them to get the message."

The shadowed figure grinned and gave a single nod before vanishing into the dark of the night.

You stumbled as Red Son walked hurriedly. His pace was brisk and unyielding. You were relatively short so keeping pace was significantly difficult. And you kept stumbling from exhaustion.

"Ugh would you hurry up?!" Red son demanded. "We can't be out in the open like th-"

An arrow cut the young fire demon off as it whizzed right past his eyes barely missing him.

"Red-" you raced towards him hoping he wasn't hurt only for him to shove you to the ground behind a tree.

"Get down you imbecile!" Red son growled before setting his first on fire. His eyes scanned your surroundings. Only, he saw nothing. No movement in the heavy shadows surrounding you both, no new arrows, nothing.

You peaked around the tree trunk following his gaze.

"Maybe you scared them off?" You suggested hopefully.

"Would you be qui- Look out!" Red Son reached for you suddenly as something ripped you backward. You fell into a void beneath you.

A gasp was the only noise to escape your lips before you hit solid ground with jarring force. The contact knocked the air from your lungs and immediately someone yanked you up from behind. Before you could get your bearings, a cloth tied around your mouth and another around your eyes.

You reached up and grabbed the cloth around your mouth just before someone took hold of your wrists and tugged them behind you. Thankfully, your grip was tight enough to rip the gag down when your captor took your wrist.

"RED SON!" You screamed. A sharp pain spiked in the back of your head immediately after and you fell forward as the darkness swarming your vision swept your consciousness away.

Meanwhile

Red Son reached to grab the insufferable girl only to be thwarted by a shadow that ripped her in to a blackened portal.

He stumbled forward as the portal shut and looked around frantically. Thankfully his body could still move, so she couldn't be far. Maybe if he listened he could hear her fighting, or attempting to fight as it were.

"RED SON!" Her shrill scream echoed through the forest surrounding him. His eyes locked on a band of trees from which the scream had originated. He ran towards the trees.

Red Son circled around the trees just in time to see a dark figure slam his fist against the back of the girl's head. She jolted from the blow, then fell limp.

Red Son winced. Hopefully, it hadn't killed her.

With a snap a spark ignited in between of his fingers.

The figure whirled to face him upon hearing the small sound, but it was too late. Red Son blew the flame at the figure, turning it from a small spark to a column of unbearable flame. The figure shrieked loudly then seemed to quite literally melt into the shadows.

Red Son allowed his gaze to wander around a moment to ensure no others accompanied this odd creature, then knelt next to the girl's motionless body.

Blood pooled around her head causing him to release a small sigh. He walked back retrieving her pack and removing the first aid kit. If she was bleeding she wasn't dead. So, he took to wrapping the wound semi carefully. She was extraordinarily lucky it had not been a killing blow....or had she?

Red Son tied off the bandages and slipped on the backpack. The creature could easily have been sent by her father. If so, he wanted to get home quickly. He did not wish to see what other surprises this girl's father had in store.

Red son pulled the girl into his arms in a bridal style position and began walking again. The pace was much faster this time around as she wasn't stumbling every five minutes. Red son smirked at her. Come to think of it, he was thankful the creature had knocked her unconscious. She couldn't command him in this state, or ask obnoxious questions.

Still, her silence and stillness uneased him. Surely, the blow couldn't have killed her, right? That was a pleasure he would take once this curse was removed.

The girl squirmed suddenly. And Red Son nearly groaned outright. He had hoped she would stay unconscious until he made it back to the demon bull family court. Oddly enough, the girl curled into his chest then stilled once again. Pink exploded on his cheeks at how content she seemed, and how peaceful she looked. He was tempted to drop her that instant.

Red son shook his head.

"No, no! No more delays we are getting you home." Red son told himself firmly and quickened his pace. The moment he got to the court he would shove the girl at the first bull clone he saw. Then a thought occurred to him. Her head was bandaged, but that didn't mean it would heal. Infact, it hardly meant that the bleeding would stop.

Her memory could be decimated from the blow or worse. The bull clones were not even close to programmed for medicinal purposes. Red son huffed as he realized he would have to care for her himself. Or heaven forbid ask for assistance from his mother.

She may try to kill the girl, and while that was a tempting notion, Red son had no idea what that meant for him with the curse still enacted.

Your senses began to slowly nudge you into consciousness. The smell of burning incense urged you to listen to your surroundings.

"No, I don't require assistance, Nathaniel. I can see to her wounds myself, thank you."

An odd garble came in response and you wondered what could be making that sound. That was when the sharp pain struck. It burned through your skull like a wildfire. You tensed in response and a quiet whimper escaped your lips.

A quiet filled the space around you for a few moments. Then you recognized Red Son's voice as he spoke.

"On second thought, fetch me some Corydalis. And ensure the other bull clones know to inform me when mother and father return."

You heard a soft garble but then silence. Slowly, you fluttered your eyes open allowing your irises to grow accustomed to the light. The room around you was painted in red and gold and lit by torches.

"Finally, you're awake." Red son acknowledged folding his arms.

"Pft. Good morning to you too." You retorted sitting up slowly.

Red Son rolled his eyes. "More like good evening."

You touched a hand to your head in an effort to stop the ache. Unfortunately, the touch did little to ease your pain.

"How long have I been out?"

Red son seemed to muse to himself for a few minutes.

"About a full day by now."

"A full day?! Gosh, he must've hit me hard." It was that moment your fingers graced a soft substance surrounding your head.

"Hm yes, hard enough to leave a sizable gash." Red son agreed. "How is your recollection?"

"I remember the guy grabbing me, screaming, then nothing."

Red son nodded.

"You haven't lost your memory, that's good."

You glanced around the room, taking in the grandeur of it all. You hadn't expected it to be so enormous and well lovely. Then again with one such as Red Son, any less was hardly expected.

Just then a bull clone entered offering Red Son a glass. To which he nodded and then offered to you.

You stared at the steaming liquid in the cup's depths.

"What is it?"

Red Son sighed.

"Corydalis, for your head." He explained as though it was obvious. He pointed at his own head for emphasis.

Your hands shook slightly as you accepted the cup and sipped the concoction slowly.

"Now, we need a plan. What is the best way we can get that book?" Red Son questioned sitting in a chair.

You tried to think. Your father had henchmen, if you could call them men. They were more or less shadow creatures. Tall in stature and an odd mix between black and purple skin. They had white eyes but the lower part of their faces were covered by masks. Typically they wore hoods with ninja like outfits. But they were never around in daylight. Atleast you had never seen them in the day time.

"The mansion is usually guarded at night." You explained simply. "So we should go during the day."

Red held his chin in thought.

"This would be much simpler if we could get the book without detection. What is your father's schedule like?"

"Hectic." You mumbled feeling a touch of spite. His schedule had always been too full to include you. Unless if course, it meant hurting you in some way.

"I need details." Red Son urged annoyedly.

"It would be easier for me to write it down." You explained simply. "And if you have a good amount of paper I can draw a map of the mansion."

Red Son nodded and commanded a bull clone to get paper and a pencil.

When the bull clone left Red Son looked back at you thoughtfully. A long silence followed.

"What?" You asked finally.

"I'm attempting to imagine a scenerio where I can get the book without having to drag you along."

"Hey!"

Red Son shrugged.

"Don't blame me. It certainly isn't my fault you are unbelievably slow."

"Excuse me?!" You got to a stand angrily.

Red Son remained seated and glanced up at you with a smirk.

"If last night was any example, I don't think getting the book will be easy."

"I am not slow! Last night was..." You paused recalling how difficult it had been to keep pace with him. Red Son was fast, but you had also been in shock. "Different." You muttered the last bit to yourself and Red Son frowned.

He almost looked apologetic for having mocked you.

You tossed him a glance, and he quickly recovered.

"Well I certainly hope so. Because escaping will likely be far more difficult this time."

The bull clone came in then. With the papers you had requested and handed them to you.

"Draw a map and make a schedule, then get some rest." Red Son instructed getting to his feet. "We'll make a plan tomorrow."

You wanted to insist that you could make the plan tonight, but Red Son had already walked out the door with the bull clone following behind him.

"Oh and peasant girl," Red Son called over his shoulder. "Don't leave your room. My parents take security very seriously and without a guide I highly doubt you'll survive." With this parting remark he vanished from view and not far down the hallway you heard a door open then promptly close.

So that was how he was getting around the distance portion of the curse. He was in the next room over.