Chapter 7: The Heartless Path Reconsidered

I found that whether three hundred years ago or now, I still can’t understand Rohan!

Some things never change. His moods shift like monsoon clouds, impossible to predict.

But I could tell he was really angry this time!

His jaw clenched, eyes burning with a hurt I hadn’t seen in centuries.

I didn’t understand: “You know why I’m in the mortal world!”

I tried to explain, but the words felt weak.

The change in heavenly law wasn’t a secret, everyone knew I was demoted for the heartless path!

I waved a hand, as if brushing off old gossip.

“Three hundred years ago, I was in the wrong, but since you said you don’t want to, I won’t force you!”

I meant every word. He deserved that much honesty.

If I don’t force him, I’ll just look for someone else!

Plenty of candidates—if only it was that easy.

Such simple logic, what is there to be angry about?

I blinked at him, genuinely baffled.

I really thought there was nothing wrong with what I said!

Apparently, my heartless logic wasn’t as heartless as I thought.

But Rohan seemed to have a problem!

His fists clenched, tail lashing. I braced myself.

I don’t know if my words gave him the wrong idea, but after a moment of struggle... he coldly undid his belt!

My breath caught, bravado forgotten. Was he angry, or...?

My hand shook, even the sword under my blanket slid out!

My grip faltered, confusion and anticipation swirling.

What happened next, let’s just say, we knew each other’s bodies too well!

Old habits die the hardest.

Rohan didn’t wait for me to refuse, letting his fox tail and ears free!

Suddenly the room was full of fur and heat.

That fluffy tail sliding all over me reminded me why I was so addicted to dual sadhana with him three hundred years ago!

Memories flooded back—nights tangled together, promises whispered in the dark.

Apparently, it wasn’t just for sadhana!

Pleasure was only part of it. The rest, I couldn’t name.

His words made my ears go soft, “Tell me, who do you like more?”

His voice was a caress, demanding honesty I wasn’t ready for.

I tightly covered my mouth, not understanding how things had come to this!

The line between love and hate, pleasure and pain, blurred beyond reason.

Weren’t we supposed to stop getting tangled up?

And yet, here we were, more tangled than ever.

Can we get any more tangled? I ask you!

Clearly, the universe thought so.

Ah, apparently we can!

I gave in, at least for one more night.

...

When I woke, it was already bright!

Morning sunlight crept across the floor, warming the tangled sheets.

I instinctively reached for the sword by my pillow, but touched a pair of springy fox ears instead!

The sensation was both foreign and achingly familiar.

The owner of the ears spoke hoarsely: “Did I serve you well? Will you still look for someone else?”

His words were teasing, but there was a tremor. He waited, holding his breath.

That sounded like I was some kind of unfaithful flirt!

I rolled my eyes, but my heart fluttered unexpectedly.

Rohan tentatively reached out, and seeing I didn’t push him away, slowly wrapped his arm around my waist:

His touch was gentle, almost hesitant, as if afraid I’d vanish if he held on too tightly.

“Did you enjoy last night? Could you have this much fun in the heavens?”

He wanted affirmation, needed it. I let the silence hang, just to tease.

Isn’t that obvious!

No heavenly pleasure could compare—not that I’d say it aloud.

Without thinking, I said: “I’m the war goddess now, of course I have fun!”

I flashed a crooked grin, savoring his surprise.

Rohan was silent a moment, then said: “Maybe you never cared... I’m demon king now, my status is not lower than the war goddess!”

I stifled a laugh—was this pride or insecurity?

Is this bragging now?

He looked at me, eyes bright with a challenge he didn’t dare voice.

I forced a composed smile: “Is that so, that’s great!”

My tone was light, the words heavier than I meant.

Rohan waited, and seeing I really had nothing else to say, his ears stood up:

The silence stretched, awkward and sharp.

“That’s it? You hear I’m demon king now and have nothing else to say?”

He almost pouted, and I had to bite my tongue not to laugh.

Honestly, how did I not notice before how much he likes to show off!

Truly, three centuries isn’t enough to know someone.

I secretly rolled my eyes, but still said: “Congratulations, congratulations!”

Formality was my shield, my refuge from the confusing emotions.

Rohan, having seen my eye roll: “...”

His tail thumped in exasperation.

Rohan: “Is it possible you’re not heartless, just simple-minded?”

Me: “Kya?”

A laugh bubbled up, despite myself.

Sleep with me and then turn cold?

He’s so awful!

But a part of me, the part I buried deep, didn’t want the night to end.

It’s one thing to brag, but to mock me too!

Even gods have limits, and mine was near.

Even a tortoise has its limits!

I summoned my inner warrior, ready to teach him a lesson.

I kicked Rohan in the waist, but he deftly caught my ankle with his tail!

His reflexes, as always, were annoyingly perfect. We tumbled, laughter and frustration tangled in the sheets.

“Always turning hostile so easily, what a bad habit!”

He teased, but there was warmth in his words. My heart skipped a beat.

The soft fox fur gave me goosebumps!

The sensation sent shivers, a delicious torture I could neither accept nor escape.

I couldn’t take it: “What do you want to say, stop dawdling!”

My patience wore thin, and I glared, daring him to speak.

Rohan’s lips moved, silently mouthing something like “Would you be willing to...?”

For a moment, I saw vulnerability, raw and unexpected.

But he quickly swallowed the words!

He bit his lip, uncertainty in his gaze. The silence grew thick.

He stared at me a long time, as if wanting to chisel into my head!

It felt like the world was holding its breath.

After a while, he sighed, lifted my chin with his hand!

His touch was gentle, almost reverent. His eyes were softer than I remembered.

“Meera, what I want to say is, since I’m demon king now, my worth is not the same as three hundred years ago!”

He said it with pride, but underneath was a plea. I almost reached for his hand.

“I know you came to grow threads of affection, and I believe I can help you! Last night was an accident, but if you want to sleep with me again, you’ll have to show some sincerity!”

He straightened, arms crossed, tail swishing. His eyes sparkled, daring me to meet him halfway.

Me: “...Kya?”

For a moment, I wondered if the heavens sent me just to be confused.

No way, is the demon world so poor now?

I almost laughed. Was he angling for a dowry?

Does the demon king have to personally, uh, earn that kind of money?

The thought made me giggle.

Seeing me staring, Rohan coughed, then bluffed:

He was blushing, tail swishing like an impatient cat.

“Don’t misunderstand, it’s not that I can’t forget you! I just swore to personally break your heartless path!”

He puffed out his chest, pride and vulnerability warring in his eyes. I almost believed him.

Ah, so that’s it!

I nodded, letting him keep his dignity.

That makes sense!

Of course. It always comes back to unfinished business.

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief!

For a second, I feared this was something bigger than I could handle.

Scared me to death, I thought Rohan really liked me so much he couldn’t let go!

My heart thudded, wild. Best to laugh it off.

For his self-sacrificing spirit, I was touched, but could only refuse!

Some doors, once closed, can’t be reopened.

Considering the dignity of the demon king, I tactfully said:

I softened my tone, fingers tracing patterns on the sheet.

“I appreciate your kindness, but it might not be very convenient!”

I hoped he’d understand, let me go with grace.

Rohan gritted his teeth and smiled: “May I ask, what’s inconvenient?”

His smile was sharp, eyes glinting with challenge. I hesitated, searching for gentle words.

Uh, this!

The silence stretched, heavy.

“Am I asking too much? I can lower my requirements, but I’m demon king, I can’t give in too much!”

He looked away, jaw tense, tail thumping.

“Kya yaar, why am I always the one chasing? If you want my help, at least thoda toh effort dikhao!”

His words tumbled out, desperate and hopeful.

“Have you really never thought about making up with me? Just asking, nothing else! Oh, never thought about it! Fine, if you haven’t, forget it, actually I don’t care that much, so funny!”

His bravado was a shield, one I could see through.

“...No, really, what’s inconvenient, just say it, don’t make me beg you!”

His voice cracked, and for a moment, he looked impossibly young.

Those fox ears I always liked were pressed into my hand by Rohan!

They twitched under my fingers, warm and soft. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment, knowing it couldn’t last.

I subconsciously rubbed them twice, just about to answer, when he snatched the conversation back again.

He always had to have the last word.

“Fine, you don’t have to apologise, after all, it wasn’t intentional back then, who told the heavenly law to be like that...”

He shrugged, as if centuries of pain could be blamed on bureaucracy.

This time, I was truly stunned!

For a moment, the world fell silent. I saw him not as demon king, but as the boy I’d once loved.

I never knew, regarding what happened three hundred years ago, Rohan thought this way!

His generosity shamed me. I swallowed, words failing for the first time in ages.

He’d rather blame the heavenly law than admit I was a selfish, heartless woman?

I didn’t deserve his forgiveness, but he offered it anyway.

But I am!

The confession burned on my tongue, but I bit it back. Some truths are better left unsaid.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Rohan hesitated, ears drooping, “Alright, I’ll apologise, I shouldn’t have been so harsh before, I just missed you too much!”

His voice was raw, vulnerability laid bare. My heart twisted, old wounds aching.

Rohan looked up, sincerely meeting my eyes!

Those fox eyes—so bright, so full of hope. I wanted to look away, but couldn’t.

I’ve always liked his eyes, alluring yet pure, like a fox deva dusted with mortal mud but still clean. Every time Rohan tried to seduce me into dual sadhana, as long as he blinked, I couldn’t refuse!

Old memories threatened to drown me. I gripped the sheet, desperate for a lifeline.

Only this time, those eyes didn’t stir up desire, but something deeper!

Something I couldn’t name, dangerous and beautiful at once.

I can’t say what it was, since I have no threads of affection—my emotions are dulled!

Even so, I felt the faintest spark, the stirrings of something new.

But I instinctively didn’t dare look too deep, as if once I understood, I’d never walk my path again!

The price of feeling is the risk of losing yourself. I wasn’t ready to pay it.

That wouldn’t do!

So I gently let go, and nudged Rohan’s tail away:

My hand trembled as I reached for the door, fingers unconsciously tracing the faded mehendi on my wrist—a reminder of vows once made, now broken. I forced a smile. “No more temptations, please.”

“What’s inconvenient... hmm, because my fiancé might not be very happy!”

The words slipped out, an unexpected shield. I watched his face, bracing for his reaction.

Rohan’s lips parted, unable to speak for a long time!

The silence was heavier than all the years we’d lost.

“Fiancé?”

He looked at me in a daze and asked: “You have a fiancé now, then what am I?”

His question hung between us, heavier than any curse. For the first time in centuries, I had no answer.