Never Forget

It was a dark cold night at the Claystone manor, the weather was just a blatant sign of a thunderstorm but did that stop renown and wealthy archaeologist Dr Claystone from going on another adventure.
NO!!
Did it stop him from going for months at a time?
NO!!
Did it stop him from being a father to his only daughter?
Yes, or at least that’s what she thought, Sandra Denise Claystone was Dr Claystone’s only child, at only 25 years old, she was what many people would call sheltered but could you blame her, no but she often blamed herself. She was a very beautiful young lady, she was 5’5 tall with a full hair of thick brown curls that reached her mid back when let down, her dark brown skin was smooth and clear except the beauty spot on her left cheek. Speaking of her face, her big brown eyes could convey every emotion she felt and that was only multiplied by her smile and a cute nose that gave her a much younger appearance. she had a beautiful thick figure which she hated as it often brought her ridicule from her father’s friends.
Sandra sighed as she looked at the dark sky as she watched the rain drops fall, she was bored plain and simple but something was on her mind…something she saw a few weeks ago,


Sitting in the living room while reading a book, Sandra’s eyes looked up as she heard the front door open and her father hurried in.
“welcome home father,” she said as she got up and walked over to him.
“huh…oh Sandra,” he said as he continued to gaze out of the front door.
“how was your trip,” she asked but didn’t get an answer as 8 handymen rolled in a huge crate.
“this way boys,” her father said as they followed him to what he called his treasure room/office, curious as to what was in the crate she followed them.
“thank you, boys, you can leave,” he said to them once that prop the crate against the wall so that it was now upright, once that was done they left her and her father alone in the office.
Sandra’s eyes widened as she looked at the crate, now that it was upright she could tell that the crate had to be at least 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
“father…what is that,” she asked as he pulled out a crowbar and inserted it into the crate, with a sharp push the crate walls fell and what she saw was beyond what she could have imagined.
“this my dear is the legendary sarcophagus of an Egyptian demon king who was told to be so evil that his own people had him buried alive”
“but father if he was so evil, then why have him here,” she asked him.
“oh, come now Sandra…don’t tell me that you believe that nonsense, besides from what the scroll told, only a pure hearted person can break the spell, whatever the spell is after all he’s dead “he said as he left her in his office gazing at the coffin.





Ever since she saw the dark coffin, she couldn’t take her mind off it and wanted to know more about it.
So, pulling her shawl over her shoulders, she crept into her father’s office the rain and thunder just made the room much scarier. She walked up to the huge coffin and gently placed her hand on its cold surface.
“I don’t know why but I feel like something about your story is wrong,” she said as she stroked the surface, but then her nail clipped on something so she bent down and peeled it off only to find out it was a scroll.
Sure, it was a very old one but it was readable so she walked over to her father’s desk and turned on the light so she could read it, thank goodness, she could read hieroglyphics.
If you are reading this then please read this without turning away
The rumours of our king are untrue
He was a true ruler
A kind ruler and very just
But died protecting the one he loved.
But like the ones of old
He will rise again
When she is near
He may not remember
But he will never forget.


Sandra was pulled away from her research by the power going out and the emergency kicking in, so with a sigh, she placed the scroll down and when up to her room, as she looked up at the coffin.
“good night,” she said as she walked out of the room. The rain and thunder bellowed outside only gave the coffin an even more eerie glow as the coffin began to glow a light blue and the seals that surrounded the coffin fell as the dust and smoke fell from the coffin as the huge door opened.
Finally, the spell was broken…
Astera was back among the living…

Sandra was now in her pj's which was a pink t-shirt and white bottoms, with her long curly hair braided into one she walked around her room and placed her basket in front of her mirror and then sat on her comfy bed.  since she wasn’t hungry and saw that the mini fridge was stocked up, she decided to turn in early so she turned out the light and went to sleep, unaware that she was not alone on that floor.

The house was dark, which worked to his advantage as he could hide in the shadows, he left the room right after the spell was broken and quickly made his way down to her door, with a small push he unlocked the door and stepped into the room.
Her scent was everywhere, causing a low rumble to come from his chest but then he spotted his prize on the large bed, so he quietly made his way over to her side, pulled back the cover and gasped at the sight before him.
She was stunning, even as she slept…her beauty was far beyond anything he had ever seen, raising a finger he gently stroked her cheek, marvelling at her soft skin. He wanted to see more but risked waking her up, so with one final glance, he turned to leave only to spot something on her vanity.
A photo of her younger self sitting on a man’s lap, she looked happy and for some reason that made him smile as well as he looked back at the sleeping maiden before he left her room.



Sandra woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, looking out of the window she could see that it was still dark and cold due to the rain, but enough about the gloomy weather she thought as she put her dressing gown on and ran down to her father’s office and receive the shock of her life.
The coffin was not propped up anymore but was laid on the floor, but it looked like it was moved not that it fell during the night, right in the middle of the office with shaky legs, she walked towards the coffin and as she came closer, she raised her arms and placed them on top of the lid and with a sudden burst of courage, she slowly opened the lid and almost fainted at what she saw.
Lying in the coffin was a man…not a mummy, now she knew why the coffin was soo huge because he was almost the same size as it, he had a broad muscular build and he wasn’t wearing any shirt, showing off his strong yet scared body but he had on a pair of white silk trousers and gold sandals. But what she found most shocking was his face. He was very handsome with exotic facial features like long eyelashes and a strong nose on a beautiful canvas of sun-kissed skin which helped show off his slightly darker scars, he had thick black hair that was fanned around him, and sitting on his forehead was a gold crown, on his neck was a gold and blue cuff necklace with matching cuff bracelets on his forearms. He would have looked completely human but what gave him away were the two little horns that sat right in front of his hairline which were also black the dark claws that sat on his fingernails, plus his pointed ears which were pierced.
“beautiful,” she said to herself but then shook her head as she came closer to him which revealed something that she didn’t think she would ever see.
He was breathing which meant he was asleep.
The spell had been broken but how she wondered as she walked over to her father’s table to look for any more clues.
Unfortunately, she was too busy looking to notice that his eyes twitched as they slowly opened, closing again with a frown due to the light, but then he heard something so he slowly sat up and turned only to see her with her back turned towards him, so he quietly got out of his coffin and walked up to her till he was behind her.
Sandra was still looking when she dropped something, so she turned to pick it up only to be met by a pair of amber eyes looking down at her, then for some reason, everything went dark.



“hmm,” she groaned as she opened her eyes as they observed her surrounding only to realise that she was on the couch surrounded by pillows. She looked around only to realise that she was alone In the room.
“what happened,” she thought as she rubbed her eyes but then she noticed that there was a shadow at the door which caused her to look up and see him.
His warm amber eyes looked down at her as he came into the room, now that he was…awake and standing, she could see that he also had a tail just like a lion’s, the hair on the tip was the same colour as his hair, while the rest was the colour of his skin. She watched as it moved behind him as he came closer to her till he was standing right in front of her, he then knelt in front of her so that he could look her in the eyes.
Her brown eyes met with his amber ones and now that he was close, she could see that they were cat-like.
“ummm…he…hello,” she said in a whisper as she saw his eyes widened and a smile formed on his lips.
“HI” he replied with an enthusiastic smile of his own which showed off his prominent fangs, Sandra blinked in surprise at his reply.
How did he know how to speak English, she thought as she tried to make sense of his reply but as she thought, she felt him put his hand on her forehead, claws and all?
“are you alright,” he asked as his eyes showed off his concern.
“yes, I’m fine” she replied as she took his hand in her own, she couldn’t believe this she was talking to a living legend.
“umm I’m sorry but…who are you,” she asked as she grabbed his attention once again.
“my name is Astera” he replied her, his child-like mannerism almost made him seem adorable.
“Astera” she repeated to which he replied with a smile and a nod “well my name is Sandra,” she said as she put her hand forward for him to shake, but he simply looked at it before he gently took it in his hand which was much bigger.
“I’m pleased to meet you as well, are you feeling better now,” he asked as he looked over her.
“yeah, I’m fine now,” she said as she as he made himself comfortable beside her and then wrapped his huge arm around her waist causing her to gasp as he looked into her eyes.
“you broke the spell right,” he asked as she slowly nodded which caused him to laugh “I am forever grateful lady Sandra”
“umm…you’re welcome,” she said as she looked at his arm which was around her waist.
“tell me, my lady, are you taken or is your heart open to claim,” he said causing her cheeks to brightened.
“umm…I’m single why?” she asked but her answer was him placing his other arm around her, he leant down and rumbled into her ear.
“then may I ask for your hand in courtship” she heard causing her to look up at him, she couldn’t help it but by god…was he handsome.
“umm, I don’t know, I’m not really looking for a man right now Astera, I mean I’m really busy taking care of my father and his business so I…” she rambled but he placed a clawed finger on her lips.
“I understand I was too forward so I am willing to be your confidant, but I will say this…the sands of time might have blown over my reign but I will have no other but you as my queen,” he said as he laid her back on the sofa before stroking her hair.
“you are still tired my lady, so please rest,” he said before he left the room but not before sending her a wink which caused her to bury her face into the pillow.
This is going to be hard, she thought.



The night was falling before Sandra realised that she hadn’t eaten all day, so she decided to make some dinner for the both of them.
“Ok let’s see,” she said as she tied her hair up and put her apron on. She then took out a binder and flicked through the written recipes.
“Ah, what better way to warm you up on a rainy day than a pot of stew,” she said as she began to cook. Once she had it on the heat, she placed the dinner rolls into the oven and waited for the broth to boil, once it had she added the meats and vegetables into it and allowed it to continue boiling.  She left the kitchen to go and get something in her room she then went back into the kitchen to check on the stew, only to see him sitting at her dining table looking through her photo album.
“Oh...hi, did you want something,” she said as he looked up at her with a smile, but he just shook his head as he continued to look at the pictures.
“Who are these people” he suddenly asked her, causing her to look at him as he pointed to a picture.
“That’s me and my parents,” she said to him as she continued cooking.
“where are they,” he asked causing her to sigh.
“my parents are no longer together, mother lives far away while my father is currently working” she simply explained.
“not together, do they not love each other anymore,” he asked with a childish frown as she shook her head.
“nope,” she simply replied “father is more in love with his work anyway,” she said as her timer went off, so she then began to serve his food and laying it out on the table in front of him, a large bowl of stew with dumplings with the warm rolls at the side.
“There, I hope you like it,” she said as she placed a glass cup and a pitcher of juice by his food.
“thank you, my lady, but what about you,” he asked.
“I’m eating, it just good manners to serve a guest before yourself,” she said as she served herself as he watched her but then paid some attention to his food
One thing was for sure, the girl knew her way into a demon’s heart, he had never had food this good, and maybe the girl was worth knowing after all.
“How is it,” she said with her own food and sat beside him allowing him to wrap his tail around her waist, causing her to blush a bit.
“You’re a very good cook,” he said to her, causing her to blush even more.
“Thank you,” she said as she started eating as well “there’s more if you want any” as she noticed his bowl despite being the biggest she could find was empty, to which she received a nod, so she took his bowl and went to get him a refill.
“Here you are,” she said as she placed the bowl in front of him.
“Thanks” he replied as he dove right in as they continued to eat in comfortable silence.


“Are you going to be ok?” she said as they went entered the guest bedroom, after finishing the pot of stew that she thought was going to be more than enough, she gave him a tour of her home before deciding it was time for bed.
“I’ll be fine, thank you, my lady, you are fair as you are kind,” he said as he sat on the large bed so he didn’t see her blush.
“Alright Astera, I’ll see you in the morning, if you need anything, my room is just down the hall ok,” she said to him “goodnight”
“Good night...Sandra” he said as she left the room, he turned the light off and lay on the bed. Staring at the ceiling and listening to the rain, he thought about the day’s event and soon the rain soothed him to sleep.

Fire, everything he saw was covered in flames.
He looked around and was all the destruction that lay around him, his kingdom, his world was destroyed.
“What...happened,” he said as he looked at the rubble, he then walked by a destroyed home and saw himself in the window.
The only difference was it wasn’t him; all he saw was a monster with white eyes.
As soon as he saw himself, he felt an uncontrollable urge to destroy everything in sight.
“I... will...kill...them...ALL” he roared as he went on a rampage.

Sandra was lying on her bed with a book in hand when she heard growling from down the hall so she went to go and investigate.
Reaching his room, she knocked on the door but got no reply so she peeked inside and stepped into the dark room where Astera seemed to be sleeping.
Boom!!! Was all she heard as thunder roared from outside his window, she sighed as it began to pour again, she moved to the edge of the bed to check on him, causing her to gently stroke his hair back, earning her a little groan.
“shhh, it’s ok” she cooed but for some reason, his groaning grew louder as he began to toss and turn as sweat began to drip down his face but then he stopped causing her to step back as he opened his eyes but they were glazed over.
“Hey what’s wrong,” she said as she knelt in front of him, she didn’t like this, he was in pain and she couldn’t help him as his eyes to flickered between amber and red and he began to growl.
“Make...it ...stop” he growled Sandra’s eyes widened as she saw his eyes change, she didn’t know what was wrong with him but she knew she had to calm him down.
“Make what stop,” she said taking his hand “Astera look at me, what’s wrong”
“Make...pain...GO AWAY!!!”  He roared as his green aura flashed around him throwing her to the ground.
Sandra whimpered as her head hit the wall, she got back up and with a leap, wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Astera please stop, or you’ll destroy my home,” she said looking at him as he clenched his fangs, she knew she had to snap him out of it but how?
“I really hope this works,” she said as she came closer to him and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting manner, his ear was right over her heart causing him to freeze as the sound of her beating heart filled his ears.
The sound along with her rubbing his hair, soon calmed the raging demon who’s eyes soon returned to their normal amber.
“Sandra?” he rumbled causing him to look at her.
“umm, hi,” she said but then she was engulfed in a huge hug as she stroked his back.
“I’m soo sorry you had to see that side of me” he whispered.
“it’s ok,” she said as she looked at him.
“Sandra, will you…please stay here” he asked as he looked into her eyes, his amber eyes glowed in the dark.
“umm…sure,” she said, she didn’t know why but there was something…hypnotic about them.
“thank you, my lady,” he said as he picked her up and laid her within his arms as they laid on the bed.
“sweet dreams Astera,” she said with a yawn.
“pleasant dreams to you as well,” he said as they both went back to sleep.


Weeks passed and the friendship between the two blossomed, Sandra taught him how to read and write while he told her about his past life, they often took walks in the forest together, they also enjoyed reading and having picnics in the garden.
That evening they were sitting in the living room when Astera got up and offered his hand to her so she got up as well.
“what are you doing,” she said as he pulled her up.
“I would like to dance with you,” he said with a smile.
“then are you going to ask me?” she said causing him to laugh.
“my lady will you dance with me,” he asked.
“umm…sure,” she said as she switched on the music player and a song began to play, he placed his arm around her waist and held her hand as they began to dance to the slow song.
In your arms, I find the courage
In your arms, I gather strength
Have you heard, have I told you
I just want to hold you
Grow old with you in my arms

The moment was perfect, the slow song and the perfect lighting was so beautiful, Sandra rested her head on him as they continued to dance.

In your arms, I hide no secrets
In your arms, I feel no fears
There is something so right with you here tonight
When I'm holding you in
My whole world starts to spin
When I'm holding you in my arms

She was so beautiful, he thought as they danced, she was kind, patient and deserved so much more than what her father was putting her thought.

If this is a dream don't wake me
Have I been here before
If I give myself just take me
I feel I've seen you before
With my eyes, I feel, you
With every breath reveal you
My everything, there is nothing more

They twirled around the room and the music played, Sandra was twirled out before he pulled her back and the looked into each other’s eyes.

You are all that I feel
There is nothing more real
When I'm holding you in my arms.

The music ended but they continued to stay within each other’s arms, the moment would have been perfect if Astera didn’t hear a loud noise from outside.

“what is that,” he said as they looked out of the window causing her to gasp.

“oh, no father’s home,” she said as she rushed out of the room, she rushed into the hallway to open the door, but then she realised something else.

“Astera, you have to hide,” she said.

“I won’t leave you,” he said to her.

“please…just hide ok,” she said as she heard the door open and her father came in.

“welcome home father,” she said with a smile, but then she realised he was not alone but he was followed by another man in a suit.

“Sandra show my guest to my study,” he said as he walked past her, Sandra sighed as she led him to the study.

“so this is the sarcophagus,” he said as he looked over the elaborate coffin, then he turned to her.

“can you show me the notes made on this discovery,” he said causing her to frown.

“what notes?” she said causing him to frown, but then her father came in and he turned to him “claystone, why hasn’t your assistant made any notes on this,” he asked causing aria to turn to her father.

“your ASSISTANT!?!”  she said as her father cleared her throat.

“Sandra, leave us,” he said but she refused.

“how dare you talk about me that way, I’m your daughter, your only child…I can’t believe this” she said as she ran out of the room and she didn’t stop till she reached her room. She flopped on her bed as she cried.

After her mother left them, she did everything for her father but in his eyes, she became his assistant and maid. But then she heard her father roar her name as he ran up the stairs and busted into her room.

“where is it” he gasped.

“excuse me?” she said but what she didn’t expect was him racing across the room and putting his hands on her causing her to scream.

“where is the mummy” he hissed.

“I'm right here” he heard causing him to turn to face one angry demon, Sandra's eyes widened as watched him stalk her father into a corner, his normal golden eyes had now turned completely white in rage.

“please” he whimpered trying to pacify the demon, so he turned to Sandra “Sandra help me please,” he said.

“calling for a woman…how pitiful” he said he said with a growl as he picked up the scared man with one hand.

“you wanted to keep me here, you disturbed my resting place and stole my treasures, I should kill you” he growled as he placed his claws out on his other hand as prepared it to strike him.

Wait!!!” Sandra cried as she held his hand “please don’t do this, your highness, he’s my only parent I would do anything please” she begged, Astera looked down at her as he dropped the man before turning to her.
“In exchange for you father’s life, you will become mine along with this home, your father must leave immediately and never return…do we have a deal” he said as she looked back at her father who didn’t even look concerned at all.
“deal,” she said as he turned to her father, his eyes became white again and his aura thundered around him.
“leave now or I will kill you” he growled as he watched him take to his heels as he left them…forever.
“Astera…” she said as she lunged forward and hugged him tightly which he equally met as she silently cried.
“Sandra, I’m soo sorry, but I couldn’t stand seeing him treat you this way, I heard everything he said to you and I couldn’t stand it,” he said as he held her even tighter before wiping her tears from her face.
“it’s not your fault, I just didn’t think I meant soo…little to him” she quietly said.
“you might have meant nothing to him, but you mean the world to me, my lady,” he said to her before he felt her hug him tightly.
“I do?” she said as he lifted her chin.
“more than you’ll ever know,” he said as he picked her and placed her on the bed.
“but you know what”
“what?”
“since your father’s now gone…how about we turn this manor…into our own little palace” he said with a smirk which caused her to smile.
“you’re silly” she laughed but then he raised her gaze to meet his own.
“no, my lady…I’m in love,” he said before he leant down and placed a deep passionate kiss on her lips. one that left them both breathless once he pulled away.
“guess I don’t have a choice huh” she gasped as he nuzzled her.
“guess not,” he said before he sealed it with a kiss.