Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

A s Ashe stood beside Leviathan, her heart racing with both excitement and trepidation. His hand, like a branding iron, was placed possessively on her soft skin, leaving a searing mark that she knew would never fade.

She knew that this union was a political maneuver, a way for him to lace his fingers through more envy. Yet, she couldn’t deny the thrill that coursed through her veins whenever she looked into his piercing blue eyes.

There was no denying her demon half. She wanted Leviathan as surely as she wanted to breathe. He was her other half, even if she didn’t trust herself in that, she knew from a single touch and the way she seemed to temper his darker motives. She wanted him with an intensity that scared her. It was more than just lust or desire, it was something deeper and more primal. And she knew that he felt it too, from the way his eyes darkened whenever they were near each other.

King Lucifer’s booming voice filled the grand hall, “Today, we gather to witness the joining of two souls, two destinies intertwined by fate and envy. Leviathan, son of House Envy, and Ashe, daughter of the mortal realm and ours, shall now become one. But first, they must pledge their vows before me, and before the infernal lords we serve.”

Leviathan’s grip tightened around hers, tension radiating from him, even through the barrier of her dark black gloves. This was what he had craved his entire life, to stand at the right hand of the king, to have power and respect heaped upon his head like jewels on a bride. He didn’t have to say it for her to know.

The king grinned maliciously down at her, a terrifying presence she would gladly be rid out when this was done.

Ashe couldn’t suppress a shiver as King Lucifer revealed the small, intricately crafted knives. She had seen them used before in sacrificial rituals by Belial, and she knew what was expected of her and Leviathan.

“You will slice one another’s flesh simultaneously,” the king commanded with a cold smile. “A symbol of your unity and commitment to each other.”

Ashe glanced at Leviathan, who seemed perfectly at ease as the king pushed his hand and the daggers closer.

Without a word, they both took hold of their respective knives. Leviathan reached for her hand first, and when she offered, he held the blade above it as she offered him her free hand, palm up as well.

And then, in unison, they sliced their palms open.

A searing pain shot through Ashe’s hand, causing her to clench her teeth and bite back a cry. Thick, crimson blood dripped steadily from the wound, but she refused to show any weakness or discomfort in front of Leviathan, her soon-to-be husband.

She locked eyes with him, determination burning in their depths as they both fought through the pain and focused on the battle at hand. Every movement was calculated, every blow met with equal force. The tension between them hung heavy in the air, a silent challenge that neither was willing to back down from.

With a satisfied nod, the king stepped forward, his royal robes billowing behind him. He collected a drop of blood from each of their hands into a small vial with steady, precise movements. The ruby-red liquid shimmered in the light, an eerie reminder of the pact they were about to make. As he lifted the vial to examine its contents, the king’s piercing gaze seemed to bore into their very souls, assessing their commitment to this ancient tradition.

“With this vow and blood oath, you are now bound together for eternity,” he announced, holding up the vial for all to see. “May your union bring strength and prosperity to your kingdom.”

A mixture of relief and lust washed over her as she watched King Lucifer place the vial on an altar beside him. The ceremony was almost over, but there was still one final step.

“Before we proclaim you husband and wife,” the king spoke again, his voice booming through the hall. “You must seal your bond with a kiss.”

With a swift movement, Leviathan closed the distance between them and captured Ashe’s lips in a fiery, demanding kiss.

The taste of Leviathan’s kiss was intense and intoxicating, like a bold blend of spices and dark chocolate. It left a fiery tingling sensation on Ashe’s lips, igniting a hunger within her that she had never experienced before.

His desire radiated from his touch, igniting a fierce hunger within her. The intensity of their passion burned like a wildfire and she found herself losing control to the wild desires consuming them both.

When they finally broke apart, Ashe couldn’t help but feel like she had surrendered a part of herself to him. But she also couldn’t deny the fierce connection that had been forged.

“By the powers vested in me,” King Lucifer growled, sliding a dark, bony finger under her chin, “I hereby join your souls, for eternity or until death do you part.” His cruel smirk spoke volumes about which he believed was more likely. With a flick of his wrist, a drop of his infernal blood fell onto their entwined hands, sealing their fates together.

As the blood mingled with theirs, Ashe felt a shudder pass through her entire being, like a cold breeze blowing through the depths of her soul.

Ashe gasped, her eyes widening as an otherworldly sensation coursed through her veins. The sudden connection with Leviathan was as intoxicating as it was terrifying. His emotions swirled through her, a whirlwind of desire, possession, and something else she couldn’t quite name. It was like a door had been flung open between them, and now she could feel every beat of his heart, every breath he took.

“I know this is overwhelming,” Leviathan whispered in her ear, his voice a balm to her frayed nerves. “Give it time. The bond will settle.”

The realm erupted in applause, but she could only stare at Leviathan’s triumphant grin, knowing that her ticket to freedom had just become more than she bargained for.

As the applause died down, he pulled her close and shot them into the air, flying swiftly to a balcony overlooking her new kingdom and the revelry below.

“This is where it all began,” Leviathan said, his voice tinged with a hint of smugness. “Where I first laid claim to you, and where I will lay claim to you for the rest of our lives.” His grip on her waist tightened, his wings unfurling behind him like a dark shroud.

Ashe gasped, more from the promise in his words than the chill in the air.

Ignoring her indignant gasp, he leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. “But soon, my bride, very soon.” With that ominous promise, he spun her around, his gaze boring into hers.

Ashe’s heart raced as she stared into those inhuman eyes, trapped by the intensity of his desire and the knowledge that she was now his—for better or worse. As the music swirled around them, they danced, bound together by the thinnest of threads and the thicker than blood pact that now connected them.