“I’ve lived twenty thousand years in darkness. And never once did I crave the sun… until you. You make me wish I had lived a gentle life, just so I had cleaner hands to hold you with. But I promise to spend the rest of our lives keeping you safe, loved, and worshipped.”
I stare at him, mouth slightly open in shock. His words burn through me like fire, even though I know they’re not true.
Sariya lets out a sniffle. “Oh, Korithax, you love-struck fool. You speak such beauty.”
And lies, I remind myself silently.
She steps forward, handing Korithax a curved ceremonial blade with a ruby-red handle. My eyes widen.
“Uh… what’s that?” I whisper.
“In Hell, we don’t exchange wedding rings,” Korithax murmurs. “The bride keeps the engagement ring, but the husband wears none. Instead, we merge blood.”
I grimace. “Of course we do.”
He slices his palm, red blooming along the cut, then passes the blade to me. I hesitate, then follow suit. A sting shoots across my palm, followed by a line of blood.
“Place your palms together when you’re ready.”
I press mine to his, and his hand closes around mine gently. A shock of heat zips through the wound, pulling a gasp from us both simultaneously.
“What was that?” I breathe.
“I don’t know,” he murmurs, confusion etched across his face.
Sariya just smiles, like she knows something we don’t.
“By the power of light and love,” she declares, her voice ringing clear, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Korithax, you may kiss your bride.”
He pulls me in with an arm around my waist, the other rising to cup my cheek, his wound already healed. My breath hitches as I watch him lean forward. He kisses me softly, reverently. I melt into him, my hand brushing his jaw as I kiss him back. A low growl rumbles from his chest.
For a moment… I let myself believe it’s real. That maybe, just maybe, this isn’t all an act.
The four of us—Sariya,Korithax, Aran, and I—sit at a round candlelit table outside, golden hour wrapping everything in soft light. The air carries the sound of soft music, delicate notes from invisible instruments playing like a gentle tune as we dine on tender roasted meats, golden-crusted breads, and wine that sparkles in our glasses in the sunlight.
Aran and Korithax talk like brothers reunited, their laughter easy and relaxed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Korithax smile that much. Sariya and I talk quietly, the goddess’s presence as soothing as ever.
“Thank you for today,” I say softly. “It’s been truly beautiful.”
She smiles, her copper ringed eyes gleaming. “Anything for a fellow queen and goddess.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Future queen, sure. But certainly no goddess.”
“I said what I said, sweet girl.” She hums, and I swear there’s something in her tone that makes my skin prickle.
Before I can ask, Aran stands and taps his glass.
“A toast,” he says, lifting his wine, “to my brother, and the woman who seems to be taming him. May your rule be long, and your love… tolerable.”
I snort. Sariya grins. We all raise our glasses.
“To the future King and Queen of Hell,” Sariya says, voice full of warmth.
The wine is sweet, the moment sweeter. For a second, I almost feel content.
“Do people dance here?” I ask, half joking.
His brow arches. “You want to dance?”
