Page 72 of Fated to the Demon Lord

Almost immediately, once we came into the town, Mother announced a celebration for that evening. A night when they would burn Feron’s body and then host a festival-style celebration to honor his life and the return of her children. I’d only seen snatches of Vaelor when we traveled, but I always sensed his presence nearby, just out of sight. When he heard about the body burning, he’d stiffened and gone off with Erlinen.

“Gerand seems to relate to Marbas,” I mentioned to Mother as she helped me get dressed for the party later that evening. Gerand had barely met the older demon boy who lived there, but had already gone off as if they were best friends.

Mother nodded. “He has found a fiend in Marbas.”

“Marbas is…”

“Bargoth’s son from another female before he met me.”

Mother pulled on the stays, and my dress tightened. The stay crisscrossed in the front of the ebony sleeveless gown that flared out into several soft, elegant layers that brushed against my calf. Mother tied the silk ribbons, creating a gentle bow under my breasts. I looked in the mirror, taking in the finger hanging around my neck—ruining the graceful ensemble. “Don’t you think that having a celebration on the same evening as a body burning is a bit morbid?”

She shook her head as she moved to my hair, pulling it up into a stylish twist while leaving a few strands to frame my face. “To not celebrate the return of my children would be to disregard Feron’s sacrifice. We honor him and what he gave by celebrating the accomplishment he helped bring about.”

“I don’t know if Vaelor sees it that way.”

She grew quiet as she wove moonmire lilies into my hair. Their blossoms would unfold when the moonlight hit them. “You’ve grown very attached to this Vaelor.”

“He found Gerand. Without Vaelor’s assistance, we wouldn’t have discovered him.”

“And we shall always be in his debt for that.” She pressed her lips together. “Just be careful, my love. He is a spirit and will forever be more bound to Spiritu Malignos than he will to you.”

I flinched at her words, and for a moment I almost lashed out at her. I hated to admit it, but she was right. He was part of Spiritu Malignos, and after all he had done for me, I was keeping him here, wasting his time because I couldn’t seem to let him go.

“And what about you and Bargoth?” I asked.

“What about us?”

“Are you married?”

She hesitated for a long moment. “We were married by human tradition. Demon marriages are different. They bind themselves with magic in a ritual called a Bloodbond. Humans and demons, however, can't form Bloodbonds.”

I stood quietly, turning her words over. Vaelor had called his wife his Bloodbound. “So Bloodbonds are a strong bond between two demons?”

“They're powerful,” she said. “But there's one bond even stronger—the bond between fated mates.”

“Fated?”

“Two souls bound together by destiny. A connection forged before they've ever even met. It is extremely rare.”

His wife, his Bloodbound. My heart twisted painfully to think that Vaelor had lost such a powerful magical bond with someone he loved.

Mother finished my hair and lowered her hands, uncertainty clouding her face. She was beautiful in her own way. Her deep purple dress accentuated the sharp, commanding angles of her features.

She had endured so much, yet somehow found the strength to protect an entire town. She had built a haven and led it through impossible trials. In the end, it had become the refuge Gerand and I desperately needed.

“Denara, the past cannot be changed, but now that Gerand is with us…” Her fingers twisted together. The woman reflected in the mirror was no longer a confident leader, but someone afraid to hope. “I was wondering if you could find it in your heart⁠—”

I rose and wrapped my arms around her.

“I want to. I understand why you did everything and I’m getting there. I just—I need a little more time.”

Tears came to her eyes but she quickly wiped them away. “I understand. Take as much time as you need.”

“I’m sorry it's not what you wanted to hear.” It wasn't the reassurance I wanted to give.

But she shook her head. “Do not apologize, my love.” She gave me a soft smile. “Gods, you’re so grown and beautiful. Just having you and Gerand here makes me feel like I’m the luckiest woman alive.” She clasped my hand and pulled me to the door. “Come, it is time.”

We stepped outside. The townspeople had gathered around in their finest attire. Long dresses and sharp suits, both demon and human. And I finally let myself think what I hadn’t before.