“A notable exception to this occurrence is the wedding ceremony of the Demonkin, in which the bride will wear either red or black. The now largely abandoned practice of religious sacrifice and a large amount of bloodshed (Demonkin blood being black) on these ceremonies would inevitably and irreversibly dye a dress of any other colour. It also reportedly “matches their eyes”. It is a unique phenomenon not occurring in any other known civilised society.”
—Fashion throughout the ages, Olivia Blackthorne, 1450 AS
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No matter how much I had hoped my sister would say 'No' and reject this madness, I had already known of the outcome. There was little I could do and I hated every part of it. I looked at the Demon and had to contain the urge to draw a sword then and there. My blood looked primed to boil, and I had to wipe a tear from my cheek.
We could not afford more warring with the Demons, no matter what the bastards actually did. My father had agreed to this ludicrous proposal, even without consulting me or Gavin. We both learned of this too late for it to matter, but we were fully aware of the consequences.
I was somehow glad that this went without issues. Enraged that my sister had to be the one upon whom the entire peace deal rested, but glad that she had realised this was the best way to handle it all.
The Priest in front of the couple seemed unfazed by her sullen look, completely ignoring both of them, focusing on that book of his instead. 'Are these truly the people that should bring hope to the masses, who should show the Path of Light to those that have lost it?'
“Lord Cerolus, our customs agree that the groom should present the bride with a ring, but we understand if you haven’t…” he started, barely keeping his head up to watch.
"Of course! I came prepared! Kozzok!" The Demon bellowed cheerfully, and his servant came out of the crowd, appearing from a shadow of a pillar as if it was his home. He carried a small black box in his outstretched hand, making his way towards the altar.
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It was all over. It had been done. The rest would just be simple formalities. I had no more purpose now. I looked at the cheerful Demon next to me, as he exclaimed words that I could barely understand.
Before I could think of anything else, a smaller one approached us from the side and handed over a small black box. I followed the other Demon for a while, noticing the enormous disparity in height between them. The servant, as I could only assume, was barely any taller than I, if not for the horns that curved above and back over his head. A mere moment later, he was almost gone, seemingly melding with the shadows that the pillars of the Hall cast. I tried focusing on where I saw him, but the darkness made everything a blur.
'Is this magic again?' I asked myself, then shuddered at the thought of something being able to leap from a shadow at any time. So I tried dismissing that altogether and focusing on what was next to me.
The Demon, whom I should have probably started calling something else by now, held the small opened box in his hand, small gems and a piece of gold safely tucked inside. He took out the gems gently, and I could notice them being two rubies and a larger onyx.
I wondered what he meant to do with them, but he turned towards me before I could think further.
"I apologise, but I haven't received information regarding the size of the ring," he said softly, with a slight twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. It looked creepy.
I heard something about him being prepared, but was lost as to how. 'Are these gems a part of his preparation?'
"Thus I'm afraid I must improvise!" he exclaimed and opened his palm. A blinding light came out of his arm and not long after a small flame burst from it, seemingly floating in the air. I held back, in shock, then inched a bit closer, trying to make sense of it. He put the piece of gold inside the flame and it melted into a shapeless lump. Then, with his other hand he put the gems into the golden piece and it started to slowly bend.
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'Is this fire magic? Melting down and making rings?' I was intrigued. I had always thought fire was destructive and unpredictable, but to see someone use it like this was enchanting. I couldn't take my eyes off the hovering ball of flame and the small ring that had formed inside. 'Magic is... amazing.'
I glanced back and watched the crowd that was in awe themselves, then went back to look at the Demon. He moved his hands gently, as if guiding the flames, giving the ball of fire a life of its own. The soldiers always said Demons were ugly and terrifying, but this one was so calm, different, and gentle.
The fire stopped burning, leaving nothing behind but a ring that rested in the Demon's palm. Then he turned towards me.
"My lady, if you would allow me to put this ring onto your hand," he talked gently, and I was dazed. I had simply presented my hand to him without even needing a thought, and he slid the ring on my finger effortlessly. The ring was cold, despite being engulfed and born from flames mere moments ago. And it fit perfectly.
'He didn't know my ring size, so he made one right in front of me.'
I watched his face, a bright grin showing his pearly teeth against the red skin and black eyes. 'Should I smile as well? Is the wedding finished?' I pondered on what was supposed to happen, then looked towards the Priest, who was grumbling something about Demons into his chin.
He stopped shortly, and raised his voice. "I hereby pronounce you husband and wi..."
But before he could finish officiating the marriage, the Demon interrupted him, and I almost jumped out of my skin, "WAIT! WE HAVEN’T COMPLETED THE SACRIFICE! KOZZOK, GET THE BOAR! THIS IS GOING TO BE A REAL TREAT!”
The doors of the Great Hall crashed open, and a hooded figure entered pulling a large cart. I couldn't take my eyes off the wooden cart. A huge beast was strapped down with numerous ropes and its squealing filled the entire room, the noise dreadful and ear-shattering. It looked like an oversized boar, were it not for the three rows of tusks from its jaw or horns coming out of its head. It was fiery red, fuming, and furious, struggling to break free from its shackles.
The Demon looked at it and grinned. 'He brought a Beast into the Church of Light!?'
The hooded figure stopped just below the altar with the cart in tow, and I could gaze into the eyes of the boar. At that moment, I felt similar to it, being bound by someone I cannot escape from. There was a glint of fear in its eyes, something oddly humane for a beast.
The Demon started going down the steps, "In my culture, a Sacrifice to the Gods ensures a long and healthy marriage," he started explaining, perhaps only to me, or perhaps to everyone in the room. Then he stopped just shy of an arm's reach from the cart.
His arm went for the sword on its back, and I watched as it was unsheathed. The slab of dull, black metal that was the blade had visible cracks running along its length, while the handle was adorned with gems, radiating a soft crimson, like the armour the Demon wore. For a moment I remembered the stories about the knights in white armour coming to the princesses in need. He fit into none of those stories, but seemed more dignified than any knights I've seen.
A quick swing of the blade was all I could notice, and the head of the boar rolled across the marble floor. A fountain of blood spurted from the body, the pool of red slowly forming on the floor, and a noticeable gush staining a part my dress. I gasped towards the Demon, who looked pleased with the prospect. The crows had horror across their faces, while my brother was trying to suppress awe. 'Did he know of this?! How could he not tell me?'
To my further horror, the Demon then just pummeled the side of the beast's chest with the sword, the sound of breaking bones utterly clear, then set it aside. With another grin, he shoved a gauntleted hand inside the mess, and moments later pulled out a large bloodied heart. The blood was everywhere, the Church looking more like a slaughterhouse by the minute.
The servant once again came out of the darkness to hand the Demon a gem-adorned chalice. 'Where in the World do they get all these gems to put on things?'
The Demon put the chalice below the heart and the blood oozed slowly into it, the thick red liquid overflowing as the cup tried to greedily take as much as it could. 'Is this the Sacrifice? It's... horrible.'
Before I could think any longer, the Demon appeared next to me and knelt down to hand me the chalice, blood dripping down the sides.
"Drink, my bride, and may we live long in prosperity!"
I looked at the chalice, then glanced back to him, only one word echoing in my mind, 'What?!'