“Upon ascension, Demonlords are bathed in the blood of Hellboars, signalling the start of their rule as mighty warriors and fierce rulers. The Hellboars themselves are specifically bred for these purposes, as they are considered sacred to Kreshor, God of Fire, and a great delicacy to all Demonkin. It is prohibited to bring a live Hellboar outside Dralarag, unless it is to be killed within two days for a ceremony; their tendency to slaughter other livestock making them unsuitable in other areas of the World.”

—Fauna of Dralarag, Demonlord Serentia Kreshorok, 890 AS

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The Demon looked at me with those piercing black eyes that just ached to suck all the light out of the room. They were horrifyingly intriguing to look at.

He held the chalice, trying to hand it over to me, keeping it close to my face. 'Does he expect me to drink it? Is it poison? Does he plan to kill me already?'

I've started praying to Selina, hoping she would spare me a gruesome death in a blood soaked wedding dress, then realised that him planning to end me made little sense in this situation. He had plenty of chances to do much worse before, and he didn't take them, so it should be obvious that he intended to be peaceful, at least for now. Then, I didn't even pose much threat to him, considering the vast size difference between us, as I barely seem to be able to reach his chest, adding to that the frightening fact that he can do magic.

I was terrified of him, but a part of me wanted to listen to his words and do what he said. 'Maybe it's fine, after all?'

I looked at him again, the smile on his face eery, but not malicious in any way. If I were to squint, it would actually look like a normal smile.

'Besides, what is the worst thing that could happen now? I'm already getting married to him — a Demon, my dress is ruined by blood, so my day cannot get worse,' I comforted myself, trying to find something to cling on to at this time. 'So, what if it kills me? Fewer things to worry about.'

Hands shaking, I slowly reached for the bloody cup presented to me. His enormous hands made the cup appear smaller than it was, as I could barely hold it in one hand. The blood on the sides slowly seeped, running down my fingers and I could feel the warmth spreading through my hand. I've only seen animals killed during the few hunting trips with my older brothers, and this was the first time I've seen it up close. There was so much blood there, and I shuddered at the thought of having to taste it, let alone drink it.

I raised the chalice slowly, like it would be the one to consume me, and the smell was not comforting in the slightest. I pinched my nose shut in an effort to smell it less, but it was too late. At this point, I was just trying to get it over with.

"Go on, I promise you won't be harmed. You don't have to drink it all — a small sip will be just fine," the Demon spoke behind the cup of blood, and I was slightly relieved by his words. I knew I couldn't stop this now, so I'd just have to endure it.

I took a small sip, as the metallic taste spread around my mouth. There was an odd sweetness to it, like the cakes we had for birthday parties, but there was also some saltier tone to it, similar to the soups Mother would give me when I got ill on cold nights. In one word, it was remarkable.

I had to have more, so I took a larger gulp. The taste spread all over my tongue and the warm blood entered my throat, sticky sludge going into my chest.

All of a sudden my vision went blank. I could see nothing, completely surrounded by darkness, but not cold. There was warmth around me, as if I were enveloped in flames, but didn't get burned.

I could see no one around me, but I didn't feel alone, like someone was there just beside me, holding my hand, guiding me through this. The fire around me spread and the flames danced, as the darkness around me surrendered before the warm light.

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I took a hefty breath, engulfed in flames, but wonderful. At that moment, I felt strong, and courageous. 'I feel... alive.'

My vision came back, and I was still holding the chalice, the surface of the liquid trying to reflect my image. I looked at the Demon, who had a wide grin on his face. "So, did it hurt?"

His eyes have become redder. What was once almost pure black had given way to a blazing spot in the darkness, an unyielding vanguard of life in the void. There was vitality in those eyes, and will. Mother had always said that I would know good men by the look in their eyes, and perhaps this Demon wasn't far from that. 'Maybe I can actually do this. Maybe it is what I am supposed to do, who I am supposed to become. Perhaps this was the path paved by the Goddess for me.

'Maybe this Demon is my future.'

"No... It was wonderful."

I tried looking away from his eyes, and he turned towards the Priest, who gaped at me.

"You may proceed," the Demon said, in a voice that was more commanding than gentle or elegant, and the Priest flinched.

The Priest cleared his throat, struggling to get breaths out. "Very well. In the power vested in me by our Holy Goddess, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife."

So it was done. I was married, and my husband was a Demon. 'So why am I excited and terrified at the same time?' I knew this was going to happen for months. 'Has the realisation finally set in? Have I finally given up to this fate? But why would I be excited then?'

As I spend time contemplating my uncertain future, the ground disappeared beneath my feet. I had glanced around me and realised I've been swept up, the Demon carrying me away from the Altar. I struggled in his grasp, "Where are you taking me!?"

My arms flailed around but did little to free me, his hold much firmer than I could hope to leave. I tried to not look at his face, but couldn't help myself. He held a gentle smile on his face, perhaps even a smirk.

"Settle down. Isn't this the tradition, for the groom to hold the bride in his arms?"

I thought about what he said, then rattled my memory of what I knew about marriages. "No."

He looked at me, and blinked in confusion. "Well alright then. But I like more it this way. I'm taking you to the 'wedding dinner'. Isn't that supposed to be after the ceremony?"

The shadows around us parted and the lanky servant Demon appeared on the side, his methods still eluding me. "Indeed, Master. The dinner goes after the wedding ceremony. But there is no carrying part that I've heard of."

"Well, no matter in any way. Start preparing the Hellboar for the meal, I'd love to eat it."

The confusion and fear lifted. He wasn't taking me away after all. But I was still hesitant about all of this. I grabbed what parts of the armour I could, some parts of me wanting to get away, while others just wanted to hold on.

By the time I wanted to say something we had already left the Great Hall and the corridors of the Church. The grand doors gave way for us and light shone into my eyes. A crowd of people around us gazed unwittingly, watching us, each of them focusing their gaze on me and the Demon. I could see their faces, and the fear and disgust they gave off. Everyone was afraid of him, and they'd avoid looking at him directly. I glanced at the Demon's stern face, unmoving, a steeled look gazing into the distance. 'Does it get to him, all this fear? Or does he enjoy it, and think of us nothing but weak and feeble?'

I looked ahead of us, and a carriage black as coal was prominent before the mass of people. I looked at the red horses, as no horses I knew had that colour. Their manes fluttered in the wind, and it took me a moment to notice that they were made of blazing flames, surging in the wind.

Something small opened the door. It looked like a Demon, but it was so different from the one carrying me. Another small Demon held the metallic reins, the beasts neighing loudly over the clamour of the crowd, everyone afraid to approach them.

The Demon walked nonchalantly, unfazed, as if the two of us were alone in the world, and carried me inside the carriage.

"Inform our hosts we will proceed towards that dinner they talked about," he spoke gently towards the outside, and the doors closed.

I sat across him in the carriage, still trying to avoid his eyes. A shrill sound went from the front, and a clank of metal clashed with the trot of hooves. We have begun moving. This was it.