I walk beside him, his cold hand clasped tightly in mine. My heart beats slowly, powerfully, at a rhythm that makes my entire chest vibrate. Before us, the wide central avenue stretches out like a river of polished obsidian, lined with columns of blue flames that illuminate every stone, every sculpture, every demonic face watching us pass.

The people have gathered. Thousands of demons lined up on each side of the avenue, silent, motionless, their eyes of embers, gold, or amethyst fixed on us. I feel their gazes fall upon him. My Caël. My husband. My bonded soul. And a deep growl rises from my chest.

“Look ahead, my angel…”

His head lifts slowly. His blue eyes, now veined with silver and a dark glow that wasn’t there before, widen. His new black wings are folded against his back, but I see their iridescent feathers trembling in the light. He trembles slightly, his fingers tightening around mine.

I slow down, watching him from the corner of my eye. His pale skin is still marked with traces of our union. His lips are swollen, red, slightly parted. His neck bears my bite, dark and deep, still glowing faintly with a reddish hue. His entire body radiates fragility… and yet, he is stronger than any demon here. Because he is mine. And no one, ever, will take him from me.

We walk on. Each step echoes in the absolute silence. The demons watch us pass, and one by one, they bow. Some kneel, others simply lower their heads, but all… all bow before him.

I feel his heart beating faster. I feel his breath quicken. His wings tremble, opening slightly with emotion. I turn my head toward him, and I see it. His blue eyes are wet, shining with a light that pierces me. Fear… but also pride. And above all… love. A love still timid, still trembling, but very real.

I stop at the center of the avenue. The crowd stretches before us like a living sea. I turn to him, placing my burning hands on his frail shoulders. He lifts his eyes to me, his eyelids fluttering rapidly, his lips trembling with emotion.

“Look at them, Caël…” My voice is deep, resonating like thunder beneath the stone vault. “They are yours now. Just as you are mine.”

His tears flow silently down his pale cheeks. He shakes his head weakly, his black wings shivering behind him.

“I… I don’t… I don’t deserve this…”

I growl softly, a sound tender and possessive, and I lean down, pressing my forehead to his. My voice trembles with a love so burning it consumes me:

“You are everything they’ve ever waited for. Their queen. My husband. My soul. Their light and their darkness. And soon… you will feel it too.”

I straighten and turn to the crowd. My voice rumbles, powerful, making the burning air of all Hell vibrate:

“Behold Caël. My husband. My bonded soul. Your celestial king, now demon. My equal. My eternity.”

A shiver runs through the crowd. And in one voice, deep, guttural, burning, the entire people bow even lower, their voices rising like an infernal chant:

“Glory to Azrael. Glory to Caël. Glory to eternal love.”

I turn back to him. His tears flow freely now, but a fragile smile spreads across his trembling lips. He looks at me… as if I am his entire world. And in that instant, I know. I know that nothing else matters. Not my throne. Not my kingdoms. Not my armies.

He is my sky. My hell. My salvation. My eternity.

I slide my hand into his silvery hair, pulling him against me, and I kiss him. A slow, burning, passionate kiss. A kiss beneath the acclamations of an entire people. A kiss that seals his fate forever.

And mine.