Page 30 of Once Upon a Demon’s Heart

Chapter Eighteen

ALIRA

The ebony metal gates close behind us with a heavy thud.

They are thick enough to keep even dragons from breaking through.

How long have the demons been surviving in such extreme environments like this?

Did they go this far just to be away from the demigods?

A place where even the deities themselves wouldn’t venture?

I’m not entirely sure where we are, but the Gates to Mortem cannot be far.

The sharp black rocks are only located near the underworld.

A place no god, half or not, should venture.

It is said that the dragons dwell near Mortem to guard the gates too.

Is that why they came? My lips press together. The gods are up to something.

We step through a bubble-like wall, shimmering and glinting with hints of rainbows when caught by the last rays of sunlight. The air sweetens the second we cross, hitting the back of my lungs like blossoms in summer.

I knew that Devicit was warded with old magic, but I didn’t expect the inside of the veil to have enough power to be a completely different terrain from the outside.

I’ve read about concealing wards, but they don’t go into depth of what they really are like.

And I doubt anyone in Alzhor would believe it.

This is how they’ve hidden the kingdom, I muse, looking around with awe.

The kingdom is lush with greenery, and the temperature is considerably warmer.

A forest stretches between the gates and the inner city.

A loose smile draws up the corners of my weary lips.

The sky is shimmery with the magic that keeps this place hidden.

It’s beautiful, and as the sun sets, the glittering veil mimics the galaxy far above.

We pass cottages along the main path. The lights are on, and as Kalel’s army passes, street lanterns turn on, and the civilians exit their homes eagerly to welcome their knights home. Some of the fleet breaks off in the outer clusters of houses, returning to their loved ones, I assume.

The castle finally comes into view with several palaces surrounding it.

My eyes light up at the magnificence of this kingdom.

The streets are made from crystal cobblestones, and they light up as the hooves of the horses meet them.

Every intersection and storefront is adorned with signs, greenery, and lanterns above every arched doorway.

It’s like stepping foot into a completely different world from the one I’ve known.

Alzhor is mundane and gray, even in the summers.

The streets are void of plants and life—only stones and carriages with a few white marble statues.

Envy prickles in my chest as I ponder what it would have been like to grow up in a kingdom like this.

Are there many orphans here? There are so many things I want to learn.

Kalel guides us to an enormous city square where a water fountain sits at the center.

Illuminated liquid spills from the top, a bright blue substance that appears fresher than any mountain stream or potion I’ve ever seen.

I let my eyes wander and drink everything in as Kalel orders Tessa and Gabriel to handle dismissing the knights and getting the horses taken care of.

Nikolai lingers behind us, casting uncertain looks around the square like he’s preparing for something terrible.

Many demons spill out of doorways to pubs and from streets leading into the square. Their eyes flash almost instantly at me. Oh, that’s why Nikolai is on edge.

It’s not hard to tell a demigod apart from the group. I’m the only one with silvery-white hair and gawking eyes that trace every inch of the city. Kalel seems anxious and nods at Tessa. “We’ll regroup tomorrow. I’m taking her to my palace.”

Tessa firmly places her fist over her heart and nods. Then her eyes shift to mine, and she gives me a warm smile. I return it and hope that I’ll see her tomorrow. I’ve already grown so accustomed to traveling with her and Nikolai, this is all new territory for me, and it makes me uneasy.

I’m conscious of the growing number of demons that fill the square and how their glares burrow into my skin like fire. They probably hate my kingdom as much as Kalel’s knights do, and I don’t blame them.

My head turns, and I catch eyes with Nikolai. He nods and grins. “I’ll be at the palace shortly, don’t worry, lovely goddess.” I take a breath of relief and smile before Kalel urges his horse forward.

Kalel throws my hood over my head and mutters, “Keep your head down. We don’t need more attention on you.”

I do as he says and keep my chin lowered, even though I want to look at everything. This kingdom has so much to offer.

“Does Nikolai live in your palace?” I ask to stave off the silence that falls over us as we turn down a quiet, dark alley.

Kalel grips the reins tighter. “For now, he will. He’s assigned as your personal healer.” It’s obvious that he’s not happy about the arrangements. I thought he was fond of Nikolai.

“Healing for what? Are you still going to torture me? Haven’t you had your fill?” My tone is flat. I’m tired and could use a good four days away from him. I scoot forward a bit, so my ass isn’t rubbing against his crotch.

Kalel chuckles darkly and pulls me back against him. “Little godling, I promised you a lifetime of suffering. If I must endure it, so will you. Besides that, no demon has mated a half-god before. Wouldn’t you rather have his assistance through it?”

My stomach twists. Gods, I don’t want to even think that far ahead. Would Nikolai help me get an elixir to prevent pregnancy for a few months? I ponder the thought and decide I’ll risk asking him when we’re alone. Kalel doesn’t say anything more and seems content with my silence.

By the time we reach Kalel’s palace, I can no longer keep my head down. I’m too curious to see where the infamous Blood Knight lives.

The moment I see the brilliant estate, my lips part, and a small breath escapes me.

The entire palace is built out of marble and white stone.

Spires reach far into the sky, and each tower has a handful of lancet windows.

The palace is three stories high, with balconies on multiple rooms with double doors that welcome anyone who looks upon them.

This place is enchanted—more ethereal than anything the demigods have ever built.

I’ve never seen a palace as lavish as this.

Surely, he has a library here, maybe the demon-folk have books on time loop curses or more information on the lore of gods that we didn’t have in Alzhor.

If I set my mind to figuring out more about the time loop, maybe I’ll be able to survive here.

The mind is powerful. You can escape any reality if you keep busy enough.

Kalel slows his horse to a trot as we enter the front gardens. Rows upon rows of flowers, pillars, and shrubs. Birds sing their evening songs as the palace attendants smile brightly at the return of their duke.

The peonies are in full bloom. They look so untouched that for a moment, I question if they are truly real. My heart leaps at the scent of flowers and earth.

It smells like somewhere that could be my home. A warm, welcoming sense cradles me. I don’t understand it, but a small smile pulls at my lips all the same.

“Is this truly where you live?” I say without a thought as I continue to take everything in. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, aside from Kalel himself.

“Is it so surprising, little godling?” he comments back, though there’s no bite to his tone like there usually is. It oddly sounds like amusement, and I’m tempted to turn and see the look on his face for myself.

It is surprising to me because we were taught that demons lived like beasts. Like one would think a creature from the underworld would. Uncivilized and like monsters.

The fracture in my heart grows. Why do the demigods believe these things to be true? It makes no sense. Did a half-god lie centuries ago, and it was taken as truth? Did the gods teach us falsely? A frown grows across my lips as I consider the possibilities of what went wrong in the past.

A young male greets us at the stable and takes Kalel’s horse. The attendant spares me a curious look before leading the steed away to care for it.

Kalel nods at me to follow him through a back door instead of the main palace entrance. I’m guessing because he’s tired and doesn’t feel like being greeted by his entire staff, or perhaps because he’s ashamed to have a demigod bride.

Either way, I’m grateful for our shared level of weariness.

The narrow staircase Kalel takes us up has old portraits on the walls. Crown moldings extend throughout the entire passage. I remind myself to look closer at the portraits later when I’m not so weak.

I feel like I could sleep for days, even just having woken up from a three-day slumber.

We make it to the third floor and finally stop at a gilded door that must be worth more than any amount of money I’ve made in my entire servitude to the Alzhor Kingdom. These must be his chambers—my pulse quickens as we stand side by side.

Kalel opens the door and motions for me to go inside.

I hesitate.

“Little godling, I’m too tired to argue with you. You’re sleeping with me in my chambers. You will be my wife soon, remember?” He sets his hand on the small of my back and softly nudges me in. I swallow the unease in my throat and step through.

The room is enormous, big enough for six king-sized beds. Walnut colored wardrobes line the wall that leads into the bathroom, and deep red drapes hang from the vaulted ceilings. A double lancet door lets out onto a balcony with a bistro set and potted plants.

I hold my breath and walk to the center of the room, looking up at the ceiling that is adorned with paintings and gold.

“This is—” I don’t even have the words for what this is. It’s beyond lovely. Tears prickle my eyes, yet I’m not sure why. Emotions I don’t fully understand cloud my mind.

Kalel’s eyes are heavy, but he offers a weak grin. “It’s more than you ever thought of us lowly demons, isn’t it?” His expression is hollow, but more sorrow lives there than vengeance. More pain than disdain.

Guilt is a burdensome thing. It rots my insides and makes me sick for what I thought of them… and for what I did in servitude to Alzhor.

“What did you think when you laid eyes on Alzhor?” I watch him as he crosses the room to his nightstand.

He pauses for a moment. “Comatose, almost like a place lost in time.” His amber eyes flick back to me. My lips press together. He’s not wrong.

Kalel unbuttons his shirt and lets it fall to the ground before walking past me.

“You may do as you please, but don’t leave the room,” he says as he steps into the bathroom and shuts the door.

The water runs for his bath, and I don’t move until I hear him sink into the water and sigh as the hot water surely soothes his muscles.

I’m the only monster in this kingdom. I think as I look around once more, shrinking into myself and wishing our fates could be rewritten.

I grab the extra throw blanket on top of his bed and slip out onto the balcony.

The night is a bit chilly, but relatively warm compared to outside the veil.

I’m still in awe at the magic that the veil adds to the kingdom.

I wrap myself in the thin blanket and curl against the stone railing, letting my eyes slowly close to the sound of somber nightingales and the ache in my chest.