Page 46 of Promised to the Demon King (The Demon Brides #1)

Asmodeus had never been enraged as much as he was in that moment. His brother, Greed, had intentionally intercepted the transfer of his promised soul. This was to be a wedding gift for his beautiful Queen. It allowed her the vengeance her heart wanted- craved.

Carol had inflicted too much pain upon Nova to be allowed to simply be absorbed.

No! She needed to suffer for all of eternity for her despicable crimes.

"Philian, summon my parents. This interception shall not stand! I am done tolerating his tantrums!" Asmodeus paced like a wild animal, awaiting its prey to appear. His eyes burned with growing fury—now opaque white, with no colour to be found within them.

His face began to shape into a terrifying beast that Nova had never witnessed from Asmodeus before.

She knew she should be fearful. Every instinct within her told her to flee, but that even deeper part of her moved her to stand before the monstrous figure that was once her recognizable Asmodeus.

"My love, please calm down. All shall be resolved, but we must remain level-headed to strike with precision." Nova spoke with calm wisdom, and it struck Asmodeus then and there just how important the balance she brought was to his demon monster.

She was right. Greed had anticipated Asmodeus to strike in an emotional response, clumsy and full of oversight, but a wise King strikes smartly. Nova was already showing him the way he needed to respond. She did not know her value to her King, but he did.

Asmodeus stopped pacing and pulled Nova into his arms—not for her sadness but his own. He breathed in her calm aura deeply. "He did this deliberately." He sighed in sorrow. He wanted everything to be perfect for his Queen.

"Then let's beat him at his own game. Wars are won with preparation and timing, not impulse and emotions. Let's think everything through before we act, shall we? Do you have proof of ownership?" Nova asked calmly. Her hand reached up, and she ran her fingertips over the terrain of his Demon's face. She knew her delicate touches soothed him, and it was already working. His eyes slowly returned back to their natural colour of creamy blue.

Alongside that, his form began to return to the face she was accustomed to.

"Hey there, Mister Handsome. Welcome back! Are you a little better now?" She kept her voice soft and calm. Asmodeus nods, his eyes never leaving hers.

Asmodeus raised his right hand, cupping her face timidly.

"Did I scare you?" He was afraid of what she would respond with. He couldn't bear the thought of the love of his life being terrified or repulsed by his Demon's face.

"Shh—" Nova turned her face into his palm slightly and planted a kiss. The smile that graced her face was warming. Her brilliant green eyes had no fear, only love and acceptance. "I love you, Assi! I love everything about you, even the rough, beastly parts. Don't ever doubt my devotion to you. To us!"

She sealed her spoken pledge of devotion with a kiss that brought light into his darkened soul. She was the air he didn't realize he needed in his lungs.

A throat clears, and the couple break apart.

"Did you summon us here to witness your love for one another?" Lilith's playful tone lightened the atmosphere and reminded Asmodeus of the matter. He could feel the surge growing within him again.

Nova wrapped her calming arms around his waist, again soothing his beast.

Collecting himself with the help of Nova's calming presence, Asmodeus looked his father square in the eye.

"We had a deal, Father! Greed has robbed me of my reward promised."

Lucifer thinned his lips, displeased with the tone of the voice, but he waited for his son to explain before responding.

"I was promised twelve tainted souls as well as the tarnished soul of Carol. Greed had stolen Carol's soul from transport. I demand that you hold your end of our deal, as I have fulfilled mine. I want that soul returned to me."

Lucifer took in the room. Lord Thalon and his chosen demoness, Roz, stood further away from everyone, primarily due to the heavy auras being pushed around. With a sigh, Lucifer absorbed the words of Asmodeus.

He did indeed promise Asmodeus Carol's soul. The release of Jonathon Thompson's pure soul was a great sacrifice; he could not allow the deal struck to remain unfulfilled. Balance must always be kept.

With a snap of his fingers, Greed appeared before them. His expression was smug. He had anticipated being summoned but didn't expect his parents to do it.

"Good evening, everyone. To what do I owe the pleasure of being forcefully summoned? Are you two not supposed to be locked away in the thralls of passion and Lust?" His tone was full of mockery.

"Enough!" Lucifer's voice boomed, causing everyone to pause. "Greed, give back Carol's soul! It belongs to your brother."

Greed mock pondered, but his smirk was evident. "With all due respect, Father, I think not. She is mine to claim."

"Mammon!" Lilith hissed, unimpressed with her son's intentional baiting behaviour towards their father. "You will return that soul immediately! It has been promised by both Lucifer and God. You shall not interfere. I am about done with your interference, young man!"

"Absolutely not, Mother! The rules of Hell are clear. A soul is transferred to the Ring that the soul is most riddled with. Otherwise, they are sent to the pits of despair and darkness. I have chosen to claim this soul, avoiding the pits. This soul is not filled with Lust but rather Greed and a lot of it. Her sin pulsates from her very pores."

"Enough!" Lucifer roared. "You will relinquish the soul or suffer the consequences of disobedience. Am I clear?"

"So, you are willing to upset the balance and bend the rules of one but punish another who is simply following the laws of our realm?" Greed challenged.

"The balance will be maintained because God and I have agreed. You will relinquish the soul now!"

An uneasy feeling began to grow within Greed. He may not win this time. He looked around the room, making sure to school his facial expression to not show his creeping discomfort. His eyes fell on Thalon. A slow and unsettling smile began to creep onto his face. His eyes slowly drifted over to Nova.

"With all due respect, I can definitely challenge this. The rules are clear, and I should have been included in any deals concerning souls and my sin. However," Greed paused and flashed his most brilliant of smiles. "Let's make a new deal. Shall we?"

"What games are you playing, brother?" Asmodeus demanded angrily. "The soul is mine!"

"Perhaps, but even Father can agree that I should not have been left in the dark." The room turned and briefly looked at Lucifer. He stood in silent annoyance and building anger. He did not like to be challenged by his son, especially on a deal he had struck.

"What do you want, Mammon?" Lilith was the first to speak.

"It's simple. I want my Nova!"

A roar of rage rattled the walls, and Asmodeus lunged instantly, catching Greed unprepared. His hands wrapped around his brother's neck, his strength growing with the threat to his Queen.

"She is mine!"

For a moment, the room was stunned in a frozen state. The two brothers tore into one another with reckless abandon. The intent was clear, death.

"Asmo, please." Nova pleaded.

"Enough!" Again, Lucifer boomed, effectively silencing the room. "What in the name of Hell were you thinking, Mammon? You do not ever challenge your brothers for their claimed Queens! That is an act of war."

Gasping and straightening his garments. His wounds were deep, but he paid them no mind. "I never demanded Nova; I request my Nova. I want a hybrid."

Again, the room was silent. "What do you mean?" Nova asked in a shaky voice. She wanted to quickly resolve this matter to take care of Asmodeus' wounds.

Greed's face softened when he turned to look at her. She was exactly what he wanted.

"By our law, in two more years, Lord Thalon can sire another hybrid on Earth. I want my own. You are a perfect Queen. Everything about you is perfect. I have met the maternal soul you come from, and she is awful. Clearly, your perfection must be from your demon father's side. I will return the soul of Carol for the payment of Lord Thalon siring my hybrid bride."

"That's not fair!" Nova shouted. Her eyes flashed to Thalon and Roz in panic. This was their chance to have their own; she wouldn't agree to rob them of that. "Ask for something else."

"No! I want the loyalty of a hybrid Queen. I want a Cerberus hybrid Queen-- just like you. I will accept nothing else."

"Absolutely not!" Thalon growled. He promised Roz a child when the time was permitted. He wouldn't take that away from her. He'd already denied her too much, unable to see their connection sooner.

"My love," Roz cooed. She wrapped her fingers around his muscular arm, drawing him to her. She smiled up at him, cupping his face. "If this returns what is owed, I accept these terms."

"But—" Thalon started. Roz lightly brushed her lips to his, effectively silencing him.

"We don't need another. We already have our perfect daughter right there." Roz tilted her head in the direction of Nova. "In my heart, she is my daughter. She has been since the moment I laid eyes upon her that first day. I do not need another. Just our beautiful Nova." Roz's words brought tears not only to Thalons' eyes but also to Nova's.

Thalon cupped Roz's face with both of his massive palms. "Are you certain?"

"There is no void or doubt in my heart. Besides, I've been dreaming of all the deliciously horrid things we could do to that disgusting woman's soul. Don't take that from us."

"Roz?" Nova's voice broke.

"Little star, I stand by my words. You are mine and always will be. I don't need any other. Just you, my sweet Nova." Nova, unable to contain her emotions, walked quickly into Roz's open arms.

"Thank you, Mom!" Nova whispered. Her aura pulsated, filling the room with her warm emotions.

"It's settled, Greed!" Asmodeus growled after Thalon nodded silently in agreement with Roz's decision. "Release what is mine!"

"Excellent!" Greed smirked and clapped his hands in excited victory. "That wasn't so hard, now was it. We now all win a prize."

Greed bows to his parents, who had been silently observing the dealings made before them. He shot Nova a playful wink and then left.

"Son," Lucifer started after clearing his throat. "I am going to see if anything else can be done. I'll keep you updated on what is decided."

With that, Lilith and Lucifer also left.

Roz gave Nova's hand a quick squeeze. "Are you ready for your pet, little star? I am certain that she needs a big welcoming surprise." A flash of devious red in her eyes as she spoke, and the smirk on her face spoke of absolute horrors stored for Carol's returned soul.

Nova looked at Asmodeus, searching for permission. She knew they were to be locked away in the privacy of their bed chambers.

"Go on, my love. Not too long, however. I have plans for our evening." The promise of what lay ahead filled Nova's head with nothing but dirty thoughts.

"I'll return her soon, my King." Roz smirked and led Nova to the door. "Let's go play, my Queen."

"Lead the way, mom." The bond between the two intertwined before them as they left the room.

Nova didn't know what lay ahead in her future, but she was excited because, no matter what, she had the man of her dreams by her side and, finally, a complete family behind her.

Who would have thought going to Hell would fulfill her deepest desires for love?