Page 37 of Unbinding the Demon
Eerie howls of blustering wind whistled through the room, mingling with the sounds of the crackling fire and occasional soft sobs from Gwendolyn. Each tear that fell from her glossy emerald eyes felt like a drop of scathing serpent’s venom dripping onto my heart and stinging it raw. Although she was either trying to hide or conquer her newfound fear of me, I could still hear her heart rate spike every time I moved. It was agonizing to know that my Buttercup was afraid of me and that I caused her pain. I wanted to pounce on top of her and lovingly canoodle all her fear and sorrow away. But that would probably just make it worse. So, all I dared to do was hold her and caress her, hoping to provide some sort of comfort.
My chest constricted as I glanced down at her crestfallen profile and the glistening trails that streaked down her bruised cheeks. I longed to kiss those tears away. And I also wanted to break every bone in Adelstein’s loathsome hands, then skin them and make him eat the skin as revenge for striking her. I had to suppress a growl that threatened to rumble from my chest while I examined her injuries from a distance.
My wrathful expression changed to one of heartfelt love as she turned to me. She looked up with a soft, sad smile. I was baffled by her sudden change of heart and surprised at how quickly she forgave me for killing Elowynn. Although I was delighted by it, I also found it strange and confusing.
“I love you,” I murmured, brushing a lock of chestnut hair behind her ear.
She looked delicate and beautiful as she gazed back into my eyes, but her complexion was pallid, and she seemed exhausted. “You still haven’t told me why you destroyed those cities,” she mentioned with a curious glimmer in her eyes.
A harrowing pain twinged in my heart when she didn’t say she loved me in return. I understood I would have to earn her love back, but it still hurt like a bitch. I lifted her chin with care to see her weary face in greater detail. “You should go to bed. I can tell you the story tomorrow.”
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion as they focused on me. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me.” She crossed her arms with a defiant expression.
I sighed with an adoring smile. Her feisty spirit was truly endearing. “I think you’re forgetting that I’m a... what did you call me again? Oh yeah, a gargantuan slab of demonic muscle, who can easily carry you up to the bedroom and force a sleep cycle on you,” I teased in a lighthearted tone.
Her eyebrows knitted in bewilderment. “What do you mean, you can force a sleep cycle on me?”
Oh shit. She doesn’t know about that yet. How do I explain this without having her think that I’m a giant whore?
She stiffened as I wrapped my arms even tighter around her, ensnaring her in my grasp. “Well, I’m half incubus.” I glanced up at the ceiling, contemplating my choice of words. “So I have the ability to make someone fall asleep so I can enter their dreams.” Her eyes widened, and I knew exactly what she was thinking, but I continued to speak, anyway. “That’s also why I can create an illusion that changes my appearance to hide my demonic features.”
I swooped her up bridal style and began carrying her to the bedroom. She didn’t fight me, but she didn’t hold on to me either. Her body was stiff and unmoving, like an awkward taxidermied animal. “Is that why, well, you see, I’ve been having these dreams... about you…” Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she struggled to ask about her erotic dreams.
“Those dreams were real.” I grinned as I cut off her words while turning to walk up the creaky steps. “Well, they were still only dreams, but I was really there, manipulating them.” I chuckled, then seductively growled and gnashed my teeth once at her.
“So it wasn’t because of the almonds, then?” she asked after a moment of hesitation.
I smiled with amusement. “No, my love, it wasn’t because of the almonds.”
Her lips formed a rigid line and her eyes flicked about, displaying a quirky, sheepish expression on her face. Spectral lunar beams streamed in through the windows, casting darkened shadows across the floor as we entered the bedroom. I placed her on the bed and tucked her in as if she were a porcelain doll that could shatter at any moment.
I grabbed Elowynn’s journal off the bed and placed it on the nightstand beside her. Then I paused as a realization hit me. Gwendolyn’s sudden change of attitude came right after I confirmed she had died. I glanced over at her cute but stern face, illuminated by the moonlight, as she pointed a finger at me with determination. “Don’t you dare make me fall asleep until you’ve told me about those cities. And now I’m curious about your half incu-whatever family too!” Her stare bore into me like a dagger, demanding that I tell her, or else.
I lifted my hands in defeat. “Alright, alright, I’ll tell you, but don’t blame me if you fall asleep on your own.” I eyed her with suspicion as I prowled around to my side of the bed, wondering if she had communicated with Elowynn on the other side. If that were the case, then I might be a lot closer to being unbound than I previously thought. And if I were unbound soon, Adelstein would be no more than a pathetic roach beneath my boot. Additionally, I’d have sufficient time to persuade her to return to Hell with me.
I grinned with malevolence as I slipped beneath the soft coverlet and wrapped her rigid frame in my arms. I tried not to purr in delight at the exquisite feeling of her warm, petite body pressed up against mine. Her sweet vanilla scent filled my senses as I took a deep breath and sensually ran my fingers through her soft hair.
She placed her tiny hands against my exposed chest and lightly attempted to push me away. “Um, maybe we shouldn’t sleep so closely pressed together.” Her eyes bashfully fluttered up to meet mine, with blushing cheeks.
“Oh, and why not?” I asked with a questioning glance. “I intend to keep you safe, don’t I? And there’s no safer place I can think of for you than in my arms.” I smiled and tightened my hold on her to let her know I had no intention of letting her go.
“Well, um, because your erection is pressing into my thigh.”
My attention shifted to my rock-hard cock, which was, in fact, pressing against her thigh. I looked at her with a heated gaze and felt her nipples harden through her shirt against my chest. She was aroused as well, but I knew it was just her body responding to mine. Even bound, my incubus energy was still strong enough to influence her unintentionally. There was no way she would be mentally in the mood right now. So, despite all my instincts telling me to rip her clothes off and furiously pound into her, I shifted my hips away, battling my desire. I kept my arms wrapped around her upper half, determined to hold her close.
“Don’t worry, I guarantee it will go away once I start talking about my family,” I joked while twiddling with a lock of her hair.
“Well, tell me about them then.” She studied me with an inquisitive look in her eyes. “I’ve been curious about your family for a while, but now I’m very curious.”
I sucked in a deep breath of the cold, dark air, contemplating where to begin. I hadn’t seen my family in a little over five thousand years, and I loved and missed them dearly. It was painful to think about them, and difficult not to wonder or worry about their well-being. If they were still alive, they probably assumed I was dead by now. I desperately wanted to let them know what had happened to me, why I disappeared, and that I was, for the most part, okay.
I smiled over at Gwendolyn and began. “Well, my father is of noble blood. The equivalent of what would be considered a duke in this world, and a highly esteemed and well-respected warlord. He is of the dracrulian race, which was created to specialize in violence and combat. They’re infamous for their fierce savagery and craving for carnage. He is exceptionally cruel to his enemies, revels in killing, and has a fearsome reputation in Hell.”
“Jeez, he sounds really fucking scary. What’s his name?” Her big green eyes peered over at me, resembling a child engrossed in a frightening fairy tale.
“His name is Zagialith.” I shrugged. “He may sound scary, but he’s a good father, and I love my dad. Also, you wouldn’t need to be afraid of him in the slightest bit, considering I hope to make you my bride.” I grinned, and she shyly shifted her gaze up to the ceiling. “My mother, Irethyiel, is a skilled healer and a succubus, which is the female version of an incubus. She met my father after he was injured on the battlefield. They fell in love as she tended to his wounds, and soon after that, they got married. Then they had my older sister, Scrayla, then me, and then my younger brother, Dantiliak.”
I caressed her arm while I shared nostalgic stories about my family and childhood. She seemed to enjoy hearing about Satnakium, the fiery kingdom I grew up in. Her soft giggling echoed through the room as I recounted stories about disastrous family holidays. I also laughed as I told her about how Dantiliak and I formed a mischievous duo that often played pranks on and frightened our poor sister.
Soft luminescent beams glimmered over her sweet smiling face, and she seemed like she was feeling much more comfortable than earlier. “You know, for a family of bloodthirsty demons, they sound like a bunch of goofballs.” She quipped with a light-hearted tone.
An amused laugh rumbled out from my chest. “They really are. I hope you’ll get to meet them someday and see for yourself.” I played with her hair, enjoying the moment.
Her cheeks blushed. “It’s funny. I envisioned we’d be in Finland, eating salmiakki around an old fireplace, and listening to embarrassing stories about your childhood when I met your family. I never imagined I’d be meeting demons in Hell.”
I let out a quiet chuckle. “I’m sure you’ll still be hearing plenty of embarrassing stories about my childhood.” A smile stretched across my face because she wasn’t shooting down the idea of meeting my family. In fact, it seemed like she was even considering it.
She yawned with heavy eyelids and nestled into me. “Can you tell me about the cities now?”
Her small gesture brought a swell of joy to my heart. Even though I was downright perplexed by how fast she was warming back up to me, I still relished it. “I’m getting to it.” I snuggled her, enjoying the closeness as I drew her nearer.
I explained to her that the military had drafted me because I was the oldest male among my siblings. I also shared how I fought in many brutal battles alongside my father. On my travels during the war, I met an ancient and infamous demon named Lareus. He was proficient at traveling between different dimensions. I, being a curious young whippersnapper, developed a strong interest in dimensional travel. Once my conscription was served, I went back and apprenticed under Lareus. He taught me how to get to Earth, and I worked hard to train and strengthen my powers so I could effortlessly travel between the two worlds.
“Are you sure you don’t want to hear all this once you’ve rested?” I asked, noting how sleepy Gwendolyn now was.
“No, I’m fine. Please continue. This is all very fascinating,” she replied, blinking her heavy eyelids with effort to keep them open.
“Alright, if you insist.” I stared at her with concern. I recognized her extreme exhaustion, but I continued.
“Once I mastered traveling to and from Earth, I found a beautiful little farming kingdom in what is now northern India. The kingdom sat atop a tall, rocky mountain. It overlooked an expansive lake and stretched down into a lush, sunny valley filled with fruit orchards and crop fields. I admired the way the sun set over the sparkling water every evening, and I visited often just to watch it. I stayed in my human disguise and hid my tattoos while there; then I befriended the people once I picked up the language. I taught them many useful tips and tricks to improve their standard of living. And for fun, I would single-handedly defend them against warring tribes and pillagers. To show their gratitude, they treated me like a god and built a luxurious palace for me to stay in whenever I returned. It was quite nice, too. I had my own fruit garden, a swimming pool, a wonderful view of the lake, and a large harem of women.”
“Wait a fucking minute! You had a harem!?” She shot up and directed a fierce glare at me, her face green with jealousy.
I yanked her back down against me. “Yes, I had a harem over five thousand years ago. They were just women to fuck, nothing more. I never loved any of them as I love you,” I tried to reassure her. Still, she seemed jealous. She avoided eye contact, so I could tell she felt a bit self-conscious, too. “You’re the only one I’ve been with in the past five thousand years, and I plan to keep it that way. I want to make you my bride after all,” I gently reminded her.
“Yeah, yeah, just get on with the damn story.” She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes in irritation. “Oh, and you shouldn’t objectify the women from your harem like that! They were human beings, not just women to fuck, you big lecherous jerk!” she added, her face flushed as she poked at my chest.
I exhaled a long, vexatious breath. “Anyway... Word of my strength and power had gotten around to neighboring kingdoms. It eventually reached this worthless bitch named Yevorah. She was a sorceress from an infamously dishonorable tribe and was known for her unethical uses of magic. Using her sorcery, she seduced and married a powerful king named Harvaak. He ruled over the kingdom of Nahpara, which comprised many large and wealthy, but also very corrupt cities. She ensnared his mind with her witchcraft, turning him into a hollow shell and her personal puppet. Through him, she had full control over his kingdom.” I took Gwendolyn’s hand and held it against my chest, giving it a gentle, loving squeeze as I continued.
“So one day, the cunt had the nerve to show up at my palace uninvited, interrupting my cherished lounge time with my harem. She asked me to kill her husband, take the throne, and marry her. She proclaimed that her witchcraft, paired with my strength, was destiny. Together, we’d become an unstoppable force, poised to conquer and rule nations. United, we’d dominate like a tempest, leaving our imprint on every corner of the earth.... I straight-up laughed in her face and insulted her. I had no interest in that whatsoever. Earth was like a fun little getaway for me. The last thing I wanted was the responsibility of kingship in my chill vacation world. Besides, the thought of marrying her repulsed me to my core. She had decent looks but smelled like a dead reptile, and her soul was so disgusting I could barely stand to have her in my presence.” My face reflected my disgust as I recalled that foul ogress.
“She sounds like quite the catch,” Gwendolyn stated sarcastically, then giggled.
“Oh yeah, you have no idea,” I chuckled. “After I rejected her proposal with harsh words, she resorted to sorcery. She attempted to cast a spell on my resolve to change my decision. However, it had no effect on me since I am, well, you know, a demon, after all. This angered her greatly, so she stormed out of my palace, and unbeknownst to me, sought revenge.” I pulled her closer to me, causing an adorable, small squeak to escape her.
“Well, did she get it?” she asked, her eyes shining with enrapturement as I squished her body against mine.
“Yes, unfortunately, she did,” I murmured. “I had traveled back to Hell for a while, and when I returned to Earth, I found the kingdom I loved in ruins. The buildings and fields were pillaged and burned. All the people and livestock had been slaughtered. They impaled their headless bodies upside down around my palace, and lined the walls of my courtroom with their heads. No one had been spared, not even the women and children. My harem was raped and murdered. They were strung up like banners over my bed, left to decompose with Nahparian swords still down their throats and impaled between their legs.” It all happened a long time ago, but speaking about it excavated long-forgotten rage and sorrow like putrid carcasses buried within the depths of my soul.
“That’s so horrible.” Gwendolyn’s sweet voice pierced the darkness in my mind. She wrapped her arm around me in a gentle half-hug, pulling me back to the present.
“Yes, it was.” I smiled and kissed her forehead, then began stroking her back. “I distinctly remember the sunset that evening because it was the last beautiful thing I saw before getting trapped in The Abyss. I stood on my stone balcony, facing the pale orange and pink skies with determination. The breeze softly stirred my hair while I looked out over the peaceful, shimmering lake. I mourned my friends and the innocent lives that were lost. Rage consumed me as I thought of Yevorah. I knew without any doubt it had been her doing. There was no other reason why the Nahparians would have attacked and made it seem so personal toward me.”
She knitted her brows and gazed into my eyes. “So wait, I’m kinda confused. If you’re a half-violent, bloodthirsty fighting demon, then why were you grieving over the loss of innocent lives? Shouldn’t you be all heartless and cruel?”
Her question was ingenuous. But I was still a bit irked that the false negative stigma around demons had apparently influenced her. That was something I’d have to fix before taking her to Hell. “Because, even though certain types of demons specialize in violence and combat, we still have morals and emotions. Most of us are against slaying innocent lives.”
She nodded, and I continued on with my story. “I stormed into King Harvaak’s palace, killing a few of his guards on the way. There I stood in his sumptuous throne room before him and his council, demanding an explanation. His eyes burned with hatred for me that wasn’t his own, as he accused me of plotting his murder and raping his loving wife. Yevorah stood behind him, a smirk of triumph on her face as she savored my loss. I realized I was wasting my time with Harvaak because he was just an empty vessel for her to speak through.”
“So, I erupted in a storm of furious shouts directed at her, calling out all her wicked deeds and egotistical accusations. I wanted to kill her right then and there, but I wanted to make her suffer more. She was an avaricious, power-hungry bitch, so I vowed I would take her kingdom away from her for what she had done. She would soon be the queen of nothing but ashes. Foolishly, I revealed my true form, then flew up through the ceiling and began destroying her precious criminal-filled cities. I created violent earthquakes and monstrous flaming whirlwinds to wreak havoc across her lands. I was swift to annihilate everything in my path, turning her cities into nothing more than crumbled stone and ash, just as I had promised.”
“That’s pretty intense,” she whispered with wide, tired eyes.
“Yeah, well, I was pretty pissed off,” I replied, sounding quite miffed.
“Once I obliterated and burned her cities to smoking smithereens, I flew back to her palace to gloat. I was arrogant and thought I was untouchable by anything in this world. Which was sort of true. However, unbeknownst to me, Yevorah had knowledge of abyssal magic. A magic that is not of this world and powerful enough to affect a demon, especially a young, na?ve one. As I entered the throne room, the only light source came from King Harvaak’s dead mangled corpse as it burned eerily on his throne. It illuminated the butchered bodies of his loyal guards and the glistening blood that pooled around them.”
“Yevorah’s handmaiden and apprentice emerged from a shadowed corner and struggled to cast a spell over me. I scoffed at her, knowing full well her efforts were in vain. What I didn’t know was that she was merely a distraction. King Harvaak was a burnt sacrifice needed to raise the dark energies to bind demonic power. Yevorah hid behind the throne, casting the binding spell over me in secret. As I mocked the timid handmaiden, a sudden wave of agonizing pain forced me to double over, and I felt my powers drain from my soul. Yevorah’s bare feet gently splashed through the bloody puddles as she emerged from her darkened hiding spot, her malicious cackling echoing throughout the large room. She taunted me as I fought through the pain and stumbled to my feet, only to fall right back down.”
“As she chanted the incantation to cast me into The Abyss, I gathered all of my strength and lunged at her. I used my claws to rip a chunk of her throat out, just as a blackened mist shrouded my vision. The last thing I saw in this world was her ugly, horrified face as she fell to the floor, desperately grasping at her mutilated throat. A river of blood cascaded down her chest and soaked the front of her lilac dress while I plummeted into darkness. The next thing I knew, ashen abyssal winds were whipping through my hair as I steadily arose, trapped in a world of eternal darkness and inverted life. I seethed as I slowly opened my palm, allowing the large piece of her bloody flesh to drop limply to the foreign, ashy ground below. I then furiously gazed up at the black abyssal sky that I would be stuck beneath for the next five thousand years... and now I’m here with you.” I brought the lock of hair that I had been twiddling with to my lips and kissed it.
“Wow.” Gwendolyn’s wide green eyes stared over at me with an entranced expression. “And here I thought that you were just some weird psychopathic hottie from Finland.”
I let out a quiet chuckle. “Well, now that you’ve heard the story, this weird psychopathic hottie is going to make you fall asleep.” I bopped her on the nose.
“Alright, alright, fair enough.” She yawned. “Well, goodnight, Ashton... I mean, Azathoth.”
A loving smile crossed my face. “Goodnight, Buttercup.” I leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Sleep.” Her eyes instantly closed, and her breathing became slow and steady as she fell sound asleep. “Goodnight, my love.”
My eyes glowed and my claws lengthened. I caressed her cheek and placed a gentle kiss on her slightly parted lips. I wanted to stay holding her and never let her go, but I had to finish the important discussion I was having with Belzar earlier. So, I was careful not to wake her while I slipped out of the warm bed and entered the shadow realm, allowing my human illusion to break altogether.
The world became dark and a sweet, metallic smell filled the air as I teleported into the basement. My feet splashed in a puddle of blood that pooled on the dirty stone floor. Mutilated bodies decorated the dilapidated room. Their lacerated, mangled corpses and limbs were all strewn about, hanging from the walls, lying on the tables, and crumpled up on the floor among all the other junk. A few of the ones we held hostage were barely alive, gasping for air and pleading for death. I chuckled at the sight.
Belzar was lying in the corner, gnawing on a femur. “How is she doing?” he asked with concern in his glowing eyes.
“She’s doing freakishly well. Not only did she listen to me, but she was quick to forgive me for killing Elowynn. Then she let me cuddle her and even fell asleep in my arms.” I raised my palms in confusion and flapped my wings once. “Honestly, I suspect something else must have happened that we’re not aware of because her behavior isn’t normal. I mean, the poor girl should be traumatized and having a full-blown psychotic breakdown right about now.” I pointed up at the ceiling in the direction of the bedroom and accidentally poked a hanging corpse.
His head tilted to the side with a sense of curiosity. “That’s good, though. Do you have any idea what might have happened?”
“Well, I don’t know for sure, but I’m suspicious that when she briefly passed away, she may have communicated with Elowynn. If so, Elowynn, rest her gracious soul, would have likely advised her to act in our favor.” I clasped my hands behind my back and paced through the bloody puddles.
An intuitive little whine came from him. “Perhaps you should ask her about it. Also, have you decided on the plan?”
Glistening crimson pooled around my claw as I lazily dragged it along the torso of one of the living mages lying on the table, slicing deep into his flesh. I grinned with malice as he writhed in agony. “I’ll ask when the time’s right, but I don’t want to pry or overwhelm her.” I waved my now-bloody hand up in a circle. “And yes, I think we should go through with the plan. There’s no way simply killing that worthless vermin will ever be enough after all he’s done. However, I think I should take Gwendolyn with me.”
Now that Belzar and I possessed the book, we had a way to travel to and from The Abyss without needing my powers. Our original plan was that he would watch over Gwendolyn in the shadows while I went back to collect an enchanted weapon. It was one foraged by demonic gods long ago called the Teloch Axe. Dying by its blade would doom Adelstein's soul to abyssal anguish for all eternity.
Belzar snarled in disagreement, blood dripping from his maw. “But she is a human! The Abyss will terrify her! She should stay here in the shadows with me, as we previously discussed.”
“Think about it though, Belzar. You’re currently too weak to pull her through the realms, and I wouldn’t want her to accidentally stumble upon all this...
carnage.” I gestured at all the bloody, disfigured bodies and limbs littered around the room. “Yes, she’ll be frightened if I take her,” and will probably hold on to me for comfort , “but she’ll be safe with me. Besides, you can’t speak to her, and I can. It would be a valuable opportunity to persuade her to unbind my powers and come to Hell with us. Plus, there’s still so much that I haven’t told her yet, like how this poison is literally killing me.” I pointed to the loathsome, blackened veins in my shoulder, my body tense with discomfort.
He looked as though he was considering what I’d said. “I suppose you have a good point. But what about the corrupted vovin?” He was referring to the infamous dragon-like creature known for its fearsome protection of the Teloch Axe. Ages ago, he was an honorable guardian of the weapon, but he became corrupted by dark abyssal essence and was now an insane, hollow shell of who he once was.
“Vovins are creatures of Hell, and I’ve slain plenty of unruly ones before. I’m not too worried about it. Besides, maybe I’ll get lucky and run into Valarendrik. He’s always stalking around that area. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to join me in slaying it.”
“Alright, take her to The Abyss, and say hello to Valarendrik for me if you see him. But you’d better keep her safe. She’s precious to me.” He shot me a hard stare.
“You know I intend to protect her. She’s precious to us both, after all. I’ll be sure to kill anything that dares get near her.” And then perhaps she’ll swoon over me when she sees what a strong, fearsome demon I am. I snickered in delight to myself and lightly flapped my wings. “It’s settled then. She’s coming to The Abyss with me.” I crouched down and stroked him on his furry head. “Rest well and heal up, my dear friend.”
After cleaning all the blood off of myself, I teleported back into the bedroom where Gwendolyn was still sound asleep. I manifested from the shadows, but stayed in my demonic form. My eyes glowed as I stared down at her beautiful face with longing, and my wings twitched with eagerness. The silvery moonlight beamed over her petite body as I ever so slowly removed the heavy blanket from on top of her.
I took a sharp breath of the chilly air, then crawled onto the bed next to her. My heart raced as I did something that I had wanted to do for a while, but I had always been too nervous that she’d wake up and see my true appearance. A low, predatory purr rumbled in my throat as my clawed hands gently grazed over her body and lifted her up. Very carefully, I slid one of my large wings beneath her. I was mindful not to let my spikes shred the flimsy sheets or poke her. I held her slumbering body against me and lovingly wrapped my wings around her like a protective, snug half-chrysalis.
Endearment filled my glowing eyes as I gazed at her and purred in delight. If she woke up, she wouldn’t know just how much of an intimate and loving gesture this was. She would probably freak the fuck out, so I was extra gentle with her. I twiddled her hair in my claws for a moment, then placed my hands on her and tried my hardest to pour all the healing energy I had into her injuries. I would have tried to heal her anyway, but now I needed her to be in the best shape possible.
The Abyss was a dangerous world, after all.