Page 52 of Unbinding the Demon
-Five months later-
Bright beams of late afternoon cascaded down from the crystal-clear skies and glimmered upon the frolicking waves. Salty sea winds whipped the flying Jolly Roger, displaying a menacing skull and crossbones. White sails billowed in the breeze, and the ocean waters crashed against the mighty vessel. It rocked to the deadly lullaby of the sea as if hummed by Poseidon himself. A noisy flock of seagulls squawked as they circled overhead, while dolphins jumped playfully through the lustrous waves.
My ruffled blue Victorian dress flounced in the breeze, with my breasts threatening to burst from the tightly corseted bodice. They heaved within the confines of the white lacy frills that adorned the edges, as I struggled against the thick ropes that wrapped several times around my upper body. I was bound to the ship’s mainmast, a captive of the sea.
As I grumbled and squirmed, a group of unruly marauders boisterously cheered, celebrating the victory of my capture. “Avast ye, hearties...” A crusty old salt with an eye patch, a missing tooth, and an unkempt gray beard said as he pointed to me with his tarnished cutlass. “We’ll be gettin’ a mighty fine ransom for this one!”
The rambunctious gang of filthy sea looters applauded. “Splice the mainbrace!“ one of them yelled as they sloppily poured celebratory rum into mugs all around. “Drink up, me hearties! Yo-ho!”
As the crew lauded about their triumph, an eerie ocean wind blew through my long, wavy locks. It slightly messed up my elegant half-up bun and thick side braids. Dark, foreboding clouds crept over the horizon. They suffocated the sun and brought an unsettling sense of dread along with them.
All of a sudden, out from the dark, inky waters, a vessel seemingly spewed straight from the depths of Hell appeared. Three large posts held the massive black sails, capturing the evil, unnatural winds that pulled it swiftly toward us. Seawater billowed as the dark wood of the ghoulish ship cut through the tempestuous waves. A horrifying undead gargoyle statue hovered just below the bowsprit. Its menacing, bat-like wings hugged the ship’s sides. Above the desolate crow’s nest, a dark flag unfurled like a shroud. It bore the haunting sigil of a demon, an emblem that was all too familiar. The sinister banner danced in the wind, and as it fluttered, the shadows loomed larger, casting an eerie spell over the ship.
My face paled as I beheld the unsettling spectacle of mephistophelian horrors. But deep down, I was secretly giggling... Jeez,
that thing is ominous as fuck .
“Sail, ho! Sail, ho!” some scallywag shouted. “Captain Barnaclebeard! We’re being pursued!”
“Arrrgh!” Captain Barnaclebeard’s face flushed with rage. “Dudley! Fetch me thee good ol’ spyglass.” He put a grimy hand on his worn pirate hat to keep it from blowing away, as his black barnacle-encrusted beard and ratty, old red captain’s coat flapped in the sinister winds.
An academically challenged buccaneer rushed over and handed him a monocle. “No! Not the eyeglass! The spyglass! You bilge-sucking landlubber!” the captain hissed with disdain. Dudley bumbled through his jacket in a hurry. He then pulled out a bronze telescope, which the captain snatched up and peered through. “Well, shiver me timbers,” he drawled lowly in his gravelly pirate voice. “That thar be a demon ship... a vessel of pure evil.” His face was stoic, as if he knew impending doom was upon them. “Weigh the anchor and hoist the mizzen! Lest we all become fish food!”
The crew began frantically clodhopping around, preparing to set sails— but they were too late . The unholy ghost ship pulled up beside us. Then a mysterious, sexy lone pirate came swiftly swinging in on a rope, with his long, braided black hair swooshing through the air behind him. His tall, muscular frame flipped down and gracefully landed on the deck.
He was adorned in solid black 1800s attire, contrasting his flawless ivory complexion. The folded tops of his cavalier boots rested just beneath his knees, blending with the tight trousers which deliciously hugged his masculine hindquarters. And also, his um... jolly roger . His sleeves were rolled halfway up his strong biceps, with the low V-cut of his shirt revealing a sinful glimpse of his firm chest. A small gold ring glinted on his right ear, matching the golden shade of his alluring demonic eyes.
“Arr! Cleave him to the brisket!” Captain Barnaclebeard yelled, his eyes blazing with fury.
“Aye, aye!” The crew all pulled their weapons out and converged on the devilishly handsome intruder. In one swift, mellifluous swoosh, the lone pirate pulled his long, menacing cutlass out and sliced the closest man’s head clean off. With an inhuman growl, he roundhouse kicked the severed head up into the air. Blood sprayed out from the stump of the neck as it flew over toward some lazily loafing seagulls. They squawked in startlement and flew away in fright as it landed.
A tumult of shouting and nautical chaos broke out, while the mysterious pirate began fighting off the filthy marauders. He slaughtered them ruthlessly, one by one. Metal flashed as swords slashed and clashed together in their macabre dance. The devilish man moved with swift agility and unnatural strength, overpowering the bungling crew. My heart raced in my chest from the anticipation of it all. I tugged weakly at my restraints like a poor, helpless damsel as the violent brawl continued.
The long curved blade of the diabolical cutlass slashed through the last remaining crew member’s chest, leaving just the handsome stranger and Captain Barnaclebeard standing. The two men let out angry shouts as their swords clashed with loud, fierce blows. Steel rang out as a sharp duet of defiance echoed in the air. Their faces contorted with looks of hatred and hostility, while their cutlasses strenuously pushed against one another. Barnaclebeard punched the stranger square in the jaw, yet it seemed to have little effect on him. The stranger grinned wickedly, then stabbed him up through the gut.
“Your swashbuckling days are over, Barnaclebeard!” the mysterious pirate growled, then ripped his weapon back out. Captain Barnaclebeard gurgled on his own blood, then his lifeless body flopped to the floor with a thud.
A few loose hairs framed the pirate’s cruel yet handsome face as he turned to me. “Well, well, well...” his deep, silky voice drawled. Heavy footsteps thumped across the planks, echoing ominously as he paced toward me with the careful precision of a predator sizing up its prey. “Now, what do we have here?” He gazed upon me with dark curiosity and lust.
I cleared my throat, then spoke in a poorly portrayed fake British accent. “I am merely an innocent captive, and of no threat nor of any good use to you, oh dreadful pirate.” Air filled my lungs as I tried to puff my bosom out toward him. “You will find that the captain’s treasure is stockpiled below deck. You may take what you wish, but I beg of you, please release me so that I may return from whence I came.”
“I did not come for the captain’s treasure, only to spill his blood. Although it would seem I have stumbled upon a trouvaille, nonetheless,” he mused with wickedness. “You claim you are of no good use to me, yet
I must disagree.” His chin lifted as his eyes lasciviously raked over my body, lingering on my heaving breasts. I internally smiled but kept my expression stony. “For you see, many years I have sailed across the posidonia-adorned seas, beneath the illumined rivers of Ophiuchus, all the way to Cassiopeia’s celestial shores. I’ve seen all of the natural grandeur this world has to offer. I have beheld the most opulent of golden temples and magnificent marbled kingdoms lined with precious stones.” His imposing frame now stood right before me. He dripped with raw seduction and somehow didn’t have a single drop of blood on him.
Using the flat tip of his sword, he lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his piercing demonic gaze. “And yet, none of those things, not diamonds, sapphires, nor rubies, could ever compare to the splendor of the glittering emeralds I see before me now.” The tip of his blade slowly trailed down my throat, past my collarbone, until it rested on my heaving bosom. “I have heard many tales of your immense beauty, but the spoken legends do you no such justice, Princess Buttercup .”
I narrowed my eyes at him, even though I was blushing terribly. “So you know who I am. Then you must also be aware that my family will pay you unimaginable riches for my safe return.”
“Aye, I am aware. Unfortunately for you, your highness, all the riches in the world pale in comparison to the resplendence of the treasure I’ve now set my eyes upon. Such as these saucy... doubloons.” He lewdly tapped my breasts with the sword, then stepped back with a lustful grin. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Demon Pirate Azathoth.” He bowed with elegance while performing a graceful twirl of his cutlass out beside him.
“Are you sure you’re not the Dread Pirate Roberts?” I joked, then bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. He’d certainly have no idea who that was.
“Quite sure,” he replied, a hint of confusion evident as he raised a brow.
Yep, no idea .
“I have heard many frightful tales of your cruelty, Demon Pirate Azathoth,” I said while snapping back into character.
“Have you now?” he purred in a predatory tone as his fingertips traced the contours of my jawline. His face leaned in so that his mouth was right next to my ear. “Well then, shall I show you just how cruel I can be?” His hot breath fanned my sensitive skin, sending a shiver up my spine.
I lifted my gaze to meet his as he slowly pulled his head away from my ear. “Show me,” I whispered dramatically, with hooded eyes.
“As you wish.”
“Are you kidding — ”
His mouth swooped down and captured mine, holding my words hostage with a rough, passionate kiss. Our lips moved together as the tempestuous waves moved across the sea, while our tongues fenced in a fervent duel. His dominating tongue set forth on a conquest to vanquish my own into complete surrender, and I didn’t stand a chance. He bit my lower lip with a lusty growl as I wantonly submitted to his ruthless attack.
With an abrupt, demonic roar, he slashed through the ropes that bound me and threw me over his shoulder like a barbaric fiend. His hand smacked my bum with lecherous intent, and then he cut another rope and grabbed hold of it. I screamed, and my big frilly dress fluttered all around as we were hoisted up into the air, swinging across the deep ocean waters.
Then, for literally no logical reason whatsoever, the entire ship exploded and split in two right behind us. Planks and other debris went flying all willy-nilly out from the massive plume of flames. I watched with wide, shocked eyes as the two smoking halves of the vessel sank beneath the bubbling waves.
We descended upon the back deck of the diabolical ship, next to the large wheel. The pirate placed me on my feet and braced my back against his hard chest. The dark clouds unnaturally parted, revealing the low-hanging sun in the gold-painted horizon, breaking the realism of the dream. “Alas, it would seem eventide is upon us.” His large hands grasped my hips while he slowly ground his impressive erection against my lower back. “Looks like I’m going to have to make love to you as we sail off into the sunset together.”
With superhuman strength, he ripped my bodice right down the front, causing my plump breasts to bounce free. “Oh my!” I gasped. He growled as he shoved the rest of my dress down to the floor, then he stomped on it once and kicked it overboard. I found myself entirely naked, as I realized I wasn’t wearing any underwear.
His fingers began to pinch and play with my hardened nipples, causing liquid heat to pool between my legs and tingles to dance up my spine. I moaned as he laid hot, wet kisses up my neck to my ear.
“Now, bend over and grab the wheel, wench.” His voice was breathy, dark, and commanding; then he licked my cheek with burning ferocity.
Wench? Oh, I don’t think so, Admiral Androgen.
My eyes narrowed. “I am not your wench, you seductive, well-muscled demon pirate!” I turned to face him and angrily poked him in the chest. His eyes twinkled with amusement. “I am the Princess Buttercup, and I shall not do as you have asked!” I scoffed defiantly, then looked at him with nervous excitement and bit my lower lip, knowing full well that I was getting myself into trouble.
He fucking roared, allowing his razor-sharp fangs to elongate. With fervor, he pivoted me back around, igniting a whirlwind of dangerous emotions. One hand gripped my waist, and the other wrapped around my throat. His hips swayed side to side, creating teasing friction as his hardened cock rubbed against my bare bum.
“It would seem I’ve got a little vixen on my hands,” he growled, then stepped back and stormed in front of me. I stood there and watched as a black rope appeared in his hand. He tied it around my wrists and yanked me up to him. “I am your captain now. You will address me as such!” he declared as he hoisted my wrists forward and securely tied them to the center of the wheel. He roughly grabbed a fistful of my hair as he forced me to bend over. His menacing face leaned in right next to mine from the side. “And you will do as the captain commands... lest you be punished,” he stated in a downright demonic tone, with a dangerous glare. “Yes, captain?”
“Yes, captain,” I whimpered, even though my stomach was doing literal flips of excitement.
“Good.” His mouth pressed against my jaw, trailing open-mouthed kisses all the way up to my ear again. “Although, unfortunately for you, my sweet, I am indeed a cruel captain.” He growled and bit my earlobe. “And I will be punishing you for that little outburst of defiance.” A malevolent grin flashed across his face, showing off his sharp fangs. He stepped back again and stood next to the wheel before me.
My eyes swept up his towering and sturdy shape. There was an evil and perverse gleam in his eyes as he peered down at me. As I stared up at his wicked countenance, there was no doubt in my mind that this captain was truly a devil, and we were indeed sailing on an insidious vessel from Hell.
He began removing his shirt, each moment a deliberate tease. Ever so slowly, he uncovered the formidably sculpted ropes of stacked muscle that made up his sinfully tempting abdominals. My lower stomach clenched with desire as he pulled the shirt the rest of the way off, then flung it overboard. He was infernally good-looking as he stood half-naked before me. A sight of pure masculine perfection. I realized I was eye level with the front of his pants. They had tightened dramatically, outlining the prominent bulge straining against the fabric.
He caught me staring and smirked. “I can assure you, that’s no peg leg, my dearie.” A deep chuckle rumbled out of him, and a blush spread across my cheeks. “Now then...” he purred with cruel satisfaction as his sword reappeared in his hand. “I’m going to flog your bottom.”
“You’re going to what my bottom!?” I blurted out, while he circled around to my exposed behind.
WHACK!
I yelped in shock as he whipped the broad side of the sword against my ass, leaving a lingering sting. “ Shhh , now, now, my Buttercup...” He brushed the cool tip of the sword down along my spine, from the base of my neck to my tailbone, causing goosebumps to break out all over my skin. “I want to hear all those sweet little cries and screams chiming from your lips,” he cooed. “So don’t make me gag you too.” He leaned in with a cruel smirk, kicking my legs wider apart. In an instant, his lips kissed the space between my shoulder blades, igniting sparks along my skin.
I shifted my eyes around and bit my lower lip. He was terrifying, dark, and dominating... but I liked it.
He expertly struck with just the right amount of force, indulging my senses without sending me into a whirlwind of pain. I gasped out a blend of cries and yelps, which echoed as he relentlessly smacked my defenseless derrière. Tears cascaded down my cheeks while desire trickled down my thighs. His primal growls rumbled through the silence, punctuating each piercing scream.
Just as I had almost had enough, he threw the sword off to the side, where it clanked against the wooden planks. I squeezed my eyes shut from the sting as he gently placed both of his hands on my reddened bottom. He massaged the tender flesh, then glided one of his hands to my soaking wet sex and purred in approval.
“Well, you’re certainly a masochistic little minx, aren’t you now?” He chuckled, then slipped a finger inside me. I gasped at the sudden invasion. “I’ll tell you what...” Agonizingly slow, he circled his finger within my inner walls. “Because you did such a good job and let out so many beautiful little cries during your punishment, I’ll give you a reward.” He pulled his finger out and licked it, leaving me feeling empty. “Would you like that, Princess ?”
“Y-Yes, Captain,” I replied with a quaver, trying not to whimper from his withdrawal.
The sting on my flesh vanished as he knelt behind me. “Good,” he cooed, while sensually running his hands up my inner thighs. “Because to me, these thighs are like the Elysium gates leading to ambrosiac seas. And I intend to drink deeply of your thalassic waters.” His hot breath fanned my pussy lips while he spoke.
I squeaked and tugged at my restraints as he began licking up my inner thigh. He purred as his tongue sensually swirled over my entrance, moving it in slow, calculated circles. My skin glistened with sweat as I panted from the anticipation. “Oh, Aza — “ I started to moan, causing him to stop. “Captain! I mean, Captain!” I corrected in a hurry.
His mouth crashed back down onto my cunt like the waves against the boat, and his tongue began pillaging the deep oceans of my inner chasm. He growled and reached around. His hands brushed my hips, then grabbed hold of my needy breasts. I moaned and arched my back further as he pinched and pulled on my nipples while continuing to mouth-fuck me.
A tempest of heat twisted and turned deep within my stomach. I was nearly swept away when his soft lips embraced my hidden pearl.
“Don’t come until I say you can,” he commanded menacingly, with his face still buried between my legs, causing vibrations to shoot through me.
He smacked my bum when I didn’t respond. “Y-Yes, Captain!” I whimpered.
One of his hands moved from my breasts, and he slipped a finger back inside me. I gripped the wheel for dear life as I desperately tried to suppress my release. He began licking and sucking madly on my clit while vigorously pumping his finger in and out. It seemed to go on forever. My heart raced, and my legs trembled. He knew exactly when I’d get close and would slow the pace, denying me my release, only to bring it right back up once I’d lost it.
Reward my ass! This is more torture!
He added a second finger and pinched my nipple. I whimpered and bit my lower lip so hard I drew blood in an attempt not to orgasm. He stiffened, then continued to furiously pump his fingers in and out of me. “Come!” he growled and lightly bit down on my clit.
Intense waves of pleasure crashed over me, momentarily blinding my sight. My inner walls constricted around his fingers like a coiled spring. He feverishly lapped at my essence, as if savoring a fine elixir. Rising from his feast, he leaned over me, his gaze heavy with intent. His hand roughly gripped my chin, forcing me to turn my head toward him. I gasped, and he growled as he smashed his lips to mine. His tongue darted out over my bottom lip, hungrily licking away the small trickle of blood. As the kiss deepened, he released my chin and unfastened his trousers.
I moaned from the feeling of his captain’s log slipping along my soaking wet slit from behind. He rested the tip against my throbbing pearl, then reached around and used his hardened member to massage my sensitive bud. I writhed in bliss, teetering on the edge of ecstasy. Each wave of sensation washed over me like an intoxicating tide that I could hardly withstand.
The kiss broke, but his lips remained hovering above mine. “Would you like my captain’s ship to sink deep beneath your wanton waves?” His voice was raspy and laced with heady lust.
“Yes, Captain,” I replied breathily, his stupid pirate puns getting me even more hot and bothered.
His free hand wrapped around my throat. “Then beg,” he growled into my ear, his tone sharp and threatening.
A hoarse moan left my lips as he mercilessly applied more pressure to my pearl, coating it with his pre-cum. “Please, Captain,” I cried.
“Please, what!?” he snarled.
“Please sail my seas!” The ropes around my wrists vanished into thin air the moment the words left my lips. Then he spun me around and pinned my back against the wheel. “Oh, Captain!” I gasped.
“Brace yourself, my sweet. I’m about to drop the anchor!” he announced with a lusty chuckle.
I wrapped my legs around his thick waist, securing myself as he sank deep into my waves. He began to thrust in and out, tantalizingly slow. And for a moment, he broke character and stared into my eyes with a look of smoldering love and endearment. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach while his searing hot flesh filled me up completely—Then he smirked with a malicious grin and began to pound with the intensity of a feral beast.
My thighs tightened around him in desperation, and my arms frantically wrapped around his upper body. He groaned and growled, trailing scorching kisses down my neck and to his claim. I let out a passionate scream, my body twisting in a frantic dance. My nails dug into the skin of his back, trailing from his shoulder blades to his biceps.
A loud crack came from behind me, then the wheel broke apart and gave way. I screamed even more as we both tumbled down to the lower deck. Azathoth kept his arms securely around me to protect me from the fall, without once breaking his furious rhythm. The moment we landed, he began passionately kissing and sucking on my breasts, leaving little pink love bites behind.
He pulled out and stood up with me still latched onto him. His large hands supported my butt as our lips feverishly smacked together. My dripping core pressed against the hard ropes of muscle forming his abs, adding to the heat building within me. Engulfed in a haze of fervor, I hardly even noticed him kicking open the captain’s door. With purposeful strides, he made his way to the bed, every step charged with urgency.
I was practically humping his stomach, lost in a feverish fit of passion. He ungracefully threw me onto the bed, causing me to yelp as I landed with a soft squeak and a bounce. I felt like a little quivering puddle of pudding. My hand caressed along the velvety-soft black coverlet as I stared up at him with wide, needy eyes. His pants and boots disappeared with a poof, leaving him completely naked before me. He smirked and grabbed his rock-solid cock in his hand. My stomach clenched with arousal as he began to lazily pump his shaft while peering down at me with burning lust in his gaze.
“Turn around and get on all fours,” he commanded. With a flush of heat coursing through me, I slowly complied. “Arch your back for me.” My heart raced with anticipation as I arched my back, giving him a full view of my bottom and pussy. “Beautiful,” he purred.
The bed dipped as he crawled on behind me. His cock rubbed along my slit, coating it with my excitement as he wrapped a hand around my neck. I stiffened, feeling his tip gently nudge against my bum. “Now, Buttercup, what kind of pirate would I be if I didn’t plunder the booty?”
Plunder the booty? Wait just a minute... Oh, snap!
My eyes shot wide open as the realization of what he was asking hit me like a ton of bricks. “Wait, wait, wait! Time out!
That isn’t part of my fantasy!”
The hand that was around my neck loosened a bit, and his thumb caressed little circles just below my jaw. “I know. It’s my fantasy.” His voice was husky and raw with lust. “It’s my desire to dominate and fuck every part of you, my love.” He nudged at my rump again. “I want every single cell in your body to know that you belong to me.”
I nervously glanced over my shoulder at him. “Won’t it hurt, though? No offense, but your gigantic demon dick can be quite intimidating! Especially near my virgin behind!”
“Now why would I ever take offense to that?” he chuckled. “And yes, it normally would hurt. But I’m fabricating this dream, and so I can ensure that you only feel pleasure. It doesn’t have to be realistic.” He pressed his lips gently against my temple, his eyes filled with love. “I’m only asking. It’s okay if you don’t want to.”
I hemmed and hawed for about a minute, trying to decide whether this would be a wise life decision. “Well, all right. I guess we can at least try it,” I concluded, considering it was only a dream.
He grinned with enthusiasm against the side of my head, then trailed kisses down to his claim. “Just use the safe word if you don’t like it, okay?” he muttered against my scarred flesh and placed another kiss on it, making me dizzy with lust.
“Okay,” I replied in a faint voice.
“What’s the safe word?”
“Almonds.”
“Good girl.” His hand tightened back around my throat, causing me to gasp.
He began slowly rocking in and out, thrusting deeper and deeper each time. It wasn’t painful like I had feared, just different feeling. He reached around my front and inserted two fingers between my pussy lips with his palm pressing against my clit, filling up each lacuna between my legs. Every time he withdrew from my backside, his fingers thrust profoundly deep into my nethers, then withdrew as he re-entered. I gasped, lost in a tide of overwhelming ecstasy. Pleasure rolled through me like a powerful wave, filling every corner of my being. A few tiny tears of passion slipped down my cheeks, while my face contorted, appearing pained yet utterly full of bliss.
He forced my head to turn, allowing his tongue to dip into my mouth. He changed the rhythm and began thrusting his fingers and cock inside me simultaneously, while his palm continued to massage my sensitive nub. I lost myself completely in the sensation, delirious with desire. Never had I ever felt so utterly dominated. Every cell in my body surrendered to his slow and steady conquest as he pleasured me with harmonious waves of ardor. I succumbed to the feverish tides of passion as his tongue, fingers, and cock fucked me all at once.
He picked up the pace, furiously thrusting into me and growling like a frenzied beast. The burning knots of pressure tightening within the pit of my stomach began to burst. His kisses left my mouth and trailed down my neck. I screamed and gripped the coverlet as his sharp fangs sank into his claim, sending me to heights I’d never experienced before. It was as if the floodgates broke free, a volcano erupted, and lightning struck the earth all at once. My eyes rolled into the back of my head, and I saw the creation of the universe.
Deep demonic growls rumbled within his chest, while his cock twitched and released inside me. I limply sank onto my stomach like a wilting lettuce leaf. He followed me down with his teeth still latched onto my neck, lying gently on top of my back and holding me close. I gasped and squirmed beneath him as his greedy tongue licked away the blood. Then he trailed kisses back up to my cheek. I turned my head, and our lips met in a final loving kiss.
“Awaken,” he whispered with a satisfied smile.
My eyes flew open. I was back in the living room, lying on the couch. My hand was stuck in a bag of chips, and a news reporter was blabbering away on the screen of our new television.
Azathoth appeared beside me, crouching down next to the couch. He looked human, and his hair was still pulled back in a braid. Only now, he was wearing his regular clothes, along with his jacket. A wide, loving smile spread across his face, and he kissed me with an amused laugh.
“You better not be laughing at my pirate fantasy again,” I warned with narrow, murderous eyes.
He held his hands up defensively. “I would never. I love your sexy pirate fantasy!” he said, while struggling to suppress his amusement. He failed and buried his face in my stomach in a hysterical fit of deep, hearty laughter.
“Shut up! It’s not even that funny!” I hissed, even though I was laughing myself. His back heaved up and down as he tried to calm his farcical chuckling. “Knock it off, you big jerk!” I smacked his head with the chip bag, making him laugh even harder against my belly, which made me laugh even harder too.
A few moments and lost chips later, we finally calmed our buffoonery. “Well, anyway...” he said as he caught his breath while peeking up at me. “I was hoping we could go watch the sunset over the lake.” His eyes twinkled with more excitement than usual as he spoke.
I giggled some more while he playfully kissed my neck. “Well, of course! We watch the sunset almost every evening anyway,” I teased.
He shrugged and tilted his head. “I know, but I have a feeling this one is going to be rather special.” He looked as if he couldn’t hold back his big, goofy grin.
“In other news, the case of Fabian Aguillard remains unsolved,” the news reporter on the television muttered in the background, stealing both of our attention.
I furrowed my brows in confusion. “Wait, Fabian Aguillard? My ex-boyfriend?”
Azathoth stiffened, then nervously shifted his eyes over to the TV screen. I craned my neck up to see the broadcast a bit better. “Police reports say that the young man appeared to have been viciously and strategically tortured to death by, and I quote, a velociraptor. Still no leads — ” He abruptly ripped the entire television in half like it was a flimsy piece of cardboard. It startled me nearly to death, causing me to gasp and spill the last of the chips onto the floor. Sparks flew out from the mangled, buzzing wires as the brutalized screen fuzzed up, then went black.
“Worthless technology...” he grumbled. “All right, let’s go out back!”
“Wait, but—”
“ Shh, shh, shh! Let’s go!” His hands swiftly wrapped around mine, then he pulled me up off the couch. We teleported in front of the lake the moment I was on my feet and stood right at the water’s edge.
I brushed a few remaining chip crumbs from my cute cherry-red dress, then took a deep breath of the cool springtime air. Little buds were sprouting from each and every tree branch, peppering the forest with delicate specks of greenery. Grape hyacinth and glory-of-the-snow flowers embellished the vibrant grass and quivered in the breeze. A family of little rabbits was hopping back to their burrow, safely tucking themselves away for the night. Birds were returning to their nests, resigning their mirthful cadences to the peaceful songs of the night tide.
Azathoth’s arm wrapped around my upper body as he lovingly smiled down at me. We stood there together, taking in the breathtaking spectacle of the evenfall sky. The dying rays of the sun painted the large, fluffy clouds in effervescent shades of rose, amber, and lilac, and bled out over the mountain-kissed skyline. The glimmering ripples within the lake captured the enchanting colors for themselves, reflecting them beautifully upon the dark crystalline water.
I didn’t have my shoes on, so I bravely dipped my toes into the chilly water. “Ooo! Still way too cold for swimming!” I exclaimed with a laugh while stumbling back onto the small gray stones of the shore.
He laughed as well, while helping to steady my bumbling frame. “Well, what did you expect? It’s only April,” he teased and pulled me into his tight embrace. His warm hand gently tilted my chin up. Pure love and veneration glimmered in his eyes as he stared down at me. Then another goofy, borderline mischievous smile danced across his face.
“You’re up to something, aren’t you?” I accused, my glare filled with suspicion.
“What do you mean?” he replied with a guilty smirk.
“I mean, you’re acting like you have something up your sleeve.” I lightly tapped his chest.
His guilty smirk twisted into a full-blown grin. “That’s because I do... quite literally.” He released me from his embrace and took a step back. With a quick shake of his arm, a little black box fell out of his sleeve and into his waiting hand. The stupid grin stayed plastered on his face while he knelt down on one knee before me.
Wait just a minute... Holy platypuses playing ping-pong! Is he proposing!?
My hand seemed to move on its own, rising to my face to cover my uncontrollably gaping mouth as I realized what he was doing. It felt as though a thousand fluttering butterflies had been released into my stomach against my will. My heart was rapidly racing, and an overwhelming sense of love and joy blossomed inside every part of me. I knew we would eventually complete our infernal matrimony, but I hadn’t been expecting an actual proposal.
The last few rays of sunlight illuminated his handsome face, casting a warm glow that whimsically glittered in his loving golden gaze. He took my trembling hand in his while looking deeply into my wide, searching eyes. “You know, I used to think that I was the most unlucky demon to have ever existed. My powers were bound, I was cast into a world of eternal darkness for five thousand years, and then when I finally did manage to escape, I thought I was doomed to die alone and forgotten in this distant dimension.” He tenderly placed a kiss on my hand. “But I realize now that all the misfortunes and imprecations I suffered have made me the luckiest demon of all, because they brought me you.” He squeezed my hand as tears started welling up in my eyes.
“You have accepted and loved me despite what I am. You forgave my invidious treacheries, allowing me a chance at repentance and redemption, and released my soul from bondage. You broke my curse, and there is no one else with whom I would rather share this redamancy with. Nor is there anyone else whom I would rather see wear my carnal insignia upon their throat.”
My breath caught in my chest as he opened the box, revealing a sparkling black diamond resting beautifully upon a ring of gold. Delicate leafy vines were intricately embroidered in a Celtic design around the band. Clusters of little twinkling white diamonds hugged the center stone and elegantly danced down along the sides. It was too perfect for words.
“Gwendolyn Esme Gallagher, you are my love, my buttercup, and my world. Will you also be my bride?”
I didn’t verbally answer him. I simply couldn’t form the words. It felt like I was being strangled by my overwhelming joy. So instead, I excitedly threw myself into his arms and crashed my lips against his in a passionate kiss. Tears of happiness and love streamed down my cheeks as he held me in his arms.
The last remaining rays of sunlight sank behind the lofty mountains to their place of celestial slumber, while we continued to kiss among the growing darkness. The springtime flowers gently closed upon the ground below, and the stars began to bloom within the heavens above. Swirling mist crept across the glossy water, and a few fireflies started to dance within the grassy field. Crickets happily chirped and owls playfully hooted. The crescent moon rested against the midnight blue horizon as if the huntress goddess was arching her enchanted bow of silvery light towards the empyrean depths.
Our lips were still smiling and dancing together, as Azathoth softly pushed me onto my back and laid on top of me. He pulled away and peered down into my glossy eyes with overwhelming love glimmering in his citrine gaze. The water gently lapped against the shoreline right beside us while he caressed my hair.
“I love you,” he whispered with an overjoyed smile.
I reached up and caressed his cheek in return. “I love you too.” We both quietly laughed for a moment, high on the whirlwind of wondrous emotions. “So, um, what’s the final step going to be like?” I inquired with a smile, feeling a rush of excitement.
“Well, we have to wait for the next full moon,” he murmured. “And then...” A wicked grin flashed across his face. “Let’s just say things are going to get... hot .”