Page 50 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
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 goodfour 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.
