The Great Hall smelled of burning incense and polished obsidian, but it did little to mask the tension.
Every noble, advisor, and guard was present. Eyes flicked between me and the Demon King as I was led down the black-marble steps.
"Your Majesty," the High Priest began, voice trembling, "the Council requests clarification regarding the legality of—"
"Silence," the Demon King interrupted, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade. Heads bowed instinctively. Even the High Priest flinched.
I faltered under the weight of every gaze, the chains on my wrist pulsing faintly. I could feel him again—his heartbeat synchronized with mine, steady and forceful. It was unnerving, knowing he could sense my every breath, my every thought, yet I could not pull away.
A councilman stepped forward, tall and pale, a thin smile curling over his lips. "Ashara of the Lower City," he said, "are you certain you understand what it means to marry the Demon King?"
I swallowed hard. "I… I understand that it is a contract binding me to him. That it cannot be broken."
He leaned closer. "And yet, can you truly consent? You are but a human girl."
My hands clenched. The chains tightened subtly as if sensing my anger. I am more than that, I wanted to shout, but my voice faltered.
The Demon King's gaze swept over the council, sharp and dangerous. "This girl is my wife. She is the anchor that stabilizes my power. Questioning this union is questioning my authority. Any who do so will answer to me."
A ripple of unease passed through the Council. I saw fear—real fear—in their eyes. But something else, too: curiosity. Respect. Even envy.
A younger noble whispered to his neighbor, loud enough for me to hear, "Do you feel it? Her presence… it is linked to his power."
"Yes," another replied softly. "The chains… they glow. She is no ordinary girl."
I felt the artifact on my wrist pulse again. Its warmth was comforting, but also… intoxicating. I realized with a shiver that my connection to the Demon King was deeper than I had imagined. Not just magic. Not just life force. Something intangible, something… binding.
The King's attention returned to me, eyes narrowing slightly. "Do you understand that your life, and your family's, is now tied to mine?"
"Yes," I said firmly, though my heart raced. "I understand."
He studied me for a long moment, as if weighing my soul, before straightening. "Good. Then let this court witness that the marriage is valid and that Ashara is now the Demon King's wife, bound by law and magic."
The hall erupted into whispers, some relieved, some scandalized. I felt his presence tighten around me, protective, possessive, as if he had declared himself my guardian and my cage simultaneously.
When the ceremony formally ended, he took my hand—lightly, almost casually, yet the pressure of his grip carried a weight that made my knees weaken.
"You will need to learn control," he said quietly, only I could hear. "The chains will respond to emotion. Anger, fear, hesitation… they all feed into the magic. You must not lose yourself, or you risk destabilizing me—and yourself."
"I—I will do my best," I whispered, staring at the glowing mark, the pulsing chains, and feeling a shiver of both fear and something else… anticipation.
"Good," he said, turning away with a flick of his dark cloak. "We leave tomorrow for the southern fortress. You will meet the generals and the sorcerers. They will not be gentle."
I swallowed, my stomach tightening. Meeting his warriors, advisors, and powerful allies as his bound wife—my heart felt like it would leap out of my chest.
As we left the hall, I felt his gaze on me again, intense, unyielding, almost alive. The chains pulsed once more, confirming that he was close, even if invisible.
And deep down, I realized something terrifying and thrilling: the Demon King's claim on me was more than just contract and magic. It was a bond neither of us fully understood yet.
Tomorrow, my world would change even further.
And the first time he touched me in anger—or desire—would awaken forces I could not yet imagine.
The Demon King's wife.
The chains around my wrist pulsed with that reality.
And I already knew: nothing would ever be simple again.