The demon king decorates with stalagmites and stalactites. Walking into the black gates of the festival, draped across Kilian's arm— I'm to be a mere decoration. Instead, I seem to attract the attention of demon males who can't keep their hungry eyes to themselves; I can hear Kilian's chest vibrate with a growl in irritation, but I play coy and grin.

My breasts are pushed up in a carnal red dress as my hips and legs sway, a slit in the dress displaying my thicker than average thighs. My dark hair is out in my natural curls which seem wilder than normal, and my eyes rimmed with black kohl. Kilian is as handsome as ever, his large build is in a black suit, but he keeps his swords on his hips; too on alert to let his guard down even a little. I have one of his blades strapped onto my hip underneath this lavish dress, and I can't help but feel excitement at the thought of using Kilian's blade— being accepted by Kilian's blade.

The castle steps are dark stone leading into the grand entrance. The doors are also made of the same stone substance, little sparkles littered across the darkness of the granite— like stars dancing in the night. My chest swells as I take in the beautiful nightly appearance of the decor. I can hear the chattering of the demon guests, whispers around us as they loiter in the entrance with glasses of champagne and some with blood.

The cool breeze caresses me and I feel like my grin could break my face at any moment— I'm so close to getting my dad back. Nothing can beat this moment, nothing. I know his exact whereabouts thanks to Kilian's instructions from his mother, I have a weapon, my powers and my mind set on slaughtering if need be.

Although, before we can enter the threshold, a whip of fire circles around our feet, prohibiting us from taking another step. I tense, ready for an attack, but all I hear is a happy squeal. Kilian glances behind us as I feel arms encircle around my waist and blonde hair collide with my vision.

Claire.

"Vi!" She grins maniacally as I stare in bewilderment. I grasp her arms in a makeshift hug and glance behind her to find Atticus a few feet away glancing around in alarm.

Oh right, his dimension is at war with this one. Oops.

"Claire! How did– what did— huh?" I blubber like a fool, not able to even make a sentence as happiness enfolds me. I'm not alone in this. She's here for our father too. A warm feeling spreads in my chest as I grin back at her.

"Did you just think I'd let you wander around his old mans cave alone?!" She shoves a thumb in Kilian's direction as I laugh in glee.

"You know, I do know a thing or another of fighting against crazies like these." She whispers to me as she scans the area, her eyes luminescent and filled with excitement.

"At least one of us is excited about kicking ass." King Atticus says, sighing as Claire jumps back in his direction.

"You love it." She taunts him as she drapes her arm around Atticus and turns to me.

"We made a deal with the Raksha. Merlin has potions to make appearances more luring to the eye— it's the Raksha's lucky day, huh?" She rolls her eyes as Atticus smiles at her.

"Ah, so he'd be able to trick anyone as long as he looks like a sexy tall mermaid man." I say as she nods enthusiastically.

"Something like that." She agrees.

"Well— if you guys are here now... what's the plan?" I ask, eyes fluttering towards Kilian as his gaze is unwavering. So handsome.

"Well, I was thinking I could go with you?" Claire asks shyly as she twiddles with her fingers and glances up at me.

"Sort of like a joint rescue attempt?" She looks to me for approval as I slowly nod.

"You'd be a lot of help, especially with the volcanic rock in there." I say as she looks at me in confusion.

"I've trained, but— volcanic rock?" She says as Kilian looks to her.

"Your powers will be elevated in there." He nods his head toward the entrance.

"It's a lot of power at your fingertips; sort of how wolves get more powerful in the moonlight. You'll be able to transform into a Phoenix." He says and then looks back to me.

"Atticus will need to lie low just in case my father recognizes him. Don't lose control of your powers in there— if he realizes what you are, that'll be much more valuable to him than all of his prisoners combined." He says seriously as I clutch onto his strong arm again.

"Wouldn't dream of it." I say confidently, but deep down inside of me— there's fear.

Fear that my ice will spiral before I can even get to the dungeon— fear that his fathers dark eyes will cast upon me and see me for what I am immediately. Fear that I won't be able to get my father out, and I'll be captured as a weakling.

Fear that my dad is already dead.

I clear my head of these negative thoughts and square my shoulders, lifting my chin with a hint of a coy smile.

Blend in. Be quiet. And don't lose control of your ice.

Then, we all make our way towards the grand doors which are open to the whole town of demons. No witches in sight because of issues mingling together, but it is otherwise diverse. Demons with horns high on their heads like a stag, brown skinned women dancing with magic beads around their waists, pale men with claws like those of your worse nightmares grinning like Cheshire cats— I shiver. The ones that catch my attention the most are the demons who have scales that glisten like a rainbow. Their blonde hair cascades down to their waist, even the males; their eyes narrow and have slits like reptilians— and I'm in awe.

So many different kinds, it's nothing like I could have ever imagined. Kilian is in the form of a human male, the only thing that can give him away are his vampiric fangs and his eyes which go the shade of red in anger— but these demons are something else entirely. Whereas Kilian is seductive, beautiful and fit to be a warrior— these demons are...

Magestic.

I can hear Claire gasp behind me lowly as her feet step onto the black shining volcanic rock— instantly feeling her powers sharpen like citrus tang.

"Fuck yeah, I can definitely get used to this." She says as I glance back and find her flexing her fingers out in front of her, staring in awe.

I feel Kilian squeeze my hand for my attention as I look toward him, catching him closer than he was originally. All of the air vanishes from my lungs as I look into his eyes, heart thumping wildly all of a sudden. I'm nervous as he leads me to a dark corner in the ballroom, away from all of the demons,champagne fountains, treats and dancing.

"We should be splitting up soon." He says, his voice dark and rich as always. I grin up at him.

"Only for a moment." I say slyly as he smiles at me.

"I can only hope. Now remember—" he starts to warn me of all the dangers, but I interrupt him.

"Yes yes, no loosing control of my powers, no mingling with demon boys and always walk in the shadows to attract less attention." I repeat as his grins, his fangs shining white.

"Especially the demon rule." He muses as I grin, my chest tingling from the sensations I feel whenever I speak so close to him.

"Be safe, Kilian." I say seriously to him, and then before I could change my mind about a damn thing— I lean up on my heels onto my tip toes, and connect my lips with his.

I see his eyes widen for a split second in shock, and I'm tempted to pull away for fear that it isn't what he wanted— but then his eyes flutter shut, and he grasps the back of my neck and waist with his hands; pulling me in deeper.

I smile into the unexpected kiss, feeling tingles all the way from my toes to my lips.

My core heats up, and I feel a blush start to form on my cheeks even though this is what I initiated. He holds me like I'm a fragile flower, grasping ever so gently until I feel I might explode from all the sensations I'm feeling.

Our lips move in sync, and it's something I never want to end. In fact, I want what that vision showed us— I want him and I alone together, going much farther than we are able to in the moment.

We disconnect, breathing in pants as we press our foreheads together, both just as surprised at what happened.

We've kissed before— lustfully— but this was something else. There was passion amongst the lust, and it was something I started this time; not him.

His eyes open that beautiful luminescent shade of red in the dark shadows of the room, and I hear him whisper to me.

"Fucking beautiful, like a jewel of blood red." He runs his hands down my waist, and I see the restraint in his eyes, painfully.

And with that, Claire appears.

"It's time." She says as I pull myself away from Kilian and smile gently, a new form of adoration in my eyes.

"See you soon." I say refusing to say goodbye, and turn away.

I'm ready to face whatever I have to in order to save my dad. Even if it meant I'd have to fight Kilian's father himself— I was game.

And Kilian knew it too.

We are going to wreck havoc in this place; and it would be the most beautiful form of mayhem they've ever seen.

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