CHAPTER TEN: The wedding night.
400 Words
As the after-party wound down, the music fading into soft laughter and whispers, Vael’thyr took Liriel’s hand and led her away from the crowd. Courtiers and dignitaries were left behind, their eyes wide as the Demon King’s presence vanished in a shimmer of dark light. In an instant, they were gone, transported to the privacy of his chamber, leaving the after-party—and his entourage—behind.
The room was lavish, suffused with candlelight and the subtle glow of fae runes along the walls. Rich silks draped across furniture, and the air was heavy with warmth and expectation. Liriel’s pulse raced as she took in the intimate setting, the reality of the night settling on her shoulders.
Vael’thyr stepped closer, the faintest smile playing on his lips. He watched her carefully, noting the way her eyes widened and how she instinctively shifted back, a mixture of curiosity and fear.
He leaned in, brushing his lips briefly against hers in a light, teasing peck. The touch was soft, fleeting, enough to make her heart flutter and her breath catch. Liriel’s knees weakened slightly, and she tried to steady herself.
Vael’thyr lingered near her, letting the space between them crackle with tension. His gaze followed her every subtle movement, the way her hands twitched at the silk of her gown, the quick intake of her breath when he stepped closer. He traced the line of her jaw with a finger, his touch feather-light, and let his eyes roam with quiet admiration. Each motion was deliberate, teasing, meant to awaken awareness and curiosity, to make her feel seen, desired, and both cautious and captivated.
Liriel’s body reacted instinctively; a shiver ran through her, her heart thundering, her mind racing with a mixture of fascination, fear, and a tentative longing she did not yet understand. She could feel the warmth of him, the subtle strength in his presence, and the intoxicating pull of his attention.
Noticing her trembling and uncertainty, Vael’thyr held back, letting his hand fall away, his gaze softening. He whispered, "Rest, Princess," before leaving the room. The door closed behind him, leaving Liriel lying there, breathless, confused, and acutely aware of the undeniable connection and tension that now bound them together—a slow-burning intimacy, charged with desire, hesitation, and the weight of what had just passed.
- Writer
