The Demon King's Vow

CHAPTER 7

The grand council room was somber and quiet, the weight of a crowd of eyes resting on Syrrel as she entered. The heavy oak doors closed behind her with a soft thud, and the sound reverberated. Sael followed closely behind her, his imposing figure seemingly dominating the space.

Grace and poise had always been what defined Syrrel, and even now she held herself to those standards. She stepped forward, ignoring the hushed murmurs and the sidelong glances from the council. She was used to being the center of attention, but today was different.

She knew why. Her hands, resting on the edge of the massive table as she stood at its head, were steady, betraying none of the nerves that buzzed beneath her composed exterior.

She took her seat at the head of the table, and Sael, without a word, moved behind her, as though he already somehow knew exactly what was expected of him.

His presence seemed to fill the room as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, gilded eyes sweeping over the room with bored disinterest. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with uncertainty and confusion. It was the exact reaction she had anticipated, and yet, something in her chest tightened as she watched the council members avoid Sael’s gaze.

As the silence stretched on, the council members remained still, exchanging wary looks but saying nothing. Some kept their eyes focused on the table, unwilling to meet Sael’s gaze or her own, while others fidgeted in their seats.

They had come here to discuss important matters, yet now their thoughts seemed clouded, their usual confidence rattled by the King of Demons himself standing mere feet from them.

Syrrel settled into her seat, her eyes scanning the room, noting the presence of those closest to her. The usual faces—Arvos, Auren, Lioren, Cira, Ellis, and Virelian—were all there. Their presence eased her nerves.

Arvos was the first to break the silence, his voice cool but edged with disbelief.

“Syrrel,” his voice rang out, tinged with concern. His gaze shifted over her shoulder to the towering figure of Sael, who sneered back at him, likely finding the entire situation beneath him. “What is the meaning of this?”

Syrrel, unwavering, locked eyes with Arvos. Her brow furrowed slightly, but her voice remained calm, composure unshaken. “The meaning of what?” she asked.

Arvos’s eyes narrowed, frustration etched into his features as he gestured behind her toward Sael, who stood there casually, as if the room was beneath his notice. His sneer grew as he met Arvos’s challenge with a cold, unyielding stare. Despite Sael’s blatant disdain, Arvos did not flinch. Instead, his eyes hardened, his gaze unblinking as he directed his words toward Syrrel.

“Do you not see what you’ve done?” Arvos’s voice rose slightly, tinged with disbelief. “This… this is madness. You’ve actually bound yourself to him? The King of Demons?” Sael tilted his head slightly at Arvos’s words, the barest glint of amusement flickering alight in his eyes as he studied the mage.

A flicker of irritation rose within her, but she kept her composure, drawing in a steady breath. She could feel the weight of their gazes—some filled with fear, others with concern—but it didn’t matter. This was her choice. She had no other option.

She let out a small sigh before speaking again, her voice steady and firm. “I did what I had to do to protect Eryndor, Arvos. He’s bound to me now, and that’s final.” Her words echoed in the room, and the tension rose another notch as the council members who were not aware of the discussions going on behind the scenes since the failed coronation began to process what she had just said.

Sael’s gaze flickered briefly to Syrrel before returning to the others, his posture never faltering. If anything, it seemed as though he relished the discomfort his very presence caused. Truly, she wouldn’t be surprised if he did.

Arvos let out a frustrated breath, turning his head toward Ellis, who had been quietly observing the exchange from his side of the table with his protege, Virelian, sitting silently beside him. “And you, Ellis?” Arvos asked, his tone sharp. “You allowed this?”

Ellis, who had been lounging lazily in the oversized plush chair he always managed to bring to council meetings, shrugged with a nonchalant grin. “I didn’t allow it, Arvos. I facilitated it. It was her choice, after all.” His voice was light, playful even, though his eyes were more serious than they had been moments before and his body was tense.

Arvos’s expression soured further as he looked between Ellis and Syrrel, frustration mounting. “This isn’t some game, Ellis! This is insane—you can’t possibly think binding someone like him is the solution!” His words hung in the air, sharp and biting.

Syrrel’s gaze sharpened as she turned toward Arvos, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. “I don’t need your opinion right now, Arvos,” she said, the finality in her words hanging heavy between them. “There’s no going back from this. I’ve made my decision.”

For a moment, Arvos looked as though he would protest further, his jaw clenched, his eyes flicking to Ellis in search of support. But Ellis, to his credit, merely shrugged, the casualness of his demeanor almost infuriating.

“I’ve already accepted it,” Ellis murmured, his voice coming out soft like silk. “It’s not the first time we’ve played with fire.”

The comment seemed to further annoy Arvos, but before he could reply, Syrrel turned her attention back to the council members. She could feel the weight of their gazes on her, the judgment, the questions, and the fear, but none of it would sway her now. This was her kingdom, her responsibility.

Sael didn’t speak during the exchange, his eyes cold and indifferent. Syrrel could nearly swear she saw one of the younger council members at the other end of the room trembling.

“Let’s proceed with the meeting,” Syrrel said, her voice cutting through the silence. “There’s no time to waste.”