Chapter 1
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Prologue
Ian's POV
I tried to catch my breath. I didn't know falling from the sky could be this uncomfortable. Tearing out my wings, my legs wriggled in the air as I tried to catch my balance. I held up an arm. The sun was angrily shining on my face. I didn't want my eyes to roast.
Ow.
The impact with the ground was so strong. I winced and struggled to get up. My shirt had torn so my chest was bare. I only wore my black trousers. My feet were naked.
I rose and stood chest out. The sight was unfamiliar.
Humans in white long gowns looked at me with wide mouths. They were all kneeling. At the ends were men in silver amour. They gripped tightly to long spears. They too had their mouths open. The landscape was a large plain with lively green grasses.
Oh s**t. Don't tell me I went back in time. Who still used spears? I groaned and held my forehead. I had a squeezing headache. The whole thought of appearing in a whole new place wasn't helping matters. But thank Lucifer I was out of that inter-dimensional abyss of thick darkness. The moment the portal opened and I saw this place, that was the happiest moment I've had in a long time. But I wasn't expecting spear-holding soldiers.
"Our prayers have been answered."
I turned and saw a lady in a white gown, just like the others. She wore a crown made of roses intertwining with each other, forming a ring. Her black hair was so long that it reached her thighs. She was light-skinned and had brown eyes. If I were to guess, I'll say she was their leader and damn, she was beautiful.
Her wide eyes went over to my wings. They stood tall above everyone. Their huge shadow cast above her.
"All hail Talus, god of the Edu realm, " she said and knelt, then bowed her head.
"All hail Talus, god of the Edu realm, " everyone chanted.
Even the guards knelt with one knee, a hand on their spears.
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---The arrogant king
Talus' POV
Well, I was wrong. I didn't go back in time. This place was very different from the world I came from. I mean it was still earth but everything seemed off. I couldn't stand the idea of not using a shower to bathe or the fact that I couldn't watch tv again.
I rubbed a thumb over my ring, trying to drift from my haunting thoughts. But it wasn't working at all. I was now seen as a god, called Talus. He was the god of the Dalfeans. It felt strange answering such a name. I was known as Ian or Hailbuzar, at home. But home wasn't in this realm.
"You're all set," Isalo said and dusted my golden tunic.
It was long, stopping before my knees. I turned to the mirror to check myself out. Stormy blue eyes shot back at me.
"Lord, are you still considering the queen's offer?" Isalo asked.
I looked at him through the mirror. He had a lean frame with an average height. His olive skin matched his low black hair. He wore a brown vest with a red shirt inside.
"I've said it already." I spun to him. "I already have a lover."
Gabrielle ran through my mind immediately. I smiled when I remembered how warm hers was. The way her Afro curls quivered whenever the wind blew was truly remarkable.
"But you said you want to go back to your home." He shrugged. "Why not marry her so she'll fulfill her promises, to help you return home."
I sent him a brief smile. "I'll think about it."
"Okay, lord."
He pushed the wooden door open.
I gave him a curt nod and walked out. I had spent two weeks in this castle already so I knew my way around it. The walls made of grey stone were lined with alluring paintings.
I went down a spiral staircase. Reaching the ground fall, I entered the courtyard. Sun rays bounced off columns forming shadows. Guards at their posts bowed their heads as I approached. I had never been given such respect in my whole life.
Flowers were at every corner of the courtyard, their aromatic scent drifting into my nostrils. I heard Isalo jogging behind me. He was trying to keep up. Ladies holding bowls containing water blushed and bowed their heads as they reached me. Afterwards, I heard them saying words like, "he's hot", "he's truly a god". I wouldn't lie, I was loving the feeling.
"Lord..." Isalo was trying to catch his breath.
I stopped and swerved to face him. "You need to exercise more."
He winced and placed his hand on his chest. Gesturing at his body, he chuckled.
"Which fat should I burn my Lord?" He coughed. "I'm slim as a stick."
I chuckled and shook my head slowly. Queen Tamara assigned Isalo to me. She said he was going to be my servant. But he did more than that. Always made me laugh, tried to make me feel better. He was the only one who understood how hard it was with this new life I had.
We reached a double door and two guards bowed and pushed it open. The throne room had a high glass ceiling. Lining the golden walls were tall windows with arched tops. White pillars were on both sides of the room. Men's robes were positioned at both sides of the room, a red rug that ran to the entrance separating them. They stopped talking when they noticed me. I raised a brow when they sketched brief bows.
I decided not to walk along the red carpet. Walking past the pillars, I maintained eye contact with the queen. She wore a red kirtle and still wore her crown of roses. Two sides of her hair were braided and the ones that weren't fell elegantly along her back. Her chest rose as I sent her a smile. Red rose her cheeks and she unlocked our gaze.
She sat on a golden throne that had a red cushion where her back rested. Two guards stood at her side. Their hands were on their hilts. They wore chain mails that covered their heads. The rectangular shields in their grip had the insignia of a soaring red bird.
I leaned on a pillar close to the throne, so I could get a better view of Queen Tamara. Isalo stood next to me, still panting heavily.
"Lord, the elders are all talking about you, " he said.
"It's obvious."
Now and then they'll turn and steal glances. I did not love attention. But I won't lie it felt good.
"You must be a very humble god," Isalo continued.
"I've said this countless times, I'm not a god."
Isalo shrugged. "That's why I said you're humble. You came to visit us in our form, so we'll speak to you freely."
Little did he know that I was far from what he thought I was. That was also the same with the whole of the kingdom of Dalfea. I was a devil. Not just a devil. I was one of the golden sons of Lucifer.
I sighed. "So why are we being called here?"
"Dalios, the king of the Sanians, is on his way." Isalo, leaned in to whisper. "He's an arrogant woof."
"Any ideas on why he's visiting?"
"No Lord." He pursed his lips. "But rumour has been spreading that he has asked the Queen to marry him."
The cliche marriage proposal that happened in most movies I watched back in my world.
"And what did she say?"
The queen side-glanced at me but quickly averted her eyes when she saw I caught her.
"Said no, " Isalo said.
A loud trumpet sounded and everyone in the room all stood erect, including the queen.
"King Dalios of Sania has arrived!"
Chapter 2
---Declaration of marriage
Ian's POV
The double door creaked open. Men in full golden armor marched into the room. Their armor resembled that of knights. Each held a spear that had a white flag hooked to its blade. On the flag, a golden lion's head was imprinted on it.
They marched sideways, revealing a man in a long golden robe that covered his feet. His long blonde hair stopped right below his ear and he wore his golden crown in a slant. He smirked as he closed his distance from the queen.
"That's Dalios," Isalo said.
"I can tell."
The queen curtsied. "King Dalios, the kingdom of Dalfea welcomes you."
"Of course they should." He c****d a brow. "After all, I'm King Dalios of Sania."
Isalo was right. This King was indeed arrogant. I hated him already.
One of Dalios men brought a golden seat and dropped it right behind him. The king licked his lower lip and sat down. Crossing a leg over the other, he rested his arm on the armrest, his forearm raised forming an angle ninety.
Queen Tamara caught a glimpse of me before she sat down.
"Tamara, how have your villages been coping with the attacks of the Galians?" Dalios asked.
This man had no sort of respect in him. He dared to address the queen without her title.
"Fine, thanks to your soldiers," she answered.
"This realm has three kingdoms, Dalfea, Sania, and Galia." The king yawned. "But we both know that the Galians have been a common enemy for years."
The elders spoke amongst themselves, some nodding their heads.
"Who are these Galians?" I asked, locking eyes with Isalo.
"They're savages. They attack who they wish to attack. They show no mercy. These people kill for pleasure," He explained.
I nodded my head, processing the new information I just got.
"Our parents were killed by Galians." The king clicked his tongue. "They wanted us to marry so we'll unite our two kingdoms."
"Well, King Dalios, I've told you countless times, I'm not interested in your proposal." Queen Tamara held her head up. "I'll decide who I'll marry."
"Nonsense my dear," he countered. "This isn't one of those fairytales that you end up with your Prince Charming. This is reality."
"It's a pity." Isalo shook his head slowly. "He's so desperate."
I choked back a laugh. "Isn't he a King? Can't he get any other woman? Why must it be the queen?"
"That, I don't know," Isalo replied.
"Tamara, it's only a matter of time before the Galians will launch a full attack on your kingdom. And without my soldiers, you wouldn't be able to fight them," Dalios said.
"And without my food, your people will starve to death." She glanced at me and I winked at her. Blushing, she trailed back her gaze to the king.
Dalios chuckled. "Funny enough, I don't need your food again."
The queen's brows locked. "What do you mean?"
"Well, your farmers have seen how good my soldiers protect their villages. So, many of them have migrated to my kingdom, where they'll be safe."
"That's not possible." She frowned. "My people are loyal to me alone. They wouldn't dare."
"But it's true. They value their lives. And so should you." Dalios twitched a corner of his lip. "Marry me and know you'll be safe as long I'm alive. If you don't, I'll withdraw my soldiers from your farming villages making them open to attack from the Galians."
Queen Tamara's eyes went wide.
"That was the dumbest marriage proposal I've ever heard," I said chuckling.
All eyes in the throne room went on me. Whispers and gasps were everywhere.
I stopped leaning against the wall and moved closer to the Queen. I rested an arm on her throne and winked at her.
"Lord, what are you doing?" She asked in a hushed tone.
"Just watch."
"What's this insolence?" Dalios asked, getting up from his seat.
"Queen Tamara is a queen and deserves to be treated like one." I hooked eyes with her and the corners of her lips went up.
"Who's this joker?" Dalios asked pointing at me.
"Talus, the god of the realm!" Isalo yelled.
"Nonsense, no god will ever come in our form." Dalios frowned. " He deserves death. Guards!"
One of them abruptly launched a spear at me. Being the badass I was, I caught it before it reached my face. Dalios' eyes went wide. I smirked and threw the spear at the guard. It pierced through his forehead and sent him flying out of the room.
The queen gasped, a hand over her mouth.
Another guard ran to me his spear in his grip. I took a step forward.