Dabria's heart throbbed with anxiety in every intensifying moment of dread mixed with the bitter nectar of fear.
As the ride continued in a long, piercing silence through the dark path of the forest, the melancholic voice of lord Lucian rumbled through the cold night air, making Dabria's body jolt slightly in fear.
"You seemed so brave back at the forest even though you were timid, but now you just seem like a frightened bunny." Lucian remarked, his tone sufficed with interest, an interest she couldn't understand.
Dabria, not knowing what to say, tilted her head to the side, staring out of the tiny square window, only for her to meet pitch darkness.
Silence again engulfed the carriage and she sighed inwardly, in relief, but it had barely lasted for a minute when she heard his dangerous low voice.
"Lift your head and look at me." He commanded, a slight trace of irritation could be heard in his voice.
Almost immediately, she rose her head up and their eyes locked in a magnetic pull, peculiar orbs boring into each other as the hues of silver and violet blended into a force transcending both their imagination.
"I am more dangerous than a wild beast, but I am no wild beast." Lucian purred beneath his breath with an ominous ring to it.
Dabria swallowed softly as she nodded, her mind plunged in a spiral of confusing questions that rang endlessly in her head.
Smiling with his lips but not his eyes, he leaned back as he began "You may ask whatever you wish, i'll answer, after all you are my future wife."
Scanning him with curious and oblivious eyes, she almost spoke immediately, seeing as she had an opportunity to clear the confusing air around her.
"Why do you want to marry me…my lord?" Dabria asked, her voice slightly shaking. It seemed as if the darkness seeping from within him clogged her throat and at that moment, she knew very well that she was far from safe with this demon.
A smirk tugged the edge of his pale red lips up, his moon orbs twinkling with dark amusement "I claim whatever is mine and I want you to be mine."
Dabria could merely flutter her lashes, and she couldn't help but become flustered at the fact that the powerful demon king wanted her to be his, but she couldn't understand why, why her? She thought inwardly as she tried to read him, but nothing came up to mind.
"But why?" Dabria asked, the words floating under her lips in a confused murmur.
Lucian saw confusion flit through her purple orbs, her brows furrowing together and the hue of red smearing over her face as she blushed at his words of making her his. The fear masking her face both from his melancholic aura and confusion slowly eased but still there was a cautious look in her eyes.
"I want you to be mine and I always get what I want." Lucian stated with a tone of finality.
"But you barely know me, my lord. What if I don't fit into your standards or you don't like me, what happens then?" Dabria asked, her eyes brimming with curiosity, but for a second he was lost in those mesmerizing magenta orbs of hers.
"The eyes are the windows to the soul, trust I didn't make the wrong decision. I know very well the little angel i chose." Lucian said, his words filled with certainty.
Dabria was left stunned, unable to say another word to dissuade his mind from her but at that moment, it seemed like he had already made his decision and there was no going back.
"May I ask another question my lord?" Sabrina asked but before he could stem up a reply, the carriage came to a screeching halt.
A small smile graced Lucian's lips as he said "We have arrived at the castle. Get some rest and you can ask more questions in the morning."
Dabria meekly nodded. The carriage door opened and Lucian came out first, then stood at the door side with his hands outstretched to her. She went out after him, while taking his hand.
As she stepped out of the carriage, the view of the castle came into her sight. The shadows of the towering castle loomed over her like a sinister sentinel. Glistening obsidian spikes shot out into the sky until they were lost in the clouds.
The eerie setting mixed with a gothic theme sent chills down Dabria's spine. Twisted statues and gargoyles greeted them at the expansive courtyard, but as frightened as she was, Dabria was as well awed at the sheer size and luxury of the place.
Soldiers guarded the black iron gate and as Lucian walked toward the ominous building, she cowered behind him while following his lead, as though the castle would turn into that of a monster to devour her.
Fear clutched her chest painfully, squeezing her heart with its painful grip till it bleeded with terror and the closer they got to the entrance of the castle, the more ominous it became.
As the door creaked open, Lucian went in and she followed, only for her to meet an even more luxurious and polished inside. Golden snakes coiled around obsidian pillars, marble floor and rich fur kissed her feet with every step they took, black velvety curtains with gold needlework draped over the window, while candlelights burned dimly through the corridors, shedding the warm glow of light in the eerie space.
They climbed the almost endless stairs leading to various corridors and after a while, they stopped in a lone corridor, which seemed eerier than the rest and more desolate.
Suddenly, two middle aged maids appeared out of the blue and she saw Lucian's eyes narrow at them before falling back on her.
"They'll take care of you, get some rest after. Goodnight little angel." Lucian said and before she could stem a reply, he turned his back to her and walked to the door opposite, then he disappeared into the room, leaving her in awkward silence with the two maids.
"My lady, we will be serving you tonight." One of the maids said after they curtsied. She had brown hair and hazel eyes while the second maid had red hair, contrasting to her sparkly blue eyes.
"Its alright, I will just go to bed since I'm tired." Dabria said.
"I apologize for the intrusion, but we have to prepare you for bed first, we can't let you go to sleep like this." The red haired maid budged in while they led her to the room opposite the one Lucian had disappeared into.
"We have to prepare you for bed, so let us do our job." The first maid remarked, her tone slightly hinted with irritation as she barged into the room.
Dabria decided to quietly let them do their job, after all they must have been tired and just wanted to rest so she decided to fasten everything up rather than refuse.
She saw the redhead slightly nudge the other one as she whispered to her "Be respectful, you know what happens if she reports you to the lord."
The other maid suddenly got quiet, but Dabria could see the irritation in her eyes. She must have either hated the job of serving someone else or they must have heard about her from the village, the peculiar witch.
Dabria was rather tense at that moment. She wondered for a split moment if Lucian knew who she was and the rumors about her, not that they mattered anyway, they were baseless.
"Do you like your chambers my lady?" The redhead asked with a polite smile playing on her lips, Dabria couldn't tell if it was genuine or feigned but at least she was accepting.
For the first time since they had stepped into the room, Dabria finally noticed the detailed, opulent room. Beneath her feet was a lush carpet, a large window leading to the balcony exposed the view to the dark courtyard while the moonlight bathed it.
A princess sized bed was seated in the middle of the room, with silk curtains draping down from the polished woodframes, leading to velvety sheets and pillows made of the finest fur. A small table with an ink, a quill and parchment of papers seated atop it, while a wardrobe made of fine oak wood with intricate designs was seated at the side of the room.
A full body sized mirror sat at one corner, a velvety cushion sat right next to it and a small shelf hosting a few books lay hidden at a dark corner.
The room was exquisitely furnished and the fireplace crackled softly with bright flames, giving the room a soft gow and warmth.
Dabria was left stunned, the size of the room was probably twice the size of their small cottage. The voice of the maids suddenly snapped her out of her reverie.
"Its time for your bath my lady." The redhead announced and she nodded while they led her to the bathing room. They helped her peel the worn, frail fabric off her body and then soaked her into the tub filled with warm water.
Even though she had refused, they still scrubbed her until she was squeaky clean and her jade skin glowed.
Finally they got her ready for bed but before they could leave, Dabria finally voice out the question that she was burying all through.
"Am I safe here with the demon lord?"
The maids who were already at the door, turned to face her. "Goodnight my lady." the redhead said and before she could say anything else they both dashed out of the room.
They may not have said anything but their silence was louder than their words. She wasn't safe, she was plunged into a world of peril.