Hell Bound

EPILOGUE

True to his word, Tynan managed to convince the Nymphs to throw a ceremony in celebration of the Deceiver and his mate's mating. Not that it surprised Dragon, for having lived for centuries after centuries, nothing ever surprised him. Even if it did, he would never show it, instead choose to ignore it. 

However, Alithiya wasn't as impassive. Even though the thought of her oncoming wedding set her on edge, she was thrilled to see so many people, be it Unseelie or otherwise, showing their support to them. Somehow, through a lot of deals and lot of compromises, she managed to drag Dragon to the ceremony as well. He was reluctant at first, but soon relaxed seeing his mate enjoying herself, though he was far from entertained with the antics the mischievous nymphs pulled off. 

At the end of the week, Alithiya met Dragon under the full moon, under the great tree of mating, in the realm of hell, with its branches colorful with various strips of clothes tied around them indicating the many matings it had seen and held witness to. She was wearing the gown Dragon had given her, and she walked confidently, with her head held high, while Athena's voice spoke encouragements to her in her mind. She was grateful for the support and even though she didn't say it, she knew that Athena knew it. 

She walked up to her mate, and knelt down in front of him, her head bowed. He was his usual self. Cold and calm, his gaze impassive and his stance rigid. She didn't like to bow in front of anyone. Even if it was her mate. And he didn't like his own mate bowing to him, but this was one moment that he couldn't do as he pleased and it irked him, greatly. But still, the sight of her wearing the dress he brought her, and which he had had it made specifically for her, proudly, made him proud as well. 

He was in his full attire, which emphasized his rank as a general in the Demon army, second only to the Satan himself, and his title as a demon of rank and wealth in the demon court. Dressed from head to toe in black, with a red slash running diagonally from his left shoulder to right hip, he cut an impressive figure. Alithiya looked up at him, and met his blank gaze. A fortnight ago, his empty gaze would have made her falter and think twice, but having spent the last two weeks with him, she knew that underneath that blank gaze there was a tenderness with which he looked at her that only she could bring forth. She smiled at him, and her smile widened when she saw his lips tilt up slightly in his signature smirk, but all the same, his face stayed the same. Impassive and blank.

The Elder was reciting old mating rites and vows and she spoke solemnly, repeating after him, pledging herself, heart, mind, body and soul to her mate and now husband. She raised her hand in a fist at the same time Dragon held his above hers and the Elder bound their hands together muttering the demon rites under his breath. 

When she finally stood up, it was to assist her husband in binding the cloth around a tree branch the the Elder had summoned down for them, using his powers. With the ceremony complete, Dragon turned to her and the demon bowed his head to her mate. It was a slow and a graceful movement, one that left her breathless at the amount of respect he showed her, and a gesture that left many speechless. Even the beasts were surprised. 

It is not known for a Demon, much less a demon lord to show a gesture of such respect to their mates. Usually, most of them just used their mates to manipulate and gain power. While Dragon's main purpose in marrying her had been to claim her power, in bowing his head and acknowledging her as his mate, he had given her equality in their mating. 

During the past week, Athena had taught her many things about the Demon realm from her own learnings and experiences. The visions came so frequently that it had left her drained of any energy to stay awake during the day. So she had adjusted easily to the demons' time schedule which was active during night and the day was spent with them all catching a bit of shut eye and resting. Dragon had been displeased to hear about Athena's constant visit but he hadn't voiced his objections knowing there was nothing he could do to stop the arrogant spirit of his former queen.