Chapter 31: The Wedding

"We’ve arrived," Damara called from the front of the carriage. Her dress wiggled as the carriage shook. "Prepare yourselves. Demon weddings are a bit..."

"Eccentric? Like your dad?" I teased, laughing after. "I think we can handle it."

She smiled at me before replying. "Extravagant," she corrected. "It’s a sacred lifelong vow they are making. We just like to make a show of it."

Damara was right. As we were escorted in, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the luster everything carried here. The grand archway opened into a massive hall made of black marble.

Up front stood Jole and Diana in traditional garb. An old elder stood beside them holding a bowl.

We took our seats near the front as the room quieted down. The elder raised his hands and spoke in a shaky but booming voice.

"We gather to witness the binding of these two souls," the elder announced, looking over the couple before nodding with a grin, reaching his hand into his pocket.

Jole and Diana stepped forward, ignoring the crowd.

The elder pulled out a long crimson string. He walked between them, took the slack, and tied the glowing red thread tight to connect Jole and Diana’s horns. The string flared with a warm light.

The crowd whispered in awe.

With the red string tied to their horns, the elder smiled and nodded. Jole leaned in and kissed Diana. The hall erupted into cheers. Silver petals rained down from the rafters, drifting lazily as they fell.

The applause faded as the newlywed couple turned to face the cheering crowd, walking hand-in-hand down the middle aisle, waving as they passed by.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, adjusting my white tuxedo jacket. Beside me, Damara beamed, wiping a stray tear from the corner of her eye, while Katrina and Micro-Sarah clapped excitedly.

"Well," I whispered, leaning down toward Damara. "I think we made it through the craziest part."

She nudged my ribs playfully with her elbow, a wide smile breaking across her dark features. "Don’t speak too soon, Sam. The reception is next."

After that, close family members were released. They escorted us to another large area, leading us to a table. On top, a large nameplate with SMITH sat.

The evening went by in a blur of drinking and dancing. Bringing it to a halt, King Zeref approached our table, asking for my private audience.

Flashing the girls a concerned look, I followed him to a quiet room. He locked the door behind him.

The heavy click of the deadbolt sounded entirely too permanent for my liking. I stared at the dark obsidian door, instantly regretting every choice that had led me from an empty apartment on Earth straight into a VIP interrogation room with a horned overlord.

"That’s not ominous..." I muttered before clearing my throat. "Sir? May I ask what this is about?"

"Please, drop the formalities," he corrected, waving his hand.

"Okay... Da–"

"Just call me Zeref," he interrupted, stumbling over his words a bit. "You’re quite funny, Sam."

"I use it to ease my anxiety in tense moments," I explained. "It’s kind of like a defense mechanism," I added, rubbing my neck.

My brain stalled. Every worst-case scenario I had ever imagined in fantasy books flashed behind my eyes. Like execution by public stoning, banishment to the wasteland, or worse, forced royal etiquette lessons to make me a civilized worker.

He crossed his massive arms over his chest, the heavy steel plating of his armor clinking softly in the quiet room. For a second, the intense aura weighing down the air shifted, replaced by something uncomfortably close to paternal concern.

The large man retrieved something from his pocket and offered it to me. A small obsidian whistle with the kingdom’s sigil on its side.

"I trust you to take care of my daughter," he said, handing me the whistle. "I will remove my watch from your woods... for now, but if you ever run into too much for you to handle, blow into this, and someone from my royal guard will be there immediately."

"I really appreciate that, Zeref," I said, shoving the whistle into my pocket. "Can I ask you a few questions? You’ve said things or hinted at knowing things you shouldn’t."

"I am the ruler of all of the Demon Realm. Do you think my knowledge spans only my lands?"

"I suppose it doesn’t. That doesn’t change the fact that you called me an outworlder. How would you know that?"

"I have my ways, Sam. Let a father keep a few secrets," he replied, raising his hand to gesture the idea away.

"I’m sorry, Sir. Please explain," I added, maintaining eye contact. "It has had my stomach in knots."

"If it causes you much distress, I must concede, though I can assure you it is nothing sinister. I merely used my identity skill. It told me you were an outworlder touched by the Goddess Celestia."

I tried to pry further, but he continuously dodged question after question. Our conversation devolved into me describing fireworks to him and suggesting them for future celebrations. He wrote the details of my story down for their hired chemists.

He personally escorted me to my room. Damara stepped out into the hall as I entered.

"Go ahead and get washed up for the night, Sam. I’m going to chat with my father a bit before calling it a night," she said, stepping toward me and giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. "I won’t be gone too long."

Retreating further into the room, I found Katrina and Micro-Sarah lounging on my mattress. Katrina’s tail swayed hypnotically as she emitted a low purr. Micro-Sarah eyed me as I approached the side of the bed.

"Did you guys have fun?" I asked, sitting down, and starting to strip away the formal outfit. "I can’t believe I wore that stiff jacket the whole evening..." I muttered, taking a heavy breath as I dropped it on the floor and laid back.

"There were too many people for me to get comfy. I had to drink a lot of wine to even work up the courage to dance. That and you asked so nicely I couldn’t resist," she said, smiling wide. "So yes. I had a lot of fun."

"Sarah? What about you? This is pretty far from home. How are you feeling?" I asked, turning to her.

"There were lots of really really nice people. Sarah had lots of fun... buuuttt..." she chimed. "I’m really looking forward to going back home. Will you guys visit the Hot Springs when we get back?"

"Absolutely!" I answered, no need to think about it. "Maybe we can work on getting your real body past the door?"

"Uhhh... m-maybe," she said, meekly.

Before I could ask what she meant, the doorknob to the suite clicked and began to turn.

Damara stepped back into the room, a warm, tired smile playing on her lips. She stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes locking onto me as I sat shirtless on the edge of the mattress.

Damara slowly crossed her arms, a slow, knowing smirk spreading across her dark features as she leaned against the doorframe.

"Busy night, huh?" she murmured, her ruby eyes gleaming with amusement as she kicked the door shut behind her. "Mind if I join, or do I need to grab a number first?"