The world twisted the moment their hands touched.
Elira barely had time to gasp before the ground vanished beneath her feet. One second she was standing in the forest, her blood dripping in the snow and the next sec she was falling straight into pit of fire.
Heat wrapped around her, thick and suffocating like she'd been swallowed by a flame. She squeezed her eyes shut, heart pounding,mouth open in a silent scream. Her fingers clung to him like a lifeline the only solid thing in a storm of burning flame.
Then, suddenly, everything stopped. Her boots touched solid ground she stumbled forward coughing lungs aching.
The world around her had changed. No more snow no more forest, only a dark sky lit by two crimson moons and a landscape of scorched stone and flickering lava rivers that stretched far beyond what her eyes could see, the entire realm felt like it was watching her.
And standing beside her, as untouched by the heat as a god- The Devil. He stood tall and bare-chested, power radiating off him in waves. His horns caught the moonlight his eyes glowed molten gold and his smile… lazy, wicked and full of smug.
"Welcome," he said, voice low dark and sinful, "to the Ninth Flame."
She turned still shaky and found him standing there like he owned the place. Shadows curled at his feet,his horns gleamed under the red moons and his smirk was maddening.
"This… isn't hell?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
He let out a low, rumbling laugh, laced with amusement, "Hell is a bedtime tale mortals whisper to feel safe. This place is older and wilder no rules just instincts and consequences."
"Why bring me here?"she asked. "Because you're mine," he said easily " if anyone wants you, they'll have to come through me."
The words sank in slowly and she hated how her skin warmed at his tone, hated the way her heartbeat betrayed her.
"I didn't want this bond," she muttered. "No one ever wants the devil," he said smoothly, "until he's the only one left." And he replied, tilting his head"Old Magic doesn't ask for consent,it answers in desperation and darling… you were screaming."
Elira stiffened "Don't call me that."
"Hmm." He stepped closer again, always invading her space like it belonged to him. "Would you prefer little witch? Or liar? Or maybe… temptation?"
Her cheeks flushed despite no matter how hard she tried to fight it. He noticed of course he noticed.
"Stop looking at me like that," she snapped.
"Like what?"
"Like you want to eat me."
Another smirk, "I do have a taste for forbidden things."
"Touch me and I'll curse you into a toad."
"I'd rather you touch me first," he said smoothly, then chuckled when her jaw dropped.
Elira turned away, fuming he was impossible. Infuriating and far too charming for a creature made of fire and shadow.
She scanned their surroundings there was no palace in sight no fortress. Just a jagged path leading down into the glowing valley, where flames danced between black rocks.
"Where are we going?"
"To my home."
"Which is…?"
"You'll see."
He offered his hand again, almost like a habit. She ignored it this time and started walking without him,her legs still shook but pride was stronger than fear.
He didn't seem offended instead, he matched her stride, humming low under his breath.
The silence stretched. "You still haven't told me why me," she said quietly.
He was quiet for a moment, "You did what no other witch dared to do," he said eventually, "You broke your own laws,you used forbidden magic, spilled blood to save not to destroy. That kind of mercy… it leaves a scar in the world the kind even devils can feel." She glanced at him, surprised.
"You're saying you chose to answer the spell?"
"I was watching," he said simply"Long before you called my name." Her stomach flipped something inside her twisted at the thought of him watching, of his eyes on her.
They walked in silence again, the air thick with tension,eventually, the black cliffs parted and something rose from the ground.
Elira stopped.
It wasn't a castle.
It was a temple half-carved from obsidian and bone, lit by floating embers that moved like fireflies. Spires clawed at the sky like fingers reaching for lost gods, long staircase led to a towering archway that pulsed with magic.
"This is where you live?" she asked, eyebrows raised.
"I don't live," he said, almost bitterly,"But yes. This is mine."
She couldn't deny it despite how terrifying it looked, it was… beautiful.
He led her inside, through grand halls lit by red crystal flames. The heat didn't burn here,It wrapped around her like silk, a constant hum beneath her skin. Magic thrived in the walls. She realized, with a strange sort of awe that this place was alive.
"You'll sleep here," he said, stopping at a large chamber.
The room was luxurious in a twisted way dark velvet, flickering candles, a massive bed that looked far too inviting.It smelled like heat and spice and something older.
She turned to him sharply,"I'm sleeping alone."
His grin spread like fire, "For now."
"Touch me and I swear—"
He held up a hand"I don't take what isn't offered but I do wait... and witches like you always break eventually."
She glared.
He loved it.
Before she stepped inside, he caught her wrist not tight, just enough to make her pause.
"Don't leave this room without me," he said, voice suddenly cold."This realm feeds on fear,if something calls your name don't answer, if it begs don't pity if it whispers… run."
Elira swallowed, "What if it's you?" He leaned closer, his breath a warm caress, "You'll know, i'll make sure of it."
Something in her stomach coiled tight, she nodded slowly.
Then, softer almost too soft to hear he added, "You're not as alone as you think."
And then he was gone.
Elira stood there, pulse racing, body still humming with the heat of him.
This is madness, He is a monster a creature made of ruin and wrath. But gods help her… some part of her didn't feel afraid anymore.
And that somehow, was even more dangerous. She stepped into the room, shut the door and let herself breathe.
Only then did she realize her hand still tingled from touching his.