Zed Laskaris stepped inside the room, hiis heavy boots struck the ground with measured authority.
The demon slaves stationed by the pillars bowed instantly, their heads low, not daring to meet the gaze of their king.
At the far end of the room, upon a throne carved from obsidian and bone, His father sat, he was a strong demon but weak compared to Zed. His black eyes gleamed with darkness at the sight of his son.
"I see you came to visit me, and perhaps start another fight with your brother," Zed's father said with a small smile playing on his lips, but Zed did not return it.
"I came to inform you of my marriage," he said curtly.
His father's grin widened. "Who is the lucky demon?"
"She's human." Zed replied plainly.
His father's smile faltered. "You need a strong woman at your side if you hope to rule. Humans are weak by nature."
"The more reason to marry her," Zed replied calmly. "She will have no choice but to submit to me, and in due time, she will grow stronger and more educated."
His father chuckled in a mocking tone, "Sounds like love."
"Zed Laskaris does not love," Zed said flatly, scoffing at the very word.
"Let's hope not," his father warned. "Humans have the power to do that"
"Love is not for me. You, of all people, should know that," Zed said, his expression darkening as his father stood up from the throne, cloak dragging across the cold stone floor.
"Humans will make you grow weak. They will cloud your judgment, and you will not be able to rule," his father continued, circling him like a serpent.
Zed's jaw tensed. "You speak as though you still rule. You don't. I do. And it's time you stopped pretending otherwise."
"Stop trying to act like a good father. I know you still plot against me and wish to take over, Father. But I will always rule over you, and it is your duty to obey me."
The old man's eyes flashed. "You're too young, you don't deserve the throne."
"Yet here you are," Zed said with a cold smile, "the one acting like a child."
"I will not tolerate this insolence!" His father paused, forcing the words out through clenched teeth. "...My lord." He spat the title like venom before turning away in fury.
"My lord, when did you return?" Gwen's voice cut through the silence as she appeared from the shadows. her long dark hair brushing her waist, her green eyes gleaming faintly in the torchlight.
"Unnecessary, Gwen," Zed said, brushing past her without even a glance. "I am to be married soon".
She frowned. "Married?" she repeated, clearly unsettled. "Who is she?"
He stopped walking, tilting his head slightly toward her. "That is none of your concern."
"Do I know her?" she pressed, her voice barely hiding her jealousy.
Zed's hand shot out, his claws digging lightly into her chin as he grabbed her jaw. "Control your emotions, Gwen."
She winced, her breath shaky. "Y…yes, my lord. But be with me tonight, once more before you get married," she pleaded, desperation clear in her voice.
Zed studied her expression. She was beautiful. Yes, like temptation made flesh but she disgusted him when she grovelled.
"I am in no mood to indulge you," he said coldly, releasing her jaw. "You must learn control"
Her eyes darkened with pain and envy, but she bowed her head. "Yes, my lord."
He turned and began walking away, his long cloak brushing over the floor as his thoughts darkened. He needed to confront his father. A duel between them was inevitable. And long overdue.
---
It was dark,late into the night. The air was cool, and faint moonlight slipped through the tall arched windows.
Zed appeared in the chamber he had arranged for Skye. The room was dimly lit, quiet except for the slow rhythm of her breathing. He stood silently by the doorway, his piercing amber eyes resting on her sleeping form.
Skye lay on the massive bed, her soft brown hair spilling over the pillow. Her breathing was gentle, calm. She looked almost too peaceful for this place.
She was even more beautiful than the tales had said, delicate, fragile, untouched, and painfully human. A creature of light now caught in his dark world.
He stepped closer, his expression unreadable. Her beauty was dangerous, it stirred something within him that he did not like. He reached down brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. His hand lingered, her skin was smooth, delicate, so warm compared to the cold air around her.
Zed closed his eyes and placed a hand on her forehead. Her mind opened before him like a door. A rush of sensation hit him as he slipped past her conscious mind into her thoughts. Her soul was grieved. Her dreams were filled with fear, pain and Loneliness. Even in her dreams, she cried. She saw him as a monster.
Perhaps she was right.
Zed opened his eyes slowly, his expression softening for just a moment. "You have no idea what I am," he murmured quietly.
His hand trailed down her face, tracing her cheekbone, his thumb brushing side of her lips. The softness of her skin sent fire through his veins, he clenched is jaw as he thought of all he wanted to do to her, she was still pure, she had never known a man.
He leaned down, close enough to feel her breath against his face, and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Her eyes fluttered open, startled. "S-sire!" she gasped, sitting up, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Zed straightened, his face calm as ever. "Is all well?"
"Y-yes," she whispered, her voice trembling as her hands clutched the blanket tightly.
"Good." He nodded. "Rest well, Princess."
Then he turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps barely audible against the marble.
Skye sat frozen, staring after him. The air was thick with his scent— dark, rich, and intoxicating. It made her heart race for reasons she couldn't explain.
Her thoughts spiraled. Why had he been here watching her, and why did his presence make her feel both terrified and… safe?
She buried her face in her hands, confusion swirling through her. The stories she'd heard about him painted him as a ruthless monster but she had seen something else, if only for a heartbeat.
Something almost human.