The air at the ruined castle was thick with the scent of blood and fire. Jayden collapsed onto the cold marble floor, bound by enchanted cuffs that burned into her skin like poison. Her eyes darted across the carnage—guards scattered in pieces, prisoners long fled. Mammoth stood before her, the illusion of kindness shattered from his face, replaced by a monstrous smirk.
She tried her best to break free from the magical handcuffs, she struggled, cursed and cried. Her heart hurt so much, she had been betrayed she thought that if she knew the truth it'll solve all her problems so she believed him and now here she is, dying without even getting to have a blissful night with Azrael, he wanted his love, body, everything about him, she wanted it so much. She had the opportunity but she misused it. She thinks, she isn't sure if Azrael will find her on time and rescue her, all she could do was hope.
She gasped as another wave of pain struck her. "Please, Mammoth... you don't have to do this."
But he didn't listen.
Suddenly, a flash of silver tore through the air—a scythe slicing clean through Mammoth's hand. He roared in rage, stumbling back as his severed limb hit the ground.
Jayden's heart surged. She looked up through blurred vision. "Azrael...!" Her voice filled with sadness, longing and worry.
He stepped through the haze, firelight casting shadows on his sharp features. His golden eyes locked onto hers, fierce and full of unspoken emotion.
"Why do you always have to get in my way!" Mammoth snarled.
With a scream, Mammoth's hand regenerated, and he launched at Azrael. Their clash echoed through the broken halls, shadows flying as blades of magic and death collided. But Mammoth was smart—too smart. He conjured a portal behind him, grabbed Jayden mid-fight, and vanished once more.
Azrael let out a roar of frustration as black mist marked their escape.
The castle shook as flames consumed the walls. Jayden lay on the cracked floor again, coughing. Mammoth was weakening—her power too vast, his greed turning unstable. The cuffs began to crack. Just as he reached for her again, Azrael emerged from the shadows like a ghost.
This time, Mammoth didn't get away.
Azrael hurled his scythe and pierced through Mammoth's chest. With a howl, the demon fell to his knees, dark essence leaking from him. Azrael was on him in seconds, shoving him into a summoning circle carved into the stone. With a final word in the language of the dead, Azrael banished him to the void.
Silence fell. Only the crackling of fire remained.
Jayden looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears. "I was so foolish... I let him use me."
Azrael dropped to his knees beside her, gently removing the broken cuffs. "And I was a coward. I should have never left your side. I've thought of nothing but you."
Jayden reached up, touching his face. "You came back."
"I never stopped loving you," he whispered. "Even if it meant defying the underworld. Even if it means giving up the title of Death... I'll do it, Jayden. I'll stay by your side. Forever."
She leaned in, and their lips met—deep, desperate, and real. All the pain, longing, and love crashed together in that kiss. When they parted, Azrael trailed soft kisses down her neck, igniting a moan from her lips. The fire roared behind them, painting them in gold.
"I've longed to kiss you... to claim you," he murmured against her skin.
"Then do it," she whispered back.
And he did. He started placing hot peppery kisses on her neck down to her collar bone causing her to let out a soft moan, he looked at her, his eyes like that of a starving wolf.
"I've been so far away from you…those noises you make…I want to hear every sound of them…I love you Jayden…words can't explain ho much I love you, It's more than just a silly obsession. I want to be with you forever…I want to claim you…I want to ruin you, to show everyone that you belong to me and no one but me gets to touch you." Azrael said, his voice was filled with tenderness and a hint of possessiveness.
Jayden looked at him, her yes filled with desire, she was small, like a bunny with a huge, hungry wolf. She finally heard those words from him "love". She finally heard him say it back, she immediately embraced him. "I want to be with you too." She said barely above a whisper.
They broke the hug, then Jayden looked at the balcony, murmurs and whispers were made by the people. Azrael looked at her.
"A queen needs to attend to her people." Azrael said, hint of playfulness in his tone.
Jayden smiled softly at his words, reminding her she has a kingdom to rule. She took a deep breath and walked slowly to the balcony, the skies were bright and blue. There she was, standing in front of her people, the ones who persecuted her, the ones who were lied to and knew nothing of the truth, it was time for her to regain all their memories.