The air in the bedroom was thick. It smelled like smoke and copper. Outside the heavy stone walls, people were screaming. The sounds of metal hitting metal rang out through the mist. The Holy Army of the angels was attacking the castle. But inside this room, it was quiet.
Celeste stood by the window. She was not a scared girl anymore. Two years ago, she had no wings. Now, she had six. They were not made of soft white feathers. They were made of dark, black fire. They moved slowly in the air behind her. They didn't feel heavy. They felt like power.
The door opened. It was a heavy wooden door, and it made a loud noise. Celeste did not turn around. She knew who it was. The room suddenly got much hotter because of his presence.
Athan walked in. He was the Half-Devil King. He was much taller than a normal man. His black armor was broken in some places. He had gold blood on his face and his shoulders. He looked tired, but he also looked dangerous. His large, leathery wings were tucked behind him. They were covered in dirt and soot from the fight.
"You should not be standing by the window," Athan said. His voice was deep and rough. "An arrow could hit you."
Celeste turned around slowly. She looked at him. She remembered when she first met him. She used to be afraid of his shadow. Now, she was not. "I am the Queen," she said. Her voice was steady. "My father is trying to burn this castle down. I will not hide in a corner while you bleed for me."
Athan walked toward her. He moved fast. He stopped right in front of her. He was like a wall of heat. He reached out and grabbed her chin. His hand was very big. His skin was burning hot. He forced her to look up into his eyes. His eyes were gold, but they were starting to turn red because he was angry and worried.
"Your father has ten thousand soldiers out there," Athan said. He spoke very close to her face. "He is not here to talk. He is here to take you back. He wants to lock you in a cage again. He wants to cut these wings off your back because they scare him."
"He cannot do that," Celeste said. She did not blink. She reached up and touched the jagged scar on Athan's cheek. "I am not the weak girl he sold to you. I am a witch now. I have seen the way the demons look at me. They don't see a defect. They see a ruler."
Athan gripped her chin a little harder. He was not trying to hurt her, but he was very strong. He leaned his head against hers. Their skin touched. Her skin was white and glowing. His skin was dark and covered in the dust of war.
"I lived for four hundred years alone," Athan whispered. "I killed my own brothers to keep my throne. I never cared if I lived or died. But now? I am terrified."
"Why?" Celeste asked. She put her hands on his chest. She could feel his heart beating very fast against his armor.
"Because if you die, I will burn every world," Athan said. "I will not stop until there is nothing left. I am obsessed with you, Celeste. It is a sickness. I see your face when I close my eyes. I hear your breath when I am on the battlefield. You are my only weakness."
Celeste pulled his face closer to hers. "Then make me your strength. Stop trying to push me away to keep me safe. I want to fight with you."
Athan growled. It was a sound of frustration. "You do not understand. My father was the Devil. My blood is poison. You are light, even with those dark wings. I don't want to ruin you."
"You didn't ruin me," Celeste said. She smiled, and it was a sharp, dangerous smile. "You woke me up. My father gave me scars. You gave me a kingdom. He gave me silence. You gave me a voice."
A loud explosion happened outside. The whole castle shook. Stones fell from the ceiling. Dust got on the dark velvet bed. The angels were using holy magic to break the stone walls. They were getting closer to the inner tower.
Athan looked at the door, then back at Celeste. His expression shifted. He didn't look like a general anymore. He looked like a man who was starving. He didn't care about the soldiers outside anymore. He only wanted the woman in front of him.
"They are coming," Athan said. His voice dropped to a low, dark level. "The walls will hold for an hour. Maybe less."
"Then stay here," Celeste said. She stepped closer, her body brushing against his armor. "Stop being a King for one hour. Just be my husband."
Athan's eyes glowed bright. He walked to the door. He picked up a heavy wooden dresser. He pushed it in front of the door with one hand. It made a loud scraping sound. No one was getting in. Then he turned back to her. His shadow covered her completely.
"I have wanted to lock you in this room since the day I bought you," Athan said. He walked toward her slowly. Each step was heavy. "I wanted to keep you away from every eye. I wanted you to only look at me."
"I am looking at you," Celeste whispered.
"Get on the bed," Athan commanded. It was not a request. It was the command of a King.
Celeste felt a shiver run down her back. It was not fear. It was a pull she couldn't fight. She obeyed. She climbed onto the large bed. The velvet was soft and cool. Her long silver hair spread out all over the dark fabric. She looked like a star in the middle of a night sky.
Athan climbed onto the bed too. He moved over her, bracing his weight on his arms. He was very heavy and very warm. His black wings spread out wide. They blocked the light from the torches. It felt like they were in a dark cave, far away from the war.
"Everyone in Aetheria called you a mistake," Athan whispered. He touched her lower lip with his thumb. He traced the shape of her mouth. "They were fools. You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. You are not a defect. You are a masterpiece."
He leaned down and smelled her neck. He breathed in deeply. He was acting like a hungry animal that had finally caught its prey. "Tonight, we make a Soul Bond," he said. "Our magic will mix. We will become one person. After that, your father can bring a million angels. It won't matter. We will destroy them all."
Celeste reached up. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, pulling him down. She didn't want the "pure" and cold love of the angels. She wanted this. She wanted the heat. She wanted the man who saw her scars and loved them.
"Do it," Celeste said. "Make me yours."
Athan's golden eyes bled into crimson. He was losing control of his demon side. He leaned down, his breath hot against her ear.
"I am going to mark you," he whispered. "Everyone will know you belong to the Half-Devil. You will never be alone again."
"I don't want to be alone," she replied.
Athan looked down at her. His face was full of a dark, possessive heat. He looked at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.
"Now," Athan whispered, his voice thick and deep. "Spread your legs for me."
Outside, another bomb went off. The ground shook. But Celeste didn't hear it anymore. She only heard the sound of Athan's breathing. She held onto him as the world began to burn.