Beneath Her Darkness: The Alpha's Little Demon by Cassandra M novel Chapter 196

Book 2

Chapter 44-Athwart

PATREA.

‘Lucius?’ I called for him again and I was already beginning to panic.

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‘Here.’ He appeared beside me as a body fell from the top and hit the ground with a loud thud Arturos’ body was totally deformed, and his head was missing. But his head came crashing down after a few seconds, smashing to the ground as his brain and blood splattered on the demons around that area.

My head snapped back to look at Lucius, who was now back in his regular demon form, probably so he wouldn’t tower over me. In his hands was Arturo’s heart.

The demons everywhere stopped fighting, and some of them just suddenly disappeared, their bodies crumbling to ashes as they just vanished in the air.

“What’s happening?” I asked Lucius.

“Those demons were revived by Arturos, on his death, they would come with him.”

“And those who are still alive?” “They will become our demons.”

“Does it mean you will rule Athwarth as well?”

“We will rule Athwart.” He said c*oc*kily.

“But his heir?”

“I have Arturos’ heart. The kingdom is mine. They have to take my heart to get it. Or if I submit Athwart to them. But it’s not going to happen.”

He flashed me a smug grin before he bit a portion of his heart, blood dripping, and it was still pulsating. I didn’t cringe. Instead, my mouth watered, making me lick my lips as I stared at it. “Not too fast, my queen. I want to share this heart with you, but I want my blood to be the first one you taste and drink.”

He threw the heart to Adan, which he caught without a problem. I heard Lucy telling him not to eat it as she didn’t want to rule Athwart. It made me smile because Lucy was still firm in her stand to never rule the underworld. “In front of our demons, mark me and drink my blood,” Lucius asked me.

“Lucius… that’s a big risk.” I shook my head as my heart clenched.

“Do you doubt if I love you?”

“I don’t care if I can’t prove if you love me or not. I just don’t want you to die.”

“Mark me.”

“Lucius…” I hissed.

“I love you, Patrea. I didn’t even understand the meaning of the word until you came. And if I died because you bit me, I would die knowing that I love you and that you love me back. What a beautiful way to die. Isn’t it?”

Don’t say that. It’s scaring me, Lucius. I will be okay without marking you.”

“I want your mark on my skin.” He tilted his head to the demons below us who were looking up at us.

“Ad genua tua procumbe et reginae tuae inclina! “ [Drop to your knees and bow to your queen.] He roared at them, and they obeyed without any rebellion.

“Ave regi et reginae Kalmeri et Athwart!” [Hail to the Queen of Kalmerus and Athwart] Dorian roared, and every demon followed suit.

“Don’t fail me. Mark me.” His voice was so low like he was begging to have this.

“I will never forgive myself if something happens to you.”

Lucius took my hand and laid it on his chest. “Do you hear my heart beating? When I thought you were dying, I was ready to claw at my own heart so I could follow your soul. I was so devastated, Patrea, that I failed to notice that your soul didn’t smell death. You see, I can smell the souls of the living on the brink of death. But I was so terrified of losing you that I didn’t see the signs that there was no sign of death looming around me.”

I bit my bottom lip as tears welled in my eyes. I could understand his grief, and it was the same thing I was feeling at the moment at the thought of marking him.

“But it made me realize a lot of things. I was fine with living on my own for two centuries. But since you came, I’m not sure I can last a cycle [ day] without you. I love you, Patrea, and I would do everything in my power to make sure that you will like the Underworld.”

I tilted my head up and locked eyes with Lucius, my heart pounding so loudly against my chest, hoping for the best because I was sure if anything happened to him, I would claw my heart out as well.

“Are you okay?” I asked in a low, hoarse voice. “Never been better!” He exclaimed as his hand went up and caught the heart that I was sure Adan threw back at him.

He placed the heart in front of our faces, and without words, I knew what he wanted us to do.

My mouth watered, and a wicked smile graced my lips as I stuck out my tongue, swiping the blood over the heart in his hand before taking my first bite. Soon, Lucius leaned forward and took a bite too.

Blood trickled down the corner of our mouths until there was nothing left to eat. His hand went to the back of my head and pushed me forward to his face. Our mouths smashed, arms entangled around each other as we kissed passionately and hard, tongues fighting for dominance with love overflowing in our hearts.

It didn’t take long before he pulled away from our kiss, much to my dismay. I couldn’t help the hiss that came out of my throat. Lucius leaned forward and pecked my lips before he took my hand, guiding me to face the crowd of demons below us. “Kalmerus! Athwart! Tibi offero, Regina tua! Regina Patrea Kalmeri et Athwart!1’ [Kalmerus! Athwart! I present to you, your Queen! Queen Patrea of Kalmerus and Athwart!] He said it in a booming voice that echoed throughout the whole land.

The demons who were still on their knees tipped down their heads all at the same time as they chanted in demon tongues! It was too loud and had too many words, but I could understand it properly: Hail to the Queen of Kalmerus! Hail to the Queen of Athwart!

My eyes watered as I let my gaze roam on the vast land below us. This was not just a figment of my imagination. This was happening: I was letting myself go back to Kalmerus and welcoming Athwart as well.

I had no idea what to say or if I should say something, so I turned my head to the side to ask Lucius, only to find my demon king on his knees, looking up at me.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I turned to face him. “Get up…” the last words came out almost like a whisper.

“My queen. I had never formally asked you if you wanted this life in the underworld with me. But I’m willing to compromise to your heart’s desire as long as you accept me and Kalmerus. And Athwart.” His eyes softened, and I could see uncertainties flitting in them. Did he think that after everything, I would still doubt accepting Kalmerus?

I dropped to my knees and took his hands in mine, putting our clasped hands in between our lips as we leaned our foreheads against each other. And with our eyes closed, I told him my deepest feelings. “Where you will be, I will follow. To the ends of the earth and the depths of hell. I’m yours, Lucius. In whatever realms this life would take us, here and to the eternal life, that’s how much I love you.”

I opened my eyes, and I saw that I was not the only one with tears racing down my cheeks. My heart warmed, knowing my demon king was now capable of feeling every possible emotion a human could have.

“I love you, Patrea.” Lucius kept pecking my lips while the demons kept chanting and rooting. I could see them in my peripherals, shooting fireballs everywhere, using fire to protect, and it was warming my whole heart.

“Do you think Athwart will accept us?” I asked Lucius in between his pepper kisses. “They are demons, my queen. Their loyalty stays with the king and queen that rightfully own them The moment I clawed Arturos’ heart, Athwart was already on our feet.”