Chapter 2: The Queen’s Chambers

CAEL – THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND ME

The sound of the massive obsidian door closing behind him was… final.

Cael stood frozen in place. The Queen’s chambers were exactly what he feared they’d be, elegant, gothic, and incredibly romantic in a way that suggested he was the final course on the dinner menu.

Silk curtains drifted in a wind that didn’t exist. A fire crackled in a hearth shaped like a dragon’s maw. Candles floated around the four-poster bed like mischievous will-o’-the-wisps.

And standing beside it, one hand on her hip, the other unfastening her cloak, was Ashara Velnis, the newlywed Demon Queen.

She turned to him with a look halfway between curiosity and hunger.

“You’re trembling.”

“I’m not trembling,” Cael lied. “I'm vibrating. With… nervous joy. Because I’m very honored. And terrified.”

Ashara took a step closer.

He immediately took a step back.

ASHARA – CLOSING THE DISTANCE

He was jumpy. Adorably so.

She wasn’t used to that. Most men she met were either groveling in terror or groveling for power. Cael, on the other hand, seemed like he might pass out from eye contact.

“You’re scared of me?”

“Only a little!” he squeaked. “Which is better than most people feel, right? That's an improvement?”

She leaned in slowly, reaching a hand to his cheek. His eyes widened, his knees wobbled.

“I only want to kiss you,” she said softly.

He blinked. Once. Twice.

Then he fainted.

CAEL – FAINTING

The next thing he knew, cold water hit him square in the face.

He shot up, sputtering. “Whah…cold! I'm awake, I’m awake!”

Ashara stood over him holding a silver basin. She looked mildly annoyed.

“You fainted.”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! You leaned in and your eyes did the glow thing and I panicked…”

She raised an eyebrow.

“It’s just… you’re very beautiful. And strong. And I’m… well… I’ve never, you know, done anything like this. Ever. At all.”

Ashara blinked.

Then, to his surprise, she looked slightly flustered.

“It’s my first time too.”

“...Really?” Cael asked, baffled.

“Yes,” she said flatly. “Do you find that so hard to believe?”

“Well. Yeah. I mean… look at you.”

The silence that followed was heavy.

Ashara’s aura began to flare.

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“Wait, no…I didn’t mean…!”

He fainted again.

ASHARA – DISBELIEF AND COLD WATER (AGAIN)

She stared at him, lying face-down on her favorite carpet. This time she didn’t even sigh—just grabbed another bowl of water and dumped it over his head.

He jolted upright with a splutter.

“Okay,” he gasped. “Let’s just, maybe slow down a bit?”

“Slow down?” she repeated, arms crossed.

“Just… emotionally. Before we explode. Or I explode. Which I’ve done twice now.”

He rubbed his face with a sleeve and sat on the floor beside the bed.

“Can we talk first?”

CAEL – THE TRUTH

Ashara sat down beside him, her gown flowing over the rugs like ink. He took a breath and started to talk.

“My magic’s never been strong,” he admitted. “I clean dishes with spells. Sometimes I make plants grow faster. I once calmed down an angry chicken.”

He gave her a sideways glance.

She said nothing, but her expression had softened.

“My parents gave up on me when I couldn’t light a candle with fire magic. I was six. My grandfather took me in and raised me—he believed I had something worth developing, even if it wasn’t flashy.”

Cael gave a small smile. “He taught me how to cook, too. That stew you liked? His recipe.”

“I liked your stew,” Ashara admitted.

“Thanks.”

He continued. “I got into a magic academy eventually, but… it was hell. I was the worst in my class. Bullied. Mocked. No one thought I’d graduate, but I did. Barely.”

Ashara’s eyes narrowed. Her hands clenched.

“I will personally find your classmates and…”

“No! It’s okay! I mean, it sucked, but things got better.”

Cael raised his hands in surrender, then—instinctively—reached forward and began gently massaging her shoulder.

ASHARA – THE MAGIC TOUCH

She stiffened at first. But then… relaxed.

His fingers were warm, gentle. There was a strange peace in his touch—a slow, calming pulse that flowed from his hands like ripples on water.

She exhaled slowly.

“...That feels good.”

“I get that a lot from anxious goats,” Cael said absently. “This one old farmer calls me the ‘Beast Whisperer.’”

A pause.

“Are you comparing me to a goat?”

“No! Definitely not! Though… your hair’s kind of…no, never mind.”

Ashara chuckled. It startled both of them.

He continued, voice softening.

“Eventually, people in the towns started respecting me. Not for big magic, but for small things. Fixing pipes. Healing minor burns. Helping with stress. I’m no hero, but… I try to help. That’s enough for most people.”

Ashara nodded slowly.

“I was never given that chance,” she said. “I was born into power, but had to fight to keep it. My childhood was blood. Discipline. Expectations.”

She looked away.

“I’ve had countless suitors, powerful demons, generals, princes. None of them cared about me. They just wanted the crown. Or they were too afraid to speak their mind.”

She glanced at Cael.

“You’re kind. You fed me. You talk too much. And you faint a lot. But you’re… different.”

He smiled. “Different is all I have going for me, honestly.”

They stared at each other for a long moment.

CAEL – ROUND THREE

They kissed, awkwardly at first. Then again, more sure.

They moved to the bed.

For the first time since arriving at the castle, Cael didn’t feel like he was going to throw up.

He was nervous, yes, but warm. Comfortable. Ready.

Ashara touched his face again. “Don’t faint this time.”

“No promises.”

ASHARA – A SPARK IGNITES

The kiss deepened. Their bodies pressed closer.

Then something inside her stirred—deep, primal, and ancient.

Her demonic core flared.

Runes lit up on the walls.

The room temperature jumped twenty degrees.

CAEL – I MAY HAVE MADE A MISTAKE

Oh no. I awakened something. I think it wants to kill me.

Fifteen minutes later, he lay sprawled on the bed like a crumpled shirt, covered in light burn marks, his hair frizzed, and one leg twitching.

Ashara stretched beside him, looking quite pleased.

He stared at the ceiling.

“I don’t think I’m going to survive this marriage.”