Damsel to the Demon

19. Mercedes

19

MERCEDES

I jolt awake, disoriented. Soft sheets caress my skin, a far cry from the dungeon floor.

"My lady, it's time to prepare."

I blink, focusing on the unfamiliar faces hovering nearby. Servants? For me?

They usher me to a steaming bath, scented with exotic oils. Gentle hands wash away the remnants of blood and grime. It feels surreal after everything I've been through.

Wrapped in silken robes, they dress me in clothes finer than anything I've ever worn. My fingers trace the delicate embroidery, marveling at its intricacy.

"This way, my lady."

They guide me through winding corridors, each more opulent than the last. My heart races.

What awaits me?

Massive doors swing open, revealing a cavernous throne room. And there he is. Azaruk.

He rises, a predatory grace in his movements. "Mercedes."

My name on his lips sends a shiver down my spine. I approach, unsure of the protocol.

He takes my hand, leading me to a balcony. "Look," he says, gesturing to the sprawling landscape below.

My breath catches. An endless sea of white, punctuated by jagged mountains and glittering ice formations. It's beautiful and terrifying all at once.

"This is our fief in the Glacies," he explains. "Everything you see belongs to us."

Us . The word echoes in my mind. I'm no longer just a human slave, but... what exactly?

I turn to him, questions bubbling up. But before I can speak, his lips claim mine in a searing kiss.

After a minute his lips leave mine, and I'm left breathless. His eyes gleam with mischief.

"I have a surprise for you, my dear."

My heart skips. After everything that's happened, I'm not sure what to expect.

He takes my hand, leading me away from the balcony. We descend deeper into the fortress, the opulent corridors giving way to rougher stone. The air grows colder, damper.

"Where are we going?" I ask, a shiver running down my spine.

"Patience," he purrs, squeezing my hand.

We reach a heavy iron door. He waves his hand, and it creaks open. The stench of decay and despair hits me like a physical force.

"Welcome to our dungeon," he says, ushering me inside.

My eyes adjust to the dim light. At first, I see nothing but shadows. Then, movement catches my eye. I gasp.

Chained to the floor are... spirits? No, souls. Dozens of them, writhing and moaning. Their ethereal forms flicker like dying flames.

"Are those...?" I can't finish the question.

"The souls of the dark elves you killed," he confirms, his voice thick with pride. "I captured them for you."

I stare, mesmerized and horrified. I recognize faces – the captain, his family, soldiers from the camp. Their eyes, once so cruel, now filled with terror.

My heart races as I stare at the writhing souls before me. Happiness bursts from deep within, a fierce joy I've never experienced before.

Can it be true? My tormentors, trapped here for eternity?

"Azaruk," I breathe, barely able to form words. "Does this mean... I can torture them forever?"

His eyes gleam with dark satisfaction. "Yes, my dear. They're yours to do with as you please. Their suffering is in your hands now."

A heady rush of power floods through me. I imagine all the ways I can make them pay, all the pain I can inflict. It's intoxicating.

Without thinking, I throw myself into Azaruk's arms. My lips find his, desperate and hungry. I pour all my gratitude, all my newfound joy into that kiss. He responds with equal fervor, his hands tangling in my hair.

When we finally break apart, I'm breathless. "Thank you," I whisper against his lips. "Thank you for giving me this."

He cups my face, his touch surprisingly gentle. "You've more than earned it. Your strength, your determination - they deserve to be rewarded."

I turn back to the souls, my mind already spinning with possibilities.

Where should I start? The captain who destroyed my family? Or perhaps one of his lackeys?

Azaruk's voice cuts through my thoughts. "Take your time, my dear. We have eternity."

Eternity . The word sends a shiver down my spine.

An eternity of revenge, of power, of... us?

I look up at him, seeing something new in his eyes. Something beyond our initial bargain.

My heart swells. This is more than I ever dreamed possible. Revenge, power, and perhaps... love?

"Mercedes," he murmurs, his voice low and husky. "You're not just a human slave anymore. You're a force to be reckoned with. You're my partner."

His words send a thrill through me. I've never felt so seen, so understood. It's a feeling that fills me with a sense of belonging, of rightness.

"And you," I say, my voice steady and sure. "You're not just a demon to me. You're more. You're my protector, my guide, my... everything."

He smiles, a genuine smile that reaches his eyes. It's a sight I've never seen before, and it takes my breath away.

"Together," he says, his voice filled with conviction. "We'll conquer the world."

"Together," I echo, my voice filled with the same conviction.

As we stand there, surrounded by the writhing souls of our enemies, I feel a sense of completeness.

This is where I belong. This is who I am now.