Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice (Hell Dimension #4)

Chapter 42

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

“ I vy, if you don’t get your cute ass out here, I’m going to stop time and haul you out naked,” Vivian said outside of the dressing room. Molly had a bigger store downtown, and the black leather wedding ensemble that wrapped around my body gave me hives. Not really, but I grumbled anyway.

The pants clung to me. I had to admit the leather train that looked like a long dress from behind was fit for a Queen. The corset left my mate marks to be the stars of the show. Well, and my cleavage.

The outfit wasn’t really the issue. It was what it meant. The golden jewels embroidered into the leather were a symbol of my new status and the wedding happening today.

After Lucifer died, we spent months fighting for Kain to keep his spot as the king of Hell. My life had become one battle after another. But honestly, it didn’t feel much different since coming to Hell. The Fae stuck around to give us support, but they eventually went back to their realm, taking Marnie and her mates with them. They were all part fae, and the Queen, my cousin, was intrigued by Marnie. I promised I would go visit them since I had one of the keys to the portal. My cousin gave it to me because I promised to never fight to be Queen of the Fae realm.

“We both know you can’t do that yet,” I told Vivian after a long pause. Lilah giggled. The loud smack had me smirking. Lilah and I still had a shaky relationship. Mainly because my mates wouldn’t let her get near me. This was the first time she had been left alone with me since her betrayal.

I had forgiven her the moment she killed Demarcus, but my men weren’t as willing to forget. When I asked why, they told me how it felt to see me crumble and sense my devastation. I had faith we’d all move on, eventually. If I decided to get out of the bathroom anyway. I might just live in here.

Once I left this room, I’d no longer be a free demon. I’d be tied to the King of Hell. The fate I’d run from my whole life. My heart knew it wasn’t the same thing, but my brain was freaking the fuck out.

“Yet, is the key word. Just come on out please.” Vivian was cut off by a voice that had played over and over in my dreams.

“How bout I give it a go, my dears. Wait for us out there, okay? I think my daughter and I need to talk.” My mother’s voice was still the most beautiful thing I ever heard. My friends listened. They knew I needed her. “Open up, my sweet girl.”

I wouldn’t be able to resist, even if I wanted to, which I didn’t. Her soft melody had already soothed a part inside me, that was sharp and jagged only a moment ago. I opened the door with a smile.

“Hey, mom.”

She opened her arms as she stepped into the bathroom and pulled me out. We were in the new golden palace. Trigger had the old place destroyed. They made a pact with each other that when Lucifer died, they would build a gold castle that children could feel safe in. We made many improvements to Hell, but the law where anyone under eighteen couldn’t roam freely was still a thing. Change was a long and winding road.

The land was already turning into the colorful dimension it had once been. Bigger still, the beasts that had hidden away for so long that most people thought they were myths now mingled daily with the demons. Since Nati Demons were already monstrous in appearance, the transition went well. A few still tested the theory that they were only animals, but they never lived long to spread that poison.

“How are you doing?” She kissed my forehead and stepped away.

Her once hollowed cheeks were plump and full of life. Especially with a baby in her belly. It turned out that my Fae dad didn’t just take away her power when he cursed her. He made sure Lucifer couldn’t impregnate her. Once that was gone, she was ready to start her life back up in the safe new world we were creating. I personally was excited to have a growing family.

My parents helped us with the political aspects of ruling Hell. They handled any complaints by the people as of right now. There were a lot of concerns, especially from the Nati Demons. Since my parents lived like the extremely poor Nati Demons for most of my childhood, they were able to connect with them. When I attempted the role, people ended up dead. So, it wasn’t hard to figure out I wasn’t the person for the job. Even if the story of the Succubus Queen who took over the Underworld spread like wildfire. I wasn’t a fan of the attention.

I licked my lips before answering. “I’m freaking out a little. This is big, Mom. I can’t go back from this.”

She rubbed my back and guided me to the couch. The room was like a small apartment without a kitchen. This was one of the few where gold didn’t consume everything. I made it black just to get a rise out of the brothers, but my demon liked the gold. We put our glitter everywhere, and it blended perfectly.

“Yes, it is. Being Queen of Hell was always your role in life, though. I knew it the moment you came out shooting glitter everywhere. Succubus babies don’t have a color for their glitter until later, so we lived in a rainbow of sparkles for years. You were always meant to claim this world. Your demon knew it from the beginning.” Her soothing tone and words were just what I needed.

I squeezed her gently in my arms, careful of the growing bump. I’d missed her so much for so long. It was still unreal when I had moments like this.

“You’ve made me so proud, Ivy. I couldn’t be happier. I have all the faith in you.” She pulled away and lifted my chin. I wasn’t crying. She was just a little blurry. “Both sides of you are royalty. Don’t ever doubt that. Besides, if you have to rule over a place like Hell, why not with those sexy mates of yours? They have your back and so do we. Zar will too once he gets over the honeymoon stage of finding his Queen.”

I snorted.

She took the edge of her pretty white and gold dress to wipe my face. The makeup was magically applied, so it wasn’t going anywhere. Crazy expensive, but worth it.

The lump in my throat holding me back got cut into halves as we sat together. Images of my time with my parents flashed in my mind. All of us playing games, and the smiles we had with each other. All the fear and running didn’t outshine our love.

Then, the time on Earth with Zar and Marnie as we shared laughter together. All the laughs, movies, and adventures we had warmed my heart. The tears were all happy as they fell down my face.

Finally, when the memories of going to the academy and slowly mating my men hit me, I swore I floated. I had created a family with them and my friends. Even my faction was happy. Most of them came over every week to just help out where they could.

She was right. I could do this. It was time to take the next step. I was going to give my freedom to the King of Hell. Well, the Kings of Hell. We were all sharing the power after all.

The walk to the lavish ball room went by in a heartbeat. I clung to my mother’s arm the whole way. She kept whispering reassuring words to me, but my mouth still went dry as the opened doors came into view. My fathers, Lilah, and Vivian made a line outside of it, waiting for me.

Both Vivian and Lilah gushed over my dress, but stayed in line. Now that I was by the door, there was a very particular set of rules that had to be followed. It all just made my palms sweat. Their grinning faces helped, though. My heart slowed slightly.

Only my parents could come to me, so I welcomed their comforting scents that enveloped me. It was like going to an ice cream shop. To me, they smelled like a banana split.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” my mom whispered one more time. She squeezed my hand. I greedily clung to the support she gave.

My Fae father, Darik, walked over and wrapped an arm around her while he kissed my forehead. “You look magical, sweet pea,” he whispered.

Gold flecks rose into the air, surrounding us. They looked like fireflies buzzing around. It turned the ambiance from stressful to relaxing.

“The beautifulest Queen Hell has ever known,” my witch father, Aaron, said. The sparkles were from him, so my smile was extra warm. I needed all the relaxation tricks they could give me.

Bin, my incubi father and Rock, my troll dad smiled down at me, but didn’t say anything. Their teary eyes said, it would be hard for them to talk right now.

“Let's start this shindig. They have pizza, and I'm starving." My wolf dad, Lewi, said while he fixed his tie and rubbed his growing belly.

They all wore black suits while the ladies sported white and gold dresses.

My mom smacked Lewi’s arm. "This is your daughter’s wedding. Act like you weren't raised by wolves for five seconds.”

I snorted when he just tapped his wrist as if to say, five seconds had passed .

Rock maneuvered his large body through everyone to stand at his mates side. “You first, my Ava,” he said and placed a golden blade in her palm.

I took a deep breath and smiled at teach of my parents before we started. Having them all here melted my heart into a gooey mess. It wouldn't have been right without them.

When my mom stepped close again, I nodded that I was ready.

Her tight grip on the blade moved swiftly as she cut my shoulder. It was so sharp that I barely felt the burning pain. She handed it over to Darik. He chose to slice me along my clavicle. Bin’s, Aaron’s, Rock’s, and Lewi’s cuts were done before the pain got too intense.

The ceremonies blade kept my wounds from healing, so I could bleed longer. By the time I was covered in crimson, my parents stepped away, showing me off to the guests through the door. My eyes, however, went to my mates at the altar. My men wore red suits in their demon forms and all of them salivated at the blood now dripping from my body.

Seeing them made all my insecurities and doubts vanish. It was no longer a room full of people. We were the only ones there.

I willingly dripped my blood all over the floor for them. I would always give my everything. This ceremony just told the rest of the worlds that we were together.

When I couldn’t take the distance between us any longer, I strolled inside. I didn’t see the lavish room or hear the music. They were my world.

It turned out that, yes, demons fought in blood, but apparently, they married in it too. By shedding my blood for my mates, I discarded my past and give them my future.

And one Hell of a future awaited us. I couldn’t wait.