Oh. That landed. Because Nina stopped breathing for a second before muttering:
“…Rude.”
Then she kissed him before she started crying about it apparently.
By the time both ceremonies finally ended, the rooftop had turned into complete destruction. Human family members were hugging demons like this had become normal, the cult members were loudly crying about destiny, and my demon’s parents had ended up helping clean the decorations afterward.
And standing beneath the fairy lights afterward, both worlds no longer felt separate anymore.
Just connected. My demon stepped beside me near the rooftop railing while a silver portal light opened nearby for the return to Hell.
Then quietly, he intertwined his fingers with mine.
“We’ll come back often,” he said softly.
It wasn’t a promise spoken lightly. It sounded certain, steady in a way that settled deep inside me. I looked out across the city one last time before leaning gently against his shoulder.
“Good,” I answered quietly.
Because now, I finally belonged to both worlds.
Chapter 36
Eva POV
The return to Hell happened instantly.
One second: city lights, human rooftops, warm summer air.
The next: silver fire, black palace towers, and an entire kingdom waiting beneath the night sky.
The palace had transformed completely.
Massive silver flames burned along every balcony while ancient symbols glowed across the marble floors beneath our feet. Thousands of demons filled the enormous ceremonial halls below the palace terraces, their voices echoing softly through the night like distant storms.
And for the first time since arriving in Hell, the kingdom didn’t feel frightening anymore. It felt like home. Beside me, Nina stared around the glowing city below while her demon wore unfairly smug expression.
“…Okay wow,” she whispered.
Meanwhile my attention stayed completely fixed on mine. He stood beside me in ceremonial black threaded with silver fire while shadows curled softly around his hands like living things responding to him instinctively. And that felt more overwhelming.
The council already waited beneath towering silver arches wearing ancient ceremonial robes while silver flames reflected across the massive palace halls. The entire kingdom had gathered for this. And my heartbeat started acting like a bitch again.
My demon noticed.
“You’re nervous.”
“That feels accusatory.”
“It sounded fond.”
Rude. Unfortunately, he was also completely accurate. Then his voice softened, quiet enough that only I could hear him when he spoke again,
“You can still stop this at any moment.”
The words hit harder now.
Because even here, with an entire kingdom waiting, with soul bonds and ancient rituals prepared, he still gave me a choice first.
