FALLEN ANGEL: MARRIED TO THE DEMON KING

As she said, Velmoria opened a few bottles and wafted them below Arella's nose until she was comfortable with a floral-scented one, and they settled on that. The other demonesses did not speak too much. They helped Arella out of her underwear and helped her step into the pool of water that was the bath.

The water was just the right temperature, and Arella soaked comfortably as they bathed her.

This was an act that she was not used to, but she still let them, not knowing if it was normal for the demon realm or not.

"Are we allowed to wash your hair, your highness?" Velmoria asked Arella as one of the demons scrubbed her hands.

"Yes, please take the hairstyle down. It will not affect the halo."

With quick hands, the demons took the pins holding her hair up and let her hair down. 

Once her skin was smooth and glowing, Arella was helped out of the bath and helped into a bathrobe. Her hair was put up in a towel to dry while they slathered her skin with more oil and massaged her. By the time they had finished prepping her, Arella's wings were dry and her hair had been left down.

Arella felt that it was odd that all the clothes that they had for her were made to accommodate her wings.

"Thank you all for your help." She addressed the demons.

They curtsied and left the room.

Arella was left in the huge bedroom alone.

She looked at her reflection, running a hand down the black sleeping gown she wore. It was long and settled in a pool around her ankles. The bottom hem and the ends of the arms were made out of some soft fur, while the robe itself was made out of some dark mesh.

The dress she wore inside the robe was much shorter and settled somewhere at mid-thigh. The bust was made out of mesh that showed off just enough skin that she did not feel uncomfortable.

Even Arella had to admit, she looked sexy.

Not that she had ever thought she would associate that word with an angel, much less herself. Her mind ran a mile a minute as she remembered how Varziel's hand had lingered on her waist during their dance and the way his crimson eyes seemed to have been watching her the entire evening.

She shook her head and took in a deep breath in an attempt to steady the emotions that were swirling inside of her. Turning to look at the bed, she was in awe at how beautiful it was. She approached it and ran her fingers over the silken sheets. The material was much softer than she had thought it would be, and the pillows were even fluffier than she imagined.

A knock at the door startled her.

She looked up from the bed, "Enter." She called out, her voice steady, despite the flutter in her chest.

Velmoria stepped inside, carrying a silver tray with a decanter of wine and two goblets. She set it down on a side table that was near the bed. "This is a gift from his majesty. He says it will help you relax. He also says he shall be here soon."

"Thank you, Velmoria." Arella nodded.

"Everything has been prepared for your comfort, your majesty; if you need any assistance, there will be someone outside the door. If they are unable to help, please pull down on that rope," she pointed at a thick-looking rope that was at the head of the bed. It had been slightly covered by the drapes of silk that made up the canopy. If Velmoria had not pointed it out, she would not have seen it.

"I will be alright. Thank you, Velmoria."

The demoness curtsied and left, closing the doors behind her.

Arella walked up to the small table and poured herself a small measure of the wine. It was the same wine she had been offered at the party. The silver color was unmistakable, and the fruity aroma filled the air. "To being demon queen, Arella." She picked up the goblet by the stem, raised it in the air, and took a sip. The wine was rich and sweet, with that now familiar burn as it trickled down her throat.

She took a seat and settled the goblet of wine on her lap. She had to plan to figure out why she had been married off in the first place. There was a reason the council of angels had agreed to the union, and if the answer was in the demon realm, she would ensure she would find out. She also had to know why her husband had picked her out of the female angels in the angel realm. Surely there were better matches.

Those who had not been thrown out of the angel realm without a job for a hundred years perhaps.

As she set the goblet down, the door creaked open again.

King Varziel stepped into the room, his imposing figure silhouetted by the firelight. He had shed his previous clothes and was wearing a simple black tunic and trousers. His hair was damp, and the edges of his eyes were slightly red. The casual attire only made him more intimidating, his presence filling the room effortlessly.

He closed the door behind him, his red eyes locking onto hers.

His scent invaded her nostrils so suddenly, as if the fruity scent of the wine was just a muted memory.

She had expected a brute, a creature perhaps. King Varziel was nothing like the demon kings she had been taught of. He was thoughtful in his own way, and he had let her into his world far removed from the grim tales of the savage demons she had been taught to be afraid of. However, standing in front of her was a man who was now her husband.

His crimson eyes had visibly softened after they landed on her seated figure.

"You are still awake, my queen." He remarked.

Arella gave him a smile, her face illuminated by the fire, giving it an ethereal glow. She folded her hands together on her lap. "I was not sure what to do."

Varziel tilted his head ever so slightly, "You are nervous." It was not a question.

He approached her slowly, his movements seeming almost deliberate, as if not to startle her.

"I wouldn't say I'm nervous." She plucked at the fur of her sleeping gown.

King Varziel stopped a few paces from her, giving her some space. "You have no reason to fear me, Arella. I promised, I would not force you into anything you do not want."

She raised her head, studying his face, searching for any hint of deceit. She saw none, only his crimson eyes watching her with a quiet patience.

"I do not fear you," she finally admitted. "I fear... myself. This is all very new to me; I do not think I was raised to be queen."

"I think you will make a good queen." His lips pulled up in a smile. "I will be here to help, of course."

"That is very comforting." Arella crossed her legs over each other, and her robe slipped, revealing her thighs.

Even though there was a distance between them, Arella could hear the sharp intake of breath from him.

He took the remaining steps to her and stood in front of her. Taking her hand in his, he lifted it to his lips. The kiss he pressed to her knuckles was featherlight but sent sparks racing up her arm.

Arella felt lightheaded.

"Arella." His name sounded like honey from his lips. Sickly sweet.

She swallowed deeply, her heart hammering in her chest, "King Varziel."

"Please, call me Varziel."

"Varziel," her voice was low as she tested the name on her tongue. The accent was all wrong, but he accepted it with that dimpled smile settling on his face.

"I do hope I did not keep you waiting too long, though." He murmured as he looked down at her. Arella felt as if he had invaded her personal space, and all she could think about at that moment was him. Subconsciously, she shook her head as an answer to his question.

Her breath hitched as he leaned closer, his hand gently brushing against her cheek. For a short moment, time seemed to stand still as their eyes met. The air seemed to be charged with electricity, making Arella's heart thump in her chest even harder.

"Do you feel that too?" she finally asked, hoping that the emotions that were running through her not a figment of her imagination. Hoping that he too felt the surge of emotions that were flowing through her.

"I do." He lowered his head, "and at this moment, all I want to do is devour you from head to toe."

Arella raised her free hand and pulled off the halo crown that she wore. The hum of holy power that coursed through it stopped, and it became a very dull shade of gray. She placed it on the table beside her, next to the goblet of wine. After it was settled, she looked back up at him, "What is holding you back?"