Chapter One Hundred Seventeen

Two months had gone by since the war at Voocrod. With Jane and Benedict out of our lives, things were back to normal, mostly. The loss of our father was irrevocable, but we were grateful to have each other.

Mom’s emotions had gotten under control, and she was slowly returning to her old self. Desmond was now her favorite person in the world. She could barely have a family dinner without him. It made me so happy to see their unique bond.

Mia was doing well, too. Her scars had healed, and she had met a wonderful guy a month ago. Things were going pretty well. Her new boyfriend, Jack, had become Mom’s second favorite, so we expected a lot from that relationship.

Derrick’s life had changed drastically as well. He now believed in magic and demons and supported my relationship with Desmond. What shocked us the most was when he and Becky announced they were officially dating.

Good for Becky! She was a sweetheart who had always done so much to help me and my family. I couldn’t wait to have her as my sister-in-law one day.

I was over the moon to have the perfect boyfriend. He made every day the happiest day of my life. I could rely on him for the smallest things, and it felt like I was living in a fairytale. With his help, I had also been working on my fiction debut novel, inspired by my real-life events. Of course, it had a girl who falls in love with a demon who sweeps her off her feet, introduces her to a new world of sexual ecstasy, and saves her from the bad guys.

There was only one thing left to do. It was something I should have done days ago.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Cass?” Desmond asked me the seventh time.

“Yes, my love. I have never been surer of anything,” I answered with a sweet smile.

Desmond’s gaze intensified. He took my hand and kissed it. “You’re doing me a favor by being so insistent. I was planning to beg you to do this in the future. But, I have a fear. Your Mom has a lot of expectations from me. What would she say when she finds out about this?”

“There is no need to tell her or anyone else. It is only for us. We can do it later officially with others,” I said.

“Let’s do it then.” Desmond gave me a quick yet deep kiss on the lips.

We were standing in Northearth woodlands, about to go through the binding ceremony. For me, Desmond had started using a phone to keep in touch while he was away, but it wasn’t enough for me.

Desmond was the one for me. I wanted to connect with him in every way possible. So, it only felt natural to me to perform the binding ceremony with him.

We arrive at the spot where demons carried such practices. Long stone stairs led straight up to a tree with auburn leaves. It was strange because it wasn’t autumn and all the other trees were green.

I expected a loud welcome, but Desmond told me it would only be us. He picked me up and carried me up the stairs, bridal style. His sweet gesture made me blush. My man was so dreamy that I couldn’t think or breathe properly in his presence.

Once we reached the top, he lowered me to the ground. I looked around. It was a clear, serene area. I could see why they had picked such a spot for such ceremonies.

I pressed my lips together, looking down at my hideously casual outfit. I looked anything but a bride.

“You look perfect, Cass. You can wear the most expensive gown during our public wedding. Today, we are only here to link our hearts, my love,” said Desmond.

“Thanks.” I tucked a stray hair strand behind my ear. “So, how are we going to do this?”

Two cups and a dagger appeared in Desmond’s out of thin air. “We must drink each other’s blood.”

“Uh-huh.” I grimaced in disgust. I didn’t want to disrespect their traditions, but that was stomach-turning.

“Sorry. This is how it works,” said Desmond, grinning.

“I told you not to read my thoughts. Let’s do this.” I cracked my knuckles.

“Alright. You seem more prepared than me,” Desmond commented. He put a cut on his lower arm, and a thick black substance came out in drops. He caught some of it in a cup, and the wound healed immediately. “This is for you. Now it’s your turn.”

I extended my hand with closed eyes. “Do it.” My heart pounded, imagining the pain.

“Done,” Desmond announced.

“What?” I opened my eyes to find that it was indeed true. “But I didn’t feel a thing.”

“It’s because I numbed your nerves and healed the wound immediately. I don’t want my baby to feel any pain.” Desmond winked at me. Could he get any sweeter? My boyfriend wanted to give me diabetes. “Let’s drink.” Desmond gave me the cup containing his blood. “Cheers.” He clinked our glasses, and we drank it all in one go. His blood tasted like nothing.

“I don’t feel any different,” I said, swallowing it.

“It will take time, my love. Eventually, when you focus on me, you can send telepathic messages to me from extreme distances,” said Desmond.

My eyes widened with amazement. “That’s so cool.”

“So, we’re finally husband and wife?” I winked at him.

Desmond held my hands. “Yes. Mrs. Desmond.”

Color rose in my cheeks. “Sounds good. Do you have a surname?”

“No, we demons don’t have them, but I’ll gladly accept yours. Desmond Black. How does that sound?”

“It’s perfect!” I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the power of our love.

“Mrs. Black, have you ever done it under an old tree?” he whispered.

I bit my lip. “No. Why do you ask?”

“Because I am about to show you a good time,” said Desmond. He covered my mouth with the steamiest kiss, letting our tongues and bodies speak for our love and passion.

The End.