It was the eve of Liam's 18th birthday, the day every angel in the Angelic Realm awaited with bated breath. For most, it was a day of celebration, a rite of passage. But for Liam, the moment felt heavy with the weight of what was to come. He had heard the whispers among the angels, stories of the Ritual of the Mates, but it had always seemed so far away, so distant. Now, standing on the precipice of it, he could feel the pull of destiny wrapping around him like invisible chains.
Liam was not just any angel—he was the Angel of Death, a being of both purity and power, an entity whose very existence was both a blessing and a curse. His beauty was otherworldly, delicate yet breathtaking, like something conjured from a dream. His skin was pale as moonlight, soft and flawless, a stark contrast against the golden light of the Angelic Realm. His hair, the color of soft blonde clouds, cascaded down to his shoulders in gentle waves. It framed his face with an ethereal glow, and his large, crystalline blue eyes sparkled like sapphires, reflecting both innocence and an ancient wisdom beyond his years.
His wings, pure white and nearly blinding in their brilliance, fluttered nervously as the moment drew closer. His hands, delicate like porcelain, trembled at his sides. Liam was everything that angels revered—beautiful, powerful, and pure—but he was also terrified. Terrified of what would happen after the ritual, terrified of what he was about to face.
At 18, all angels underwent the Test Mate Ritual, an ancient tradition where an angel's soul would be bound to their mate. It was said that the bond was unbreakable, a connection between two beings that transcended realms. And when the ritual began, Liam reached out and touched the stone, the warm energy from it flowing through him as the air around him seemed to shift. A feeling of power surged through him, sending ripples of energy into the ether.
The ritual was not supposed to be this way. It was meant to be simple. An angel would find one mate—a perfect match. But Liam's soul had been chosen for two. Two mates.
The room was silent as the angelic priestess gasped, looking at the glowing stone in disbelief. A murmur rippled through the gathering. Liam didn't understand what was happening, but he could feel the connection—two powerful forces tugging at his heart.
The world around him seemed to blur as the air thickened with energy. His wings fluttered, and he looked up, suddenly overwhelmed by the presence of two figures that appeared before him like shadows emerging from the mist.
The first man was tall—taller than any being Liam had ever seen, standing at 6'5". His body was strong, muscular, and perfectly sculpted, as though he had been forged by the gods themselves. His skin was tanned, radiating an intense, sun-kissed warmth, as though he had spent countless years under the scorching sun. His face was sharp, commanding, and impossibly handsome. His raven-black hair flowed down his back, silky and untamed, and his eyes—eyes that burned a deep crimson red—seemed to pierce straight through Liam's soul. There was power in those eyes, and danger. He was a force of nature. His name was Elijah, a Demon King whose reputation preceded him in both fear and awe.
Beside Elijah stood the second man, equally towering, though with a different presence. His features were strong, but there was a softness in them that contrasted with the sharpness of his companion. His skin was a warm, golden honey color, like a reflection of the first light of dawn. His hair was short, a bright and fiery red, like the sun at its peak, and his eyes—amber and fierce—radiated both a controlled fury and a burning intensity that seemed to spark with every glance. His name was Maximilian, and though his demeanor was calm, there was a wildness within him that Liam could feel like an undercurrent just beneath the surface.
Liam couldn't look away. He felt something deep in his chest—something tugging, pulling him toward them, something primal. But the fear… the terror… it all consumed him, overshadowing any sense of attraction. They were demons, two of the most powerful Demon Kings, and Liam was nothing but an innocent angel, a child of purity and light.
As their eyes met, Liam's heart fluttered. There was no mistaking the overwhelming beauty and power these men exuded, nor the dangerous aura that surrounded them. Their mere presence seemed to distort the air around them. They were nothing like the beings he had known in the Angelic Realm. They were untamed, wild, and full of dark, consuming energy.
But despite the fear that surged in his veins, Liam couldn't help but feel a connection—a pull toward them that he couldn't explain, couldn't fight.
"Liam," Elijah's voice was deep, soft, but filled with an undeniable command. "You belong to us now."
The words sent a shiver down Liam's spine. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His wings quivered, his body trembling as the reality of what had just occurred began to settle in. He had been chosen—not by one, but by two. Two Demon Kings. It was unheard of, impossible, and yet, it had happened. He was bound to them, forever.
---
Elijah and Maximilian exchanged a glance before Elijah stepped forward, his piercing gaze never leaving Liam.
"We've waited for this moment for a long time," Elijah said, his voice like a velvet blade, smooth but dangerous. "Your soul has been chosen. We will take you with us, back to our kingdom."
Liam recoiled, his chest tightening in panic. He didn't want to leave. He didn't want to go with them. But before he could voice his fears, Maximilian moved closer, his amber eyes softening as he reached out to gently touch Liam's cheek.
"Don't be afraid," Maximilian whispered. "We're not here to hurt you. We will protect you, care for you." His words were not laced with sincerity. Liam still couldn't shake the feeling of danger that emanated from both of them.
Liam was still shaking, and his mind raced. He had never been away from the Angelic Realm, never been so far from everything he knew. He was supposed to be an innocent angel, a symbol of purity, and now—now, he was bound to two demon kings. His heart fought against the pull they had over him, but deep down, he knew there was no escape. The ritual had been done. His fate had been sealed.
---
Meanwhile, in the Angelic Realm, the angelic priestess who had overseen the ritual stood in stunned silence, her eyes wide with disbelief. The other angels surrounding her looked equally shaken, their faces a mixture of fear and uncertainty. Whispers spread like wildfire through the room, and soon the entire assembly was in an uproar.
A few of the higher-ranking angels exchanged anxious glances, their once-pure faces now marked by concern. The ritual had gone wrong. The bond that had been forged was not only with one demon king, but with two—two of the most dangerous and powerful beings in existence. The very idea was unfathomable, unheard of. No angel had ever been bound to such powerful beings, let alone two.
The priestess's voice was shaky as she addressed the assembly. "We... we must not let this stand. This cannot be allowed."
One of the elders stepped forward, his wings trembling with barely contained rage. "The Angel of Death should never be touched by demons, let alone bound to them. We must act swiftly. This bond is dangerous. Liam's life is in jeopardy."
"I agree," another angel spoke, her voice low and filled with venom. "We must find a way to break the bond. We cannot let these demons claim our own."
A murmur of agreement passed through the crowd, the fear and anger palpable in the air. It was clear that the other angels felt the same: they were horrified by what had just happened, and they were determined to protect Liam from whatever fate awaited him at the hands of the Demon Kings.
The priestess raised her hand, silencing the room. "We must be careful. The demons are far too powerful. If we move too quickly, we risk provoking them, and the consequences could be catastrophic. But we cannot stand idly by while Liam is taken by them."