Liam sat in the carriage, the sun long gone and the sky now a deep shade of midnight blue. The world outside was shrouded in darkness, and the air had grown cooler, sending a chill down his spine. He peeked cautiously from the window, his heart thudding in his chest as the hooded figure who drove the carriage steered it into unfamiliar territory.
The journey seemed to stretch on forever, and Liam's gaze flickered nervously between the shadowy woods that seemed to loom around him. He had heard of the Forbidden Forest—whispers of magical creatures, dangerous flora, and dark, forgotten legends. A place where even the bravest of warriors hesitated to tread. And yet, here he was, being led straight into its heart.
As the carriage rolled further, the dark trees rose on either side like silent sentinels, their twisted branches tangled in a maze of shadows. Liam's curiosity mixed with fear, but he couldn't tear his eyes away. What creatures lurked there? What magic lingered in the air?
The carriage came to a sudden stop before a massive rock that glistened in the moonlight, seemingly alive. It emitted a soft hum, a strange pulse that resonated in the pit of his stomach. The hooded figure spoke a single word, his voice low and commanding. The rock responded instantly, parting with a deep rumbling sound, as though the forest itself was shifting to allow their passage.
Liam's breath caught in his throat as they entered the forest. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. Fireflies flitted through the air, their soft glow illuminating the underbrush. Creatures with shiny wings, their colors shifting in the dim light, darted between trees. Jellyfish-like beings hovered above the ground, their translucent bodies glowing with an ethereal light. It was a dreamlike world, filled with both beauty and danger.
His heart raced with wonder as he gazed at the creatures around him, their movements so delicate, so graceful. He couldn't help but press his face closer to the window, his eyes wide with amazement. Just as he reached out to touch one of the glowing creatures, it suddenly darted towards him. He froze, watching it move with an eerie grace.
The creature's touch was electric—strangely familiar, yet unsettling. Before Liam could react, his pendant, the only piece of his past that he held close, vibrated violently. The creature recoiled as a dark energy surged through it. Its shape twisted and contorted, its glowing beauty turning into something terrifying—a vicious, bloodthirsty monster with razor-sharp fangs.
Panic surged through Liam's veins, but before he could even think, the hooded man lunged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light. With one swift motion, he struck the creature down, killing it instantly. The forest fell silent once more, the danger seemingly vanquished.
Liam's heart pounded in his chest, his breath shallow and quick. He looked at the hooded man, who stood over the creature's lifeless body, his gaze fixed on Liam. For the first time, the hooded figure's eyes lingered on him—intense, calculating. Liam's beauty seemed to have struck something within him, something the man quickly suppressed. His heart tightened painfully in his chest, and a feeling he couldn't name began to stir within him.
The hooded man broke the silence, his voice gruff. "Close the window," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Liam nodded, still shaken, and quickly shut the window. The journey resumed, and the carriage rolled deeper into the heart of the forest.
Back in the war camp, Elijah sat alone in his tent, blood still staining his hands, his armor, and the ground beneath him. The war had been brutal, but his mind was elsewhere, consumed with thoughts of Liam. The mate he had found. The one his twin brother, Maximilian, also claimed. His heart fluttered with a strange mix of happiness and confusion.
He had always been in control of his emotions, a warrior who didn't let desire cloud his judgment. But Liam was different. He felt a deep, inexplicable pull toward him. The idea that someone else would share that bond—his bond with Liam—left him uneasy. It was foreign to him, a sensation he had never experienced.
Elijah wasn't new to lust or pleasure. His experiences with both had been countless, satisfying in their own way. But this... this was something else. The thoughts of Liam, his mate, his rare angel, sent a surge of possessiveness through his chest. Elijah's fingers tightened into fists, the craving to dominate, to claim what was his, consuming him. He didn't fully understand it yet, but he couldn't ignore the feeling that was growing stronger with each passing moment.
He closed his eyes, trying to focus, but Liam's face haunted him. And deep down he knew that he would claim his mate.
The carriage jolted lightly as the soft sway of the road continued, and the cool breeze brushed through the cracks of the small window. The curtains fluttered in the air, and the first rays of the sun began to filter through, casting golden light onto Liam's face. He stirred, feeling the warmth on his skin, and slowly opened his eyes.
He blinked, adjusting to the dim light of the morning. The carriage had stopped, and the scent of the forest still lingered in the air—a mixture of fresh earth, floral notes, and something more ethereal, like magic itself. Looking outside the window, he noticed the dark canopy of trees stretching in every direction. The carriage had come to a stop at the edge of an inn, a rustic building nestled in the heart of a shadowed clearing.
The hooded driver stepped down from the carriage, his cloak rustling as he moved towards a group of dark figures standing by the inn's entrance. Liam could feel their presence—demons, strong and heavy in the air, their energy vibrating like distant thunder. His instincts tingled with unease, but he couldn't deny the allure of the strange world he was being thrust into. A world where nothing was familiar.
Liam watched as the hooded man spoke briefly to one of the figures—a tall demon with sharp features and a commanding presence—before taking a basket of food and returning to the carriage. He opened the door, his eyes briefly catching Liam's, but his face remained unreadable.
"Eat this" the hooded man instructed, handing him a plate stacked high with fresh bread, slices of sharp cheese, and a small bottle of fruit wine. The food was simple but hearty, and the smell of it made Liam's stomach growl. He accepted the meal, his hands trembling slightly as he unwrapped the food.
The bread was soft, the cheese creamy, and the wine, though unfamiliar to him, had a sweet, rich taste that soothed his senses. He took a small bite, cheeks puffing up slightly as he chewed, looking almost like a ripe peach. His eyes met the hooded man's briefly, and the driver's lips twitched slightly as though he was suppressing a smile at the sight.
"We'll reach the main city of the Demonic Realm by evening," the hooded man said, his voice low, almost to himself. He gave Liam a long, considering look, though Liam couldn't decipher it.
Liam nodded absentmindedly, his mind still spinning from everything that had happened in such a short time. The food, though comforting, couldn't distract him from the unsettling feelings swirling within. What would happen once they reached the city? What awaited him in this strange new world of demons?
As the food settled in his stomach, Liam felt the carriage begin to move again, the sound of the wheels creaking as it slowly rolled forward. He tried to focus on the peaceful journey ahead, but his heart was heavy. His mind kept circling back to Elijah and Maximilian. The two kings who shared not only power but now, the rare and enigmatic angel they were both bound to claim.
He couldn't help but wonder what would await him once he was in their world—would he be just another possession, or would he find a place for himself, perhaps even with them? The journey ahead would reveal so much, but the questions were already gnawing at him. What would his life look like when he entered the heart of the Demonic Realm?
The road stretched on before him, and the shadows deepened, as the carriage carried him into the unknown with the thoughts of confusion and curiosity tingling deep inside him as the image of his two mates clouded his mind....