Emily's nose twitched as she inhaled a sweet cinnamon smell, and felt a sense of unease. She gradually opened her eyes, and looked around, taking in her surroundings.
She felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck and reached up to touch it, wincing in discomfort. As she brought her palm back to her face, she saw two drops of blood on her skin, where she had touched her neck.
"Fucking Remi. Ugh," She hissed, her anger and frustration evident in her voice. As she looked around, she realized she was in an unfamiliar room and it was enormous, with high ceilings and large windows.
The room had an open balcony, and as she tried to get up, she felt the soft plushness of the bed beneath her body.
The room was more like a chamber, adorned with velvet drapes that added to its opulent atmosphere. The air was thick with the scent of incense, smoke and cinnamon. The room was illuminated by a golden glow from the candelabras, which cast an eerie and flickering light in the room.
Emily noticed that it was still dark outside, and guessed that she had not been out for too long. As memories flooded her brain, she abruptly stood up, but a sharp pain made her hiss from discomfort.
"Careful." A firm voice called from the shadows, making Emily jump.
Emily screamed as she peered into the darkness, trying to see who or what was speaking to her.
"Who is there?" She screamed, her frustration and fear boiling over. "Stop playing games with me, I've had enough!"
"You need to calm down." A man's voice, low and velvety, with an eerie tone called out again.
Emily felt the air shift as the figure stepped into the light. Her heart seemed to drop as she gazed at the figure before her, her lungs frozen in shock, for standing in front of her was no ordinary man.
It was a creature unlike any other she had ever seen, its appearance defying description.
Before her stood a towering figure, its head crowned with two thick dark horns that twisted on top of its head. His body was massive, with broad shoulders and a powerful build. His skin was covered in intricate markings and writings, etched into his flesh like tattoos.
His face was set in a stern expression, as his red eyes fixed intently on hers. The man's features were chiseled, with sharp jaws and an otherworldly worldly beauty that left her breathless and weak-kneed.
He emanated a dark, menacing aura that seemed to seep into the room, putting her on high alert.
"What are you?" She whispered, her voice barely audible, as she gazed at him with a mix of pure fascination and fear.
His body was adorned with jewellery and piercings and he wore only a single piece of clothing - a long, dark trouser.
The creature avoided eye contact, looking around trying not to face the human in front of him. He felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation, one he had never felt before in his long lifetime.
No one had ever stared at him with such boldness, without the fear of death. He also had never felt awkward in the presence of another and definitely not a human.
But he had sensed that she was different, that there was something extraordinary about her. She was his wife.
His bride.
One he had been waiting for, and yet, the one he had thought he would never meet was now standing before him. The one that was going to liberate his pathetic soul, she was here, right here before him.
And she was breathtakingly beautiful.
"I got you tea." he said, his voice low and rough. "I heard humans enjoy it."
Emily snapped her head towards the table beside her, her eyes fixed on the steaming cup of cinnamon tea. She let out a breathy sound, her face twisted in distaste as she stared at the tea. She hated cinnamon tea.
"You hate it?" The creature asked, his voice low and curious, "Tell me what you prefer, I'll get it for you." He said, his voice firm but controlled.
Emily carefully turned back to face him again. Despite her fear, Emily was drawn to the creature, her fascination and curiosity about him tempering with her terror.
She felt a flutter in her stomach, a sense of attraction that pulled her towards him. She asked again, her voice barely above a whisper, "What are you?"
The Creature before her finally met her gaze, his eyes locking with hers with an unnerving intensity. The red slits in his eye shifted as he tried to reign in his emotions.
"I am Xandros. A demon and the king of the underworld."
"So it's true?" She said, Her eyes wide with wonder and fear.
Now confusion slipped into Xandros' expression, "What is true?"
"You roam graveyards?" She asked with utter disbelief.
"I don't roam graveyards, Emily." He replied, his gaze fixed on hers.
"How do you know my name?" She asked, her voice shaking. "And why am I here?"
"I heard your thoughts," he explained. "And you're here because you were drawn to me. You called out to me, and I answered."
"I don't understand what you're saying," she admitted, her confusion and fear evident. Emily turned away from him as she stared out the balcony to the unfamiliar view. The landscape before her was completely alien, with twisted trees.
A massive bat-like creature swooped past the balcony, and Emily gasped in shock. The sky had a hint of red hue and the air was filled with oppressive heat that made her skin crawl.
"Where the hell am I?" She demanded, still observing the view from her balcony, her voice shaking.
Xandros voice was devoid of humour as he replied, "You're in Hell. Specifically, you're in the City of Erebus, kingdom Nyxoria."
Emily's head snapped towards Xandros, her eyes fixated on the handsome, monstrous man in front of her. "I still have no idea of what you're talking about and I would love it if you take me back home."
She said as she walked towards the door she assumed was going to be the exit.
"This is your home now Emily." Xandros replied, his voice low and unsettling, sending shivers down her spine.
ln an instant, Xandros was behind her, his hands closing gently around her waist, making her jump. Emily's heart skipped a beat as she felt his hands on her, but she remained frozen, her eyes wide with fear, and her breath caught in her throat.
"You're insane." She whispered, trying to release herself. "Let me go."
"Unfortunately, I can't." Xandros whispered, his breath warm against her neck.
Xandros tongue touched her skin, licking away a drop of sweat, Emily's body trembled with a mix of fear and unexpected desire.
She felt aroused and scared all at once and it was very odd. Despite her fear, she felt herself relaxing into Xandros touch, her mind reeling with the implications of her body's betrayal, as she struggled to comprehend her own desire.
"Why is that?!" She whispered harshly with wide eyes as Xandros tongue continued to explore her skin, sending shivers down her spine.
"Because, dear Emily, you're my wife," Xandros whispered with a low and husky tone, as he pulled her closer, his eyes burning with an inner fire.