I'm Ready

**Aileen POV**

Clearly, Shiuku was very confident in his plan to abduct me; I mean marry me. The very moment we arrived a celebration was being held... welcoming me. On the way here, I had worried about what a demon's castle may look like. The DSS was never able to get close enough to know. And well, it was truly impressive. The outside was massive, bigger than the DSS or Father's. Everything was done up in ribbons and giant balloons spelling out my name. Almost like a welcome home party.

While traveling here, he had explained his mark was worth more than any piece of paper declaring unity. In this world I was his wife now. One step in his confetti filled castle and I could see just how true that was. Never would I have guessed that demons liked to get so festive. I wondered for a moment what demon took the time to decorate. Hard to picture, but funny to think about! Would he have issues hanging the balloons if he had claws?

The demons were truly joyous upon my arrival. Cheers went up as we approached. Shiuku waved to them like a king would acknowledging a crowd a peasants on his wedding day. His fingers laced with mine. He gave a tight squeeze in front of all the onlookers. I felt a strange safety near him that I couldn't figure out. There was every reason I should be terrified, but no.

His thumb brushed the top of my hand. In a split second, I realized my short coming. With a slight sigh, I lifted my head and waved at the demonic crowd celebrating us. I guess there was still a bit I did not understand about demons. I was shocked by just how almost human they were. This was the kind of reception I would have expected after marrying that disgusting prince.

We passed by some people running about doing random chores as we moved on through the halls. Oddly they had absolutely no aura about them. Every demon I had ever encountered had at least some kind of aura radiating off them; even the low ranking weak ones. I turned to my new husband, "why do they not have an aura? Is this a new ability?"

I took note that they seemed to dislike me. None of them smiled as we walked on. One older woman had the guts to scrunch up her nose at me, as if my presence gave her a sour taste.

"They are not. I have quite a few humans that do basic tasks for me. I mean it's not like they would be any good in a fight. But they have all sworn there allegiance to me." Shiuku gave them a dangerous look. They started clapping.

I snorted, "so you did that gross blood thing with them as well. If I pull up there sleeves will there be little triangles too?"

"No." Shiuku did not elaborate any further. So how I wear his mark was different too? Right mine is like marriage.

I looked back at the old woman and showed my wrist. She gave me a nasty little gesture with a particular finger. The last gesture she would ever give. A slice of wind snapped her head clean off her shoulders.

"Clean that up now. Don't make me have to loose any more maids. Having some of you frail humans may help my new wife feel more at ease and home."

I refused to let my fear show at his casual murder. I needed to remember that these were demons after all. And now I was bonded to the most dangerous of them of all. One that has been giving the DSS hell for centuries. There were so many questions I longed to ask him, but the words would not leave my mouth. Chances were slim that he would answer them even when we were alone. I may just cause him to get angry.

I should be concerning myself with where he was leading me. My other questions were not as important as that one. We would most likely be heading for his bedroom. I was his now and I had my marital duties to perform. I slowed my pace as much as possible with Shiuku guiding me. My head no longer in awe of his celebration, nerves started to overtake me. My marital duties...his bed.

I swallowed deep. Shiuku turned to me. Oh no, did I upset him? No doubt he could he sense my unease. My hand was attempting to crush his. Memories trying to surface again flashed through my mind. My free hand scratched at my scalp, pain shooting throughout my head. *NO, please, don't come now. I've been good, untouched for years. This is my husband! Don't make this worse. I'm not a whore!*

I begged those voices to stay away before they could beset me. I could do this, just calm down!

To my delight, they did. No evil words came as I held onto my husband.

We turned another corner, at the far end of the fourth hall we took was a large, relatively plain door. With all his demonic power, I half expected the door to be decorated with either skulls showing his power, or many gems showing his wealth. Neither were true. The thick wooden door was decorated with only a few symbols. I recognized the ones at the top of the door. They were the five elements, each one in a dull color resembling the shade its' power is known for.

The mind's symbol caught my attention. A dull purple not too unlike the lines connecting the the triangles on my wrist. The most disgusting of all the elements. My hatred for that element may come from me being from another dimension where fire, ground and all the other elements at least physically existed. That made them easier to identify with. But something about the mind was more sinister and was hard for me to wrap my thinking around originally. And it's not like I hated everything unthinkable this dimension had.

I liked cellphones and those can do things I could never dream of. I had no issue with televisions now either. Of course at first they did scare me. I thought that the men and women in the shows were trapped. I broke my brother's T.V. about a week after I started staying with his parents. I figured I could break them free from their cage. Trevor was furious! He wiped a booger on the side of my face as revenge.

Out of everything that this dimension can manipulate, the brain should not be on that list.

"You are distracting yourself. Is everything alright little one?" Shiuku cooed in my ear, as if he was actually worried about me!
"Ye...yes. Just looking at the symbols of this door. I mean, that's the only unique thing leading here. Th...this couldn't possibly b...be to your room." I stuttered. Damn my nerves.

He forced my head up to meet his gaze. "I do not like flashy. Now tell me what is really going on in that pretty head of yours."
I motioned towards the door, not wanting to have that conversation. He seemed to know everything about me already, so there was no point.
A soft creek sounded as the doors were opened. My heart leapt at the sight of his over-sized bed. Shiuku lead me onward. I sat up on the bed trying my hardest not to let him hear the loud beats of my heart.

A sweet scent filled my nose calming my racing heart slightly. I turned my head to the side to see just purple lilacs just like the ones Mother always had. Somehow he had known my favorite flower. I had never mentioned or showed it in my dreams. Did Shiuku use his mind ability to find out they were my favorites? I knew that talent could do a lot, but from what I'd seen; that power did not allow for mind reading. Persuasion, dream control, marking, sure; but not mind reading.

As I stared at the lilacs, Shiuku reached over taking a small bundle from the vase. He twirled the purple flowers between his fingers giving me time to think.

I decided to test my theory. I chose to picture the most random thing I could think of and gauge if he had any reaction. An image of a dancing mongoose with a mustache singing a Christmas song was what my brain settled on. Then I thought of the singing mongoose killing Shiuku.
There was no reaction from my demon. Good, my dreams may not be safe, but at least my inner thoughts were.

"Nervous?" He asked tenderly. "I know this is not your first time and I am sorry that I could not protect you from that bastard, or his friends. At the time I was still learning how to get into another dimension with a borrowed ability. There were many preparations needed."

To my shame, I froze from Shiuku's apology. Me eyes widened. He had known about what happened with the traitor guard too? Not just those miserable men using me? The way he spoke was like he had been watching somehow. And what ability would an all powerful demon lord need to borrow. I thought he had them all.

I sighed, "whether I had been in my dimension, or this one I would have gotten to this point anyway. Prince Roy and I would have married 2 years ago if we were back home." I squared my shoulders, "at least I can have some comfort in this being sort of a choice. I could have let you kill Trevor and when I got home; I'd be in bed with his Royal Asshole instead."

Yes, I could take slight satisfaction in gaining something for myself in our union. My brother, Father, and Kalum would all be safe from his demons. My family will have demon lord Shiuku's protection! All I had to do was shove away all other voices and focus on that one.

"Are you ready?" the demon asked full of compassion. His dark eyes conveyed that he cared for me. I was confused. Was this was the evil demon so ready to hurt my brother to get me here?

Instead of taking the chance that he may grow impatient and force me, I took initiative. I grabbed the collar of his shirt and brought his lips down to mine, kissing him aggressively. If he made the first move, I feared it would bring back more of that traumatized day from my childhood.

Today, I wanted to be on equal ground as husband as wife. No past, or what may come after. Finally I would move on from those horror filled memories. I would shove everything else away and concentrate on the odd, sexy demon lord in front of me. My other half now.

He dropped the flower and pulled me closer. His tongue forced its way into my mouth with haste as if he had been starving for me despite our earlier kiss. His smell intoxicated me; a mix of wet grass and burned wood. Each scent coming from him represented one of the elements; as if they were embedded into his very body. A hint of blood as well, though much fainter than the rest, I guess would be the mind part?

I wanted more. With one last deep breath, I allowed him to push down onto the soft blankets.

I stroked his face gently; giving him my permission. "Take me," I said submitting myself to becoming his completely.

"After all these damn years, at last, I am going to have you," his voice was strained and filled with so much passion, I almost cried. This just felt right somehow. My sexy demon lord...