The Demon’s Bride

The cross on Elise's neck glimmered is in red color as she passed by the window that showed the large red moon. She followed three steps after Ian who had been quiet this entire time. Elise didn't know why but something fell terribly off at the moment. Ian would always walk beside her, side by side. But today particularly, he chose to walk before her and with quicker steps that caused her to fall behind.

"Wait for me," asked Elise and Ian stopped on his track.

He turned his face then a smile adorning his lips, "Was I walking too fast?"

"A little," she responded, "But I am alright. What happened to the enemies you attacked earlier?"

"They were nothing but just simple brush," Ian reached out her hand toward her. "Let's walk so you would never leave my side."

Elise didn't see the deep meaning underneath his words and only read the surface of his words. She took his hands as it was something he used to do. They continue to walk down the corridors. "I think we should hurry," Elise told Ian. She raised her chin, looking at his profile. Being shorter than him, she could see the lower part of his chin and his red eyes slowly turned to her.

"There is no need for being in a hurry. You can try and listen," Ian spoke.

Elise did what he said, keeping her hearing keen on her surrounding. "Listen to what?" She then asked, finding nothing to note on.

"Try to listen closely. There isn't the sound of people screaming or fighting isn't it? Everything is done now," Ian squeezed her hands.

"Aw!" Elise winced as his squeeze on her hand was too tight.

"Oh, sorry Elise," Ian looked at her in worry. "I was only too glad to know that you are alright. Did you find anyone on your way coming here?" 

"Yes," Elise answered, "I met someone who call himself as Thomas. I think he works for the dark sorcerer Lord. I was fortunate to be able to meet you soon on the middle of the staircase. I was worried. I am sorry even though you have told me specially that I should stay in my room."

"No worries, what is important to me is the fact that you are near me now," Ian smiled to her again. 

Elise stared at him for a couple of another seconds. When Ian noticed it and turned to her, she smiled. "Did you got hurt anywhere?"

"No where," he answered, "You can look," he turned his body wholly to her and spread his arms to let her inspect him. Indeed, Elise found no scratch of injuries around him. He appeared to be far from danger with not even a single tear or burn on his clothes.

Elise then looked at the window next to her, "What does the red moon means? I think you have told me before I forgot about it."

"The blood moon symbolized the end of every happiness," Ian answered and he pulled her hand raising it to place the back of her palm to his hands, "But our happiness should never be broken."

Elise stared at him as her hand touched his chest and she closed her eyes, "Do you love me?" 

Ian looked at her with a blank face, slightly taken aback. "Haven't I told you how much I love you yet, Elise?"

"And you won't ever lie to me, that is what you promised," Elise continued. She opened her eyes to meet his fierce red eyes. 

"I will never told you a lie. Have there been a time when I lied to you?" Ian instead question and when Elise stopped walking, his eyes looked at her in a puzzle, "What's wrong, Elise?"

"Do you remember that you have lied to me once?" Ian looked at her, hearing her words patiently. "But at that time, I couldn't yet tell a lie."

"Do you blame me for lying to you once?" Ian questioned her and she shook her head.

"I won't be angry to you if you lie to me because I know you only think of my safety and best interest. I know well that my happiness always stood before anything for you," Elise saw Ian nodding his head slowly in response.

"I know," she whispered again, "And I also know that you always conveyed how much you love me with your words and action which speak volume to the love you have for me. But..."

Elise slipped her hands away from him and her smile slowly fail, her forehead now creased a frown. 

"But what, Elise?" Ian's eyes keenly watched over her steps as she took seven steps behind him. 

When Ian got closer, Elise moved back more steps, "But I felt nothing of emotions in your words earlier. Who are you?"

A moment passed in silence with them both in stalemate. Elise stared back at Ian with a caution look who looked at her with an emotion-filled gaze before slowly by time, his emotions faded from his eyes.

"I am Ian. Don't you see how I look?" He spread his arms. A wide grin now appeared on his lips. It was a grin filled with cruelty.

Elise shook her head, "No you are not him. Who are you?" She asked again when Ian took a step forward, she yelled, "Jett!" 

Her shadows quickly left from underneath her feet. Taking the form of spikes, her shadows aimed for the man's wrist and legs, pinning him to the wall as the shadows hold them back.

'Ian' who was thrown on the ground grunt in pain, his expression scrunched. He lifted his chin, looking at Elise, "What are you doing, Elise? Are we fighting now—"

"Ian only calls me Elly," Elise said with a look of suspicions.

"I am sorry I forgot it, Elly—" said the man but his words didn't complete as Elise continued,

"And that was a lie because Ian only calls me Elise or sweetheart. He always walk on my pace, he will never squeeze my hand to the point I am hurting and you made one largest mistake."

'Ian's' smile fell from his lips. 

"What is that?"

"You never asked me if I am doing alright. Ian cares the most for me." Elise replied and she watched the man who stared at her as if waiting for her to believe in him. Only after some second passing, his smile fell. 

"Tch, what a bore. How do you know that?"