The Demon’s Bride

The serpent's body fell to the sea but before its skin can hit the body of the water, it had disappeared and fused into one with the air. Elise watched it happened and saw the rest of the sea snakes falling back in the same manner, returning into ashes.

Elise quickly went to the side of the boat. She saw Ian who fly back to reach the boat. As his feet touched the surface of the boat, a quick embrace had engulfed him. Elise pulled him tightly to her embrace. No words can express how happy she was at the moment that nothing could make her happier.

Her hand felt his back where his wings are, noticing how warm he was not cold as the last time she had touched his body. His complexion was rosy, filled with blood, and his eyes were bright, full of light and life. 

"Did you missed me that much?" Ian didn't dislike the hug at all. Like Elise, the hug they shared now was dear to him.

Elise nodded her head slowly, "Very much. I was afraid you would never come back. I am afraid that we would never see each other again," especially their separation was caused by herself.

"Why would you think that?" Ian pushed through his hands over her red hair, feeling the softness of her hair and how smooth his hands had brushed her hair. "I promised you I would come back. While perhaps I haven't manage to keep my first promise of not dying, I would never break my promise twice on you. Never." His words went straight to her heart as his red eyes continue to stare on her.

Tears that had stopped spilled again, "No, no," whispered Ian as he pushed his thumb underneath her eyes, sliding the tears aside, "Don't cry. It's been a while since we met and it felt painful for me too as I know it would have been to you as well. We wouldn't want spending our time in tears, don't we?"

Ian noticed how Elise had been looking more tired now, how her eyes seemed hollow and how she had lost so much weight from the sorrow she suffered of loosing him. Seeing in what state she had been made him felt guilty for being the cause of her pain. He hugged her close, letting her to relieve the moment and have her make sure that his appearance wasn't all but her sweet nightmare.

"I missed you," Ian kissed the temple of her head with his eyes closed. "The journey that you took must have been rough. All those decisions you have to make must had weighed your shoulders, pressuring you. I feel quite annoyed how I cannot be with you during all those times. Your tears, my love, are precious don't shed it any more."

Elise crumpled her hand that was pressed against his chest. She held back her tears as there was words she had to say, "I'm sorry," her voice broke. The walls she created to make herself guarded and to tougher break at once at the hands of her solace. There was no more princess of hell, it had only been her who was now standing and talking to Ian.

Elise hated herself that's ere like crybabies but at such a time, wanted to be true to herself. Her words poured like tears, "Killing you had been my worst nightmare. They said the oracles cannot be avoided and one day I will kill you and when I—"

"Shush," Ian shook his head. Touching the sides of her face gently. "You didn't kill me. You didn't. It was traps that were laid by Mila and someone worse behind all of the curtains. You haven't done anything to hurt me, Elise. You had only protected me. Rather than that I wish to hear different words from your lips. That lovely three words is more than enough for me."

Elise felt her lower lips trembled as she let her own tears doing it work, relieving the stress and sadness she accumulated during the whole week she suffered without him. "I love you and I'm glad. I'm glad that I can be with you again. I was worried, I feared that the ritual cannot be successful. Every day I wondered if only I could have not moved that day."

"But to your eyes you saw that I was attacked. If I were in your place, I would have done the same, Elise but what if I killed you in that situation, would you be angry to me?" Ian questioned her calmly. His voice was tamed and gentle as if it was made out of clouds.

Elise immediately shook her head and heard him say, "That is what I felt now too, Elise. I don't blame you. Never will I do such a lowly thing. Injuries can be healed and I am back now, let's put away what happened yesterday and enjoy our time together now, won't you? I like your smile. I love them."

Elise immersed herself in the gentle words Ian spoke with his voice. When he had died, Elise had been frightened. Each day she was scared if she would ever forget his voice or face and now hearing his voice, she let her mind to carve how his voice sounded, how his appearance look like, and how warm he was, the warmth which she yearned so badly.

The creature continue to row the boat. Without asking, he knew which way he should go now, choosing to go back to the shore of the Black Sea. Elise didn't speak nor say anything. She sat on the boat with Ian sitting behind her, hugging her from her back. They shared their peaceful time which had been robbed while watching the Black Sea around them.

As they got down from the boat, both Elise and Ian was greeted with Leviathan. Levi stared at his son in law. As it was their first meeting, Levi can't help but stare at the younger man who was undoubtedly handsome. On his back was black wings that had took a resting position, drooping down to the ground.

When Leviathan took one step forward, his expression had been passive and he took two more steps before bringing both children to his arms, hugging then by their backs. 

"Great work. Great work," whispered Leviathan. There was a release of tension in his voice as if all this time he had been nervous which hadn't been wrong. Elise felt for the first time the fatherly love she yearned when she was younger. Though she had lost many lives around her, she was glad she had slowly found new people who she could treasure in her heart.