The Devil is a flirt

Kissing him softly, we stand there for a moment under the half light of the wedding canopy. For a second, Alastor's whole body tenses with the suddenness of it all, then, after a few short seconds, his body relaxes, ears flattening as he returns the kiss. His lips are soft against mine, mouth warm, a little purr of joy rising in his throat as he deepens the kiss between us.

In that moment I do not care for the silent, gaping nobles, or Yariel, or my half unconscious mother in the hands of my no longer husband to be. Even the Devil fades from my periphery, replaced only by the tingle of warmth that rises through my body, and Alastor's hands sliding up to my cheek, his mouth hungry on my own.

There is an unspoken word between us, a series of words that neither of us will care to admit to, by know deep down have been brewing for a long, long time. If only I had realised it sooner.

Then at last I pull away, gasping for breath, gulping down the shared air between us. There is an undeniably pleased look on the kitsune's face, and an intense flush that matches my own, coinciding perfectly with the wonderful array of hues melting off his auburn coloured hair.

"You're the worst, El," he teases lightly, his hand slipping down to rest upon my side.

"Lets not pretend you don't love me like that, Al," I snicker in response, pulling away from him, knowing with the droning tap of a heel that reverberates around the room that my time is almost up. I catch a flash of the Devil's violet eyes in the walkway, a peculiar look playing on his features, before it is washed away by an immovable calm.

Prince Yariel, who has since taken to holding my mothers form upright, looks shocked, standing still as a statue as his eyes flicker between us. Some nobles- those who are brazen enough to do anything at all, cry out in silent protest at the symbolic ruination of the arranged marriage. A marriage which now, quite literally, has gone to hell.

My eyes meet Alastor's, my voice high pitched, airy and flustered.

"You better not forget about me when I am down there, got it?"

"Whatever you say, Princess," Al replies smoothly, his eyes sparkling with ardent delight as he watches me step back from the dais. My face swims with heat- and so does the rest of my body. At last my eyes settle back on the blonde Prince, still dressed in his finery, the look of everlasting shock still swimming on his face. I give him a mocking pout.

"No hard feelings, Yariel, but I really didn't want to fucking marry you," I say, giving him a quick smile, then tapping my fingers to my head, waving goodbye. "I'm sure you will find a better wife, but to be honest, you aren't really my type."

Before the gobsmacked prince can even protest, I turn my back on them, smiling contently, knowing that I won't be seeing his face for a good long while. The devil's eyes light up as he sees me approach, his pale face contorting into a smile as he holds out his arm for me. With a gracious nod, I take it, looping my arm around his as the devil leans in to whisper with a low chuckle:

"Nicely handled, Princess."

From his tone, I cannot tell whether he is being sarcastic or not, but the glint in his eyes seems to say enough as he pulls me closer to him, wings cocooned protectively around us, shielding us both from the watchful gaze of the nobility. From up on the dais, Al gives me a brave smile, followed by a fleeting nod, the indication of his understanding at what I must do.

"So," I say casually, looking up at the tall, fantastic figure beside me, desperately trying not to feel the tickle of his lion's tale against my calf. The Devil always took many forms in the literature I read about when little- some painted him a monstrosity, some the most beautiful creature in the world. But I never expected him to have gorgeous raven wings and a lion's tail- like a animal, a predator.

"When exactly do we go?"

The Devil gives a broad smirk.

"Right now. Hold on to me, chérie, you don't want to be letting go where we are going," he whispers lowly against my ear. On instinct, or perhaps the sudden realisation that I should in fact listen to this ancient creature, I clutch on tightly around his waist, my fingers weaving between the fabric of his clothes. I fumble to get a grip, pressing myself securely against him. At this, the devil cracks a laugh, too muted for anyone else to hear.

"You are holding on to me, not feeling me up, Princess. I know I have a nice body, but it is rather blasphemous to touch a man you have just met like that."

I snarl irritably under my breath.

"Shut up," I grumble, but stop moving anyway. The devil's smile only widens, his eyes gleaming violet.

"As you wish, chérie."

As he says this, he turns his attention to the crowd, his arms splayed out in a theatrical pose, glimmering twinkles of hellfire flaming up around him. He spreads his wings far, casting dark shadows over the marble throne room, an accomplished look riding on his features.

"Good ladies and gentlemen of the Upper World, I will be taking your Princess but fear not, she will be in safe hands," he assures, nodding around the room, until he stops to lay his eyes to rest on Alastor. The two of them exchange one singular nod, some invisible string words passing between them, before the devil straightens up again, his wings flaring.

"I thank you all for your… generosity and wonderful hospitality here. The kingdom of Vriryn surely is a beautiful place. Perhaps if you are lucky the Princess and I will come back to grace you with a visit. But until then, we will be taking our leave. Au revoir mes petits démons. I will see you all in the downside."

And with that, the ground opens up beneath our feet and swallows us whole.