chapter 11 The demon’s wrath

"Aaaaaa!" Calista burst into tears, her sobs echoing in the small space. "I didn't… I didn't mean to!" she wailed, her voice cracking with emotion. "I don't even know why he likes me!" Her arms flailed dramatically as she opened them wide. "Aurora!" she cried out, beckoning her friend for a hug.

Aurora didn't hesitate, practically launching herself into Calista's arms. "You wouldn't betray me, I know you wouldn't!" Aurora hiccupped, burying her tear-streaked face into Calista's shoulder. "But it just feels so bad… He was supposed to be my prince charming," she whimpered, biting her lower lip as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Calista sniffled, pulling Aurora slightly out of the embrace and holding her at arm's length. Her trembling hands wiped Aurora's cheeks, though her own tears were flowing just as heavily. "I won't marry him… I promise," she said, crossing her fingers solemnly. Her green eyes shimmered with sincerity, even through the tears.

Aurora let out another wail and hugged her again, gripping Calista as though she'd disappear if she let go. They were lost in their shared misery when a sharp, commanding voice shattered their moment.

"Get out of my carriage."

Both women screamed in unison, clutching each other in terror. "Ghost! Ghost! Ghost!" Aurora screeched, trying to burrow herself into Calista's body. Calista turned her head slowly toward the voice, her movements stiff with dread.

Her blood ran cold as she met the piercing gaze of the demon king, Alexander, and the dragon prince, Ethan, seated casually across from them. "Uh oh," she muttered under her breath, the realization dawning painfully clear.

For a moment, Calista thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. "This… isn't real, right?" she whispered to herself. She tilted her head to one side, leaning forward slightly to confirm whether her mind was deceiving her. She leaned too far, almost toppling over, and quickly sat up straight, her face pale and wide-eyed.

"Aurora," she said firmly, trying to sound convincing. "Don't worry. They're not real. It's all in your head." She nodded to herself as if her words carried any weight of authority.

Aurora wasn't convinced. "But they're staring daggers at us! How are they not real?" she squeaked, trembling so violently that the entire seat shook beneath her.

Calista frowned, determination flashing across her face. "I'll prove it to you." She stood—or rather, staggered—to her feet. Aurora clutched at her arm, mouthing a silent plea, but Calista gently pried her hand away. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," she assured her friend, though her wobbling steps said otherwise.

She staggered toward the demon king, stopping mere inches from his imposing figure. Her emerald eyes locked onto his dark ones, and she blinked at the endless abyss staring back at her. His gaze was unrelenting, cold, and devoid of emotion—a pit of darkness ready to swallow her whole. She blinked rapidly and shook her head, breaking free from the trance.

"You're so handsome, Mr. Demon," she giggled, poking his cheek with her index finger. The audacity of her actions left Ethan frozen in place, his expression flickering between shock and barely contained amusement.

"Are you really the rumored demon?" she asked innocently, her fingers now tugging at his cheek playfully, pulling it up and down like a curious child. Alexander remained utterly still, his face unreadable as she continued her antics. "You see, Aurora," she declared with triumph. "He's not real! Look, no reaction!"

Ethan's shoulders shook as he fought to suppress his laughter. His lips pressed into a tight line, but his red eyes glimmered with unspoken mirth. This… this is incredible, he thought, biting back the laughter threatening to escape. Alexander's cold, terrifying aura paired with this drunken fool's boldness was the most ridiculous—and entertaining—thing he'd ever seen.

Calista's eyes sparkled with delight. "This is the best moment of my life," she murmured, basking in the proximity of someone she believed to be a hallucination. She didn't even notice the temperature in the carriage steadily rising.

"Calista… can you feel the heat?" Aurora whispered, her voice shaking. Beads of sweat trickled down her temples, her panic growing with every second.

Alexander's knuckles turned white as his fist clenched tightly at his side. The temperature rose even higher, the air becoming stifling. He radiated fury, his patience evaporating like water on hot coals. Calista blinked, finally registering the change in the air. Before she could react, a hand shot out and gripped her neck, cutting off her breath.

Her hands flew to his, clawing and struggling desperately. "L-let go!" she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. Tears welled in her eyes as she fought in vain to break free. Alexander tilted his head, his lips curling into a devilish smirk. The air around him grew heavier, oppressive, as if suffocating every living thing in the carriage.

"Alexander." Ethan's voice cut through the tension, his hand reaching to grab the demon king's wrist. "For my sake, let him go," he said, his usual playfulness replaced with a solemn tone. A bead of sweat rolled down Ethan's forehead as he tried to calm the volatile situation.

Alexander's glare shifted to his friend, irritation flashing across his features. "No!" he thundered, his voice reverberating through the carriage like a storm. The horses outside neighed in fear, their hooves stomping restlessly.

The demon's eyes burned with rage, darker than night, and Calista's heart sank. Her body trembled as his grip tightened. This is it, she thought. This is the end.

Ethan closed his eyes in resignation. "There's nothing I can do," he muttered under his breath. But just as Alexander's grip seemed poised to deliver the final blow, something unexpected happened. His hand loosened.

Calista dropped to the floor with a thud, coughing violently as she scrambled backward, her entire body shaking. Her wide eyes locked on Alexander's face, which was now contorted in disbelief. He stared at his hand as though it had betrayed him.

"What… just happened?" he murmured, his voice laced with confusion. Ethan's jaw dropped slightly, his mind racing to comprehend what he'd witnessed. Did Alexander… spare a life? The thought was unfathomable.

"Who are you?" Alexander growled, his dark gaze narrowing on Calista. His voice dripped with venom, but there was an undertone of something else—curiosity, perhaps.

Calista's breath hitched as she stared at the demon king, unable to speak. "Stay… away from me," she managed to choke out, clutching Aurora's arm as though her life depended on it.

Alexander stepped closer, his towering figure casting a shadow over her trembling form. "Tell me," he demanded, his voice sharp enough to cut through steel. "Who. Are. You?"