Chapter 32
Korithax
I’m seething, dragging Daisy through the corridors of Kaelith’s cursed palace, my grip ruthless on her hand.
Fury rolls through me like a storm, thunderous and unrelenting. Her otherworldly golden attire glows faintly in the dim light of the realm, but I can barely look at her without seeing red.
“Korithax, you’re hurting me,” she whimpers, trying to pull away from my grip.
I ignore her, my jaw clenched so tightly it aches. When we reach our suite, I throw open the door and practically shove her inside. She stumbles, nearly falling over.
“What the hell, Korithax?” She snaps.
I don’t answer. I storm into the bathing chamber and grab our pack, slinging it over my shoulder. When I return, I reach for her again, but she evades my grip, stepping back once, then twice.
“Daisy,” I snarl, “it’s time to leave.”
She shakes her head. “No. That wasn’t okay.”
I laugh bitterly, my rage officially boiling over. “Oh, I’m very fucking sorry that I set your lover on fire.” I step forward, "Now come on, we need to go.”
She takes another step back, sending a whole new wave of fury through me. “Daisy,” I growl her name as a warning.
“My lover? Oh my god.” She’s suddenly storming toward me, her voice rising with every word. “You believe him, don’t you? You think I came on to him.”
She’s nearly a foot and a half shorter than me, but she shoves a finger into my chest like she could knock me off my feet. Her eyes blaze in a way I’ve never seen.
“How dare you, Korithax?” she screams, voice cracking. “How fucking dare you!”
A growl tears from my throat, and the little restraint I had snaps.
I grab her by the throat and throw her down onto the bed.
She gasps as I pin her arms above her head with one hand.
I place my other hand against her hip tightly, holding her still.
My chest heaves as I stare down at her, baring my teeth.
“I don’t give a fuck if you came onto him,” I growl into her face. “But I won’t tolerate being disrespected. I’m tired of these fools not holding our relationship in esteem because we’re not yet wed. We will marry. Tomorrow. In Solara. Understood?”
She stares up at me, and her fury is like fire in her veins, matching my own. This isn’t a side I’ve seen of her, and I can’t tell if I like it or hate it.
“No,” she spits. “Absolutely not. If you seriously think I’d throw myself at someone else, then congrats—I’m not going to be your wife.
” She glares up at me, seething. “And don’t act like this is about honour or betrayal or whatever dramatic nonsense you’ve cooked up in that demon brain of yours.
You were pissed because he touched me. I saw it.
The way you zeroed in on his hands like you were ready to murder him. Just admit it.”
I release her hands and grip her face, my thumb pressing hard against her jaw, my nose brushing hers as my control teeters on the edge of destruction.
The way she’s speaking to me, looking at me.
I can’t tell if I want to fuck her or kill her.
Nobody has ever spoken to me with such fury, such disrespect.
Yet this small mortal woman thinks she can defy me and not suffer any consequences.
“You will marry me, Daisy. You signed a fucking contract. And as for him touching you—I don’t care. Anybody can touch you in any way they fucking like once we are married.”
The flicker of pain in her expression is a punch to my chest, but I force my face into ice.
Cold and ruthless. I push away from her, standing at the foot of the bed.
She props herself up on her elbows, the neckline of her dress threatening to spill out her breasts.
My eyes flick away, not letting her body distract me, tempting as it was.
“So what kiss last night—that was—”
“It was nothing,” I interrupt. “It was me showing you what a real kiss felt like, like you asked. You are nothing, just a means to an end, Daisy.”
She says nothing. Just a single, slow nod with a harsh swallow. Her entire demeanour changes as a cold calm settles over her. She stands, smoothing the fabric of her dress, and pulls her braids over her shoulder.
“Great,” she says, voice flat and emotionless. “Let’s just get this over with then, yeah? That way, you can go back to pretending I don’t exist while we live out our happily never after in Zeriavoss. Pretty sure your realm’s big enough for us to avoid each other forever.”
I grab her wrist, and without another word, teleport us to Solara.
We land, the brightness instantly burning my eyes after almost twenty hours in that fucking realm of perpetual bullshit.
So much has happened in so little time, I feel like I’m cracking under the weight of it all.
Daisy’s attack, the betrayal, Kaelith’s hands on her.
I’m about ready to be done with this entire mission to turn her immortal if each realm keeps presenting a new way to piss me off.
Not to mention, I now had a fucking wedding to plan because it was clear nobody was going to respect whatever the Hell this was between Daisy and me.
Not until I had her securely placed in wedlock.
And now, I’ve got to smile and bow and play the proper prince in front of a goddess who radiates joy and sunlight.
I don’t bother telling Daisy anything about the realm this time.
I just begin walking the moment I know she’s not about to pass out or fall over.
The healers had given her something to help with realm travel, but they said she would still feel some effects from it.
Thankfully, this time we land basically at the palace.
Aran sent letters to the rest of the realms on our journey to let them know in advance of our arrival, allowing us to be approved to teleport in much closer than the outer borders.
The only realm that wouldn’t be possible was Noxthrallia.
But I knew from the start, Noxthrallia was going to be a challenge.
We stand outside tall, golden gates that stretch high above us, their delicate carvings reflecting the golden light that shimmers in the air. The warmth here is incredible, sinking into my skin like a balm, though it does absolutely nothing to melt away the icy storm brewing inside of me.
I remain silent as the gates begin to creak open, pulled by invisible magic.
The path ahead is lined with white sandstone, the road blinding in the golden light.
Towers of gleaming citrine and polished marble rise in the distance, spires tall in the sky, crowned with golden fire.
The smell of sun-warmed flowers and sweet citrus fills the air, and the gentle hum of magic dances in the breeze.
The entire royal grounds are open to the sky, sprawling courtyards layered in gold-veined stone.
Birds with jewel-bright feathers flit between flowering citrus trees, chirping a song so melodic they sound like harps.
If any realm reminded me of Daisy, it was this one.
I begin walking again, not checking if Daisy is following.
I know she is. I can sense her aura whenever it’s near me, a warm, delicate feeling that follows her wherever she goes.
She’s been quiet since I threw those words at her like fucking weapons.
I hear her footsteps fall into rhythm behind mine as I continue strolling up the long path.
The sun here never truly sets. It goes through sunrise, golden hour, and sunset, never dusk or darkness.
Solara, the realm of light and beauty, that provides sun, dawn, and sunset to Earth.
The place where Aran got the orb I’d gifted her at Christmas.
And in less than twenty-four hours, I was going to marry a woman here who now probably hated me. Perfect.
We’re escorted through wide halls of glimmering sandstone and silk canopies, to where the throne ‘room’ should be.
But of course, it’s not a room at all. The throne is nestled in an open glade of light.
Circular, column-lined, and filled with soft grass and blooming flowers.
Petals drift down from the sky, swirling on the warm breeze.
And in the centre, sits a carved throne of peach coloured sunstone, surrounded by benches, water features, and canopies of glowing linen that sway above our heads.
Sitting on the throne is Sariya, Goddess of the sun, vibrant as ever.
“Ah, my dear Korithax,” she beams, rising to her feet. She glides towards me, and the world seems to brighten with every step. “It has been centuries, my child. How are you?”
She throws her arms around me before I can respond, pressing soft kisses to each cheek. Her scent is golden: warm grass, citrus, and summer air.
“Very well, thank you, Sariya. And you?” I murmur, politely.
“Well, as always, Prince of Hell.” She grins, her smile is light itself.
Her eyes fall on Daisy. “And who is this absolute ray of sunshine?” She asks, delight curling into her voice.
She takes Daisy’s hands, not waiting for an introduction. “My dear, you look exquisite. Like you were made by my realm itself.”
Daisy blushes hard, lowering her head slightly. “Daisy, Your Highness. Future Queen of Hell.”
Sariya’s eyes sparkle like twin suns. “So this is the poor soul who gets shackled to Mr. Grumpy over here.”
I scowl as she grins at me. “I only joke, Korithax. Lighten up.” She laughs, a bell-like chime that makes the flowers in her large afro bloom in vibrant oranges and reds.
“Nice pun,” I deadpan, rolling my eyes.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of having the future King and Queen of Hell in my realm?” She asks, guiding us towards one of the stone benches that sits by her throne.
“We simply require your hospitality for a day or two while I restore my strength,” I reply, taking a seat by Daisy’s side.
Sariya tilts her head, her deep bronze skin shimmering with a golden glow under the rays of the sun. Her tight dark curls, streaked with glowing threads of yellow and rose gold, bounce around her haloed crown. More flowers tumble from her hair like confetti.
“You are travelling far, Prince.”
“Please, Sariya, I don’t wish to discuss it. I do, however, have a more… significant favour to ask, if you’ll allow it.”
Her smile softens, "Of course, I will. You and your beautiful queen are always welcome here. Just as your incredible mother was. I do miss her dearly.”
She places a delicate hand over her heart, golden bangles softly clinking against each other as she moves. Beside me, I feel Daisy stiffen. I glance at her, but she says nothing.
“I was wondering,” I begin, the words catching in my throat for a second. “If you would do us the honour of having us married here.”
Sariya blinks, her golden irises gleaming.
“You see,” I continue, turning to look at Daisy, who’s cast in sunlight so warm and soft she may as well be carved from it. “My bride is the embodiment of sunshine. Like a summer’s day born into a woman. I could think of no better place to make her my wife than in your kingdom.”
Daisy whips around to face me, blue eyes wide and stunned. The sunlight paints her in gold, her freckles like tiny kisses from the sun. For one brief second, I forget the anger. The pain. I only see her, my heart aching slightly at the sight.
Sariya squeals, clapping her hands. “Oh my suns, I would be honoured! I shall have my best staff begin preparations immediately. Oh, this will be wonderful!”
“Please,” I add quickly, dragging my gaze away from Daisy. “Something small. She gets shy.”
Sariya nods with understanding. “Of course. Now shoo! I’ll have a guard escort you to your room. I have a wedding to organise!”
She starts to call for a steward, but Daisy speaks up, voice soft.
“If it’s not too much to ask… could we have separate rooms?”
I freeze. That sentence felt like a fucking punch to the gut, all the air in my lungs depleting entirely.
“In my world,” she continues, her voice even but distant, “it’s traditional to have the bride and groom sleep apart the night before they get married.”
Sariya tilts her head with a small, graceful nod. “Of course, my dear. I will ensure you both have your own rooms.”
I clench my jaw so hard I’m pretty sure one of my teeth cracks.
Tradition… sure. Or maybe she just doesn’t want to be near me.
Not after what I said. Not after what I did.
The burn in my chest intensifies, but I offer no protest. I simply nod as the guards arrive to escort us to our rooms—separate doors, separate wings.
I watch her enter her room, softly clicking the door behind her as she goes. I lower my head, continuing to my own room, feeling like a large part of me is suddenly missing. It feels like we’ve never been further apart.