Chapter 37
Korithax
She was my bride. My wife. My Queen.
And now she walked hand in hand with me to our honeymoon suite, wearing the most beautiful gown I’d ever seen on any woman. She looked like a living, breathing goddess.
And she was mine. Theoretically speaking. I knew she didn’t actually belong to me. She couldn’t stand me. But for now, I was going to let myself stay in the illusion of being happily married, just for tonight.
Maren escorts us to the large citrine doors, bows once, then takes her leave. Daisy steps forward to open the door, but I place a hand on her shoulder to stop her.
“Well, since you’re so adamant about keeping up tradition—like you were last night—” I mutter sarcastically, “let’s continue the mortal customs, shall we?”
“What do you mean—”
Her shriek cuts off her words as I scoop her up into my arms and kick open the door, carrying her over the threshold like mortals do for good luck… or for some other dumb shit. She giggles, slapping at my chest lightly.
“Put me down, you idiot.”
I place her gently on the floor—but keep her in my arms just a moment longer.
“I like that sound,” I murmur.
She doesn’t respond, instead she averts her eyes and starts looking around the room in awe.
I know I should be colder and keep my distance.
But something about her laugh unravels all the edges I’ve spent centuries sharpening.
And gods, it pisses me off. I don’t want to feel that way, but regardless, that feeling sits there, clawing at my chest. It’s not softness I feel towards her.
But I feel the need to be less of a monster around her, even if I’m not entirely sure how.
The room’s large—palatial, even. A massive four-poster bed sits in the centre, draped in sheer canopies that release a soft rain of petals, though none ever touch the sheets.
Floor-to-ceiling folding doors stand wide open, letting in the warm breeze and the gentle sound of waves rolling in from the ocean.
Pink and coral hues from the sun bathe the room in soft light, and golden butterflies flutter around us, leaving shimmering trails behind them.
A wraparound balcony surrounds the suite, white gleaming marble that reflects the sun.
She steps outside, resting her hands on the marbled railing, and tilts her face toward the sun. She closes her eyes, inhaling deeply, looking so utterly at peace. I pad up behind her and stop at her back.
“Happy wedding day, little flower,” I mumble.
“I saw my mom yesterday,” she responds, ignoring me yet again.
So that was Sariya’s surprise. She’d been glowing with excitement all morning, refusing to tell me why. I had no idea she even knew who Daisy’s mother was—but of course she did. If anyone could bring her here, it would be Sariya.
“That’s… incredible,” I manage, unsure what else to say. “How was it?”
She turns to face me, eyes glistening. “Amazing,” she breathes. “She looked exactly like how I remembered. I’ve missed her so much.”
A tear escapes, running down her cheek. Without thinking, I reach up and brush it away with my thumb. She doesn’t flinch; instead, she leans into my hand with her eyes closed and exhales slowly.
“She also said something about you.”
I stiffen. Fuck. “What did she say?” I ask quietly, still stroking her cheek. Her skin is so soft. Untouched by war, by centuries of rage. So unlike my own.
Her eyes slowly open and I swear they burn straight through to my soul. “She… she said it wasn’t true. When I told her you can’t stand me.”
I look into her eyes. Those fucking eyes.
She asked me my favourite colour back in Aurora’s Veil.
I told her black. It wasn’t the truth—but I didn’t know that at the time.
No one had ever asked me something so… simple.
But that, I thought about it. Really thought about it.
And I realised, my favourite colour isn’t black.
It’s the ocean. The sky. The exact shade of a perfect summer’s day.
Because all of them? They live in her eyes.
“Right,” I murmur. “And you believe that? That I can’t stand you?”
She nods and pulls away from my touch. “Can you blame me, Korithax?”
She tries to move past me, but I cage her in against the balcony railing, hands braced on either side.
“You’re correct,” I say. “I can’t stand you.”
Her brows furrow, and she pushes against my chest. “I thought so. Move, Korithax. I don’t want to listen to you spitting any more hatred at me. You’ve done that enough.”
“Stop and listen to me, Daisy,” I growl.
She storms past me into the room, struggling to remove her gown with the endless row of buttons down her spine. She huffs, throwing the skirt like it’s going to help.
“Please,” I bite out through gritted teeth.
Manners weren’t exactly in my repertoire. I was used to getting what I wanted—no questions, no niceties. But this girl? She pushed every button I had, tested every limit without even trying. Still… I told myself I’d try. For her. So if saying please is what it takes—then fine. So be it.
She freezes and turns slowly, staring at me in shock. “Did you just say please?”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic about it.”
She snorts a quiet laugh, then turns so her back is facing me once again. I step behind her, placing my fingers against the top button.
“Let me help.”
She stiffens for a brief moment, then nods, and I let my fingers graze her skin as I begin undoing each button one by one.
“I can’t fucking stand you,” I murmur, voice low. “Because somehow… you, a mortal girl with too much light and too much mouth, has more power over me than any god ever has.”
I trace my thumb along her spine, just to feel her again. I hate how much I crave her.
“You think if I didn’t care, I’d have stayed by your side after you tried to kill yourself?” I pause, clenching my jaw. “You think I set Kaelith on fire for fun?” I snort, dark amusement curling at the edges of my annoyance. “Though I’ll admit, his screaming was satisfying.”
I lean in, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. She shudders, and I swear I feel it in my bones.
“When I saw his hands on you, Daisy, I wanted to rip his realm from existence. I would’ve, if you’d told me to.”
Her breath catches, her body going rigid under my hands. I know I’m scaring her. But it’s the truth, and I refuse to sugar-coat the storm inside me.
“I might rule Hell,” I whisper, “but you rule me.”
I undo the final button and pull my hands away.
She turns to face me instantly, clutching the dress to her chest, her eyes wide with disbelief.
I know words won’t fix this. Not after what I’ve done, what I’ve said.
So I step forward without another word and lift her into my arms. I carry her across the room and lower her onto the cushioned chair by the window.
She looks like a queen already. My queen.
I lower to my knees in front of her.
“What are you doing?” She whispers.
I look up, locking onto her eyes. I want her to see me. All of me. Not the demon prince. I want her to see the broken, furious, hollow thing that she’s somehow managed to crawl inside and set ablaze.
“Daisy,” I breathe, “I’ve been cruel. Arrogant. A fucking bastard. But I swear to you—I’ll spend the rest of eternity making up for it.” I press my hand to her knee to steady myself. “A king of Hell doesn’t kneel for anyone. But for you? I’ll kneel. I’ll worship. I’ll fucking burn the realms.”
Her lips tremble as tears fall silently down her cheeks. Her eyes look into mine, like she’s seeing something worthy. I’m not. But gods—I want to be. I hope she can see that maybe, under all the power and wrath, there’s still something inside of me that deserves her.
“Say something, Daisy.” I breathe.
She sniffles. “So… that kiss?” She asks quietly.
The one I told her meant nothing. I hold her gaze and tear down what’s left of my walls to let her see inside.
“That kiss?” I say hoarsely. “Meant everything.”