Chapter Three: Meet the Family

Alice:

"Tighter!" I cried out irritably, Sy pulling my corset tighter. "There. Please tie it now." Shaking his head, a warm chuckle tumbled from his lips. Spinning around on my heel, his breath hitched. The red silk corset hugged my ample breasts, my fingers tracing the textured roses. Tossing the large black silk skirt over my head, the silk felt soft in my fingers. Glancing over to him, a loving gaze met mine. Tying my hair up into a simple side braid, red and black ribbons shimmering in the flames of the pumpkins.

"I have to look my best if I am to stand by the future king of Hell." I chirped cheerfully, tying a black ribbon around my neck. "So what if we are crashing a masquerade ball? When I married you, I promised to make your name loved again. Go get dressed in the outfit I picked for you." Sliding on my black silk gloves, he disappeared for a couple of minutes. A tender blush rose to my cheeks, the red silk suit hugged his slender but muscular frame. Bowing in my direction, a gentle smile made my heart flutter. Offering me a black gloved hand, it was as if red roses were falling behind him. Stop it, you still need to be mad at him. Why was it so hard?

"Well, perhaps the future Queen of Hell should actually have a ring to prove that you are my wife." He beamed proudly, opening the black jewelry box. "Do you like it?" How could I not? It was beautiful. A black onyx sat in a bed of rubies, the black band shining in the flames. Sliding it onto my ring finger, a black band with golden pumpkins appeared in my palm.

"Then may I please return the favor, my husband." I offered tenderly, sliding his magically formed band onto his ring finger. "The true question is do you like it? I thought the pump-" Kissing my lips sensually, his hand slid down to the small of my waist. Time melted away, the sound of the flames crackling fading away to nothing. Releasing me from his spell, scarlet burned both of our cheeks. Truth be told, I didn't want wait to have sexual relations with him. Looking away sheepishly, he lifted up my chin.

"I love it, and the pumpkins are cute. However, it is not as cute as you, Alice." He complimented lovingly, his gaze never leaving mine. Narrowing my eyes, did he have to call me cute? It wasn't like I was five, damn it. Folding my arms across my chest, he chuckled lightly to himself. Ruffling the top of my head, he guided me to a black funeral carriage just outside the street sign. Feeling the ornate wooden details, he opened the door for me. The three shadow children waved back at us before cracking the reins on the black horses with black wings, his hands wrapping around mine.

"You don't have to be so nice." I uttered simply, refusing to look at him. "I am probably just a p-" Clutching me close to his chest, his heart was beating a mile a minute. Smiling to myself, this felt nice. My whole human life lacked love, often plagued by money problems and shitty parents. Normally, my main urge would be to shove him off of me but my heart wouldn't let me. Feeling his warm embrace, all of my anxieties melted away.

"I wouldn't have married you if I didn't want to." He proclaimed gratefully, lifting up my chin. "I have loved you from the moment I saw you, and I don't care what others think. You are mine, and only mine. Please stop being so hard on yourself, my darling Alice. Let's stun them with your beauty." Snuggling into his chest, the soft side of me wanted this moment to never end. Watching out the window, several funeral carriages passed us. Landing roughly, we fell back on the floor. My breath hitched, his handsome face was inches from mine. A fit of laughter burst from our lips, the door opening. Placing my raven's mask over my face, he placed his matching mask over his. Hopping to his feet, his hand hovered in my face. Accepting it happily, the attendant stifled a hearty laugh.

"Shall we announce your presence, Lord Syphron? Who is this beautiful lady?" He inquired earnestly, smoothing out his black penguin's tail tuxedo. "You must be his wife Alice. So from now on you will be called Lady Alice. Here's a quick lesson in etiquette. Wear your best smile and manners." Running his hand through his short slicked back gray hair, his red eyes glistened with excitement. Pressing a piece of paper in my palm, Sy tucked it into the inside pocket of his suit. Hooking my arm in the crook of his elbow, we waited patiently for our turn to be announced. Cold sweat dripped off of my brow, knowing full well that hiding away was my full blown specialty. Kissing the top of hand, his crooked grin disarmed me. A gasp poured from my lips, ornate golden statues of different demons lined the scarlet hall. Thousands of ancient artifacts sat behind glass, my eyes watching how the other attendants were acting. Adjusting my posture, a gentle smile brightened my face. Stepping forward, the music screeched to a halt. Dark glares shot up at us, our masks crashing to the ground. What the hell did Sy do?

"Announcing his lordship Syphron and her ladyship Alice." A well dressed man in a red imperial military uniform announced begrudgingly, his hot breath in my ear. "You two are the scum of Hell." My eyebrow twitched, trying really hard to ignore the urge to choke him. Marching down the stairs, the sea of silk and velvet made my head spin. The copper smell of blood poisoned the air, a red haired man emerged from the crowd. His black eyes glittered excitedly, the ornate black suit shimmering with black gems. Running his hand through his long silky hair, an upside cross dangled from his ears. Tracing my cheek with his white gloved hand, a sinister grin danced across his face.

"Brother, how did you land such a hottie?" He teased icily, shooting daggers in his direction. "I can't even get a girl as beautiful as her. Perhaps you would sell her to me, and you can keep your lordship." Raising my hand, the crack of my hand slapping his cheek stunned everyone.

"I will have you know that I am not a pawn to be traded, you idiot!" I screamed darkly, my whole body trembling, his face now inches from mine. "You will treat your brother with respect, or we will le-" Sy stepped in front of me, an unimpressed look haunting his face. Evil laughter erupted from his lips, his brother stepping back.

"Is it not enough that I let you have the castle, and your title!" He barked venomously, clutching me close to his chest. "She is my wife, and will be for the rest of my immortal life. Step down and enjoy your fucking party. Nice to see you all, let the festivities begin." Turning to leave, his brother raised his fist, my palm catching it.

"I would suggest you quell the attitude." I threatened hotly, slamming my knees into his groin. "If you want to be a man, then I suggest you stop acting like the little boy you are. Let's go mingle." Falling forward, his trembling hands clutched his groin. A dark cloud hung over him, the two of us making our way to the edge of the room. The violins began to play, the full orchestra coming back to life. Cocking my head, a petite blonde bounced over to me. White bows bounced in her long curly hair, her white lace mermaid gown hugged her tiny five foot two frame. Red eyes glittered at me, the crack of her hand smashing into my cheek caused everyone to gasp.

"I, Ivory DeBone, refuse to let you hit my man." She snarled passionately, raising her hand again. "You are the scum of Hell." Sighing deeply, it took everything to not kill her right here and now. A sly grin danced across my lips, a sarcastic laugh escaping my lips.

"I hope you are drunk. He just tried to buy me in front of everyone. Surely, you can do better." I retorted sarcastically, my words ripping her apart. "I won't waste my time on you pipsqueak." Brushing past her, his brother stopped me in his tracks. An apologetic look softened his harsh face, his six foot seven frame towering over me. An older version of Syphron stood over him, their heights matching. One stripe of gray stood out in his slicked back black hair, a black silk suit hugging his muscular body. Red eyes twinkled down at me, wondering how his rightful place really was the rightful king of Hell.

"I have to apologize for my son Renkin's behavior. Thank you for humbling him, my lovely Alice." He chirped cheerfully, waving his other hand around. "You really are a firecracker aren't you. I am Lord Jermos Giavonni. Or you can just call me dad. I am Sypron's father after all." Scarlet burned his cheeks, his father dropping his brother.

"I see." I uttered simply, many questions sitting on my tongue. "Can I ask you a couple of questions alone? I can't quite place my current situation together." Nodding warmly, my boots echoed after him. Following him into the office, first additions lined the book shelves. A black marble desk sat in the middle of the floor, a mess of papers sitting on the desk. Pointing to the plush leather chair across from his office chair, the wheels squealed as I sat down across from him.

"How is he supposed to be the real king of Hell?" I blurted out oddly, a curious smile brightening his face. "I don't see how since you are just a lord." Laughing tiredly to himself, he rested his head on his hands. A lump formed in my throat, my eyebrows raised in response.

"It is his mother's bloodline." He explained calmly, my jaw dropping. "The current devil is a fraud. Renkin's mother is a different woman. If I tell you this tale, then you can't tell Sy that I told you." Nodding in agreement, he cleared his throat.

"It was a stormy day in the early 1600's and we came across each other. We were just a fling for a few months, then she ghosted me as you kids say nowadays. That was until nine months later she showed up at my doorstep, holding a bundle in her hands. Blood covered her body, and she was fatally wounded." He exclaimed with a sad tone in his voice, his eyes welling up. "I took him in, but the current leader of Hell kicked him out of his royalty position. I begged for him to allow him to have his title back, alas the only clause was that he could be let in once he got married. My turn to ask you one simple question. How come you chose to marry him?" I could sense Sy outside of the door, my hands playing with the skirt of my gown.

"I love him, but I don't know how to express it to him." I admitted sheepishly, looking away from him. "My parents sucked, so yeah. Also everything was sprung onto me, but most importantly I am working to make him happy for always being on my side for years. Don't worry I promise to give you an heir soon, but I just have a couple of things to do. I hope he realizes that I care. I honestly didn't mean to be so harsh with him." His lips parted to speak, the door bursting open. Sy stood in the doorway, a wide grin spreading across his face. Leaning on the door frame, excitement twinkled in his eyes.

"So you do love me." He mused playfully, wrapping his arms around my neck. "I knew it. You just seem to fight your emotions, don't you. I think that I earned a kiss." Cocking my brow, the chair creaked as his father stood up. Walking past us, he turned back towards us.

"You two remind me of his mother and I." He joked jovially, ruffling the top of our heads. "Go have some fun, and please at least spend the weekend so we can give you a decent ceremony. I want to announce to the world that my son is married. Thank you for loving his prickly ass." Helping me up, Sy spun me around. Pressing his lips against mine sensually, his brother cleared his throat. Flipping him off, scarlet burned my cheeks.

"I know you are showing off, but could you please just join the party like a good boy." He growled through gritted teeth, my heart breaking slightly. "Everyone wants to see the golden child." Running up to Renkin, my hand wrapped around his. His eyes were wet, jealousy flashing in his eyes. Confusion dawned on his face, unsure of what to do.

"Why don't you ask Ivory to dance with you?" I suggested cautiously, shrugging my shoulders. "A little birdy told me that she likes you. Just give it a chance." A tender blush rose to his cheeks at the mention of her name, the sting of her slap still aching. Lowering his voice to only a tone that I could hear, his face was inches from mine. On the outside he was a showboat but tender as a lamb on the inside.

"I don't think that she likes me at all." He whispered irritably, shooting daggers in my direction. "She is so perfect while I am so rough." Cocking my head, his attitude getting to me slightly. The urge to kick him in the nuts rose again, my head shaking.

"The slap to my face tells me otherwise. Just be yourself, and go ask her like a big boy." I chastised him warmly, hiding my annoyance. "You need to ask. She is the type who won't take the first step. Off with you." Stepping out of the office, a steady stream of fake people took up my attention. The sea of faces caused my chest to tighten, my lungs begging for air. Fighting the panic attack, Sy wrapped his arms around my waist. Taking over the questions, his kind gaze put out the anxiety fire raging in my mind. Maybe I should let myself feel for once.