THE NERVES THAT BETRAY (1)

The castle was large and imposing, even more so seeing as the sun had already set. The corridors twisted and turned, making it seem like a labyrinth. Velmoria pushed the large wooden doors that led to the inside of the castle with her bare hands, leading Arella in. Braziers lined the walls, their fire casting shadows over the dark stone. The demoness's silky black dress made some swishing sound as they walked up a set of stairs.

They walked in relative silence, which allowed Arella's mind to race.

The thrill of the dance, the warmth of the demon King's touch, and the undeniable chemistry that ran between them had left her breathless and wanting more. Her cheeks still burned from the kiss he had set on her cheek. She knew it was a promise, and at the thought, she fiddled with the edge of her gown, trying to keep her composure.

Velmoria stopped at a landing, forcing Arella to look up at her since she was a few steps lower. The light of the moon filtered from a large window that stood at the wall of the landing, casting an illuminating glow over Velmoria. Her tail swished as she turned her head to look at Arella, a mischievous smile on her face. She turned slightly, angling her whole body at Arella. "Your Majesty, you seem distracted. Might I offer you some advice?"

Arella blinked twice. "Advice? About what?"

Velmoria's sharp and elegant features softened. "The wedding night, of course. You seem a tad... nervous."

Arella subconsciously straightened her back, but the slight flutter of her wings betrayed her. "I am not nervous."

Velmoria arched a perfectly plucked brow. "Oh? Then why do you look ready to take flight?" She looked pointedly at her half-open wings.

Arella opened her mouth to retort but paused.

The demoness was not wrong. Arella was nervous, but not in the way the demoness assumed. She was not afraid of the wedding night, nor was she afraid of being in the demon realm. She was her mother's daughter after all. She could take anything the world threw at her.

Contrary to what Velmoria thought, Arella was afraid of the pull that she felt toward King Varziel. It was all so very new, and it made Arella feel a spark that travelled all the way from her toes to up her fingertips.

"I am fine." Arella finally said, her voice firmer this time.

Velmoria gave her a smirk but said no more. She turned back and led Arella up another flight of stairs and down a hallway that had portraits of demon kings and queens from eras long past. Their twisted crowns and fierce gazes seemed to watch Arella as she walked down the hall. Perhaps she was the only angel to have ever walked down these halls.

The demon stopped at a large set of double doors, made of pure wood. The grand doors had been intricately carved with shapes that held no meaning for Arella. Velmoria pushed open the doors, revealing a chamber that took Arella's breath away.

The room was large, with a high vaulted ceiling that was supported by dark, gleaming pillars. A massive circular canopy bed sat at its center, pushed towards the wall. The bed was draped in deep crimson and black silks. Pillows sat at the head of the bed, large and plush. Seeing it, all Arella wanted to do was jump in the bed and sleep for ten or so years.

The sheets shimmered faintly in the firelight, as if woven with threads of silver.

There was a fire roaring in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room.

Velmoria led Arella into the room and to an adjoining room, where the bathing area was. The tub was more of a sunken pool of steaming water. It was framed by tall arched windows that overlooked the night-shrouded demon realm.

There were two other female demons in the room. They were slender and wore dresses that fell to their mid-thigh. Like Velmoria, they had slender leather tails sticking out their behinds. Velmoria instructed them to take off Arella's wedding dress and walked out to get some bath oils.

Arella was not in a chatty mood, so she did not instruct them to introduce themselves but let them work on getting the dress off of her. The task in itself was slightly difficult, seeing as the demons did not seem to have ever seen a corset before. Arella had to direct them, and when she was finally free of the material, she let out a breath of relief. She looked at herself in the mirror in front of her.

Her hair had been left as is, and the halo crown had not been touched.

She was in the light undergarment that was worn below the corset. It had also turned pure black and was skimpy in angel terms. Velmoria walked into the room holding a couple of bottles in a basket. She gasped, "Your majesty. This dress is gorgeous. Where did you get it?"

Arella looked back at the demoness, then looked down at the dress, then back up, "You mean my underwear?"

Velmoria raised a brow, "Underwear? If that had been your wedding dress, I may have very well been jealous." She stopped in front of Arella.

Even without her heels, Arella was still taller than her. "Oh? Well, perhaps if I had gotten married in the demon realm, I would have worn something like it."

"It can be arranged, your majesty, for your coronation. I will have a couple of designers brought over."

Arella had never had something like that in the angel realm. After all, they wore their angel robes most of the time, and the style just depended on what you were planning to do for the day. Ever so often the angels would have an event that needed a good dress, and that is when they would call for a designer.

"That would be wonderful." Arella smiled at her.

"Then, three days from now, your majesty. That way you can also have clothes made for your honeymoon in a style that you like."

Arella tilted her neck. She and King Varziel needed to have a conversation on their marriage and all, what their expectations were and what they expected from each other.

"I would appreciate that, Velmoria."

Velmoria looked up at Arella, her eyebrows raised and eyes wide.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No, your majesty. I am just thankful that you remembered the name of a lowly one such as myself. I feel honored." Velmoria bowed at the waist, then came back up so quickly Arella had to take a step back. Her expression was back to normal. "I have brought the bath oils." She gestured at the basket. "I will open a few until you find a scent that you like."