Demon and Wife [GL]

Astraea's POV

I stood in front of the portal that led to the human world, watching as it kept making the sound of a heartbeat like it was a living thing. From what I'd heard, the portal did have a strange energy that could weaken demons who pass through them, and the thought of becoming weaker because I was now banished to the human world, made my blood boil.

My hands trembled as I clutched the strap of my bag, and even though I kept telling myself not to be nervous, I couldn't help it.

Therion had tried to assure me this would be for the best, but how could this possibly be for the best when I was going to become no less than a mere human and live among them?

Humans, from what I heard, were not only a bunch of weaklings, they were also delusional creatures who believed themselves superior to demons. Apparently, they even had religions that prayed against demons, and to think those beings were supposed to be my neighbors now? I could hardly think of a worse punishment.

Therion had assured me that I wouldn't be alone, and that his servant, Draven was already waiting for me on the other side, but as I stood there, staring into the portal, I had never felt more alone in my life.

I let out a shaky breath and glanced over my shoulder, a small part of me hoping that someone might have come to see me off.

Perhaps my brother, despite his earlier statement that this was the last time he and I would speak, would change his mind and show up to see me off, but unfortunately, there was absolutely no one around to watch me leave.

I had spent my life in Vaelthar, the kingdom I had called home for years, and now, I was leaving it all behind as nothing more than a disgraced royalty.

For a moment, I let myself imagine what the history books of Vaelthar would say about me.

'Astraea, the demon princess who brought shame on her kingdom by murdering Prince Caldris of Arkarion.'

That would be my legacy.

I clenched my fists as my anger briefly overpowered my nerves. They might forget me, but I would not forget them, and if I ever found my way back here, it wouldn't be as a scapegoat or an outcast.

I took one last look at the Vaelthar's castle, before turning my attention back to the portal.

"If I ever return," I murmured, my voice barely audible over the sound coming from the portal, "it'll be on my terms, and they'll all regret throwing me away."

With that vow burning in my chest, I stepped forward, crossing into the portal and into the unknown.

The moment I stepped through the portal, I expected to feel the air shift like Therion had described. Instead, I found myself in the dark surrounded, and surrounded by trees, and it didn't take long to realize that I was in some kind of forest.

"This can't be right," I muttered, my voice sounding oddly muffled in the silence.

Therion had been very clear: Draven would be waiting for me as soon as I stepped through the portal, but now, as I looked around, I saw no sign of him—or anyone else, for that matter, and my heart sank when it dawned on me that I was alone.

Letting out a frustrated growl, I turned around slowly, scanning my surroundings. The darkness was so bad that I could barely see a few feet ahead of me, and there was also no sign of the portal that had brought me here.

"Great," I hissed, crossing my arms over my chest. "First time in the human world, and I'm already lost. Thanks a lot, Therion."

Unfortunately, there was no going back now. This was my punishment, after all.

I sighed, resisting the urge to scream into the dark. "Okay, Astraea, think. What now?"

The stories I'd heard about the human world were vague at best. It was supposed to be bright—blindingly so, compared to the eternal darkness of the underworld. Yet here I was, stranded in the dark.

I reached out, touching the rough surface of a nearby tree. It felt strong and real, which made me think this wasn't a weird dream, and that I really was in the human world, or wherever "here" was.

Draven was meant to assist me, but I had no clue how to locate him, or if he was even close by. The portal could have sent me to the completely wrong place.

"Great," I muttered softly. "Just great."

I stood there, unsure if I should wait for Draven to show up or try to seek help on my own. My instincts screamed for me to move since I disliked waiting, but the idea of wandering alone in an unknown place was not inviting.

Then, I heard a voice break the silence, startling me.

"Princess Astraea? Are you here?"

I quickly turned toward the voice, thinking it must be Draven since who else would know my name?

"Yes!" I replied, stepping in the direction of the voice. "I'm here! Are you Draven?"

For a moment, I received no reply, but I could hear leaves crunching as someone approached.

Then, out of nowhere, a bright light appeared, and I instinctively shielded my eyes while letting out an annoyed hiss.

"Who dares—" I began, but my words fell flat when the light moved, exposing the figure behind it.

He was tall-taller than I expected, and his dark hair was loose in its waving. It framed a face that was almost striking, with dark eyebrows and triangular features.

He regarded me coolly with eyes like lightland, and a slight smirk teased his lips as though he found my agitation amusing.

The object in his hand-a strange looking thing throwing light-lowered slightly, allowing me to see him more clearly.

"Forgive the flashlight, your Highness," he said with a deep bow. "Yes, I am Draven."

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at him. "Prove it."

His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't seem offended. "Prove it? I'm not sure how I can, Your Highness, but I assure you that I'm not foolish enough to lie to the demon king's sister."

I tilted my head, still skeptical. "Convenient response, don't you think? What if you're just another demon pretending to be Draven?"

He chuckled lowly, and his smirk grew wider. "King Therion sent me a message, your Highness, telling me to welcome you and take care of all your needs, while you are in the human world. I very much doubt anybody else is aware of your presence here."

I took a long look at him, noting the easy and confident way in which he moved, and the lack of fear in his voice and on his face was interesting.

"Hmm," I muttered, relaxing slightly. "Okay. For now, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt." 

 Draven straightened from his bow, his face calm but with a hint of amusement showing. "I appreciate the trust, Princess." 

So what now? Keep me standing here in the middle of this insane place or do you really have some sort of plan?" More than powerfully willing to get the heck out of there, I asked.

"I've got a car waiting a little away from here," Draven answered. "It will take us to the place I've prepared for you." 

 "A car?" I repeated in frowning disbelief. "What is that?" 

Draven hesitated, clearly working to find a suitable explanation. "It is, Your Highness, a human invention. It is a contraption that allows for quick travel from one place to another. You will soon see for yourself."

I raised an eyebrow but chose not to push the matter anymore; the human world was proving to be just as strange as the stories had said.

"Fine," I said with a resigned sigh. "Lead the way, then."

I followed him, my eyes scanning the forest for any signs of trouble, and Draven walked away backwards.

When I walked for a few minutes, I saw another light in the distance, quite different from the strange light Draven had around him earlier. As we got even closer, I saw another strange, shiny, angular metallic object on the ground.

It was the most unlike anything I have ever seen – it was shiny, angular and gave off light from the front of the object.

I asked, "That's a car?" I stopped my feet at about few feet from it.

"Yes," Draven said, going to the side of the object and opening the door on his side and getting in for me to do the same. "Your seat is here, Your Highness."

I wasn't sure, I have to say, about the car. It looked cramped and uncomfortable, not to mention completely unnatural.

I knew Draven had sensed my reluctance to get in the car. "I can assure you that it's perfectly safe, Your Highness."

With a bit of a sigh, I stepped forward and got into the seat, not wanting to show too much skepticism. The interior was even more bizarre than the exterior, with buttons and other glowing things that I don't even know how to describe.

Draven shut the door, then walked to the other side and got in the car on my side. He pressed something and the car roared to life, startling me for a moment with its loud sound.

You can relax, Your Highness," he said, looking at me. "You'll get used to it."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Don't count on it."