Chapter 2: Deal with the Devil
The castle was still burning, but Aurelia couldn’t feel it. She couldn’t feel anything anymore.
Kneeling beside her own corpse, she trembled with shock and grief. She was alone now. The sound of Aunt Hazel’s laughter still echoed in her head, deepening her pain the longer she thought about it.
The male servant had rushed Hazel out, leaving it to the fire to erase the princess’s body.
It was a large room, but the flames were closing in. Aurelia’s tears dripped off her chin like crystal droplets, her ghostly hands hovering helplessly over her lifeless body, trying to shield skin she couldn’t even touch.
Betrayal burned in her chest, leaving her hollow and overwhelmed at the same time. She couldn’t even scream, couldn’t curse her beloved aunt. All she could do was cry.
That was when it happened. The room went cold.
She straightened, looking around in wonder. The fire was still raging; Aurelia was in a burning building after all. So, where was the cold coming from? And how was she, being dead, feeling it?
The air seemed to shift, and then she sensed it. A heavy presence. It was cold and ancient, heavy with unmistakable wrath that could’ve once been sorrow.
A cold wind passed by, chilling her neck. Aurelia spun around with a gasp.
There it was.
She froze, staring.
A tall man in black, standing in the flames but untouched by their singe.
He was broad-shouldered with pale skin and a perfectly carved jaw. His jaw was most of what she could see on his face, thanks to the thick, black curls covering his eyes.
He slowly tilted his head, staring at her. Through the raven black hair, she caught a glimpse of glowing green eyes, like polished emerald stones.
He started walking toward her, one terrifying step at a time. Shrinking away the closer he came, Aurelia stared up at the outlandish creature.
What was he? Could he see her? He couldn’t be human, not with the way he’d stood in the fire.
Was he…? She gasped.
“Don’t worry,” he said. His voice was as cold and raspy as she’d predicted. He stopped walking, towering over her. “I’m not Death. I just look like him.”
She couldn’t say anything, staring at him. His aura was unbelievable. She felt like he was physically pressing her chest the closer he came.
“I was rooting for you,” he lied. “Only for you to die.”
She swallowed hard. “You… you c-can see me?”
“I see everything.” Slowly, he crouched down to her level. “Princess Aurelia Dusk. Daughter of fire, betrayed by blood.”
“Please…” Aurelia didn’t know what he was, but she could tell he had power. She needed him. “Help me.”
His upper lip twisted in pure disgust. “Why the hell would I help you? A wretched human girl.”
Her eyes glimmered with tears. “Please. Please, help me…”
“It’s too late,” he murmured. “I might not be Death, but he should be here soon. A royal soul, killed by betrayal and filled with grief and wrath? High flight risk. He won’t be long.”
“No.” She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t die. I can’t die, my people need me. Please, help me.”
He tilted his head. “I don’t help humans. I torment them.”
She stared at him, shaking with desperation. “Please, I’ll do anything. Hurry, the fire’s growing.”
“That’s your tragedy, little one,” he said softly. “Too trusting and too good. And now, the fire finishes what your family started.”
“I’ve learnt my lesson!” she cried. “Please, help me. I know you can!”
He went silent, studying her. Damn her eyes. He’d never seen such pleading, pain-filled eyes before.
Sighing, he stood. It didn’t matter. His favourite thing was to watch humans suffer, watch them ache, especially when they were humiliated in the process. That wouldn’t change just because a little princess had sniffled in his direction.
But maybe he could have fun humiliating her? A spark of excitement struck his dark heart as the idea grew.
The excitement in his heart grew, and he swallowed hard. Maybe he could even quench his thirst once and for all. As long as she was a ghost, she wouldn’t have any blood to offer him.
He made his decision.
“Fine,” he said.
Her eyes went wide, her trembling hands coming together like she was praying. “Really?”
“But there’s a condition.”
She nodded. “Anything. I’ll d-do it.”
He paused. Anything? His soul hummed with delight. How far could he push her? How much torment could he put her through until he finally killed her?
What did royals value most?
“Give me your kingdom,” he murmured.
She stared at him. It was obvious that he didn’t know that Solara could only be ruled by their blood, or the ruler would be cursed. It took a moment, but then she nodded. “Okay.” He wouldn’t survive taking her kingdom anyway.
He narrowed his eyes, but thanks to his hair, she didn’t see.
“I’ll do it,” she eagerly promised. “Please, just save me.”
His lip curled into a scowl. Too easy. He needed something worse. He needed her soul to twist in agony and humiliation. She was a princess. What could he take from her?
“Forget it,” he rasped. “I don’t want the kingdom.”
Flustered, she looked desperately at the growing flames and then at her lifeless body. At this rate, she would be burned to a crisp!
“Please, anything, I’ll do it! Just save me.”
“Give me your body,” he hissed.
Her wide eyes stared up at him, irises shaking. “What?”
“Your body,” he repeated, pleased by the horror he saw on her face. She, a princess, perfect and untouched, would have to give herself to a creature like him.
He’d enjoy her misery.
“I give you back your life,” he began. “And you give me your body, every inch of it. Mine to touch and do whatsoever I please.”
Aurelia swallowed hard, lowering her gaze. Would her life be worth living if she had to give up her honor like that?
She bit her bottom lip, and he watched, waiting.
The air changed, and he paused, raising his head. “Death’s here. I sense him collecting souls. Decide now, princess. Before he takes you.”
Aurelia only hesitated for a moment more, and then that horrid sound was echoing in her mind again. The sound of her aunt’s laughter.
At the end of the day, fire works best. Just the way you killed her parents.
Something dark and fiery burned within her soul, growing stronger the longer she thought about it. Her mom and dad. Her beloved Queen and King. How could Hazel betray them this way?
Her clear eyes went red as she shook with rage, and dark liquid dripped from her eyes, leaving streaks down her cheeks as she looked up at him. “My parents. I must avenge them.”
If survival meant surrendering her honor, then so be it. She’d reclaim it after she took back her crown and had her revenge.
“So, I’ll do it. I’ll give you my body.”