Waking up had been a new feeling for me, consumed by the scent of Lilian. She is a new feeling altogether, one I will gladly allow to consume me. Her warmth filled me throughout the night, it made me feel full of acceptance, and at ease.

Despite only just falling asleep, I feel like I finally can breathe around this small girl, who I thought was a child at first glance by how small she was, dressed in clothes that seemed 'too stuffy' for her. 

Now? Now I see much more than meets the eye. She's strong-willed, adventurous, perhaps she would enjoy the darker part of me, she's open-minded. She has to be, she accepted me as her mate, meaning two things, she is either incredibly stupid or incredibly open to the bond.

As I watch her sleep I don't feel the rage that eats at me on a daily basis, yet the fear of her breaking me never leaves my thoughts, all I can think about is 'will she betray me?'.

But the desire is still there, the feeling I get when I punish someone and gain sexual gratitude will never leave me, I'm haunted by the desire to hurt, rather than the one to be hurt. I long for the day that I get to fully show Lilian that side of me, I won't be able to hide it any longer.

Last night and this morning had almost set me over the edge, the number of times I had to hold myself back was a personal best record of mine. The second best was when a Lady of the Shadow Lands had questioned my ability to rule during a hunting game, I had almost killed her from orgasm, I wanted her to, if not for a knock at the door she would be dead. After the incident, I had never seen her again, for her safety, of course, I still feel that rage within me when I hear those words she said.

'You're not worthy of being king!'

I move from Lilian's grasps and get out of bed. Looking around I see the damage of last night, curtains are halfway off the poles, vases are smashed, clothes are ripped on the floor and the table is split in half from where.. I might have pushed Lilian too far, ending with it broken.

I head into the bathroom and clean myself up, I have been meaning to speak to the great Lord Du Mont since last night, something has been bugging me and I can not stop thinking about how he acted last night, it fucking annoyed me if anything.

Walking back into the bedroom I see Lilian stirring awake so I make my way over to her and place a kiss on her forehead, making her open her eyes. She smiles heavenly at me and it eases some of the tension I am carrying around currently.

"Good morning my love." I say against her lips, as I kiss her puffy lips gently.

She blushes at my kiss. "Morning, um, where are you going?" She says shyly, hinting to me being dressed.

I hum and run my fingers through my hair. "Out. In the meantime, you should pack." I say, walking over to the mirror, adjusting my shirt.

I see her sit up straight looking confused. "Pack? What for?" She asks dumbly and I chuckle.

"You didn't think I would allow my future wife to live apart from me, did you?" I ask, curiously.

She blinks and then blushes, shaking her head. "No.. but, wife? What are you.. saying, exactly?" She asks with a mumble.

I sigh frustrated and turn around, I walk towards the bed and stare down at her. "I want to marry you, you love me, what's the problem?" I ask, a grin forming on my lips.

Lilian smiles warmly and reaches for my hand. "I do love you, but.. are you sure you want me..?" She asks and I feel myself grow angry at her question.

I move my hand from hers and turn annoyed, making my way towards the door, before I leave I turn around and look at her frowning. "I want you ready to move, take what you wish, I will get you everything you need, we leave in two hours." I say before I open the door and slam it shut behind me.

I take a deep breath and control my anger whilst I walk down the hall towards the dining hall. These halls are as gloomy as I feel, walls filled with paintings of such miserable Du Monts, staring blankly at me as I pass them, it gives me great annoyance the longer I stay in this disgusting place filled with Du Monts.

Lilian is the only exception. 

I make it to the main hall and I enter to see my father, Cristo and Lord Afton having breakfast, in deep discussion, they have not yet noticed me as I make my way towards the table.

"Started without me?" I say suddenly, causing the two men to halt in their convocation.

"Demonia, I didn't think you'd be up this early." My father says and I chuckle as I sit down across from Lord Du Mont.

I pour myself a glass of dark red wine. "I wanted to have a discussion before I leave." I say, holding my smirk back.

Lord Afton frowns and places his tea down on the table. "Leave? What are you talking about?" He asks and I smile.

I look to him as I take a sip of wine, enjoying his discomfort. "Well, a king shouldn't be living with his father-in-law, no? Lilian and I are to marry by the end of the month.

He frowns and glares at me as I move gaze towards my father who pales as my smile turns to a grin. "It's a beautiful day to crown me king, is it not? Enough stalling on the matter, I am to marry Lilian but before that, I want what I am owed, you have until the week to prepare." I tell him seriously, my eyes fierce and my tone hard.

My father shifts in his chair and swallows hard and nod his head with a single nod. "Of course." That is all he says before silence surrounds us at the table.

It was only about 5 minutes of silence until I smelled her enter the room, all eyes at the table move towards Lilian moving towards us, to the seat beside me. 

I stare at her confused as she sits down. 

"Morning daughter, how did you sleep?" Lord Du Mont asks and I eye roll.

Lilian smiles politely. "Great, thank you father." She says with more confidence than she had last night.

The table falls into silence again and it becomes unbearable that the Lord of the castle, father to my mate and future wife has yet to congratulate us, my hand is twitching as I keep my emotions down.

I drink the remaining wine in my glass then place it on the table, I turn my gaze to Afton, who sits staring at the plate in front of him. "Aren't you going to congratulate your daughter Lord Du Mont?" I say roughly and Afton lifts his head and frowns in my direction until his eyes land on Lilian, which makes her tense up.

He snorts then leans back and laughs. "Congratulate? You must be joking Prince of The Shadow Lands!" He yells out, his face is red with anger. "You have doomed my precious daughter with your tainted bloodline, it disgusts me! I will never approve of this marriage!" He shouts out, his words laced with hate and seriousness.

I sigh out and smirk. "Is that how you speak to your King and Queen, Afton? Make no mistake, I'm going to take it all from you after I finish this wonderful meal, then I'm going to destroy the Du Mont name, no one will remember you after today." I say, cutting into my egg. 

"I don't need your approval, or your congratulations, you are below me, test my words and I will cut off your head and feed you to my Lycans." I warn deadly serious, my eyes glowing red towards him, Afton breathes heavily, his face red and his hands clenched.

Lilian touches my leg under the table and I can feel her anxiousness, I ignore her hand on my skin and the tingles of her touch as I eat what's left on my plate, hating the waste of food, the room grows quiet until I am finished and wiping my mouth with a cloth clean.

I stand up and smile at the two gloomy men in front of me as I lace my hand in Lilians when she stands up, following my movements. "Wonderful breakfast Afton, send my high praises to your kitchen." I say, hiding my smirk as I turn and leave the room with Lilian's hand in mine.

The air was thick and quiet and no one had uttered a word. 

Lilian remains silent as I walk with her down the hall, I had expected the silence of the two most powerful cowards but my own mate? I will not allow my partner to remain silent like a mute with no voice.

"Stop frowning, he had it coming for hitting you." I tell her sternly as her face pales, meaning she is surprised I found out.

"I knew instantly, a fat old man with power, I doubt he would admit it, your face gave it away, he is lucky I didn't kill him where he sat." I growl out angrily, my heart beating faster from the anticipation of killing him.

"Demonia.." Lilian starts to say.

I interrupt her. "You are to never see him again, understood?" I state, leaving no room for discussion as I walk up to my men.

I snap my fingers and they stand at attention in front of me, dressed in the Royal house of Black's armor, black, and silver with my house crest embedded in the middle. "Bring all of Lady Lilian's belongings to the palace." I command and they all nod and set off in the direction of Lilian's bedroom.

I lead her through the front door where a horse and carriage await, as instructed they are right on time. 

"Where are we going, Demonia?" Lilian asks, keeping up with me as I walk.

I look down at her and grin darkly as I point to the hill, overlooking the town. A large structure in the middle of production is being built for my rule over these lands, the rundown palace that was inhabitant until now is being reconstructed in my view.

I walk behind Lilian and wrap my arms securely around her as we both gaze up to the hill of our new beginning.

"Look long and hard, Lilian. That is our home, just you and I, together we will rule The Vale and Shadow Lands, no one will ever harm you again, my Queen." I whisper in her ear, causing her to shiver when I kiss the mark on her neck, my eyes focused and unmoving from the Palace as I watch it all come to plan.

This is only the beginning.