Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
"Diabolus," the lead Magistri's voice echoed through the sacred space as if commanding my body to submit. I was told to kneel, to honor this moment of eternal submission. There was a fraction of hesitation, a heartbeat of resistance, before I felt Esther beside me, gently guiding me down. Alexander gripped my bloodied hand in his, his thumb brushing over my skin as he helped me settle in the heavy folds of my gown.
His eyes locked onto mine as he cupped my face, the same way the Devil statue watching over our union did to the woman at his feet. His touch was possessive, firm, an embodiment of the power he held over me. He whispered words in Latin, ancient and sacred, the weight of them making my heart race even though I couldn’t understand them.
"Ego sum tuus, et tu es mea. Vinculis sanguinis et fidei, te in aeternum mihi devincio. Nihil nos separabit, nec vita, nec mors. In meo imperio vivis, in mea voluntate morieris. Simul erimus, nunc et in aeternum."
The congregation echoed in response, their unified voices a haunting reminder of the faith by which we were bound. Their chant reverberated through my bones, sealing the ceremony in a way that felt both overwhelming and exhilarating.
"Vinculis aeternis iungimur, sub imperio Diaboli et Sponsa eius. Nihil nos separabit. Fidelitas, sanguis, et devotio, nunc et in perpetuum."
I was pulled from the cold stone floor, Esther immediately fixing the intricate layers of my gown. She leaned close as she did, slipping something into my palm—cold, metallic, heavy. A ring. I glanced at it, the dark gemstone catching the light, its wicked design unmistakable.
"Place it on him," the Magistri instructed.
My brows raised in surprise as I truly looked at the ring for the first time, hearing a few chuckles ripple through the crowd.
It was bold, fierce—fitting for a man like Alexander. The grin that spread across his face confirmed it. He held his hand out, steady and unwavering, waiting for me to seal the final part of our union. My heart thudded in my chest as I slid the ring onto his finger, the crowd watching intently, the weight of the ceremony palpable.
The Magistri spoke again, finalizing the last of the sacred words. But I didn’t hear them. My focus was entirely on Alexander as he cupped my face once more, his lips crashing down on mine in a deep, claiming kiss. The room erupted around us, cheers filling the air as the congregation burst into a chant, their voices echoing the union we had just forged.
Bound by blood.
Bound by fate.
The solemnity of the ceremony gave way to the grandeur of the celebration. Alexander led me into the larger room that had been transformed into a stunning venue—roses and dark lace draped across every surface, with crimson light bathing the entire space. The glow of candles flickered across the walls, their flames dancing in time with the soft music that filled the air.
He guided me to the center of the floor, his hand gripping mine, pulling me close to him as the music swelled around us. The song was haunting, a slow, dark melody that seemed to pulse with the same energy that thrummed between us.
Wicked Games.
I didn’t think it would ever work as a song for this kind of occasion, but this version and with him, it was hauntingly perfect. Alexander's arms circled me, one hand pressing against the small of my back as he moved us in time to the music. I peered up at him, lost in this moment but not able to forget what he did.
“You left me,” I accused just loud enough for him to hear me over the music, my voice breaking slightly. The weight of the last two days without him hung heavy between us.
He didn’t tense or react immediately, but I could feel the shift in his energy, the way his grip tightened slightly. His lips found the side of my temple, his voice low and intimate as our song played and he effortlessly guided me in our dance.
“I would never leave you, carissima,” he murmured, his words like a gentle caress against my skin. “I was always coming back to you. You had to know that.”
I swallowed, trying to cling to the frustration I had felt, but his voice, his closeness, made it impossible.
“I had to make sure everything was perfect for today. For us,” he continued. “You’re mine. I could never stay away for long.”
Slowly, my body softened against his, my grip on his shoulder easing as the music wove its spell around us. The look in his eyes burned into me. I could barely remember what it was that had hurt me so deeply just moments ago.
“See?” he coaxed, his lips brushing over mine softly. “I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere ever again.” He kissed me then, slow and teasing, making sure to erase any lingering doubt. People cheered from the sidelines, but not even that could infiltrate this moment. When he pulled away, my breath was shallow, and I could only stare up at him.