Page 32 of Demon Lord's Proposal

As the big day approaches, we transform a section of Slim's Last Chance into a wedding venue that defies description. Imagine a gothic cathedral colliding with a 1920s speakeasy, then dipped in liquid starlight and sprinkled with a healthy dose of chaotic underworld energy.

Crystalline stalactites hang from the ceiling, each one housing a tiny, flickering soul-flame. The bar itself is draped in shimmering fabrics that seem to shift between dimensions. I find myself unable to sleep and wander down to the empty bar, my special wedding brew bubbling gently in a cauldron behind the counter. It's a potion unlike any I've created before - a perfect blend of my hexeblood essence and the fierce, protective love I feel for Deus. When consumed, it grants the drinker a momentary glimpse into the depths of our bond, a taste of the eternity we're promising each other.

As I stare into the swirling, iridescent liquid, I'm overwhelmed by the journey that's led me here. From a scared, betrayed bride facing execution, to the soon-to-be wife of the most powerful demon lord in the underworld. It's a path I never could have imagined, filled with more danger, love, and magic than I ever dreamed possible.

A warm hand on my shoulder startles me from my reverie. Deus stands behind me, his eyes soft in the dim light.

"Having second thoughts?" he rumbles, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

I turn and wrap my arms around him, breathing in his scent of smoke and spice. "Never," I whisper. "I'm exactly where I'm meant to be."

19

DEUS

When the underworld's approximation of dawn breaks, Slim's Last Chance erupts into a frenzy of activity. Demons, spirits, and otherworldly beings scurry about, making last-minute preparations. I stand in my private chambers, adjusting my suit - a masterpiece crafted from the very fabric of the night sky, constellations swirling across its surface.

My hands tremble slightly as I fasten the cufflinks, each one a tiny replica of the rings we'll soon exchange. I, Deus, Lord of this realm, conqueror of countless battles, find myself nervous on my own wedding day. The irony isn't lost on me.

A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. It's Brimstone, my most trusted lieutenant. "Boss," he says, his sulfuric voice tinged with an unusual softness. "It's time."

I nod, taking a deep breath to steady myself. As I descend the stairs to the main floor of Slim's, the crowd parts before me. The atmosphere is electric, a powder keg of various underworld factions mingling together. It's dangerous, exhilarating - exactly how I like it.

Taking my place at the end of the aisle, I feel the weight of countless eyes upon me. But I only care about one pair. And then, there she is.

Sage appears at the top of the stairs, and my breath catches in my throat. Her gown seems woven from shadow and starlight, clinging to her curves before billowing out in a train that ripples like smoke. A crown of black roses adorns her hair, each petal edged with a faint, pulsing glow. She's breathtaking, terrifying, perfect.

As she glides down the aisle, my eyes never leave hers. The crowd fades away, the murmurs of the guests become distant whispers. In this moment, there is only us.

Between us stands the ancient demon we've chosen to officiate, its onyx form shimmering with dark energy. It begins the ceremony, its voice resonating through the bar like the toll of a distant, otherworldly bell. "Here, at the crossroads of realms, we gather to witness a union that bridges mortal and immortal, a love that transcends the boundaries of existence itself."

I take Sage's hands in mine, marveling at how small and delicate they seem in my grasp, yet knowing the immense power they wield. A tremor runs through me, not of fear, but of profound reverence for this moment. When I speak, my voice is low and fierce, meant for her ears alone.

"Sage, my love, my equal. You walked into my bar and turned my world upside down. In all my eons of existence, I've never met anyone like you. You challenge me, inspire me, and make me want to be worthy of you every single day. I pledge to you my heart, my kingdom, and every moment of the eternity that stretches before us. Together, we will rule this realm and forge a future brighter than any hellfire."

Tears glisten in Sage's eyes as she responds, her voice thick with emotion. The sight of her vulnerability, so rarely displayed, nearly brings me to my knees.

"Deus, my protector, my home. You saw me at my lowest and helped me rise higher than I ever thought possible. You've given me purpose, power, and a love I never knew could exist. I pledge to you my skills, my loyalty, and every beat of this heart that belongs entirely to you. In you, I've found not just a partner, but a reason to embrace this new life fully."

As we exchange rings - bands of intertwined light and shadow that bind our very essences together - I feel a jolt of energy course through me. These aren't mere symbols; they're conduits of our shared power, physical manifestations of our unbreakable bond.

The assembled crowd erupts in a cheer that shakes the very foundations of the underworld. The cacophony of demonic roars, angelic harmonies, and everything in between is deafening, but I barely notice. I'm lost in Sage's eyes, seeing in them a reflection of the eternity we'll share.

The officiating entity raises its arms, its form coalescing into a more defined shape - a being of pure light and shadow. "By the power vested in me by the cosmic forces that govern all realms, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your union bring balance to the chaos, strength to your rule, and usher in a new era for the underworld."

I pull Sage close, kissing her with all the passion and love I possess. As our lips meet, I feel a surge of power unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's as if every soul in the underworld, every flame of hellfire, every drop of water in the River Styx is channeling its energy through us. This, I realize, is the beginning of our greatest adventure yet, here at the very edge of reality in our beloved Slim's Last Chance.

At this moment, I am not just Deus, Lord of the Underworld. I am Sage's husband, her partner, her equal. The power coursing through me isn't just my own anymore - it's ours, shared and amplified. I've conquered realms, commanded legions, but nothing compares to the strength I feel with Sage by my side.

As we turn to face our cheering subjects, I catch a glimpse of our reflection in one of the bar's smoky mirrors. We are resplendent, terrible, and beautiful - a vision of unity that will shake the very foundations of the underworld. And I've never felt more powerful, more complete, or more ready to face whatever challenges eternity may bring.

20

SAGE

Now we are married, Deus lifts me up, carrying me over the threshold to our private chambers, and the door slams shut, marking the beginning of our life together. Our alone time has finally arrived, and the atmosphere crackles with anticipation.

Without a word, Deus pulls me into a searing kiss, our tongues clashing in a heated dance. My heart skips a beat; this is the man I now belong to, my husband, who will be the father of my children, and the master of my body and soul.

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