Page 91 of Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice

“You’ve made me so proud, Ivy. I couldn’t be happier. I have all the faith in you.” She pulled away and lifted my chin. I wasn’t crying. She was just a little blurry. “Both sides of you are royalty. Don’t ever doubt that. Besides, if you have to rule over a place like Hell, why not with those sexy mates of yours? They have your back and so do we. Zar will too once he gets over the honeymoon stage of finding his Queen.”

I snorted.

She took the edge of her pretty white and gold dress to wipe my face. The makeup was magically applied, so it wasn’t going anywhere. Crazy expensive, but worth it.

The lump in my throat holding me back got cut into halves as we sat together. Images of my time with my parents flashed in my mind. All of us playing games, and the smiles we had with each other. All the fear and running didn’t outshine our love.

Then, the time on Earth with Zar and Marnie as we shared laughter together. All the laughs, movies, and adventures we had warmed my heart. The tears were all happy as they fell down my face.

Finally, when the memories of going to the academy and slowly mating my men hit me, I swore I floated. I had created a family with them and my friends. Even my faction was happy.Most of them came over every week to just help out where they could.

She was right. I could do this. It was time to take the next step. I was going to give my freedom to the King of Hell. Well, the Kings of Hell. We were all sharing the power after all.

The walk to the lavish ball room went by in a heartbeat. I clung to my mother’s arm the whole way. She kept whispering reassuring words to me, but my mouth still went dry as the opened doors came into view. My fathers, Lilah, and Vivian made a line outside of it, waiting for me.

Both Vivian and Lilah gushed over my dress, but stayed in line. Now that I was by the door, there was a very particular set of rules that had to be followed. It all just made my palms sweat. Their grinning faces helped, though. My heart slowed slightly.

Only my parents could come to me, so I welcomed their comforting scents that enveloped me. It was like going to an ice cream shop. To me, they smelled like a banana split.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” my mom whispered one more time. She squeezed my hand. I greedily clung to the support she gave.

My Fae father, Darik, walked over and wrapped an arm around her while he kissed my forehead. “You look magical, sweet pea,” he whispered.

Gold flecks rose into the air, surrounding us. They looked like fireflies buzzing around. It turned the ambiance from stressful to relaxing.

“The beautifulest Queen Hell has ever known,” my witch father, Aaron, said. The sparkles were from him, so my smile was extra warm. I needed all the relaxation tricks they could give me.

Bin, my incubi father and Rock, my troll dad smiled down at me, but didn’t say anything. Their teary eyes said, it would be hard for them to talk right now.

“Let's start this shindig. They have pizza, and I'm starving." My wolf dad, Lewi, said while he fixed his tie and rubbed his growing belly.

They all wore black suits while the ladies sported white and gold dresses.

My mom smacked Lewi’s arm. "This is your daughter’s wedding. Act like you weren't raised by wolves for five seconds.”

I snorted when he just tapped his wrist as if to say,five seconds had passed.

Rock maneuvered his large body through everyone to stand at his mates side. “You first, my Ava,” he said and placed a golden blade in her palm.

I took a deep breath and smiled at teach of my parents before we started. Having them all here melted my heart into a gooey mess. It wouldn't have been right without them.

When my mom stepped close again, I nodded that I was ready.

Her tight grip on the blade moved swiftly as she cut my shoulder. It was so sharp that I barely felt the burning pain. She handed it over to Darik. He chose to slice me along my clavicle. Bin’s, Aaron’s, Rock’s, and Lewi’s cuts were done before the pain got too intense.

The ceremonies blade kept my wounds from healing, so I could bleed longer. By the time I was covered in crimson, my parents stepped away, showing me off to the guests through the door. My eyes, however, went to my mates at the altar. My men wore red suits in their demon forms and all of them salivated at the blood now dripping from my body.

Seeing them made all my insecurities and doubts vanish. It was no longer a room full of people. We were the only ones there.

I willingly dripped my blood all over the floor for them. I would always give my everything. This ceremony just told the rest of the worlds that we were together.

When I couldn’t take the distance between us any longer, I strolled inside. I didn’t see the lavish room or hear the music. They were my world.

It turned out that, yes, demons fought in blood, but apparently, they married in it too. By shedding my blood for my mates, I discarded my past and give them my future.

And one Hell of a future awaited us. I couldn’t wait.

EPILOGUE

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