The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 686: True Form

Breathing heavily, Esmeray looked around everyone, her eyes blazing with hatred. She gripped her sword tightly, her voice cold and filled with menace. "You all must die," she declared, her words cutting through the air like a knife. "You all must suffer in hell."

All the demons present their shivered in fear as no one could dare fight against their powerful princess. They could only imagine themselves accompanying Tharzimon in the hell.

Suddenly, the ground shook violently once more, accompanied by powerful vibrations in the wind. Everyone looked around in shock and fear, unsure of what was happening now.

All eyes turned to the opening of the valley behind Esmeray. A majestic gold dragon emerged, its vast wings stirring the air with powerful beats, creating a storm with each movement. The dragon’s body was covered in brilliant gold scales that gleamed even in the dim, cloud-covered surroundings.

Its majestic face, framed in gold, had deep blue eyes that focused intently on the small figure standing a distance away, facing away from it and seemingly ready to kill everyone in her sight. Esmeray, whose size seemed insignificant compared to its colossal form, she was barely the size of his single toe.

Esmeray, feeling the familiar essence behind her, turned around. Her red eyes met the steady gaze of the golden dragon hovering in the air. Her long hair danced in the wind created by the dragon’s wings. Though she had never seen him in his beast form, she instantly recognized the soul of her mate, Arlan.

The demons, recognizing the power and presence of the gold dragon, instinctively stepped back, unsettled by the sudden turn of events. The death of their previous lord, Tharzimon, was something they had already forgotten, following the rule of submitting to the most powerful one.

Draven and Drayce could finally let out a sigh of relief as what Arlan had planned finally worked. Though worried, they had decided to trust Arlan even though midway both of them wavered and wanted to protect Arlan at the cost of letting this plan fail.

"I believe now you don’t feel like killing me," Xyron commented, a hint of smugness in his voice.

"Trust me, I still want to kill you," Drayce retorted angrily, the fear of losing his friend still fresh in his mind.

"You seem to trust your friend less than me, a stranger demon," Xyron observed coolly.

"It’s not about trust," Drayce snapped. "You don’t care about his life like we do. All you wanted was to get your princess back, even if it meant sacrificing our friend. if not for Arlan insisting, I was never in favour of it. Also, it’s not the first time someone has risked his life to awaken her, and that pain is still raw. You people are malicious. Sometimes I wonder having her as his mate, always put him in the risk of his own life."

"Whatever you say," Xyron commented, unaffected by Drayce’s words. "In the end, we succeeded, and that’s what matters. Without our princess regaining her powers, none of you could have defeated Tharzimon and even think about returning to your realm."

Draven placed a reassuring hand on Drayce’s shoulder, "Calm down."

Drayce stood silently, observing as Esmeray seemed to recognize the gold dragon before her. The dragon landed with a powerful thud, its claws crushing the rocks beneath. It lowered its massive head toward Esmeray, her small figure reflected in its vast irises.

Her red eyes took in the dragon’s majestic form, and she reached out, her small hand touching his face. Her palm as small as the size of a single golden scale on his face.

A deep, contented growl rumbled from the dragon’s throat, and it closed its eyes, savoring the touch of his mate.

Soon that Dargon form of his started to disappear and Arlan stood in front of her in his half naked form having only a gold color magical hide covering his waist and below. The left side of his face was covered in golden scales, his original form in the sight.

He opened his eyes—one red, one blue—and met Esmeray’s her red ones, which seemed to carry no emotions but at the same time having so much hidden in them. Her palm still rested against his cheek, motionless.

Arlan gently caressed her face, closing the distance between their faces. With his forehead resting against hers, his warm breath brushed against her skin. After a moment of silence, he whispered softly against her lips, "I don’t care if you are Oriana or Esmeray. All I know is that you are my mate."

He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her closer, while his other hand slid down her cheek to her neck, gently moving her long dark hair aside.

"He’s going to mark her," Draven observed, to which Drayce nodded, a satisfied smile forming on his lips.

Arlan leaned into the crook of her neck, his lips parting as his canines sank into her soft flesh. Esmeray let out a pained groan, her body tensing momentarily.

Arlan held her firmly until the marking was complete. He then gently licked the blood from her skin, soothing the wound. The taste of her blood was intoxicating, tempting him to take more, but he restrained himself.

Esmeray had fallen unconscious, and Arlan gazed at her serene face, now void of the intensity that had consumed her moments before. Gently, he lifted her into his arms, knowing she needed a safe place to rest and recover.

Drayce and Draven approached, their eyes reflecting the relief and joy they felt for their friend. Xyron joined them, and Snowflake, now freed from Xyron’s restraints, eagerly followed, wanting to be close to her master.

"We can’t teleport her back in this condition," Arlan said, concern evident in his voice.

"You certainly can’t," Xyron confirmed. "Celeste is the only one who can teleport you all back to the human realm, but she won’t do it unless her master commands it."

The group had no choice but to accept this, as they had no other way of returning.

"I will take you to the Princess’s residence. It will be more comfortable for her there," Xyron offered.

The others agreed, recognizing the necessity. Xyron turned to address the gathered demons, who were watching and waiting.

"Our princess has returned and is now our new ruler," Xyron announced. A loud cheer erupted from the crowd, the demons chanting their princess’s name with fervor. "At this moment, our princess needs to rest. Although Lord Tharzimon is gone, the realm will continue to operate as usual. Return to your duties. Vice Commander Everton will guide you."

Everton bowed to Xyron, acknowledging his command. "Rest assured, Commander."

With that, Xyron turned back to the dragons, and they all disappeared, teleporting to the princess’s residence.