Prolog
Prolog
Year 1456, Romania
The wind rustled the leaves that fell in a trance to the ground. It caught onto the man’s fur robe, exposing a small knife in his leather sheath. Every step was heavy against the flower beds. Far into the distance, a moon rose from its slumber. Its light illuminated the male’s pale features; a sharp jaw, plump lips, and sunken eyes.
Once upon a time, people had called him ‘handsome’. Now that was long forgotten. Because life was cruelly taken away from him all he owed. This is the only way. The male stopped, flicking up his blade from the sheath. Swiftly, the sword cut through flesh. An anguishing scream at the brink of his lips. The body moved on its own, curling and twisting as the pain spread up his arm.
The crimson color of blood dripped to the earth. Contrasted the greens of weeds, other plants, and flowers. Their nibble fingers reached for the heavens. Grasped at the liquid that trickled down from his skin.
The air itself changed ━━ cracking and bending. As fluttered wings from butterflies. Will it work? He shook his head. No turning back now. Dark azure eyes slowly lifted. And was met with a power stronger than the Prince itself. Lucifer.
The fallen angel’s pitch-black breeches clung to Lucifer’s strong legs. His shoes had no sign of tearing or use. The tunic on the deity’s chest was adorned with glittering jewels in red and white. Each was carefully sewn into the wool fabric. Alabaster cloak laid over strong shoulders. The angel’s lips spread into a smile, flashing his teeth. The lushness of his eyes, like the world beyond, was easy to get lost in. Instead of what he expected, Lucifer’s wings were skeletons of their past glory. They rose high and proud. A torn crown in silver laid heavily on Lucifer’s head.
“We met again, Dragomir,” the angel’s voice was deep, vibrating through the clearing. “Have you come to a conclusion?” A glint in the holy being’s eyes. Lucifer tapped his forehead. “I can give you everything and anything you want.” The angel let his words set in before he continued. “For a price, of course.”
Heat rose to Dragomir’s face. Hands clenched to his sides. Dragomir was nothing but a peasant; he knew that. The risk of having his son live underneath the brutal Vlad III was unbearable. His wife had risked enough. For both of them. A halted breath left his brims. “I’ve,” Dragomir said. “What’s your condition?”
The only warning Dragomir was capable of getting, was of swish in the air. And the next, Lucifer’s hand curled around his clothing. Nails dug into his flesh, and red marks blossomed. “For a human of my choosing,” Lucifer growled. “In your bloodline. It’s stronger than you are adequate to imagine. The mortal will have their life tied to a subordinate of mine.” The grip loosened slightly.
Dragomir gasped desperately for air. Dizziness crawled into his bones. Paralyzed he stared into the apple green eyes as the fallen angel spoke. Every word has more weight than the last. I’m doing it for my family. It’s worth it.
“Their marriage, as on Earth as in Hell, will be unbreakable,” Lucifer continued. “That is my condition.” He titled his head to the side as if Dragomir’s desires were nothing but an afterthought. “I will give you unrestricted power. As you wished. You will take Vlad’s place as Prince. The richness you’ve dreamt of will be yours.” The hand withdrew completely from Dragomir’s features and slipped down into his pocket. Once the palm revealed itself once more, a silver ring with intricate Latin letters burnt into it with black ink appeared. “You will know when I’ve chosen my payment.”
Dragomir nodded ━━ too taken aback to properly form words. A few moments passed. The silence beat as metal yielded underneath the fire. Lucifer’s cold hands curled the ring into his palm. It was heavier than it looked. The craftmanship was nothing of this Earth, all imperfections did not exist. A human’s soul. This is the price.
“I accept.”
The moment those words left his lips, Dragomir had sealed his fate. And everyone who came after him. Lucifer took his arm, pressuring him into the already open wound. This time, Dragomir screamed. The fallen angel’s blood mixed with his. It gave off a radiance of purple and black. Lucifer’s eyes flickered into their obsidian shade. A string curled out to the skies. It rustled into the air.
Then it twisted, and the cord turned into the earth and below. It only left a fog of lilac.
Lucifer loosened the hold, walking away. “You did well, Dragomir.” A smirk tangled onto the man’s lips. “I had high expectations from you. And you fulfilled it.” He stopped, kicking a small stone to the side. The rock jumped a few meters away, into darkness. “It could take a day to collect my payment or a hundred years.”
“I understand,” Dragomir said. His heart beat fast in his chest. What if he takes my son? Fingers covered the cut, desiring for it to heal. His dark blue eyes were wide. The other hand clenched around the ring. Whether it was for a wedding or a promise, Dragomir wasn’t certain. Nor did he want to push the fallen angel regarding it.
“Does your wife know?” Lucifer crossed his arms over his chest. A casual aura to his prior appearance. “Or did she not agree about your extreme measures?” He chuckled sinisterly. “You’re distinguished. I hardly believe you had any trouble.”
“Stay out of it!” Dragomir’s body shook in anger. Nostrils flared. “It was no other choice. It was no other choice━━”
The deity gestured with his hand, dismissively. “The end is already written.” Lucifer brushed his fingers over the wound, magically, it tied itself up. “The world is aligned. So it will be.” The fallen angel spread his wings. Nothing left of him but ashes and burnt ground.
“God is gracious,” Dragomir prayed to the silence. Only him left to fend for the aftermath.
