Her Crown, His Chains

It started like any other day. I woke up in the arms of Leviticus, my demon husband. We lived a quiet life away from everyone. Our love was deemed forbidden. But I didn't care. Though by law we couldn't be married, we still found a way to seal our love. He starts to stir and pull me closer. I couldn't help but laugh.

Me: Levi.

His eyes start to slowly open and he looks at me.

Levi: You're so annoying in the morning.

Me: What? Take that back this instant!

Levi: Make me.

I get ready to hit him when he grabs my hand.

Levi: How did I end up with you?

Me: Because you love me!

He sighs but has a smile on his face.

Levi: I do.

I began to get out of bed when he pulls me back against him.

Levi: Stay.

Me: I need to pick some ingredients from the garden.

Levi: They can wait.

I turn around and run my finger through his silky white hair. I never understood how he ended up here but from the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew he was the one.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was walking down a dirt road late into the night. I heard an animal cry out in pain, and I rushed to its aid, only to find it being devoured by some unknown creature. I was scared but also curious. I slowly began to step forward when he turned around and snapped at me, causing me to jump back and land on the ground. He towered over me before dropping down in front of me. I slowly reached out, and he jumped back, his eyes glowing red. His voice was deep and intimidating.

Creature: Come to capture me?!

Me: N-Nay!

Creature: What is it you want then?!

Me: I j-just—

Creature: WHAT DO YOU WANT, HUMAN?!

I scurry back and take off running. He chases after me, clawing my back, and I fall into a tree. His fangs shine in the glow of the moonlight. He stands on his hind legs, towering over me. He moves closer to me, and I squeeze my eyes shut.

Me: D-Don’t hurt me!

When I open my eyes, he is right in my face.

Creature: Why should I not kill you right now?

Me: I-I heard an animal cryin’ out in pain.

Creature: So, that is why you came?

I nod my head. He steps back and just looks at me.

Creature: What is a human doing out at night if not hunting?

Me: I-I always come out this way.

I pull out a handkerchief with bread in it. He sniffs at it before smacking it out of my hand. He growls.

Creature: What am I to do with that?!

Me: M-Meat?! I-I got m-meat back home.

Creature: I will not be lured to a trap!

Me: I-I’ll bring it t-to ye. I-I swear it.

He just looks at me.

Creature: The clock is ticking, tiny human.

I nod frantically and take off toward my home. My father had just brought home some fresh meat since he was the butcher in town. I quickly wrap it up in a handkerchief and run back down the dirt road. He had gone back to eating the corpse of the animal. As soon as he smelled the meat, he turned around.

Creature: You came back.

I bow my head and hold the meat out to him. He snatches it from me and starts eating it. He eats it all within seconds. He licks the blood from his mouth.

Creature: More.

Me: I-I only brought that much!

Creature: MORE!!!!!!!!

I lower my head.

Me: I-If ye follow me, I’ve got more.

I keep my head down.

Creature: I will kill you and eat your heart if you try anything.

I look up and nod.

Me: N-Nay tricks. I swear it.

I slowly raise my hand.

Me: F-Follow me.

He follows closely behind me. We reach my house, and I open the door. I step inside and hold the door for him. He slowly moves inside as well. I close the door behind me and turn around so fast that I still hadn’t processed what was happening before I found myself caged against the wall.

Creature: Tricks!

Me: N-Nay! I was only closin’ the door!

Creature: Meat! Now!

I run to the kitchen and start pulling the meat out of the fridge. My father was going to kill me, but I’d rather him kill me than this creature. I quietly sit down. He eats everything. He licks at his fingers or claws. I wasn’t exactly sure what they were.

Me: C-Can I ask ye somethin’?

He looks up.

Creature: What?!

Me: What... what are ye?

Creature: You... don’t know what I am?

I shake my head.

Me: Never seen anythin’ like ye before.

Creature: A demon.

I gasp. He shoots up.

Creature: You will not sell me, human!

Me: Ah! Nay! I’d never do such a thing!

He seems so feral toward me. I put my head down.

Creature: Your name, human.

I look up.

Me: L-Lena.

Creature: Lena?

He repeats my name as if he is tasting it.

Creature: Human Lena.

Me: Lena’s just fine.

Creature: Lena.

Me: Do ye have a name?

Creature: I am called many things.

Me: Y-Ye ain’t got a proper name?

He stays quiet and stares at me.

Me: Could I give ye one?

Creature: No!

He continues to stare at me.

Me: I like Leviticus.

Creature: Leviticus?

Me: Sounds like a strong name.

Creature: Leviticus.

Suddenly, he shifts to a less feral form.

Leviticus: I shall go by the name for now, human. Do you have more meat?

Me: Unfortunately, I don’t.

That answer did not seem to please him.

Me: B-But I c-can get some m-more! Me father’s a butcher!

Leviticus: Butcher?

Me: He kills animals, takes the good bits, and sells ’em to folks.

Leviticus: I demand he bring you more, Lena! Right now!

Me: Me father’s old. He wouldn’t be able to make another trip here tonight. I’ll go first thing in the mornin’ and fetch some.

As we talk, my eyes travel across him, taking in his new look. His horns were still prominent, but his body was more human now. He was extremely bulky, and the marks on his arms were of some unknown design. But what caught my attention the most were the scars covering him.

Me: How’d ye get them scars?

Leviticus: None of your business!

Me: Ah! Forgive me. I meant not to pry.

I stand up.

Me: I ain’t got no men’s clothes, but I can start makin’ ye somethin’ tomorrow. Fer now, this is all I’ve got.

I hand him a blanket. He slaps my hand away.

Leviticus: I don’t need or want your pity, Human!

He stands up and looks around before settling in a corner of the room and lying down.

Me: What are ye doin’?

Leviticus: Going to sleep.

Me: Not there.

Leviticus: This is where my kind sleep.

Me: Nay, not tonight.

I hold my hand out to him, but he slaps it away again. I light a candle and move through my cottage.

Me: If ye change yer mind, ye can sleep in here.

I go to my room and close the door. I blow out the candle and watch the door. After a few minutes, I see a shadow move towards the light.

Me: ’Tis something.