BENEATH HER DARKNESS: The Alpha's Little Demon by Cassandra M

BRAVING THE DARKNESS: One Night With The Demon King

BENEATH HER DARKNESS: The Alpha’s Little Demon Book 2

Chapter 54 – The Banquet (LUCIUS)

My eyes roamed around the vast banquet that was prepared for the formal rise of the King and Queen of Kalmerus and Athwart. I was glad that I didn’t hold a feast for me so that I was able to share this coronation with Patrea.

The big hall was already filled with guests from the other two kingdoms of the Underworld: the Kings and their offspring. Some of my siblings and my own spawn had arrived. They had yet to meet Patrea.

Celebrations like this were usually done in demon forms, but since Patrea was only half demon, I requested everyone to present themselves in their human form, and it seemed that no one was objecting as everyone came in presentable clothes.

Also, from what I heard, even the kings were eager to see my queen, probably because the Underworld had never had a queen in a long time, even centuries before me.

A smug smirk tugged on my mouth at the sight of Lucija and Stone. They took Luther with them, and even though he was just a few months old, his aura was strong — stronger than most of Lucien’s bloodline — and it didn’t slip my notice the way they were eyeing him.

At just a few months old, my nephew had already made enemies.

But the thing with demon babies is they had the most potent power to protect themselves from another demon, even without knowing how. So it would take a powerful demon to put them down.

I had to repeatedly explain that to Stone because he was hesitant to take Luther with him today as the event would have too many demons in one place.

But I was glad Lucija was able to convince him.

The only one absent was Althea. As much as Patrea wanted to celebrate this event with her, taking her here was considered a big risk.

Alastor was still unfound, and we had heard nothing about him. It would also be a risk to show Althea around, as humans and witches were not ordinary guests in the Underworld, and many might see her as prey. So, Patrea wanted her away from the Underworld, and I had no issue with that.

Besides, taking her here meant taking the other dog with her too. Stone was already too much. I didn’t need another growler in m y kingdom.

I leaned back on my throne chair, propping my elbow on the armrest with my hand on m y chin as I anticipated Patrea’s arrival. I could already sense her.

The noise around the banquet heightened, and I could hear murmuring. Some of them were still referring to her as a witch.

It looked like some of them were unaware that I had marked my queen and was now carrying demon venom in her body.

the hall finally opened, and Patrea emerged, making me rise to my

making my heart

knew behind

gave her was glowing on her neck, making the demons around us, especially the she-demons, gasp

one thing:

as me and as powerful as the other kings in this

head as our eyes locked. ‘Do you like what you are

in awe just

reply, but she gave

dress until it crawled up and fully covered her. Soon, I could no longer see my queen as both the fire of the spirits and

to their feet in anticipation of Patrea’s transformation. At this point, I was the only one who had seen her in her

before the fire swirling around her body calmed down and eventually subsided. Finally, Patrea’s demon

on her head, crimson-red eyes, two sleek tails, and pointy nails. Her armor suit was encrusted with stones representing her witch’s side, while

of the female I

me at all. Instead, it gave me a calming presence. With my power and Patrea’s,

the dais steps

everyone present, including the kings, offered applause as they remained standing while a fire burned the ground of the banquet as we formally

in her hands disappear before coiling her f*ingers around mine

smile curled on her red lips as she followed me, with my hand still on hers, assisting her as

single stone throne vanished, replaced by a double throne seat with no partition, symbolizing that we lead as one,

as I guided my queen to sit on her part of the throne before I turned around and

turned to face her and dropped onto one knee before slipping my

just let me slip the red diamond Gothic ring on her ring f*inger. “[To my queen, I offer you my lasting loyalty not just in Kalmerus and Athwart, or the

those in a low voice, but I was aware that everyone could

was aware he was rebuked by my confession of loyalty

at all. I had something they would

Patrea replied as she rose to her feet, her hand still holding

tongue. Then,

naked. Black mist swirled around our bodies as

snapped her eyes open, and the mist vanished as black veins crawled on my

loyalty and love in the Underworld and all realms.” She spoke in the human tongue, her voice laced with love and

help showing affection to my queen. My hand went to her cheek, cupping her jaw