THE DEMON KING WHO WAITED FOR HER
by C.G
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Prince Cally stood alone in the dimly lit room of the private hotel he had secretly booked, staring at his reflection in the mirror. But the face staring back at him no longer felt like his own. His eyes darkened unnaturally, flickering with shadows that moved as if they were alive.
Three voices whispered inside his mind.
Take her.
She belongs to power.
She will weaken the Demon King.
His hands trembled as dark energy wrapped itself around his body like invisible chains. The ruler of the evil land had kept his promise. Prince Cally was no longer fully human — he was a vessel.
A cruel smile curved his lips.
"Linah…" he murmured, though his voice echoed with more than one tone.
At the wedding venue, joy filled the air.
Linah sat calmly as her makeup artist adjusted the final touches to her face. Her heart was peaceful, unaware that darkness was already circling. Cecilia stood nearby, assisting quietly, her smile too forced, her eyes avoiding Linah's reflection in the mirror.
"Let's get some fresh air," Cecilia suggested softly. "You must be overwhelmed."
Before Linah could respond, a sudden dizziness washed over her. Her vision blurred for a moment. She pressed her fingers against her temple.
"I'm fine," she whispered, though her spirit felt unsettled.
As they stepped away from the crowded area, the air grew heavy.
Linah felt it instantly — something was wrong.
Then Prince Cally appeared.
His presence was suffocating. The warmth of the day vanished, replaced by a chilling pressure that made Linah's chest tighten. Her instincts screamed danger.
"Prince Cally," she said firmly, taking a step back.
But his eyes were empty — dark, hollow, possessed.
Before she could react, unseen forces wrapped around her, weakening her body. Her legs gave way, her strength draining rapidly as if something was feeding on her energy.
Linah knew immediately.
This is not human.
With the last strength she had, she clutched her sacred bracelet. The water spirits stirred, responding to her fear. She closed her eyes and poured her soul into one word.
Mako.
Mako staggered where he stood.
Pain exploded through his chest like fire tearing through his veins. He dropped everything and turned sharply, his eyes blazing.
"She's in danger," he growled.
The river nearby surged violently, responding to his rage. Without hesitation, Mako moved — faster than any man should — guided by ancestral power and love stronger than death.
Prince Cally dragged Linah into the private room, his movements stiff and unnatural. Dark symbols flickered briefly across his skin before fading.
Linah struggled to remain conscious.
Just as despair threatened to swallow her, the door burst open with a force that shook the walls.
Mako stood there.
The shadows screamed.
Prince Cally was thrown backward as if struck by an invisible hand. The dark entities inside him shrieked, their hold breaking under Mako's power and the protection of the water spirits.
"You will never touch what is mine," Mako said coldly.
The shadows were ripped from Prince Cally's body and dissolved into nothingness. He collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
Mako caught Linah before she fell.
"I have you," he whispered, holding her tightly. "You're safe."
The water spirits surrounded them, cleansing Linah's body and spirit, washing away the dark influence. Slowly, her strength returned.
Tears slid down her cheeks as she clung to Mako.
"They tried to use him," she said weakly. "They want to break us."
Mako's jaw tightened.
"They will fail."
The wedding continued — but something had changed.
The joy was still there, but beneath it lay a growing awareness: their enemies had crossed a line. This was no longer just jealousy or revenge.
It was war.
Far away, in the evil land, Tonde smiled darkly as the sacred mirror dimmed.
"The game has begun," he whispered. "And the bride is the key."
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY THREE