A/N:

Hello everyone,

I want to apologize to you all for not keeping this story updated. This was a very rough school year, which has only just now ended for the fall semester. But I am so ready to continue working The Alignment, because there is so much story still to be told. Netflix has ruined us by canceling Sabrina, but that doesn't mean that I can't continue to bring Caliban and our favorite teenage witch together. I hope you all enjoy this update, and I cannot wait to continue writing more.

Thanks.
EJ

Chapter 10

Wednesday flashed by me with a whoosh of unimportant classroom lectures and stiff conversations. My only reprieve seemed to be my limited conversations with Roz, Harvey, Theo, and Robin. I was able to briefly chat with each of them, learning about different aspects of their lives.

As our marriage alignment had laid out, Caliban and the citizens of Pandemonium and Hell had cleared out the Pagans with sweeping success. All that remained of our previously daunting foe was a few structures left over from the carnival, some trash, and Robin, naturally. My instructions to Caliban to leave the hobgoblin alone had been followed to a T. Everything strange, as though it was all falling into its proper place.

Aunt Zelda and Aunt Hilda seemed more than relieved that our enemies had been defeated, and that our coven was safe from danger. Auntie Zee was still harboring some ill feelings towards the idea of my marriage to Caliban, but I believe that the defeat of the Pagans, and some help from Aunt Hilda, she was slowly being worn down. Ambrose and Prudence were involved in their own ideas of bliss, and as per Ambrose's request, Prudence had received her plus one invitation to the wedding.

Everything was flowing smoothly within the whirlwind world that was the planning of my wedding. That's where my mind was currently occupied, as once again Lilith had requested my presence in the grand hall of Pandemonium, where thankfully there was no boxes filled with scandalous lingerie and sex guides. Just lots and lots of wedding gifts.

"I didn't even request or ask for any of these things." I groaned. I had been stuck recording and documenting the numerous wedding gifts that Caliban and I had received in the throne room for the past two hours.

"It is proper to document each gift properly so that the palace scribe can record them and properly send thank you scrolls. Otherwise we could cause a social upset. Some demons get very offended if you do not send proper thanks." Lilith informed me as she handed me yet another box.

Ripping the paper, I revealed yet another set of iron cutlery. Apparently, Lilith had prepared a proper wedding registry of things that a royal demonic household needed, and incoming they were. Caliban and I even had specialized china in recognition of our wedded union, designed by Pandemonium's best ceramics artist. I never thought in a million years that I would be thanking people for china sets.

Though, there were a few interesting and valuable gifts. Limited print grimoires and bounties of potion ingredients. I myself had received a few pieces of jewelry as tokens of favor from ladies of the Pandemonium court. Jewels upon jewels, my personal collection of metal finery was growing. Lilith insisted that these were political plays to keep my favor, but I tried to see some of the kindness in the gestures.

"One more set of cutlery with our combined sigil. That makes it like the eleventh set." I sighed as I charted the gift, and Lilith chuckled.

"Considering I registered for twenty four sets, you still have quite a long way to go, my dear highness."

"Of course you did." I huffed, and shoved the boxed of metal utensils towards my royal advisor, who placed them in a designated pile. We were surrounded by boxes, both wrapped and unwrapped. The gifts were not just from guests though; even citizens of Hell had sent in gifts to celebrate Caliban and I's alignment.

"I see that you've found an interesting way to occupy your time, Princess." Caliban's voice softly whispered into my ear, jolting me out of my focus. I hadn't even heard him enter the room, nevertheless come up behind me.

"For the love of Satan, Caliban, don't do that." I chastised the Prince of Hell, who quietly chuckled as he moved out from behind me. I could see that Lilith held a small smirk on her slim face, obviously amused by Caliban's antics.

"I have come to request permission to steal you away for a few moments, if your royal advisor sees that as something that is plausible." Caliban questioned Lilith, who gently nodded her head, granting my fiance's request.

"I can almost guarantee that her majesty would much prefer to spend her time in your company, than sort wedding gifts with me." Lilith commented, and motioned for me to put down the quill that I had been tightly gripping in my right hand.

"Go and enjoy some time with your betrothed, Sabrina. I believe it would do you some good." Lilith gave us an approving glance, but went back to sorting the numerous piles of gifts that surrounded her.

"If I may, Princess." Caliban offered his hand to help me up from the chair. My body was a bit stiff from sitting in one place, so rising from my seat was a jolt of sudden shock to my legs.

Removing myself from behind the desk, I waved goodbye to Lilith, and Caliban led me away from the piles of wedding gifts. We walked past the thrones and down a corridor to the left side of the throne room, slowly disappearing deeper into the castle of Pandemonium. When we finally reached an area where no Infernal Guards were present, Caliban swept me into his arms unexpectedly.

"There is something that I have been wishing to do since our last meeting."Caliban seemed to admit guiltily, before suddenly his pale lips were pressed against my own.

As if my body was made of butter, I instantly melted into him and the kiss. Our bodies and mouths worked with one another, connecting as our lips moved together. I felt tingles in the tips of my fingertips as I wound my hands into the golden curls at the base of Caliban's neck. Though, before anything got anymore intense than they already were, I quietly pulled away from the clay prince. Caliban questioned my decision, gazing into my eyes with confusion.

"As much as I want to continue what we were just doing, we need to talk about this first." I motioned between us. My head and heart decided that it was time to do the mature thing, and lay out some ground rules.

"As you wish." Caliban surprisingly agreed, and released me from his heated grip. Looking around for a place for us to discuss our next move, Caliban nodded towards a door labeled 'bibliotheca' or library, in Latin. I followed his lead as he opened the heavy door, welcoming us into a room that smelled of musty paper and metallic ink.

Looking around, I observed the generous collection of books that seemed to soar upwards towards the vaulted stone ceilings. A fire was lit in the hearth, giving the darkened room a slight glow. I noticed a few arm chairs placed directly in front of the elegantly carved hearth, and pointed them out to Caliban, inviting him to sit next to me. He did so almost immediately, and once we were seated, he was the first to speak.

"I apologize for my behavior earlier, in the passageway. I got a bit carried away. It was unacceptable of me, and I need to extend my sincerest apologies for such behavior."

"There is no need to apologize, Caliban. We just need to talk about everything." I sighed, looking at Caliban with a small smile.

It was obvious that Caliban and I both felt something for one another, but I knew it was a pertinent thing to discuss our relationship before things traveled too far.

"What would you like to speak about, Princess?" Caliban questioned me, carefully clasping his hands together on the arm of the chair he was perched in. I couldn't help but notice how the reflection of the flames in the hearth danced against his tanned biceps.

"I think that we need to maybe create something of a plan. For how we want our relationship to progress, romantically speaking." I tried to explain what I was trying to achieve with the conversation.

"I believe that we both have already established that we have mutual feelings for one another. We are to be wed three days, and after we will begin our duties of marriage. Isn't that enough of a plan?" Caliban asked, seeming confused by my explanation. I didn't know how to put what I wanted to say into words, though I did my best.

"Yes, we are getting married. But I know that as of recently, new feelings have been discovered between us. And I just don't want to rush into anything, just because we are expected to." I tried to explain myself in a different way, and that time a hint of understanding seemed to flood Caliban's eyes.

"You want us to take things slowly." Caliban clarified my statement, and I nodded.

"Does that mean no more kissing?" Caliban asked with his signature sly grin, and I gave him an exasperated look. Though, I also couldn't help but chuckle at his childish question.

"It means that for right now, I am willing to give our romantic relationship a chance. But I need it to go my speed. No pulling any grand romantic gestures or jumping me in the corridors, alright?" I questioned the clay prince.

"I believe that is an agreeable compromise, Princess." Caliban agreed, his gleaming smile filling his face.

"Well, now that we've discussed that...how does returning to sorting wedding gifts sound to you, my future husband?" I questioned Caliban, who instantly gave me a dread filled look.

"That's what I thought you'd say." I chuckled, and Caliban rolled his eyes.

I could tell that even though I had no idea what was in store for my upcoming nuptials, at least I knew that there at least was going to be some fun in the process. All thanks to Caliban, my clay prince.