An Engagement


Lucifer examined his stopwatch, hummed, and tucked it back into his waistcoat pocket. Four minutes until the princesses of Floria, Fawna, and Fairweather were supposed to meet the men that would be their husbands by tonight, if all went well. First impressions were everything. Being royalty, Lucifer expected them to be well-educated, well-spoken, and conventionally attractive at the very least. Pretty eyes, nice smiles, dainty hands for waving at legions of Demons from their balconies… Child-bearing hips wouldn't be bad, either.

A distant whinny caught the Demons' attention. They watched a horse-drawn carriage roll up from across the meadow only to stare in wonderment at the unicorn in the harness. Queen Cotta grinned at the Demons like they were old friends, then gathered up her skirt to climb down from the carriage before her footman could offer a hand. Another Faun followed hesitantly, her face and the majority of her body obscured by a capelet. Only her furry forearms and lower legs were visible, and the princes could make out her tan deer nose within the shadow of the hood. "Thank you for being punctual," Lucifer said to the queen, bowing his head politely. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance once again."

She offered a curtsy. "It is indeed a pleasure to speak with you when you are not threatening to subjugate my people." Lucifer cleared his throat as his sons smirked in amusement. "These must be the crown princes of Hael?"

"Yes, they are triplets. Brick, Boomer, and Butch." They ducked their heads in unison.

"Huh." Cotta had seen many Demons in her time but never ones as handsome as the princes. Then again, their father was half-Angel and they clearly took after him. They were all tall, broad-shouldered, and leanly muscled. Each had a different shade of scintillating duochrome skin; Brick's was copper with a golden shift, Boomer's was peach with a light blue shift, and Butch's was deep bronze with a teal shift. They also shared Lucifer's jewel-toned eyes, perfectly straight nose, angular jawline, and full lips. Cotta thought the ginger prince, Brick, looked the least intimidating since he seemed bored out of his mind, but ruling over a menagerie of mystical creatures had taught her that appearances were often deceptive.

The Pixies arrived next, King Dan and his eldest child emerging from an ornate palanquin carried by two porters. A silken cloak covered the princess from head to toe; all the princes were able to discern was a long strand of fiery red hair draped over her shoulder. Pleasantries were exchanged once again, and the awkward silence that followed was soon disrupted by thunderous hoofbeats from the south. These did not belong to horses either, but fierce kirins. King Galanthus and his daughter practically trampled everyone assembled before pulling back on the reins and dismounting. "Apologies for being late," the Elf King said, "it is a long ride from Fairweather even in the best conditions."

Lucifer turned up his nose. "You are here now, which is what matters." After introducing his sons for the third time in as many minutes, the Princess of Fairweather pushed off the hood of her fur cloak to reveal her countenance.

Butch gasped in awe. "Mine. That one's mine."

"You have not seen the others yet," his father chided. "Do you not wish to wait to make a decision?"

"Nope." He stepped forward and she withheld any action that revealed her immediate disdain for the Demon. "What are you called, milady?"

"Buttercup," she provided.

Buttercup. Her sweet and feminine name clashed with her frigid, stoic demeanor. It seemed as if she had been carved from precious stone by the gods. Skin as flawless, smooth, and white as marble. Cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass caused hollows angling toward rose quartz lips. Upturned eyes as jade, piercing and regal. Hair like a waterfall of obsidian cascaded down her back, rippling and shimmering at the slightest movement. And because she was an Elf, Butch couldn't overlook her ears. They tapered to long, fine points and were decorated with diamond hoops and studs. As a connoisseur of crystals and gemstones, he vowed to drape her entire body in the most exquisite jewelry the world had ever seen.

"Princess Buttercup of Fairweather…" Butch went to one knee and took both of her hands in his own. "Will you do me the immense honor of becoming my bride?"

"Could you be more of a simpering idiot?" Boomer mumbled, earning a nudge from their father.

Buttercup studied his imploring expression before one corner of her lips turned up in a tiny smile. She already had this Demon wrapped around her little finger. "I will." Butch went and stood quietly with the Elves, making heart eyes at Buttercup while Galanthus tried not to have a breakdown over the fact that his precious daughter had accepted a marriage proposal from a Demon.

The Florian princess removed her silken cloak next. Boomer's eyes widened and Brick's mouth went dry. She was stunning. Like, reincarnation of an ancient Faerie goddess stunning. Slender, delicate build, sharp and symmetrical facial features, almond-shaped eyes the color of fresh spring blossoms, lips redder than any rose, creamy skin with an iridescent glimmer, and those pointed Pixie ears that endeared them to the other races. A white ribbon bound her tresses in a braid, and as she bowed it nearly touched the ground. "I am Blossom, the eldest princess of Floria, descendant of the noble Fae houses Iridesca and de Lyon. It would be a privilege to wed one of you, your Highnesses." Her voice was just as pleasant as the rest of her.

"Excuse us for a moment." The remaining princes scurried away to confer among themselves. "She's mine," Brick stated.

"Fuck off," Boomer growled, "I saw her first."

"We saw her at the same time, jackass. I'm the oldest so I get first pick."

"Bullshit. We're the same age," Boomer refuted. "You don't know how to handle a woman like that."

"And you do?" Brick challenged.

"Absolutely. I have finesse. I bet you don't even know what fabric Pixies are allergic to."

"Bet I can guess. And if I'm right, she's mine." They shook on it and returned to Blossom. "Remind us again, Princess, which fabric irritates your delicate wings? Isn't it flax?"

"It's wool, right? 'Cause it's scratchy?"

She glanced between them several times. "We do not wear either."

"Oh." They huddled once more. "Boulder-Parchment-Shears?" Boomer suggested.

Brick nodded. "Best two of three." Several smacking sounds later, he strode up to Blossom wearing a triumphant smirk while Boomer glowered. "I look forward to our union, Princess." He kissed the back of her hand like a gentleman and maintained a grip on it, tuning out her conversation with her father. Blossom paused every few words when Brick idly ran his thumb over her knuckles in a sort of caress. Although it seemed like an innocent, affectionate action, he was actually contemplating how rough he could handle her in bed. Pixies were notoriously fragile due to their hollow skeletons, and despite the burning desire he now felt to fuck Blossom's brains out, he had no desire to break every bone in her body while doing so.

Boomer took a deep breath so it wouldn't be that obvious he was disappointed to get stuck with the Faun by default. "Okay, Princess," he said to her, "let's see that undoubtedly pretty face of yours." Nimble fingers unfastened the capelet, removing it from her shoulders. Boomer immediately covered his mouth with one hand and made a strangled noise.

Cotta beamed with pride. "Is she not the most adorable creature you have ever laid eyes upon? My Bubbles is a special one!"

He nodded, dazed. She'd obviously been named for her big bright blue eyes, but Boomer couldn't help but think her huge bust was another contributing factor. He forced himself to look up from her chest and felt his knees wobble. It was as if her visage had been designed by the gods for maximum cuteness. Everything above the tip of her nose was covered in fine fur; the rest of her skin was darkly tan and freckled. Her large, furry ears emerged from a mass of flaxen curls, one of which Bubbles nervously twisted around her finger. Boomer leaned sideways to examine her posterior and found a cute little tail as expected. He took a step back, following the curves of her narrow waist to her wide hips. Her shapely legs ended in cloven hooves and even those were cute because they were painted with purple polish.

"I, uh, need a second." Boomer motioned for his brothers to join him, whispering. "Help. My dick is confused."

"Understandably," Brick said. "That's the thickest Faun I've ever seen."

Butch gave a low whistle. "Her rack is amazing."

"I know," Boomer groaned, "she's hot as Hael but she's so fucking cute! How can I put my dick in her?! What if I'm too big and she cries?"

"That'd be a boner killer for sure."

"Or a turn-on if you're into that."

"I'm not!"

"Then you could be gentle," Butch suggested like it was a novel concept. "Both of you should be gentle with your new wives. You, Brick, 'cause Blossom will snap if the wind blows too hard, and you, Boomer, 'cause… because look at that face." They turned to Bubbles and she gave a shy wave. "Shit, now my dick's confused, too. How can she be so sexy and cute at the same time?"

Boomer clutched at his hair, conflicted. "Okay, I'm gonna do it," he decided. His brothers gave him supportive claps on the back. Bubbles blinked curiously when Boomer puffed out his chest and inhaled as if to make a great proclamation, but then his bravado failed and the words came out as a mumble. "I'd be really happy if you married me, Princess Bubbles."

Her giggle turned him to mush. "I'd love to marry you, Prince Boomer."

"Yeeeah!" Butch bellowed. "Let's get fuckin' hitched!"

With that, everyone formed a procession to the royal palace of Floria. There wasn't enough room in the palanquin for three people so Brick walked at the side Blossom sat on. He didn't spare her a single look but continually caught her glancing at him in his peripheral vision. Was it intrigue or nervousness? He didn't actually care what she thought of him. A kirin trotted by and Brick scoffed when he saw Butch seated behind Buttercup. "She made you her bitch already?"

"Sorry, can't hear you from up on this magnificent beast." They made rude gestures at each other. "Dad said I'm getting married first 'cause I'm the youngest."

"What?!" Brick glared at their father. "I'm the oldest so my ceremony should be first!"

Lucifer sighed, not in the mood for a temper tantrum right now. "Princess Buttercup is older than everyone here save her father. She has seniority."

"The fuck?" Brick narrowed his eyes at her. "How old are you?"

"That is an inappropriate query to make of a lady," she coolly replied.

"Then how old is King Galanthus?"

"None of your damn business," he said.

Fucking Elves.

"We could have all three ceremonies at the same time?" Bubbles suggested from the rear of the procession, where she rode with Boomer and her mother in the carriage. "Wouldn't that make things more efficient?"

"It would!" Cotta patted her blonde head as praise for the idea. "And I am certain the princes are very eager to get their brides home as soon as possible."

Boomer was confused by the wink she gave him. Did the queen want him to rail her daughter? Was this a trap? "Are you even old enough to be getting married, Princess?"

"Oh yes, I've almost seen twenty summers," Bubbles assured. "What color do you think our flowers should be? I like pink."

"Pink's fine with me."

"Or maybe my dress should be pink?" She put a finger on her lips in contemplation. "What about a pink dress with yellow flowers?"

"I think any color will look great on you," Boomer said.

"Aww, you're sweet." She gave him a hug and briefly feeling her breasts pressed against him put the dopiest look on his face. "You know, I worried you'd be ugly. My sisters kept telling me that Demons had big, pointy noses and sunken eyes and fangs and claws and goat horns."

"Some of them do have all those features. The unfortunate ones, anyway." He pointed ahead of them. "See? Brick has horns like a goat." Bubbles studied the way they swept over and behind his head in a smooth curve. "And Butch has ram horns." They spiraled outward from his temples. Boomer pointed at his own forehead. "This style is called 'classical imp'. Very retro. My brothers wish they could pull off this look."

"No we don't," Butch refuted. Buttercup slowed the kirin until its pace matched that of the unicorn. "It's been proven that horn size directly correlates to the size of a male Demon's cock, so…" He flashed Bubbles a look of pity. "Prepare to be disappointed."

"Is that true?" she asked, eyes wide.

"I do not believe that," Buttercup added.

"It's true!" Butch insisted. "The Angels did the study and they can't lie or make shit up. They're not creative enough."

Boomer waved him away. "It's a myth spread by female Demons to keep men with small dicks from hitting on them."

"You know," Cotta piped up, "it has been my experience that the size of the tool matters not, but the way in which it is utilized."

"Mother!" Bubbles shrieked in embarrassment.

Boomer had no shame. "Tell me more about what Fauns like."

Cotta smiled cheekily. "You should not generalize, boy. Learn from your bride what pleases her. Yet I suppose I can tell you this– even my virgin daughter will outlast you, so consider improving your stamina."

"Oh my gods, Mother." Bubbles buried her face in her hands, wishing she would drop dead of bloatgut right then and there.

Most of what Cotta said went right through Boomer's ears, however, his countenance dimming. "Sorry, what? You're a virgin?"

Butch caught that taboo word as well. "Are you a virgin?" he asked Buttercup from over her shoulder.

"No," she answered.

"Good," he sighed in relief.

Her brow furrowed at that reaction. Men usually preferred the opposite. "Why does that please you?"

"There's… a thing about Demons and virgins."

"Elaborate," Buttercup ordered.

Butch blew out a breath. "Okay, so, back in ancient times when Erd was uncivilized, the other races used to sacrifice virgins to summon Demons. There were all these incantations and runes for transporting them from Hael before our islands rose out of the ocean and we could just sail across. Black magic, it was called. Demons granted things like power, knowledge, and wealth in exchange for consuming the sacrifice."

"What do you mean by 'consume'?"

"Some Demons literally ate the virgins, some possessed them so they could stay on the continent, and others took them back to Hael as mates. That's how we became what we are today, a mix of all the species. So…" Butch shifted behind Buttercup. His ass was going numb from not sitting in the saddle. "The scent of virgin blood attracts certain types of Demons that still have the age-old instinct to consume."

Bubbles' lip trembled as she regarded him in horror. "Are you saying someone will try to eat me after I'm deflowered?" And obviously not in the fun way.

"Yeeeah…" Butch answered, regretful. "Sorry, Princess."

"How can it be prevented?" Buttercup questioned. She would not hesitate to cut a bitch who tried hurting a fellow princess.

"By the fact that I'm a fucking prince and anyone who tries to fuck with my wife will get thrown into the Void." Boomer now had an arm wrapped possessively around Bubbles' shoulders.

"Only if you catch them," Butch muttered.

"You're not making me feel better about this!" Bubbles wailed. "I don't want to get eaten or possessed or forced to be someone else's mate!"

"I would have preferred to know about this before I offered you my daughter's hand," Cotta said with a hard edge to her tone.

Boomer frowned. "What did you want, a list of terms and conditions that come with marrying Demons? It's fine, I'll handle it, nothing bad will happen to Bubbles. I can protect her." He faced her. "I will protect you, I swear."

"Okay…" Bubbles hugged him again and he hugged her back, tightly. "I trust you." Some may have considered her foolish for saying so since they were mostly strangers, but intuition told her that her trust was not misplaced.

Ahead of them, the Pixies had fallen deathly silent and Brick didn't have to be an oracle to figure out why. "You're a virgin, too," he stated.

"Y-yes…" Blossom's voice had gone tinny. "I am having second thoughts about this arrangement."

"That's fine. If you want to call it off, our legions will only invade Floria."

Her head whipped toward Brick but he still didn't look at her. "What?"

"What do you mean 'what'? Are you daft?"

Now her red eyebrows knitted. "I understand what you said. I did not comprehend why you said it."

"It's not mortar science, Princess. You're a peace offering. If I don't have you, there'll be no peace between Hael and Floria."

Lucifer donned a cruel smile. "Well put, my son."

Brick walked with his head a little higher. "When we defeat your pathetic army and annex Floria, the Fae will be enslaved and put to work in our mineral mines. We'll finally be able to meet our quotas that way." He deigned to give Blossom a sidelong glance. She stared at him with her pretty mouth hanging open in utter disbelief. "That's a nice face you're making, Princess. Part your lips just like that when I order you to suck my cock as you kneel before my throne with a collar around your neck."

King Dan was so stunned by the prince's words that he couldn't form a response of any kind. No one had ever, ever spoken to a royal that way, least of all his beautiful, intelligent, talented daughter whom every citizen of Floria adored. He stuck his head out the curtains and ordered the porters to stop, scowling at Lucifer and pointing at Brick. "This union is canceled. I refuse to let my daughter marry a monster like him."

The Demon King opened his mouth but Blossom interjected. "No, Father! I will marry him! I must!" She pulled him back and tried to smile reassuringly, murmuring. "I can handle him. You know how strong I have become."

"Magic may not be enough to protect you from that heinous creature," the king countered.

"Then I shall utilize my wits as well." She touched his cheek. "Father, please. We cannot bring war upon our people again. We have a single order of knights, not an army. Hael will demolish Floria unless I go through with this union. It is my duty to protect our people."

"But giving up your freedom, your studies, your ambitions, your purity… for that?" Dan shot Brick a dagger-filled glare.

Blossom nodded. "Floria is worth it."

A tear escaped the king's eye as he embraced her. "I raised you to become too selfless."

"You raised me to become queen one day," she corrected. "A ruler has no power without the joy, strength, and prosperity of their people."

"Brynmor…" he sniffled. "I thought you detested political philosophy."

"I do, but I was still attentive." They shared a laugh and then Blossom schooled her countenance, emerging from the palanquin with unfailing grace. She stood before Brick, holding his gaze until he cracked first by flaring his nostrils, then she gave him the slowest, most judgmental once-over. "I am willing to remain your bride."

"Good to hear," Brick sneered. "I wasn't going to let you leave me at the altar, anyway."