A/N:

Hey everyone! The Alignment is back with a new chapter. Sorry I've been a bit busy. School and a family vacation put me a bit behind schedule, but now we're back. I'm so glad to be updating again. I really love writing this story, and I hope ya'll enjoy reading it just as much! So here is Chapter 8...enjoy!

EJ

Chapter 8

I waited outside Baxter High's gymnasium, my school textbooks clutched to my chest, anxiously awaiting for Harvey to finish with gym class. It was the long past the last period of the school day, and Roz, Theo, and Robin were all waiting for us in the library. Roz had informed me that Harvey was none too thrilled to speak to me, especially regarding anything with my upcoming nuptials.

I was partially slumped against the wall when suddenly the remainder of the men's physical education class came bursting through the doors of the gym, flooding into the hallway. I caught sight of Harvey's chocolate brown hair tailing the end of the mass, and I immediately shot up to catch him.

"Harvey! Wait." I called out to him, and immediately Harvey turned to face me. His face was still flushed from exercise, and when he met my gaze, his face filled with a look of annoyance. He stopped, and waited for me to catch up with him.

"Hey." I finally spoke.

"Hey, Brina." Harvey spoke, his tone short and clipped. I knew right then that there was something bothering him.

"Can we talk?" I asked, wanting to clear the air between us. Harvey thought it over for a moment, before slowly nodding his head. He motioned for me to follow him into an empty chemistry classroom, looking back into the hall, he closed the door behind us.

"Everyone is probably wondering where we are." I offered, wanting to open up the conversation lightly. I knew Harvey pretty well, and I knew how he reacted to certain things. Beginning lightly was always the best option for breaching subjects with him.

"If you're here to talk me into going along with this whole wedding thing, you can stop right there. I'm not going to watch you just give your life away." Harvey snapped. His tone took me aback. Normally, Harvey was a pretty easy going guy. But obviously the marriage between Caliban and I had struck more than just a nerve; he was clearly angry.

"Harvey...I know that this whole thing has been difficult for everyone. But I really need you to understand what I'm doing…it's for the best." I hesitated on how to describe my marriage. It was a commitment that had to be made, but I didn't want to seem like I was worried. Harvey would use that to his advantage.

"Sabrina, you don't always have to be the hero." Harvey sighed, leaning against one of the lab tables.

"I know, but I have to think of everyone I love. This is what will save the world." I gave him a simple argument. And everything within that statement was true, which Harvey knew. Looking me in the eyes, Harvey's own filled with a look of defeat. He knew that when it came to saving those who I loved, nothing could change my mind.

"Okay."

After our little talk, Harvey followed me to the library, where we found the rest of our friends lounging on the couch and surrounding chairs. Roz and Harvey immediately curled up with one another, and Theo slouched in the chair across from them, Robin perched on the arm. They, once again, were waiting for me to talk about whatever magical nonsense was going to be interrupting their lives once again.

"First of all, I want to say thank you, to all of you, for understanding why I need to do this." I opened the conversation.

"There really wasn't a way to talk you out of it." Roz commented, eliciting a chuckle from Theo. My friends knew me too well. Harvey still kept a pinched face, though.

"The decision has been made that Caliban and I's wedding will be happening this Saturday, and I want all of you there with me. I wouldn't be able to do this without you." I gave my friends the news. Their faces were a bit shocked with the suddenness of the wedding, but eventually they all nodded.

"Is there a dress code for Pandemonium weddings?" Theo asked, and I smiled at his attempt to lighten the mood.

"Here are your invitations. Sorry, I know they're a bit, well, olden." I pulled the scrolls from my messenger bag, handing each of the four out individually. My friends opened the scrolls, looking down at the calligraphy that held my future.

"Maiden of Shadows?" Roz asked me, a crossed expression filling her elegant features.

"I don't even know." I replied. Lucifer was all for show and grandeur. I knew that he was taking this whole thing way out of proportion, and using it to his own advantage. But if it got him to relinquish his claim to the throne so that Caliban and I could actually make a difference, so be it. It was, after all, one day.

"I can't believe that this is really happening." Harvey finally spoke. I looked at him, closely, observing what he was really trying to say. His eyes, which normally were excited and filled with warmth, were dim. He was upset by this, I knew.

"I just want you guys to know that no matter what happens, you will always have me." I reassured my friends. Roz gathered everyone into a large group hug, which I didn't know that I needed until we were all embracing one another.

Even if I was starting a new chapter of my life this Saturday, I knew that I could always count on the characters of my past to be there for me, no matter what.

That night, after my small but meaningful get together with Roz, Harvey, Theo, and Robin, I had decided that a simple night of homework and separation from the outside world was exactly what I needed. I knew that after this week, I wasn't going to be able to enjoy much alone time, and I was going to savor it while it lasted.

Hilda had made some of her famous spaghetti for dinner, and had brought some up on a dining tray for me to eat. Knowing that I was trying to savor my moments of aloneness, she had left it outside of my door, informing me of it's delivery with a pert knock on my bedroom door.

So here I was, enjoying the prosperity of my isolation, when a sudden whoosh of flames interrupted my sanctuary. I knew immediately who the culprit was, and called him out on the spot for ruining my night of solitude.

"Caliban, come on. We talked about how rude it is to teleport yourself into someone's room unannounced." I chastised the Prince of Hell, who gave me his signature smile. At least he was properly dressed this time, wearing somewhat normal clothes. A white cotton shirt and a pair of fitted blue jeans, he looked like the average Greendale teenager. But boy, was he anything but.

"I just thought we could speak for a few moments about the wedding. I have some updates you might find interesting, but if you're busy…" Caliban trailed off.

"Ugh. Fine, you can stay." I caved, and motioned for him to sit down. He once again flashed his flawless grin, and plopped down into my desk chair with a satisfied sigh.

"So what news do you bring from the depths of Hell?" I asked my fiance. Caliban chuckled, but obliged by asking my question.

"Asmodeus has agreed to conduct the ceremony, and Lucifer has invited the entire court of Hell to attend." Caliban filled me in on what had been decided in my absence.

"The entire court? How many people is that, exactly?" I asked. I couldn't even imagine how many people the entire court of Hell entailed.

"No more than six hundred, no less than four hundred." Caliban announced, and I responded with a shallow breath. I had never imagined that my wedding would be such an extravagant event.

"You're going to be fine, Sabrina. I'll be right there next to you." Caliban reassured me. When he looked into my eyes, I once again saw a glimpse of the same kindness that I had seen when he had proposed.

"I just never thought that my life would be like this. The queen of Hell, daughter of Satan himself, and marrying the Prince of Hell at the age of sixteen. It's just a lot to process."

"It will take a while to get used to this life, Princess. But you will excel at anything you do, because I know that you have the strength to make a difference. And together, we will." Caliban approached the edge of my bed, taking my hands in his own. The words he spoke were so genuine, and I instantly felt myself relax. He had a power over me, unlike I had never experienced before.

"Thank you, Caliban. I needed that." I replied. There was a strange feeling of power radiating between us in that moment. I kind of didn't want it to end.

Caliban cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Well, I believe that was all I had to share. Goodnight, Sabrina." And with those words, he released my hands as he exited in a whirl of flames.

"Goodnight, Caliban." I whispered to myself. Some strange feeling inside of me came alive at these words, making me realize something.

I hadn't wanted him to leave. There was still something I needed to do.

"Caliban, come back." I gently called. It wasn't a second later that the Prince of Hell himself returned to the center of my room, waves of flames included.

"What is it?" He asked, the timbre of his voice laced with concern.

"I just needed to do this."

Slowly, getting up from the edge of my bed, I approached him. There was a strange ember in my soul, suddenly ignited with feelings that I couldn't quite understand, yet. But I felt the urge to do something. Something that I had not expected to want.

Once we were mere inches apart, I gently placed my hand on the side of his face. Looking into his emerald eyes, I searched them to find the answer to the question that had been plaguing me. It was then, when I saw the same strange fire in his eyes, that I did something so unlike me. I kissed him.

At first, his lips were as hesitant as my own. But they soon relaxed, capturing mine. Caliban's lips were as soft as they looked, and I quickly tangled my hands into his golden curls, deepening the kiss. I don't know how long we stood there, but I pulled away when at last my breath was gone. With a satisfied grin, I looked at Caliban, who was smiling as well.

"Now, goodnight." I waved, and Caliban chuckled before dispersing himself back to Hell.

Collapsing onto my bed, I let out a completely uncharacteristic giggle and squeal combination.

I had kissed Caliban. And I didn't regret it one bit.

A/N:

Oh my god, there was a kiss! A Calbrina kiss! The first of many, I promise. I hope ya'll enjoyed this chapter. There is more to come! I should be updating a lot more now, as summer school is almost done. Amen. I hope ya'll are ready for some wedding planning...see you next time!

EJ