Chapter Thirty-Seven
Butler, Married. Bride, Bonded
Marianne sat in the ashes of the Phantomhive mansion, waiting for Sebastian and Ciel to return. Her foot tapped against the floor, getting black soot all over her boots. The afternoon sun shone in the sky, and the cool air of the end of winter and the budding of spring was coming. The trees were beginning to flourish with new green leaves, and were dusted with pink flower petals. She twisted the ring on her finger, the red jewel glowing vibrantly in the light. Her hand ran through her hair as she stared out at the horizon, hoping to catch sight of Sebastian's distinctive silhouette. It wasn't long before she spotted him approaching. A cold feeling settled in the pit of her stomach, despite the fact she could make out the shape of Ciel's body being carried in the demon's arms. Marianne stood up when he stepped on the ashes of the mansion.
"Sebastian!" she gasped.
The sight of his left arm, back where it was supposed to be and working as though it hadn't been cut off by an angel, it was disconcerting. She took it all in her stride as she approached him and stroked her hand down the length of it.
Marianne then caught sight of Ciel, and his blank eyes. She saw his chest moving, that he was still breathing, but he didn't respond to anything, not even when he cupped his cheek and stroked his hair out of his eyes.
"What happened? Why isn't he responding?" she asked.
Sebastian shook his head, adjusted his hold on Ciel, and ran a finger over the boy's pallid skin.
"Another demon intruded on us. They were unaware of the changes I made to the contract, for him to be our demon child upon its completion. They must have slipped in and taken his soul while I was missing my seal. The contract was temporarily void while it was missing from my body," he explained. "The only consolation we have right now is that because it was temporary, and my seal returned with the regrowth of my arm, they cannot eat it because he is still marked as my prey."
Marianne took a deep breath through her nose, and released it slowly.
"What do we do?" she asked. "Can we even have our ceremony without Ciel there?"
Sebastian surveyed the damage to the mansion, going through everything he needed to put right.
"Right now, we need to restore the mansion. The servants are in the hospital, or we will have privacy for a while. I want to get the mansion back in good working order, and then we can proceed with the next steps. We cannot have our child in such a state without him in his own bed."
The girl nodded.
"Alright, I'll let you get started. I'll look after Ciel while you work."
Sebastian placed the boy in her arms, and she sat down on the grass. She laid Ciel on the ground with his head in her lap. Her fingers raked through his hair as she watched Sebastian remove his gloves with his teeth, and set to work.
Sebastian used his demonic power to restore the mansion to its former glory, from the bricks and mortar, to the marble floors, to the intricate cracks that had weathered the building for so many Phantomhive generations. It was like it had never been burned down. Twice. He looked over his shoulder at Marianne and Ciel as he pulled his gloves back on; the sad aura emanating from his mate was almost too much for him to bear, but he felt her determination burning through. He resolved to do the same. The demon walked back to them, gathered the boy into his arms, and, with Marianne's arm looped through his, they strode inside their home once more, their footsteps echoing on the stone steps leading up to the front door.
When Ciel was settling in his room, pillows propped under his head and arms folded over his chest, Sebastian and Marianne left his chambers and continued down the corridor until they reached the head butler's quarters. The demon opened the door for her, and she stepped inside, where he followed swiftly behind and locked the door. Marianne looked around.
"I don't think I've ever been inside your room before," she said.
The room was tidy and well kept. The bed in the centre of the room was large enough to fit at least four people comfortably, and covered with fresh black sheets, and stark white pillows; heavy black drapes hung from its tall posts. A desk sat at the wall between the room's two windows, papers sat neatly on top of it with a black pen waiting beside them. New candles flickered on the candelabra Sebastian had brought with them and set on the desk. While luxurious, the room felt more like a guest room than a set of living quarters. There was nothing personal to Sebastian in sight, save for what looked to be a photograph on the bedside table.
"For the sake of human propriety, it is not completely unusual for such a thing to never occur." Sebastian replied. "But still, I would have preferred the circumstances of your first time here to have been more… pleasurable."
She blushed at his words. A part of her was glad that he was still able to tease her with her own modesty, but she couldn't bring herself to make a form of retort. She sighed, ran her hands through her loose hair, and sat on the end of the bed.
"You know we need to talk about what we're going to do next."
Sebastian removed his gloves and placed them on his dresser. He took off his tailcoat and put it back inside the wardrobe in the far corner of the room. Unclipping his suspenders, he let the buckles click along the floor as he walked over to his mate's side and sat down beside her. The demon took her hand in his, stroked his thumb over the band of her engagement ring.
"I know we do," he said, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. "But right now, there is very little we can do for him. First of all, we track down the demon who took it."
"And how would we do that?" she asked.
Sebastian sighed.
"We would have to go to Hell, and hear what's going on, and who could have heard about my contract. The only plausible thing would be another demon is nearby. By going to Hell, we can figure out who."
Marianne stood up, walked to the mirror, and touched a figure to the red jewel glowing around her neck.
"I had hoped that Ciel would see our bonding ceremony, but that won't be the case, will it?" she said.
"I am afraid not."
She took a breath through her nose.
"Okay. You said that you've been preparing things back in Hell?"
"Yes."
"Are there any specifications I need to wear, or is that up to me?"
The demon pondered her question for a moment.
"White is the preferred colour of clothing for the human mate, but everything else is entirely up to you."
Marianne smiled.
"Well then, you best call Nina Hopkins then."
The thought of that woman made Sebastian's brow furrow.
"I only hope that she behaves herself."
When Nina arrived through the front door, much to Sebastian's chargin, she immediately sequestered Marianne in her bedroom, refusing to allow the demon access to his beloved mate. He sighed heavily as he leaned against the locked door. His sensitive ears picked up everything they were saying. He could have easily unlocked the door and gone inside, but Marianne had asked him to let her follow through with the human wedding tradition of the groom not seeing the bride in her wedding gown before the actual wedding. The demon could only indulge her, since everything else had followed his traditions. He especially remembered her words before Nina locked the door.
"Can you not come inside while Nina is making my wedding dress?" she asked.
Sebastian stroked her hair as he ran through it with the brush. He met her eyes in her vanity mirror, her dark blue eyes pleading with him.
"May I ask why?" he replied.
Marianne gave a slight smile.
"Have you ever heard of the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride until they are married?"
"I have heard of it, but it doesn't really make sense to me."
She nodded her head.
"Well, to go through with that completely is out of the question, since you are the one taking us to Hell. Instead, I want you to promise me that when Nina gets here, you won't try to take a peek at my wedding dress before the ceremony."
The demon placed the hairbrush down.
"If that is what you want…" he said.
Marianne turned to him, pressed her hand to his cheek, and twirled a strand of his black hair between her fingers.
"I want it to be a surprise for you. When I see you there, waiting for me at the altar, I want to remember the look on your face the first time you see me in my dress. I want you to look at me, and feel like everything we have gone through, it was worth every moment, so long as I am there walking towards you in that dress," she told him. "You have given me so many precious things, and I am not talking about my choker or my ring. I am talking about the freedom you have given me, the home we are going to make, and the family we have created. And this dress, it means that I am giving something precious to you. I am giving you everything, because I love you, and wish to spend the rest of eternity with you. So please, let me do this for you."
Sebastian couldn't say no after such passionate words. He leant down and whispered in her ear.
"As you wish, my darling mate."
They sealed their promise with a kiss, and only stopped when they heard the sound of a carriage coming up the drive.
Marianne watched Nina as she wrapped the measuring tape around her waist. She was dressed down to her undergarments and corset while the tailor worked. Remaining perfectly still for her was a challenge, especially as Nina had a particularly bad habit…
"My dear, I don't believe you've changed an inch since I last saw you!" Nina cried, trying to squeeze Marianne's breast.
Marianne swatted her hands away with a bright red flush across her cheeks.
How on Earth do I manage to deal with this? Sebastian would probably kill her if he caught sight of her molesting me. I really don't want to clean up the body… Tailoring at Nina's level is hard to come by.
"It is so rare that I get to make dresses for women these days. How did the Earl like the ballgowns I made last year?" Nina asked.
Nina's light brown eyes glinted brightly behind her wire-framed glasses. She tossed her curly brown ponytail over her left shoulder and pulled out her sketchbook. The girl smiled at her as she collected her clothes.
"They served their purpose splendidly. My dress was surprisingly easy to move in, considering how heavy they are meant to be." Marianne replied.
Nina was too absorbed in her designs to give her an answer. Papers were already flying around the room, the rate she was drawing them was phenomenal. The woman was muttering to herself as she worked.
"Honestly, how can a sweet thing like you be marrying Mr Stiff?" she asked.
Marianne sweatdropped.
"Why do you have to call him that?"
"He is such a hardhead! He has no idea about a woman's tastes at all! It's because of men like him that I only work with girls and boys under the age of fifteen. They understand my masterpieces better than the old dullards of society." Nina snapped, holding up one of the sketches and comparing it to Marianne's body. She shook her head and tossed it aside. "Too old hat! We need something more vogue! We need to make use of that gorgeous silhouette you make. Anything else would ruin my reputation!"
She shook her head and waved a finger at Marianne.
"You're trying to distract me, I can tell!" she said. "I want details. How long have you even been courting? No one even heard a thing!"
Marianne smiled wistfully as Nina wrapped a swath of white lace around her.
"We started courting in December, and he proposed while we were in Paris, before the fire. It's not like we could go public with it, since everyone else knows me as Edward. How would it have looked if people thought two men were courting one another within the halls of the Phantomhive manor? We would never sully the family by being indiscreet," she reasoned. "Besides, this is better. Neither of us want a church wedding, so doing it this way suits both of us far more than all the pomp and circumstance that comes with a big ceremony."
Nina snorted.
"Yes, Mr Hardhead would never let anything tarnish the Phantomhive name… But it is all very romantic, even if he is the lover. Stolen kisses in the corridor, holding hands hidden behind long sleeves. It sounds like those penny romance novels!"
The girl only smiled and let the tailor indulge in her creations, swatting her hands when they came too close and familiar than she was comfortable with.
Within the day, the dress was finished. Sebastian paid Nina for her work.
"Thank you for your services on such short notice. I hope everything has been done to your satisfaction," he said as he escorted Nina to the front door.
The woman chuckled, her eyes twinkling behind her glasses.
"She must have you wrapped around her finger if you're not asking what I've made for her, or trying to take a peek. I know you, Mr Stiff, unless you really care for her, you would have been butting your nose in the whole time with your unwanted opinions."
The demon's lips turned into a frown.
"Please don't question my love for her. You wouldn't like to know what happened to the last person that did," he said. "And she made me promise not to. I always keep my word, Miss Hopkins, especially when it's one I've made to her."
She laughed loudly.
"Looks like there is a heart beneath all that stiffness. Somehow, you make that girl happy, although I question that very highly."
Walking out the door, Nina didn't look back. Sebastian slammed the door behind her, breathed through his nose, and went off in search of his mate.
Marianne smoothed the garment bag and was fiddling with a pair of dainty white high heels when Sebastian stepped into her bed chambers. She smiled at him as she tucked the shoes into the suitcase she had laid out on the bed.
"Is it time to go?" she asked.
"Yes. Are you ready?" he responded.
She was about to say yes, but then realised that Ciel would be alone. He may not have been conscious of the world around him, but she didn't want to take the chance that the demon who had stolen his soul would return to take the boy's body along with it.
"What about Ciel? Will it be safe for him to be left alone? What if that other demon comes back?"
Sebastian shook his head and stroked her cheek.
"Don't worry, my dear. I have made the necessary precautions. His chambers have been warded, and will alert us of anything untoward while we are in Hell. Although, it is not likely they will come back. Ciel's soul was the only thing they wanted. As is the case with most demons, they care very little about the bodies their meals inhabit. Whether or not this will be the case with our thief is another matter."
"So, he will be alright?"
"He will."
Marianne took a deep breath, placed the garment bag in the suitcase, and closed the lid. She picked it up, and turned to her mate.
"Okay, I am ready. Take me to Hell."
The demon smiled. His eyes glowed. He gathered her in his arms, picked her up like the bride she was to be, and darkness enveloped the room. Black feathers rained down over them as Sebastian's contract seal emblazed itself on the wooden floor. Feathered black wings burst from Sebastian's shoulders, wrapping around them in a warm cocoon. Marianne nuzzled her cheek against the soft downiness, and smiled when she felt Sebastian press his forehead against her own.
"Close your eyes, my darling mate."
She obeyed, and felt the darkness close around her.
The smell of burning was the first thing she noticed when she heard the faint rustle of Sebastian's wings opening around them.
"You can open your eyes now, Marianne. We are here."
She opened her eyes and gasped at the sight before her. Many would claim that the paradise of the silver city of Heaven was the most beautiful plane in existence, but Hell had a dark beauty all of its own. The pits of fire burned brightly with the rotten souls of the damned. Demons dressed in black leather walked around with their seductiveness on full display. The outline of a large palace stood out against the horizon, where a blood red moon stared back at them like a bright jewel. Its turrets and its towers reminded Marianne of the gothic castles of Germany; it was like she had stepped into a dark fairy tale.
Perhaps I have… She thought to herself as she glanced up at Sebastian.
"Sebastian, it's beautiful," she said.
He placed her down on her feet and looped her arm through his. He was in his demon form once again; tight leather trousers moulded to his legs, thigh high stiletto boots clicked against the stone floor. His upper body was mostly exposed, save for a fitted black waistcoat left open. His eyes were outlined with black streaks, curling like feathers; his fangs protruded slightly from his lip. His hair was slightly longer at the back, dusting the top of his collar. Black wings folded back into his shoulder blades, and his black nails remained uncovered, along with his contract seal. Sebastian leant forward and pressed his lips to her forehead.
"It pleases me you like our future home. But we can explore at a later date. For now, we have to go to the palace."
She started at those words.
"The palace? Why?" she asked.
He chuckled.
"Oh dear, did I forget to mention that it is our wedding venue?"
He dragged her along beside him before she could protest.
As they walked through the streets, she felt the eyes of the many demons upon her. Her grip tightened on her suitcase as they moved, the many colours of their eyes were penetrating, but they all turned magenta when they let out hisses and snarls as they passed.
Why are they staring at us like that? She asked Sebastian mentally.
Sebastian smiled.
I am quite a powerful demon, so there are many who are curious about what sort of creature I would have as my mate. He told her. You will be highly sought after. They will all want to remain in your favour.
Are you the demon equivalent of a nobleman here? Like an Earl or a Duke?
He only laughed.
You will see.
Eventually, they arrived at the palace gates. Hulking creatures, less human like than the demons walking through the streets, stood guard. Sebastian stared them down with an impassive expression on his face. One of the demons grunted to the other, and they opened the gate. Sebastian nodded his head in acknowledgment, and led Marianne inside.
When they stepped inside, the large doors closed behind them with a reverberating slam. Standing inside a large throne room, already half decorated with black garlands and roses along dark wood pews, a large black throne stood towering at the other end of the room. Marianne's eyes widened when she saw it was occupied. Sat on the throne was a man, tall and slender with the chiselled musculature of a demon; his long black horns stood out from his forehead, his black eyes glowed in the darkness. A silver crown sat on his head, adorned with stunning red jewels. He was dressed similarly to Sebastian, but his shirt had its sleeves rolled up to his elbows and was partially buttoned. His black hair was flowing down his back, and his long black claws tapped against the metal thorns of his throne. The man straightened up in his seat at the sight of them, and smiled broadly, letting his sharp canines glint in the dim light.
"Ah, Samael. Welcome home, my son. I have been expecting you for quite some time."
Sebastian bowed respectfully.
"Father, I did not expect you to personally receive us. I would have come more quickly had I known."
The man smirked.
"Oh, come now, Samael! It is not everyday that my son and heir finally finds his mate and brings her to be bonded," he said. "Your mother almost mourned for you never finding them. She is in raptures for finally having a daughter to dote on."
He turned to Marianne, and got to his feet. The man walked forward and removed her hand from Sebastian's arm. He brought it to his lips and kissed it.
"My dear girl, you are quite the beauty. I can see why my son is so besotted with you."
Marianne's cheeks burned bright pink. A growl rippled through Sebastian's closed lips.
"My name is Marianne," she said, dipping into a curtsy. "It is nice to meet you, Sir."
The man released her hand and clapped happily.
"And so well-mannered! I can tell we are going to get along very well," he laughed. "Marianne, I am Lucifer, and I am charmed by making your acquaintance."
Everything became still. The silence was so deafening that the sound of a pin dropping to the marble floor would have felt like a cannon firing.
"Lucifer…?" she asked hesitantly. "As in the King of Hell…? That Lucifer?"
"Does my reputation proceed me?" Lucifer asked.
"More than a little…" she muttered. "It's just that I knew Sebastian, Samael, was a powerful demon. But I didn't expect him to be the actual Prince of Hell."
Lucifer laughed loudly and turned to his son.
"I like this one already! And her soul smells so sweet. You're lucky she's marked, otherwise all the demons would be fighting just for a taste of her."
Sebastian slipped between his father and Marianne, taking the girl's hand and lacing his fingers through hers.
"Thank you, Father. Would you allow me to take Marianne somewhere so she can change for the ceremony? She is not quite dressed for the occasion just yet," he said calmly.
While he spoke to Lucifer, he sent soothing feelings to Marianne through their bond, having felt the anxiety rolling off of her. Behind him, Marianne took several deep breaths, and waited for Lucifer to give his opinion. The ruler of Hell nodded his head.
"Of course. Take her up to the best guest suite. Your mother will be more than happy to assist her should she need it. I shall see you both at the ceremony this evening."
Sebastian bowed his head and led her away.
He took her upstairs; the interior was opulent in a way that could only compare to the finery she had witnessed in Buckingham Palace, coloured in rich blacks and brilliant reds. Marianne smiled when they stopped outside one of the doors. Sebastian leant down and kissed her, slipping his tongue into her mouth and caressing every crevice he could reach. When they separated, he stroked her cheek.
"I shall savour that until I see you again this evening," he said.
She turned her face in his hand, and pressed her lips to his palm.
"Then I will make sure you are struck speechless when you see me."
Marianne chastely kissed him and ducked into the room before he could give into temptation and follow after her.
Marianne placed her suitcase down on top of the large bed. She hung the garment bag on the back of the door, and slipped out of her modified butler's uniform. First, she slipped on a white silk chemise and nude stockings held up with white lace garters, decorated with light blue ribbons. As she wrapped her matching corset around her body, there was a knock at the door. The girl ducked behind the dressing screen.
"Come in!" she called out.
The door opened, and then clicked shut. She heard the faint thump of stilettos against the blood red carpet.
"Don't worry, my dear. It's just us women here."
Marianne peeked her head out from behind the screen, and stared at the new occupant in the room.
The woman standing before her was more beautiful than anyone she had ever seen. Her eyes were the same dark shade of red as Sebastian's. Her black curls flowed down to her narrow waist. Her pale skin was the perfect contrast to the red gown she wore, embroidered with feathers in black thread all over the bodice. The sleeves rested off her shoulders and her neckline was set well below her décolletage. Her lips were painted red, and her eyes outlined in black. The bloodstone tiara sat proudly on her head.
"I have always wanted to see what kind of creature would capture my son's attention. Forgive me for not meeting you with Lucifer. I was hoping we could have some time to ourselves," the woman said with a smile.
Marianne cautiously stepped out from behind the screen, clutching the loose corset to her.
"It's very nice to meet you, My Lady."
The woman waved her hand dismissively.
"Oh, none of that! Call me Lilith. We are going to be family after all."
Marianne smiled.
"Okay Lilith, can you help me with my corset please?" she asked, turning her back so she could show her the laces.
Lilith was happy to oblige, and tightened the laces until Marianne was comfortably fastened inside. She continued to assist the girl until she was completely dressed, and urged her to sit in front of the vanity mirror while she styled her hair. Marianne sat quietly as she worked, and reddened her lips in the mirror.
"Now, my dear, what do you say to letting me loan you something extra special to finish off your look?" she asked.
Marianne was more than a little curious about what she had to offer.
The time of the ceremony was soon upon them. Sebastian stood in front of the altar, his father at his side. The room was filled with other demons sat patiently in the pews. The rarity of the event made it a spectacle to behold; many had never expected to bare witness to the bonding of a royal, so it was determined to be a very special day. Lilith slipped into the room and walked up the aisle before taking her seat in the front row. The large doors opened, and Marianne stepped into the room. Sebastian's eyes widened at the sight of her.
Her dress was pure white, with an off-the-shoulder bodice and an A-line skirt that stretched into a long train trailing several feet behind her. The sleeves were a fine lace mesh from her shoulder to her elbow, and then billowed out into layered trumpet sleeves. The entire dress was decorated with lace applique accents that seemed to shimmer in the light. Marianne held a single rose in her hand, black with red edges. Her brown hair was loosely curled, and neatly arranged to hold a dainty silver tiara, studded with bloodstones to match the choker gleaming around her neck. Her ring sat proudly on her finger, glowing as she took one step after another, drawing closer in her dainty white heels. A fine white net veil was attached to the tiara, and spilled from it down to the centre of her back.
Sebastian couldn't take his eyes off her; his black heart pounded in his chest, muttering the same words over and over. She is mine. She is mine. When she stood beside him, and placed her rose down on the altar, she smiled shyly up at him, her cheeks a beautiful shade of pink. Lucifer looked at them both, and joined the mates' hands together.
"We are here to witness the bonding of these two mates. Through mind and body, blood and soul, they are joined. And now, they do it before us, its creators. You shall protect this bond, this love you share for the rest of eternity, never to let it wither," he said with conviction. He turned to Sebastian. "Samael, will you take this woman as your mate? Will you protect and honour her, respect and cherish her, and accept her humanity as a gift of her love for the rest of eternity?"
"I will." Sebastian replied solemnly.
Lucifer turned to Marianne.
"Marianne, will you take this demon as your mate? Will you willingly give your humanity, and your heart to him? Will you honour and respect, cherish and love him for the rest of eternity?"
"I will." Marianne said.
Sebastian gave Lucifer Marianne's dagger and opened his palm. Lucifer sliced into it, and let the red blood pool. Marianne gave Lucifer her hand, and watched her blade swipe open her flesh. She and Sebastian licked one another's wounds, and pressed their bloodied hands together.
"By the power vested in me as the King of Hell, I pronounce you officially bonded. Samael, you may kiss your mate."
Sebastian didn't need to be told twice. He dove for his mate's lips, and consumed them in the most spine-tingling kiss. Marianne pulled him closer, and gave into the passion he ignited inside her. They didn't hear the demons roaring and cheering around them, they were so wrapped up in each other. When they finally separated for air, Sebastian picked up his bride and carried her out of the throne room.
He took her out of the palace and to his own residence. A large mansion, very similar to the Phantomhive manor, but very much a demonic nest for the Prince of Hell. Sebastian carried her over the threshold, over a flaming pit no less, and stepped inside the mansion. He placed her on her feet and led her up the stairs to his, now their, bed chamber. When he closed the door behind them, he immediately swooped in, stealing kiss after kiss from her luscious lips.
"My darling, my beautiful mate. Mine."
Marianne responded to his kisses with as much ardour as a modest woman could muster.
"Yours… Just as you are mine," she whispered.
He smiled back at her.
"Yours… My precious lady. My cherished wife. I am yours."
I am yours.
As you are mine.
Their lips sealed together in another kiss. The blood red moon was their only witness as they entwined themselves with one another…
Oh my god… This has been one Hell of a chapter. But I am happy to say that they are bonded at last. I think you can guess what happens from this point. I am not changing the rating, so there will not be any smut explicitly written in this fic. But to answer the question that has been burning inside everyone since Sebastian's proposal, they will consummate their bonding before the next chapter. It will be done in the section unwritten between the two chapters. Anyone who wishes to write this scene may approach me for permission, and may write it when I have given it through replying to either your review, or your emails.
And now, we shall be moving into season two. I am already looking forward to it.
Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Please read and review!
