FALLEN ANGEL: MARRIED TO THE DEMON KING

Then they reached the top of the grand staircase, and they walked down a long hallway that led to the council chamber. A guard stood at the doors, one that Arella did not recognize. He was wearing the same clothes that Oriel and Zadkiel wore. He glanced down at Echo, but he did not comment.

Most probably he had already received information from Zadkiel or Oriel through his halo.

He tapped the top of his staff on the door before announcing in a loud voice. "Arella of the angels of Water and child of Camael enters the council chambers."

The door slowly opened. The chamber beyond it was bathed in the soft glow of the celestial light. The circular room was dominated by a massive table, which had a myriad of angels seated around it.

The council.

The very pale brown table surface was inscribed with angelic runes that pulsed faintly with golden power. The slight whispers from the members of the council came to a stop once she walked into the hall.

Castiel and Echo walked in behind her, while Solan stayed just outside the chamber doors.

Her father sat in one of the seats. Arella had not expected to see him, although it should not have been a surprise because he was also a member of the council. His features had not changed much over the last hundred years; after all, angels aged very slowly.

He was wearing the council robes, which were a very pristine shade of white, embellished with all the colors of the different types of angels. The four colors—red, brown, gold, and blue—drooped from the right shoulder all the way the sleeves. It was the same robes that the other council members wore, but her father wore it the best, of course.

If Arella had not been angry at him, she would have jumped into his arms and given him a hug. She had missed him after all.

However, she was petty. So much so that when he smiled at her, she pursed her lips, crossed her arms over each other, and looked in the other direction.

There were nine members in the council. Arella knew all of them personally, seeing as she had been coming into the council ever since she was small. However, it did not mean that they all liked her.

The oldest council member stood from his position, which was in the middle of the other members. His features were sharp, and he was tall with gold accents in his white wings. His skin was a very dark chocolate, and his eyes were deep silver. His eyes lingered disdainfully on Echo, who had sat on his hunches next to Arella.

"Arella of the House of Camael." His voice was low. "We welcome you back. Although the circumstances for your return are not the best."

Arella stopped pouting, and looked at the oldest council member. His name was Phanuel of the Angels of Wind. She peered at him through the slits of her slightly pressed eyes. "That is an understatement. The circumstances of my return are the worst. Do not try to sugarcoat it."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the council.

The golden-haired angel seated to the right of Phanuel leaned forward and placed her elbows on the table. "Yet you still came, Arella of the angels of water." Her piercing gaze landed on Echo, and her lips pursed into a straight line of disapproval, "with a demonic creature no less. Is this how you represent the angels in the face of your impeding union? Have you no shame, bringing that creature into the council chambers?"

Arella's fist clenched. "Echo is my companion." Her fury bubbled beneath the surface. "He has been by my side over the last hundred years and has protected me more times than I can count. I will not stand by if any of you disrespect him."

Camael, her father, cleared his throat. "Perhaps this is not a good time to argue over a demonic creature. It is obviously tame." His gaze was sharp as he looked at the female angel. "We can agree that she will not bring the creature into the council chambers again."

"This is sacred ground. All of this land is sacred ground. Demons are not allowed to step foot here in the first place." The angel continued.

Echo was surprisingly quiet—the perfect picture of a domestic creature. "Enough Michaela. We are not here to debate the presence of her companion."

"If anything," Arella interjected after her father's words, "am I not to be wed to the Demon King?" I guess it is a good thing that I got used to a demon's presence."

This made the female angel fall silent. Phanuel cleared his throat.

"That is the reason we have called you here." He continued to speak, "You are to be wed to the Demon King, Varziel. Do you understand the gravity of this?"

"What I understand is that I did not get a say in this and that I am thrilled to be a pawn in this game of chess."

"Be respectful in front of the council." Phanuel's tone had turned sharp. "Camael, did you not teach your child respect?"

"I taught her to stand up for herself." Camael crossed his arms over each other. "You are aware of my thoughts on this union."

Realizing that he would not get what he wanted from Camael, he turned back to Arella and said, "Your flippancy will not serve you, Arella of the angels of water. This union is more than a personal matter. The council has deemed it best for you to stay here until the day the union is to happen. It is to be a day from now. A wedding dress has been prepared. All you have to do is sit tight and wait for that day."

"Do I not get to go see my family?" Arella's eye twitched.

"A few council members, together with your parents, will be attending the wedding. You will see your mother then, seeing as she is the only person you have not met with."

Arella ran a hand through her short hair. She took in a deep breath, "I understand. I will prepare myself duly."

"You may leave." Phanuel took his seat. He waved his hand, and the door to the chambers opened.

"Thank you for having me." Arella picked up the fabric of her robes, raised them slightly, and bowed at the waist.

She did not wait for more words, lest she flip that huge table on the council members. That would be satisfactory to watch, but the last thing she wanted was to antagonize them even further.

Echo and Castiel were at her side. "Um, that went well," Castiel tried.

"Perfectly well." Arella stopped in front of Solan, who had been waiting for them. She grabbed the sleeves of his robe, attempting to ground herself. She lowered her head and took in deep breaths through her nose. "Castiel," she called out her brother's name, "I lied." She felt dizzy from all the emotions that were floating in her system, and tears slipped from her cheeks. "I am scared. They did not even seem apologetic for using me."

Castiel rubbed her back gently. His touch was warm. "They are afraid. You are stronger than they realize, Arella."

Arella looked up at him, her tear stained cheeks glistening. "I don't want to go. I am not strong, Castiel." She buried her face in his shoulder. "Why does it have to be me?" Her voice was muffled. Castiel allowed her to cry even though they were outside the council chambers.

She let herself cry, promising herself that she would not cry again later. She would be stronger later. She would ensure she upheld her duty as an angel later.

For that moment, she was simply her brother's little sister, and that was enough.

S/T: 

(The meeting of the council of angels a few days before Arella came back. Camael was not present.) (Their names are not mentioned to protect their anonymity.)

Council member 1: We cannot permit Arella of the Angels of Water to go back to her home.

Council member 2: I agree; they may aid her to escape.

Council member 3: Do not forget that Laila of the Angels of Fire still has anger over our decision. She may very well hide her off with her grandmother. Finding her daughter will be impossible if that happens.

Council member 1: So what do we do?

Council member 5: She may stay in the central palace. It will be easy to organize.

Council member 2: Laila will not have it. She may very well barge into these chambers again.

Council member 4: No need to worry, (they smile.) I have that taken care of. She will do nothing to interfere with this marriage.

Council member 1: So it is settled.

Other members: Agreed.

Council member 6, 7, and 8 do not join in the conversation because they silently do not agree to the union but cannot refuse because they are outnumbered.