The garden was a tapestry of impossible colors, where the flowers seemed to glow with their own inner light and the air tasted of summer rain and jasmine.
As I followed Willow—the woman I had known as Amy—through the winding stone paths, I couldn't stop staring.
Every inch of the palace was a marvel of marble and magic.
Maids in ivory uniforms drifted past us, their arms laden with roses so red they looked like drops of blood against the white stone.
Willow looked every bit the Queen now. She wore a gown of gossamer white that trailed behind her like a cloud, making her beauty seem almost ethereal.
"Luke," she said, her voice dropping to a serious tone as we reached a secluded marble bench.
"There is something of great importance I need to discuss with you."
"What's up?" I asked, taking a delicate porcelain cup of tea from a passing attendant.
"Is there a problem with your kingdom?"
"Remember when you told me you were looking for a job to support your mother?"
"Yeah," I replied, taking a cautious sip. "I still am. Especially now."
"Well, I have a position for you," she said, watching me closely.
"But it's a commitment. It would be for one year."
"A year? That's a long contract. What kind of work is it? Archiving? Guard duty?"
Willow hesitated, her gaze flickering to the horizon.
"Well... you would have to get married to the Demon King for a year."
I didn't just choke; I delivered a full, undignified spray of tea directly onto Willow's pristine white bodice.
"Oh, God! I'm sorry!" I scrambled for a napkin as maids rushed forward with silk cloths to dab at her dress.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," she insisted, waving them away.
"You want me to marry a man?" I hissed, my voice cracking.
"And not just a man, but a demon king? Willow, have you lost your mind?"
"Luke, you must understand the politics of the Great Realms. He is a King of the Underworld. By marrying him, you would be a King Consort. You would have power, protection—"
"Who cares about the title?" I raked my hair in frustration, pacing the grass.
"You're asking me to marry a guy! Since when does a guy marry a guy in this generation?"
"Luke, I know it sounds overwhelming, but it is a contract. One year of your life, and in return, you will be paid a monthly stipend that would keep your mother in luxury for the rest of her life. More money than you could make in ten lifetimes at a café."
I stopped and looked at her. "I don't care about the money, Willow. I'll work three jobs, I'll scrub floors—you can't seriously expect me to do this. Why me? Why not find someone else... I don't know, some magical noble?"
"Because he specifically requested an American," she sighed.
"I'm not the only American guy in the world! Go to New York, there are millions of us!"
"I know," she whispered, her eyes filling with a guilt that silenced my shouting.
"But please... just think about it."
She left me there on the bench. I sat for an hour, watching the magical sun dip toward the horizon.
My life had gone from high school graduation to vampire attacks to a marriage proposal from a demon in less than forty-eight hours.
It was absurd. It was insane. And there was no way in hell I was saying yes.
Later that evening, I marched into Willow's private chambers.
"Willow, I've decided. It's best if you just take me home. I'll take my chances with the vampires."
"I thought we'd been through this, Luke," she said, looking up from a stack of parchment.
"I can't take you back. The wards here are the only thing keeping you alive."
I slumped into a chair, defeated. "When is this... Demon King... expecting me?"
"He's not in a hurry," she said softly. "He informed to bring you over to his palace when you're ready."
"
Why are you doing this to me, Willow? Really?"
Her composure broke for a moment.
"It was never my intention to drag you into the politics of the supernatural. But he threatened my kingdom, Luke. He threatened to slaughter my people if I didn't provide him with a male bride of the Golden Dagger lineage. He knows who you are."
I looked at the floor. "I hope you're aware that this is completely messed up."
"I know it is."
"What's his name? My... future husband."
"King Wang Lei."
I blinked. "Are you kidding me? I'm going to marry a Chinese demon?"
"Yes," she said, a small, tentative smile appearing on her face.
I groaned, burying my face in my hands.
"Fine. I'll do it. Not because I want a crown, and not for the money. I'm doing it because you've been the only person looking out for me and Mom. And because I don't want your people to die on my account. But I swear, Willow, if he gets out of line, I am running away. I don't care if he has wings or horns."
Willow lunged forward and hugged me so tight I could barely breathe.
"Thank you, Luke. Thank you."
"So, when's the big day?"
"That's up to you. Oh—and before I forget," she added, pulling back. "Your official court name in the Demon Realm will be Bao."
"Bao? Like the bun?"
She laughed. "No, though you are sweet enough. It means 'Treasure.' You have to use it. It's part of the ritual."
"Fine. Whatever. From now on, call me Bao. Bao-Bao if you're feeling fancy."
The days leading up to the wedding were a blur. I stayed in the Witch Kingdom through Willow's official coronation, a grand affair that saw her crowned as the Witch Queen.
The palace was teeming with royalty from a dozen different dimensions.
I felt like a sore thumb—the only human, the only guy in a sea of powerful sorceresses.
After the ceremony, Willow found me on the castle rooftop, looking out over the glowing forests.
"Queen Willow," I teased, bowing clumsily.
"Luke, stop. You don't have to be formal with me," she said, though she looked magnificent in her royal regalia.
She was holding a bundle of rich, crimson silk. "I sent for you because your... husband... sent this. It's your wedding attire."
I took the cloth, frowning. "Red? I thought weddings were supposed to be white."
"In his culture, white is for funerals. Red is for joy. For life." She looked at me, her expression turning somber.
"I've fixed the date, Luke. We leave next week. We need to start preparing your spirit for the transition into the Underworld."
I looked down at the red silk, the reality finally sinking in.
"God... I'm actually marrying a demon. I don't know if I'm ready for this, Willow."
She stepped close and took my hand, her touch as warm and familiar as it had been back in our old neighborhood.
"Luke, I want you to know that no matter where you go, or how deep into the shadows that kingdom is, I will always be watching over you. I promise."
I looked at the red dress, then at my friend, and wondered if "Treasure" was a name or a warning.