The Dark Princess's Lair

As I turned the final corner, I pushed open a heavy velvet curtain, and a warm golden light spilled out into the dark corridor. I stepped into the lavish room, my eyes scanning the space for any sign of Mari. The room was opulent, with intricate tapestries adorning the walls and a large four-poster bed dominating the center of the room. And then, I saw her. Mari stood by the window, her back to me, gazing out into the night. Her long black hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and her fair skin glowed in the soft light of the candelabras that lined the room. She wore a dark, flowing dress that seemed to shimmer and rustle in the gentle breeze from the window, and I could see the subtle curve of her demon heritage in the way her shoulders seemed to slope, the way her skin seemed to glow with an otherworldly light. "Mari, finally I found you," I said, my voice low and urgent. Mari turned at my voice, her eyes narrowing as she took in my presence. But it was not the Mari I knew who stood before me. Her eyes, once bright and full of life, now seemed to burn with an inner fire, a fierce and feral energy that made my heart skip a beat. Her skin, once smooth and unblemished, now seemed to shimmer with a subtle, scaly texture, and her lips curled back from her teeth in a snarl. For a moment, we simply stared at each other, the air thick with tension. I could feel the weight of her gaze, like a physical force that pressed against my skin, and I knew that I had to tread carefully. Mari's eyes seemed to bore into my very soul, as if searching for something. And then, her voice came, low and husky, like a snake slithering through the grass. "Who are you?" she asked, her tone dripping with disdain. "And what brings you to my chambers?" I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. I had expected Mari to be changed, but I had not expected this. This was not the girl I had known, the girl who had been my friend and companion. This was something else, something darker and more sinister. "I...I'm here to help you," I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady. "We have to get out of here, Mari. The demon lord is coming." Mari's expression changed, her eyes flashing with anger. "You dare to address me by that name?" she spat, her voice venomous. "I am Princess Marigold, daughter of the demon lord and Elara. And you...you are an intruder, a trespasser in my chambers." I took a step back, my heart racing with fear. I had not expected this. I had not expected Mari to be so...so transformed. But I knew that I had to try and reach her, to try and bring her back from the darkness that seemed to have consumed her. "Mari, please," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "I'm here to help you. We have to get out of here, before it's too late." But Mari just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound that sent shivers down my spine. "You think you can help me?" she repeated, her eyes glinting with amusement. "You think you can save me from my own destiny?" And with that, she took a step closer to me, her eyes burning with an inner fire, and I knew that I was in grave danger.