Azrael regarded Valery as she asked her question, he could sense something, doubt, perhaps? Maybe indecision? Was it fear? Did this new reality frighten her? Perhaps it should, or perhaps she should have more confidence in herself and her ability not to fail or displease him. He vanished in a fine mist of shadow, only to reappear behind her. One arm wrapped around her waist, gently pulling her back against him, the other hand reached up to lightly pull her hair back, exposing her neck to him, his voice whispering softly to her.
"You would be my Bride, my mate, my student. I would give you everything you could ever desire, and I would ask you for one simple thing in return: Obedience. Absolute obedience, Valery. Do everything I ask of you. Be the mother of my children, please me physically, mentally, emotionally, be my companion in the long and lonely dark of eternity. I would ask so little in return for so much." He had his heir, there was less at stake than before, the other Brides had such a short window of opportunity to give him what he wished, a son, and none had been able to do it.
Now he did not need one, but he would not object to more sons or even daughters. What he really needed in a Bride had fundamentally changed, and another immortal being would make a much finer companion than a mortal with such a short time to serve him. Yes, perhaps that was why he was willing to take Valery, his loneliness demanded that he take someone to amuse him and fight off the isolation his fate had given him.
"Will you commit yourself to me, body, mind, and soul? I give you only this one chance to flee."