Hell's Consort

<strong>Newest Chapter of Highest Tier (January 2022)</strong>

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<strong>Archdemon Empress Luna</strong>

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"Go ahead, Luna. Allow him to do it. I wouldn't be petty this time." Apollyon sounded amused that it scared her a little. "Just do the talking in front of me." He prompted, and his blue eyes never left Ravin's. "No sneaking around with other males that I don't trust aside from your husband."

The statement earned a chuckle from the Archdemon. "How controlling, Vampire King."

Tilting his head at him, he drawled and gestured at her. "You think women like that particular trait in their mates? Women like Amare value respect and their freedom very much. She had told me so when we used to be…." He paused as if hesitating whether he should reveal  something more and irk Apollyon even more, but it ended with, "—together."

"She isn't like another woman. Don't lump her in with the women you have known because she is one of a kind." Apollyon's hand was on top of her head as he petted her like she were his cat.

It wasn't proper to touch her like that as purebred ladies and gentlemen gaped at them, but she had no objection.

She would never shy away from her husband's touch.

"My destined mate only belonged to me. If she loves me and still considers me as your mate, then she should be fine with it." Glancing down at her, his warm hand continued to massage her head, "Right, wife?"

She was too exhausted to prove him wrong. "I am fine with it."

Ravin's mouth curved into an arrogant smirk. "Continue scaring her and driving her away with this possessiveness so that she will run towards me."

Apollyon was silent for a moment before he replied coolly, "No woman will settle for the second option if they had the best of the best."

"If you say so." Ravin gave him a half-shrug before he switched his attention to her.

<< someone attempted to kidnap Princess Sapphire, Amare..>>

Oh, my goddess!

<<Was it Hephaestus?>> She prompted, and she hoped that her desperation wouldn't show as she tried to keep her face bland.

It wasn't the bad news she had expected, but it was better than welcoming the Archdemon of Lust to their doorstep.

Luna didn't want her husband to worry about the little things when he had a lot on his plate right now.

<<I initially thought it was him, but according to the girl, it was a female. >> Ravin's mouth pressed into a tight line.

Meanwhile, her brows ha furrowed in confusion.

<<Princess Ourania,then?>>

<<"It crossed my mind, but it was impossible. You forgot that Sloth had made her invalid.>> Ravin continued to project his thoughts. <<She couldn't stand. Much less abduct a strong twelve-year-old girl.>>

Luna nodded in agreement.

Narrowing her eyes at him, she had to ask him again to be sure. <<You told us that she had visited the Autumn Castle with Hephaestus after Apollyon went home early from the Autumn Palace, right?>>

<<Yes, and I stood by that truth. I have seen her, but I didn't get the chance to talk to her.>> Ravin affirmed, and Luna noticed that their group's silence seemed to assure the guests that everything was alright and nobody was in actual danger. They just resumed dancing, eating, drinking wines, or to whatever they were doing before the quick blackout. At least, nobody had tried to escape and followed Sloth's order in peace.>>

<< How did she manage to arrive her safely?>>

<<I had no idea how Hephaestus brought the crazy woman here, but I am confident that she wouldn't be able to stand after what Sloth did. I saw her in a wheelchair before she went to a private room to talk to Queen Morgan, and I don't think that was a pretense.>> Ravin replied patiently.

<<Perhaps, the God of Fire teleported her here?>>

<<That seemed to be the only logical explanation.>> The deep baritone echoing in her mind had jarred her a little that it took her a few seconds to figure out that it was, indeed, her husband.

Her head immediately whipped to the side, and his hand fell from the top of her head so that she could stroke her short silver hair.

<<Apollyon! Were you eavesdropping on the conversation all along?>>

<<I am your mate, so I should be part of these meetings of the minds. I am offended that you are shocked. Ignore me and continue.>> Apollyon was a natural in moving the conversation forward. <<So, does this mean that Hephaestus and Ourania weren't able to infiltrate the Household? Are we facing another unknown enemy here?>>

<<Well, that unknown enemy we are talking about here almost stole your grimoire, but she just tore a page, only one. >> It was Sloth who answered Apollyon's question, and she scowled at him when he stepped forward a little.

How was he able to join this discussion without her permission?

Maybe, it was because they had a connection through the 'master-familiar' bond.

<<How did that person manage to open it when it was locked? I sealed it with the Underworld Magic that Hecate bestowed me.>> At that moment, Luna realized something else. <<Princess Ourania was the only person I knew who Underworld Magic had. I'm sure Hecate had taken back the gift she had bestowed upon her by now since she wasn't worthy of it. Where is the book now, Sloth?>>

<< In that particular box in your closet were the maidservants folded your lingeries and undergarments.>> His words came out in an ashamed rush.

<<How did you know where it was exactly if you hadn't been rummaging there?>> Apollyon had his priorities as a husband.

He always asked the right questions.

<<Don't get me wrong. My Archdemon senses just told me it was there. I ignored the thin black laces and ribbon drawers and never imagined you wearing them. I don't think it would suit you.>> Luna didn't miss the telltale flush on Sloth's cheekbones as he tried to change the topic. <<We had no idea how someone could get past our defenses. My brother and I were cautious and monitored each face of our guests and committed it to memory. We will know if someone has gone missing..>>

Well, there was someone she was suspicious of.

Luna opened her mouth to speak. "The opera singer seemed to have disappeared after—"

She didn't finish her words because someone had attacked her from the side.