Monarch Of Darkness, Arsene

"Is this necessary?" I grunted, slouching on my throne, as Tenebrae stood idly by my side with a content smile.

"Keep that up, and I'll hire a tutor to help keep up your appearance." Feeling her keen eye narrow, I groaned. "Good. Are you ready for the Pale Lord?"

"Yeah…"

"And you're not going to say anything obnoxious?"

"I'm going to try."

"I need some verbal communication."

"I promise not to say anything stupid to the Pale Lord."

"And?"

"And little Melinoë." I finally mustered out, annoyed and embarrassed that I was being treated like a little kid. I swear only Tene could treat me like this… there is just something about her.

Lifting my head, as a flash of a formation caught my eye within my courtyard, I frowned as the stench of blood caught my nose.

"Adrian." I softly wished to say but remained silent.

Peering into his deep red eyes as he bowed his head, I glanced at the small squad I had chosen for him. They were not the best… well, Kuro was, but they had the power to do damage.

"Princess Loretta Volguara Delmaetera is dead."

Damn, that's a long ass name. How does one come up with such a name? Is it just endless syllables jumbled together?

"Arsene?" Tene whispered in a hiss.

"Shit," Clearing my throat, a bright smile rose as I stared at Adrian. " Fine news, disciple. It's always a pleasure to hear that your training has progressed."

Gods, I hate giving out thanks. Why do I have to thank people? Do your fucking job. I'm paying you. Giving you life… and I still have to thank you? That's some next-level bullshit.

Why don't I wipe your ass too? Perhaps than—

Almost bathing in Tene's vicious aura, my spine practically straightened as I cleared my throat.

"Rewards will be delivered to your respected courtyard. And we are having a banquet in a few hours. Go get prepared." I said in a clear regal voice.

Watching as they all saluted, I waved them off and glanced at Tenebrae. " Well? What did I do wrong this time?"

"You a King, Arsene. Not a Fallen like Lucifer, who feeds on the Deprave. You stand with the Night. One of the most regal and feared entities to exist." Tene looked me hard in the eye and folded her arms."A kingdom for which I've spent all my life ruling literally. Garnering both love and animosity with each decision I make. Even if you don't like showing affection, at least fake it in Court."

"But that's why I got you." I pointed out, snapping to my feet. " I don't have the… whats the word empathy? Yeah, let's go with empathy. I don't have enough empathy to give a single fuck. Look at Adrian. That fucker killed a princess. I don't remember giving that order, but you bring him here for praise?"

"That's what normal people do! My god, even the Fallen do it!" Tene snapped back. ' You praise and use. And when all is done, you get rid of them. It can't be that complicated."

"It's not complicated. I"m just saying it's unnecessary communication."

"..."

"..."

"What?" I asked, a little dreadful towards the silence.

"I have never heard the term 'unnecessary communication' used in Court. You're an idiot."

Tenebrae released a long sigh, rested her head over mine, and stared me in the eyes with her blank ones. " You are odd. So odd it's weird."

"But you have been smiling more often since you came to this Forth Heaven." I mused, watching as a slight blush crept over her cheeks.

"Maybe. It's interesting. Plus… I was able to meet Kuro. That little one was quite a surprise." She said, glancing back to where the shadow of Adrian and Kuro had vanished.

"Easy now. Adrian might have an eye on her."

Snorting cutely, Tenebrae smirked. " We'll see."

Hearing her little whisper with that particular cunning glint flickering with mischief, I smiled. " You and Lilith will be sisters, I fear, in the future."

"Oh? We seem utterly different." Tene replied as I returned to my throne.

Pulling the Mother of Night, down onto my lap, with a smile, I chuckled. " When we were young, Lilith was quite mischievous. Lost that spark with all the shit we been through, but… I think you might be able to help her out on that front."

"You know she's closed to giving birth, right?"

"Yeah. Vita, of all people, told me. I'd have thought she'd keep that news away from me. Anyway. Why did you want to speak to the Pale Lord."

"Mephisto of course." Tene replied calmly. "I've got a feeling he is about to pull some shit that will screw everyone but him. He did it once before with the Fall of Angels at Heaven's End."

Tracing my fingers over Tenebreaes thigh as she rested over my lap, I closed my eyes, enjoying the smooth, soothing heat the Night Mother generated.

Tenebrae's chest shuttered as her hold around me tightened. " You know… there is a committee about all things Mephisto. A place where all the brilliant men and women of every Parthenon gather to discuss him."

Enjoying the sweet encompassing warmth as my fingers slid over Tene's exquisite hourglass figure, her soft, gentle breath quickened.

She hated when we did this in Court. But she also hated when we didn't. And despite four hundred years, I've yet to plant my flag.

Peeping my eyes open to Tene's watery eyes, flushed with confusion, innocence, and hesitation, a sinful grin arose across my lips. My arms folded around her waist, pushing her deeper into my fold, I couldn't help but envision her melting in my arms.

"When is the Pale Lord arriving?" I teased, knowing she was the last thing on her mind.

"An hour."

"I don't think an hour is enough time."

"Yeah, you do." She said, inching her lips towards mine.

Stifling a moan, as my right hand held Tene by the thigh, my lips pressed against Tenebrae stealing her breath as she shuttered.

As if the tension in her body had all but dissipated, nodes of darkness began to buzz about, darkening the palace to Night.

"Just one hour, ok?" She hesitantly muttered through hot breaths of air.

"Just one hour," I assured her, lying through my teeth with the brightest smile.