Hell's Consort

Newest Chapter of Highest Tier (January 2022)

*****************************

Archdemon Empress Luna

*****************************

Apollyon appeared to consider whether or not he should tell her the truth. "Yes. Wearing the necklace gave them the gift of sight. We can see what these angels could see." His hand gestured to his chest as if he had concealed his own feather necklace underneath but, why was Luna focusing on the open collar and the mesmerizing veins on his throat, instead? "—and hopefully, that would include the elusive Tree of the Four Seasons. The female Archangel must be the guardian who had kept it hidden from plain sight that is why it was hard to find."

Her husband had informed her that the angel feathers they stole worked like magic which gave him and his own Knights the gift of sight, Luna's eyes widened at the sudden revelation and brought his gaze back to her face. "Did you tell Queen Morgan about the feathers?"

Luna glanced around in vigilance as if expecting Queen Morgan to materialize in that instant from the mere sound of her name.

"I hadn't told anyone except you. I made the special Knights I have chosen to swear a binding oath not to tell anyone of their use." Apollyon was so close and she could feel his puffs of breath on her forehead, stirring a few silky strands of her hair. "Now, do you still want to visit the Tree of the Four Seasons if we find it?"

"Only if there are no demons infiltrating the Autumn Courts. Who knows I can survive with just feeding Ravin's blood to nourish Leo and the other baby demon?" Luna inclined her head and Apollyon' lips brush against her hair. "Eating the fruit will just serve as a supplement, don't you think?"

"Nevertheless, we shouldn't rely on Archdemon Blood alone. The Three Fates have spoken. I'm not going to sacrifice your life for the sake of proving that the prophecy is wrong." Apollyon told her in a deep yet harsh tone while he caressed her cheek.

"I don't understand." Her brows drew together in confusion. "How about Ravin's purpose in  finding it as Hecate had told us?"

"True. I saw no purpose including Ravin in this mission, except that it was what the Goddess Hecate instructed us. If not for the blue feather she was in possession of which Queen Morgan claimed ownership of, what else could his purpose be?" He asked, frustration evident in his tone.

No wonder Apollyon had done everything he could to get rid of Ravin faster because he didn't like the bastard near her and her babies.

The number of loved ones he had to protect just increased which made him constantly on edge.

"I don't know who to believe. The Three Fates said it was impossible for Archdemons to go near the Garden since the Heavenly Magic prevented them from doing so. Why does Hecate require the Archdemon to help?"

Luna scanned the room, searching for Ravin and she met those golden eyes of his. The Archdemon stopped, mid-stride, in the middle of the crowded Great Hall, facing her direction.

His being was focused on hers while he ignored her husband and the rest of the Autumn Faeries waltzing on the dance floor.

The friendly chatters erupting among the peers blended with the stringed instruments playing in the background.

She couldn't quite catch what Ravin had uttered when he opened his mouth but after that, he winked at her and gave Apollyon a mock salute.

Luna's eyes lost him when he proceeded to the string of Fae aristocrats, performers and servants.

Ravin and Sloth were tasked to detain any suspicious people in the Wine Tasting Party and dump them in the dungeons for interrogation.

They never really know if they had possessed noblemen and noblewomen in their midst.

Who else would be better at determining demons and slaying the evil creatures themselves?

Her husband's muscles had tensed, witnessing the quick exchange.

The guests had started drinking in order to feel the mild euphoria buzzing through their alcohol-fueled veins.  "Ravin is riling you up and I just made the mistake of meeting his insolent gaze. Don't react to it, husband, or you will fall right through her trap."

Apollyon didn't respond.

"Husband. Are you alright?"

She flinched, startled when he reached out to put her hands on her shoulders.

She thought that it would never end but finally, he was done ignoring her.

"I think you already know what I'm feeling right now without saying a word. You are here with me but why are you looking at Ravin? There is something else that I have noticed about you and him that I need to mention. Why do you always include Ravin in our conversation, wife?" One of his hands slid to her elbow so that he could pull her closer. "Does drinking his blood made you long for him rather than me?  Was he more delicious, Luna? If you don't stop paying him attention tonight, I would—-"  Apollyon paused while she drowned in his unfathomable gaze. Those arresting blue eyes made her lose her speech.

"Can you just stop? You are driving me on edge. If both of you keep throwing secret glances at another, maybe--" His fingers clasped her chin, forcing her to look at no one but him. "After drinking his blood, you have changed Luna." His tone was grudging and her vision began to blur with tears from his next words. "How many times have you said just his name today? Why are you giving him importance instead of me and our child? I'm tired of being angry that I think I have gone past that emotion. Don't you think I didn't notice you asking me when you can drink his blood while you grew interested in what I have to offer?"

Luna's lips trembled with guilt while her hands clutched her armchair as if doing so would magically take her to her bedroom and escape her husband's accusations.