Chapter 126

Chapter 126: Chapter 126

"It’s going to be winter when we get to my little cottage in Dewmire," Dulce rambled quietly, conversations by the sea with Caedos were always doused in the blue of the water. "I’m worried you won’t like the snow."

Caedos looked away, it was getting incredibly difficult to keep his distance, but they had an agreement. After he saved his kind, he could return and claim his mate.

He thought of the other Demons, filled with distaste for them but willing to accept Dulce however he came, even if it was with other Demons who looked at him with a dark hunger in their eyes.

"Flaeris has five suns, you should be more worried about Kath’tan." He said lightly.

Dulce’s eyes widened a fraction, like he had missed something vital to be worried about.

Like the Fiend had been privy to the conversation, he chose that moment to saunter over, wearing only a dress shirt, most of the buttons undone.

"Kath’tan, how do you feel about snow?" He asked right away.

The Fiend slowed to a stop, resting his side against the banister so he was staring directly at Dulce and not the ocean. "Why?" He had to ask, at a loss.

"It’ll be winter when we get to Dewmire," Dulce explained.

"And if it doesn’t agree with me?" He asked lightly, "What will you do?"

"Have proper coats made for you," Dulce replied without hesitation, "Rather, I’ll do that regardless. Perhaps have your clothes in-lined with fur?" He quietly debated himself.

Kath’tan was immediately discouraged by the mention of more clothes, unused to the several layers of clothing preferred on Earth. "It’s just a bit of snow, how bad can a little cold be?"

Dulce looked the Demon over, unconvinced. "I should include that in my letters, you will all need clothes for winter."

Caedos said nothing to that, his distant gaze drifting to the sea while Kath’tan tried to talk Dulce out of padding his clothes. He might very well not be around to wear the clothes being made for him, but he kept that to himself. Even if he couldn’t wear it now, he planned to when he returned.

They soon moved to the seating provided for guests, spending most of the day on the deck, mostly watching the sea. The entire time, Ruoxi remained absent, the Incubus sequestered away in his cabin.

They returned below deck after dinner, the sky dark, the deck emptying out.

Dulce headed to his room first, there was still a bit of color to his skin even though he hadn’t fed since he was in the Hells. There had been so much bustle that he had almost forgotten to let Ruoxi eat, so he right away prepared to remedy that.

Out of habit, he went to Kath’tan’s cabin first, realizing only after his first knock that there was really no reason to feed before seeking out Ruoxi.

His fist remained frozen in the air, the door opening before he could put it down and plan his departure.

"My apologies..." He started off his explanation, barely getting out the first few words before his fist was caught and he was pulled into the room with it.

"You’re going to give the Incubus food to eat," Kath’tan easily deduced, pulling the Vampire against him and securing him by his waist. "What’s there to apologize about?"

"I sought you out before I remembered that there’s no more danger from him eating." Dulce explained, trying to shimmy out of the Demon’s hold to avoid taking his blood when there was no need to.

Kath’tan’s expression shuttered, his hold around the Vampire’s slight waist tightening. "Why are you still feeding him then?"

"Because he asked," Dulce said simply, "I drank a lot from Asael in Noctyrn, you don’t need to be worried for me."

Kath’tan’s jaw tensed, reminded that he was no different from Ruoxi. Those open silver blue eyes never hid anything, Dulce only agreed because he asked.

It was maddening, knowing that the Vampire would never turn him down but would also never take the initiative.

"I’m not worried," Was all he said, leaning in to close the distance.

Dulce instinctively leaned back, suspicion in his eyes. "Do you have blood in your mouth?"

Kath’tan didn’t expect to be asked so bluntly, he let out a low chuckle, sticking his tongue out to show proof. "Do I?"

Dulce let the kiss happen then, the Demon’s dexterous tongue sliding over his sharp teeth. He pulled away first, remembering that he had a task at hand.

Kath’tan clenched his fists by his side as he watched the Vampire go. This was the arrangement they both agreed to, why then was he so dissatisfied?

Unaware of the roiling turmoil he left behind, Dulce made his way to Ruoxi’s cabin, knocking lightly. The faint scent of lotus was familiar and he was already shrugging off his waistcoat as he walked in.

"I apologize for taking so long," He said lightly, sitting at the edge of the bed.

Ruoxi was still at the doorway, completely without a shirt for the first time. His physique was entrancing, powerful but elegant, the smooth lines of his back flowing with every movement he made.

He could have eaten last night while they were in Boussiney and every night they stopped to rest, but he rather liked Dulce seeking him out. The Vampire was merely making sure he wasn’t starved but Ruoxi would take what he was given.

"Will you always wait for a fortnight?" He asked quietly as he closed the distance.

Dulce’s hands were behind him, undoing the ties that held back his hair. "Do you not want me to?" He asked in turn, his hair framing his face as he dropped his hands.

Ruoxi fell silent, "Do what you want." He muttered after a pause, gloomy.

Dulce thought nothing of it, perhaps he could have the Incubus eat a little sooner and not until he was sleeping to conserve energy or unable to leave his room. He nodded in response, more to himself, reaching out a hand to Ruoxi.

The Demon folded easily, completely closing the distance to take the Vampire’s lips.