Chapter 144

Chapter 144: Chapter 144

The kiss had been unexpected, not unwelcome, Dulce sinking into it. His back was against one of the crabapple trees, the colorful foliage partially obscuring them from view.

Ruoxi placed a hand over the slight swell of his hip, an arm around his back to cushion him from the rough trunk of the trees. It was a normal kiss, the aphrodisiac in his saliva inhibited. It was simply so that he could kiss the Vampire for longer without tormenting him.

Dulce broke away from the kiss first and when Ruoxi leaned back to get a look at his face, it startled him for a moment, thinking he had somehow forgotten to inhibit the aphrodisiac he produced.

The Vampire’s eyes drooped, his face flushed, lips parted. Ruoxi stared far longer than he needed to, the alluring sight stroking his ego. He had just wanted to steal a kiss, but not anymore after the glimpse he caught of Dulce’s face.

He leaned in for another kiss, gentler this time, pulling away first. He easily dropped to the soft grass underfoot, clicking his teeth in dissatisfaction - the Vampire wore far too many clothes.

He bit down lightly on Dulce’s hip to expel some of the frustration of not being able to get to more of the Vampire’s cool skin, drawing a soft gasp from him.

Ruoxi took Dulce’s lightly misted tip into his mouth, he knew the Vampire was sensitive but he had ascribed most of it to aphrodisiacs, but he slender hands buried in his hair said otherwise.

He lightly scratched the Vampire’s length with his tongue, that light, sweet taste he craved pooling at the back of his throat.

The Vampire’s muffled cry when he came down his tongue pulled Ruoxi’s attention upward, his view limited. When he rose to his feet, he better saw Dulce resting weakly against the trunk of the tree, flushed and out of breath.

Ruoxi tidied him up, the teasing smile he wore at odds with the dark hunger in his eyes. "We don’t want to be late for breakfast." He said deviously, not even giving Dulce a moment to recover.

Dulce hadn’t tied back his hair after his bath so his hair was everywhere, pale tendrils sticking to his face. He blinked dazedly, letting Ruoxi take his hand and pull him away from the tree.

It was mid-morning by the time they returned to the cottage, they stepped into the dining room just as the last of the dishes were served, Asael’s eyes only getting darker.

Dulce was yet to completely recover from his orgasm, being led around by Ruoxi with disheveled clothes, tousled hair, and kiss-bruised lips.

Kath’tan was the last to arrive in the dining room, the Fiend was the most well-dressed he had ever been in a while. Even remembering to tuck in his dress shirt, his overcoat unbuttoned.

"I’m going to pay a visit to Ashford," He said at the table but really it was only directed at Dulce.

"Do you need me to come along?" Dulce immediately offered.

Kath’tan looked the Vampire over and then glanced at Ruoxi who was intently focused on his meal. "You don’t," He turned down.

His visit to the Hells wasn’t just to see his mother, he also wanted to do some research. Maybe his mother could teach him how to be gentler... Kath’tan mused only to remember the memory of her beating up Zazrel.

It would only be effective if Dulce was her student, the Vampire was so gentle and pliable, it made his inability to be gentle all the more stark in comparison.

Dulce frowned slightly, losing his appetite - Kath’tan had also just fed him the night before so he was completely satiated. The matter of Kath’tan’s contract would keep arising until he found a solution. Even now, there was no telling if the Demon could return to his home without his presence

After breakfast, he requested that Asael make a portal to the Hells, standing to the side in trepidation when it was time to leave.

Kath’tan saw the worry the Vampire wore and warmth bloomed in his middle, placing a kiss on the furrows between his brows before stepping into the portal.

Dulce braced for something to go wrong, sighing in relief when the portal closed without incident. Missing Asael’s eyes on him, he went right to his study, he needed to call in some favors.

-+-

The portal opened to the outskirts of Ashford much to Kath’tan’s surprise, the city was walled, watch towers erected at intervals. He didn’t approach it, simply warping directly to his own room.

He would have gone directly to his mother’s room, but she wasn’t expecting him, it was rude to barge right into her room without warning. He didn’t expect to find her in his room, her head in his wardrobe.

Kath’tan stopped to watch her, wondering what she was so engrossed in looking for that she didn’t even register his presence. An indescribable emotion filled his eyes when she took out one of his cloaks, haphazardly folded it, and gently placed it back.

"Mother," He said quietly, taking a step forward. The word was unfamiliar on his tongue, he almost stumbled over it.

Valrena whipped around agilely, a happy smile on her face at the sight of her son. "Kath’tan! You came to visit," She said even as she hastily shoved another piece of clothing into his wardrobe to hide that she had been aimlessly folding his clothes.

He watched her quickly close the distance only to hesitate at the last moment, so he took the initiative to take a step forward, letting her pull him into his arms.

Valrena hugged him tight like she hadn’t seen her child in decades. She had woken up especially listless that morning, her inability to fight exacerbating the emotion. Kath’tan taking the time to visit her meant a lot to her.

"How have you fared?" She asked warmly, fixing his hair that had gotten blown as he journeyed through the portal.