Chapter 157

Chapter 157: Chapter 157

But before he could process all that, Dulce had already recovered. The Vampire stepped away from the tree, his sweater covering his porcelain skin again. "Let’s return."

Kath’tan had been the one to suggest it first so he couldn’t turn it down, going after Dulce. The pond was just as peaceful as he had left it, cold gazes passing over him when he returned.

Dulce went right to the wicker basket, the marks on his neck still as vivid, they looked like they were about to drip blood. Kath’tan did not care for fruits but he absently took one when he was offered, settling down on the blankets to bite into it.

Dulce took a pear for himself now, laying down with it in his hand. A peaceful expression on his face as he soaked in the sun, it was such a blissful time that it was rather difficult to stay in the moment. To someone like him who had lived for so long, a day was scarcely different from a year, it would be difficult to return to life without his companions.

The companions in question had dark gazes fixed on him, their expressions inscrutable as they watched him.

They left the pond as the sun started to go down, backlit by the reddish rays of the diminishing sun as they made their way back to the cottage.

The heavy barrel of fish was generously shared with the servants, there was no need for dinner that night, so the cook promised to make a spread of fish dishes the next day.

The day had been an eventful one, and knowing he couldn’t sleep anyway, Dulce retired to a leisure room after taking a bath. The fireplace was cold which was no surprise, after the generous sunshine today, the temperature had gone up, it was a particularly warm night.

The windows were open and the curtains parted to let in the cool air outside. He had mentioned that he would sit in the leisure room for a while so he soon had company.

Kath’tan showed up without a shirt, his hair bound tightly behind him. Dulce withheld his concern this time, it was rather warm, he was also tempted to take his nightshirt off. He made do with undoing the top buttons, the wide-necked outfit coming dangerously close to falling off a pale shoulder.

Asael arrived next, it was rare for the Shadow Demon to leave his hair unbound, his white hair damp and curling slightly at the edges.

"Do either of you care for cards?" Dulce asked to fill the tense silence, there was a trio of armchairs in a corner around a table, it was the perfect spot.

He had been expecting Kath’tan and Asael, but he wasn’t quite sure Ruoxi would come. Sometimes, the Incubus preferred his own company.

Dulce went to get the stack of cards when he received positive responses, his silver blue eyes glistening with happiness. "Are either of you proficient at cards?" He asked to make conversation, settling into an armchair.

Kath’tan was already on the move, there were only three armchairs, he would sit next to Dulce regardless of which he chose. "I don’t know how to play." He said bluntly, but it didn’t dim the interest in his eyes.

"I’ve gambled with some sketchy figures," Asael revealed easily, taking the last open armchair.

"Old Maid is simple and lighthearted enough..." Dulce started to say.

"What’s a fun game without stakes?" Kath’tan cut in, purple fire smoldering in his eyes.

Asael shot him a look, those were rather bold words for someone who had just admitted they had never played before.

Dulce took out the cards from their case, preparing them for the game. "What kind of stakes?" He asked guilelessly.

Kath’tan faltered now, not quite sure what exactly counted as a stake. "What were the stakes, Asael?" He turned the question on the Shadow Demon.

"My life." The Demon said coolly.

"I didn’t take you as someone who took chances." Dulce noted lightly, unfazed by the conversation.

Asael dropped his gaze to the slender fingers expertly shuffling through cards. "They were already dead men." He said flippantly.

"Since we’re just playing to pass the time, there is no need to bet anything." Dulce easily resolved the matter, briefly explaining the rules of the game before placing down cards.

A short while later, Asael and Kath’tan were holding four and three cards respectively, Dulce smiling on the side.

The Shadow Demon was completely relaxed, despite having the most cards. There were no stakes, losing or winning, it didn’t matter, and it wasn’t a completely terrible way to pass the time.

Kath’tan on the other hand, didn’t share his laidback attitude. The Fiend was intense, his face carved into a stoic mask. He didn’t have the Old Maid card but that could change at any time.

Asael held out his cards with a single hand for Kath’tan to pick one, his jaw resting on his other hand. His white hair fell forward slightly, now completely dry.

Kath’tan stared intently at the smattering of stars on the back of the cards presented to him, the tiny stars almost seemed to twinkle at him. He reached out to hover over the cards, staring at his opponent with intensity in his purple eyes.

Asael remained impassive, endless patience in his eyes as he watched Kath’tan go from card to card hoping to draw a reaction from him. The Fiend eventually settled on a card, still keeping a stoic expression although the card he picked was no secret.

Asael picked out a card without hesitation when it came to his turn, forming a pair and leaving him with two cards.

Kath’tan couldn’t hide his scowl now, what should have been his deciding victory had crushed his plans, the Old Maid staring at him mockingly from the deck of cards he held.

He picked a card boldly this time, knowing there was nothing to fear, also forming a pair.

Asael now had a single card while he held two, if the Shadow Demon picked the Old Maid then he had one final chance to win. He held his breath as the Demon played his turn, reaching out to take one of his offered cards.

Asael had treated the entire game with mild interest, but now he sat up, a wave of competition washing over him. One of the cards Kath’tan held was the pair to his final card, for the first time, he hovered a hand over the cards.

The Fiend was watertight, his stoic expression remaining unchanged regardless of which card was about to be taken. Asael bit back a smile, reaching down to take one at random. In the split moment that it seemed like he had made a decision, Kath’tan’s expression cracked, relief seeping through.

With a sharp-toothed grin, Asael took the other card, ruthlessly making a pair. "You’re like an open book." He mocked, smearing salt on his wounds.

Kath’tan gritted his teeth, putting down the Old Maid card so he wouldn’t rip it. "Let’s play again," He half-growled, the fire in his eyes burning now.

Dulce delicately gathered the cards, he had been about to suggest a break because emotions were running high but he doubted Kath’tan would agree to that.

He also came to learn something new about Asael, the Shadow Demon rather liked to win, warming up to risks without consequences. He skirted the edges of danger, aggravating Kath’tan more and more with his underhanded tactics.

By morning, they were still playing, Dulce roped into the never-ending game. It was only interrupted by the arrival of Ruoxi.

The Incubus strode in a belted night robe and pants, his long hair wild from sleep. "Did you spend all night here?" He asked.

Dulce had just been about to reshuffle the cards for another game when he glanced out the window in mild surprise. "Yes. It’s already light out, perhaps we should take a break."

Kath’tan’s scowl was black, the Fiend shooting to his feet and storming out of the room, having not won a game all night. There was nothing mellowing about hobbies, they only served to imbue him with rage.

"What’s his problem?" Ruoxi asked without tact as he watched Kath’tan storm out.

"We were playing cards all night," Dulce explained, putting away the cards. "Kath’tan didn’t have great luck."

Ruoxi glanced at the quiet Shadow Demon very pleased with himself and filled in the rest of the gaps himself. "Perhaps I’ll join in next time," He said lightly, his charming smile hiding danger.

Dulce paused as he returned the cards to the shelf, wondering if he would be better off hiding the cards. Asael was a handful by himself, adding Ruoxi to the mix was rather unfair to Kath’tan.

It truly was already bright outside, servants arriving at the cottage by carriage to go through their daily duties. It meant that the leisure room emptied out, its previous occupants getting ready for the day.