Chapter 165

Chapter 165: Chapter 165

Unaware of the seeds he had sown in Dulce’s heart, Ruoxi stepped out into his mother’s manor.

Qingyi appeared right after, her eyes narrowed in disapproval. "Here to steal more wine?"

In Lotus Garden, Ruoxi didn’t care to put up a front, madness swirling in the honey-gold of his eyes. "In a manner of speaking."

Qingyi’s inflated anger dissipated, staring at Ruoxi cryptically. Ever since his return he had been distant about his love life... well to be more apt, he was distant about most things that had to do with the Vampire.

So she didn’t ask, already figuring out what was bothering him. "You know where to find it. Try not to drink in the cellar and make a mess." She tagged on but her voice was too gentle to count as scolding.

Ruoxi might have remembered to ask why Qingyi wasn’t being her usual nosy self at any other time but right then, he wanted to forget himself in drink for a while.

He turned to walk away, polite enough to grab several jars of flower wine to take to his room. He sat at the window that Dulce had spent the night drinking at, watching the sun set with a jar of wine in hand.

-+-

After dinner, Dulce retired to his room, distracted. He had sent out a few letters regarding the matter of Kath’tan’s contract as only a handful could be of any help, but there was no telling when he would get a response to the others.

There was also the matter of attending a magic institution that he needed to discuss with Miss Moira. Perhaps after he went fishing with Asael, he could make the quick visit.

He was aware that the witch had returned to Fairwyn, which was no trouble at all for him to make a visit to. He took a bath to settle his thoughts and changed into his nightclothes, wondering if either Kath’tan or Asael would care to play games through the night again.

He crossed his empty room and opened the door, intending to head to the leisure room. He wasn’t much for solemnly reading in his room tonight, not sure if he would get company.

The thought made him remember that Ruoxi was gone, and after Kath’tan’s summons was undone, the Fiend would also leave. His melancholy thoughts were scattered by the sight on the other side of his door.

Asael and Kath’tan stood on the other side, glaring coldly at each other just before he opened the door.

"Is something the matter?" He asked with concern, looking from Demon to Demon.

Asael looked away from the Fiend to Dulce, his black eyes lingering on the Vampire just as he turned away to leave. He waved a hand casually after his back was turned, "Nothing, I’ll be in my room."

Kath’tan didn’t even give the Shadow Demon a glance, completely focused on Dulce. He had prepared methodically for tonight, he wasn’t about to let anyone get in his way, even a dangerous Shadow Assassin.

He was mildly surprised that Asael backed away, it would have been more apt for the Demon to stick around, but he didn’t dwell much on that.

"Let’s sleep together tonight," He invited, taking a step forward.

Dulce took a step back at that, "I can’t sleep," He reminded, taking another step back. He had fed from Kath’tan the night they arrived at Dewmire, it had just been a little over a week since then, he didn’t need more blood.

Kath’tan could see the defensiveness in the Vampire’s eyes, his shoulders growing tense, the first step of his plan was already in shambles. He knew that Dulce would be perfectly fine with laying down with him, but he didn’t want the Vampire awake keeping watch while he slept.

"I’ll remedy that," He said seriously, closing the distance quicker than the Vampire could step away.

"There’s no need to," Dulce turned down, letting himself be caught. He knew that if he let Kath’tan get away with it, the Fiend would insist on him feeding nightly which was a waste of precious lifeblood. "You can still sleep with me."

Kath’tan’s expression darkened, at any other time, he would have simply barreled over Dulce’s defenses, but he was trying to be gentler now. "Why not?" He demanded, aggrieved. "Does it harm you?"

Dulce looked up at the Demon in bewilderment, unable to move because of the powerful arm around his waist. "It’s blood. Not at all." He said plainly.

Being able to have other means of sustenance meant that he wasn’t completely dependent on blood to survive, and as someone who would likely survive even without blood, its importance only kept dwindling. So he was just a tad more sensitive to blood than most Vampires, prone to getting blood drunk, but it caused him no harm.

If anything, it only offered him benefits. But he had no use for the benefits so he would rather Kath’tan kept his blood for himself.

"If you want me to sleep with you," He kept speaking, "In that case, I’ll arrange for blood-"

His words were cut off by a punishing kiss, one that sent him reeling. He calmly pushed the Demon away, his swollen lips and teary eyes contrasting with his calm expression.

"You didn’t let me finish speaking." He said helplessly.

Kath’tan’s jaw was clenched, burning purple eyes fixed on Dulce’s bruised lips, he hadn’t been gentle. "You don’t have to drink from others." He forced himself to say, instead of his demands that Dulce only feed from him.

"Well I can’t keep drinking from you," Dulce said plainly, trying to break free from Kath’tan’s hold. From this distance, he wouldn’t put it past the Demon to feed him another mouthful of blood.

Kath’tan’s expression remained stubborn, holding on tightly to the slippery Vampire. "You can."

Dulce’s patience was endless, and he was also resolute, Kath’tan had no hope of winning against him. "Why don’t we move to the bed?" He offered lightly.

Kath’tan glanced past him and reluctantly pulled away, reminding himself once again that he needed to be gentle.