Chapter 249

Chapter 249: Chapter 249

Dulce took little sips from each jar of flower wine, falling into a garden of flavors, it was no surprise then that he got himself drunk.

He cradled the nearly empty jug of elderflower wine, half-lying on the table, his gold-blond hair splayed out. Yet no one approached his table, not brothel ladies, nor other boisterously drunk patrons.

It hadn’t even been up to an hour since the others moved to a private room, and Dulce could no longer sit upright, the room spun behind his closed eyes. It was a cool spring night, the medley of scents made him feel like he was laying in his mother’s garden.

"You shouldn’t drink any more." A familiar voice broke into the haze of his disjointed memories.

Dulce slowly opened his eyes, squinting up at Caedos. The Hellhound was as composed as ever, but it was hard to miss the concern in his eyes and voice, all of the previous coldness gone.

He stared at the Demon, saying nothing. He didn’t drink anymore, but it was difficult to say if it was because Caedos asked or simply because he couldn’t.

Caedos glanced to the side, like the mere sight of the Vampire was far too much. "Do you want to leave?"

Dulce parted his lips as if to speak, but only a hiccup came out, flushed and dazed from wine. "To the private room?" He finally spoke, his words more than a little slurred.

Caedos pried the jug of wine from him then, his tone was gentle but his gaze was anything but. "If you want."

Dulce let the jug go, he should let himself be taken home - wherever that was. A homestay in Ensbury, the Marlen Manor, the cottage...

But his journey with the Demons was only temporary, then he would go back to wandering alone. Maybe he would take out his heart once more, and sleep for another handful of decades.

He pushed himself to sit upright, swaying slightly, his dress shirt even more dishelved after been passed around and pinned down. "Let’s go." He agreed, his words more measured.

Caedos hesitated slightly, "That’s a dangerous decision." He said bluntly, not hiding his intention.

Dulce rolled his eyes and bravely tried to get to his feet, the Demons insistence on viewing him as a hapless naive maiden was beyond him. He used his hands to push himself off his cushion, "I walked into a brothel of my own volition," He deigned to point out.

Caedos was quick to support him, pulling the tipsy Vampire into his arms. Even if he had shielded perception of him, they would have still drawn attention, much less now that the towering Demon was in plain sight for all to see.

Dulce pushed him away when he got to his feet, stumbling slightly. At any other time, he would have sought the privacy and safety of his home, intoxication was a dangerous vulnerability he couldn’t afford.

But he wasn’t even allowed to enjoy the entertainment of a harmless courtesan, as aggravating as the Demons were, he knew with certainty, that he wouldn’t come to harm in their presence... or absence really.

Because it wasn’t until the moment he sprawled over the table, looking to outsiders like he had passed out, that Caedos made an appearance. It meant that he had been watched the entire time.

Dulce gave the tall Demon a once-over, noting that although Caedos stayed by his side, he made no attempt to reach for him again. "Can I not even have human blood?"

The question felt strange on his tongue; his tone was begrudging, and even through his inebriation, a pout could be heard in his voice. Asking for permission was so unfamiliar that it was incredibly difficult to get the simple sentence out.

Caedos’ indulgent gaze cooled, "No."

Dulce scoffed lightly - he should have expected that. "I’m not drinking your blood." He grumbled.

Caedos held out a hand, giving him a choice at his whim. "There are others." The Hellhound said, a cryptic emotion in his voice.

Dulce placed his hand in the Demon’s offered hand, knowing better than to turn down the offer. Standing was already taking a lot out of him, the room spun constantly, and although he hadn’t taken a step, it felt like he was floating.

He mentally went through his limited options; Kath’tan’s blood was a sedative, a simple sip, and he would be immediately forced into a trance, completely blood drunk.

Asael’s silver blood was the safest option, but Ruoxi was a true temptation. The Incubus’ blood tasted like lotus wine, it was dangerously tempting, and it came with dangerous consequences.

The light in the hall had mysteriously dimmed, but it made little difference to Dulce, so he hadn’t noticed it right away. The private room was completely sectioned off, the walls were made of paper, sounds and conversation spilling in from the other rooms.

Three pairs of eyes shot to the entrance when he stepped in, still guided by Caedos because he had no hope of making it in himself.

The entirety of the floor was cushioned, with throw pillows and rugs scattered around. Every single private room couldn’t be equipped with a fireplace, so the brothel found an alternate way to keep them heated.

Dulce allowed himself to be lowered to a cushion, sighing. How juvenile, he had proposed the agreement; his actions earlier were incredibly juvenile.

The private room also had a low table, it was weighed down with even more jugs of alcohol, and from looking at the quiet Demons studying him, he couldn’t say if they were empty or not.

"I’m thirsty," Dulce broke the silence. Although he had said it normally, it was said to a room full of Demons eager to cater to him, it added a subtle air of petulance to his simply spoken words.

It was evident that he wasn’t speaking about wine or water, a thirsty Vampire was self-explanatory.

Dulce had an elbow propped against the low table, constantly leaning on something. He swept his gaze over Kath’tan, it was probably the best option, but he didn’t want to put an end to the night just yet.

There was an unfamiliar thrill that he had almost forgotten he could feel, his cheek supported against a palm. His heavy-lidded gaze lingered on Asael, and it almost seemed like he would choose the Shadow Demon

"Ruoxi," He said instead, the Demon’s name faintly slurred.

Ruoxi’s dark pink eyes caught fire at the unexpected choice, he thought back to the few times he had seen Dulce drunk. The Vampire was either fast asleep, or rambling endlessly.

But this time, there was a fluid sensuality clinging to his flushed skin. It showed in the way he leaned on everything, his gaze unwittingly sultry.

"Can... I have a drink?" Dulce completed grudgingly. There was no question that most of his requests would be instantly fulfiled - unless it was using the services of a courtesan or drinking human blood - but he was too proud to freely ask.

Ruoxi had drunk sparingly, he could tolerate a jug of lotus wine so human-made alcohol was scarcely a worry. But he didn’t really care for wine - in Huayuan, it was a constant, lotus wine as common as water.

He leaned back in response, silently inviting the Vampire. Unlike the stunned Demons at the table, Ruoxi knew that Dulce knew exactly what he was getting into - the Vampire had already drunk his blood once.

Dulce ignored the stares boring a hole into him, easily making his way over to Ruoxi. Very little had been said since he joined them in the private room, yet, even though he was reluctant to admit it, the gloomy cloud that hung over him had dispersed.

Kath’tan’s gaze was a sea of purple flames, and it was evident that the Fiend was itching to say a word or ten. Clearly displeased with Dulce’s choice, he said nothing, it wasn’t like he was a much better choice.

Asael, who had been the expected choice, said nothing, he picked up a jug of ale. Able to easily outdrink the entire room, it was almost redundant to bother with drinking, but it kept his hands busy, so he lifted the jug to his lips.

Dulce ended up on Ruoxi, he took one look at the dangerous glint in the Demon’s eyes and suddenly wanted to be somewhere else. But, he didn’t need to go off on his own again to realize that, regardless of how much the Demons irked him, nothing else could hold his attention.

He pushed his hand through his hair to get the tousled locks out of his face, placing his hands on Ruoxi’s shoulders.

The Demon was in a simple dark brown waistcoat, his dress shirt black. There was no longer anyone to fuss over them to cover up because Dulce was wearing the least clothing. Even Kath’tan still had an overcoat on; Caedos and Asael properly dressed.

Ruoxi had his long black hair tied back, it showed the hard contours of the Demon’s face, taking away most of the effortless charm Cubi Demons possessed and replacing it with dangerous sensuality.