Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Dulce couldn’t see it that way, he still hadn’t forgotten his goal of a loyal pet, the Demons he had inconvenienced with his mistakes would soon return to their lives, even Ruoxi, they certainly wouldn’t choose to stay with him for all of his endless days.

"Do you think you could help me draw up a perfect sigil to summon a Hellhound?" He asked nervously.

Moira’s green eyes went wide, a blinding grin on her haunting features. "I would gladly pay you with my soul to let me be a part of a successful summons."

"There is no need to go so far, I would be in your debt if you assist me." Dulce declined politely, "I actually came here for a different reason," He started, glancing at Kath’tan.

Moira was barely listening, intently taking in each Demon, itching to ask them to show her their horns and wings.

"I added a cause that prevents me from undoing my first summons, and I clearly have to resolve that." He said in a small voice.

Moira’s excitement didn’t dim, "You permanently bound a Demon to you?" She said in amazement, barely able to stand still without rocking on the balls of her feet.

"Not purposefully," Dulce excused, he really had let his greed get the better of him. "I need to undo it. Could you help me?"

"I’m afraid I can’t, Dulce," Moira shook her head, "I can’t even summon a weak, young Demon, much less undo such powerful magic attached to a strong Demon."

Dulce’s lips turned down, he hadn’t been expected to be turned down so completely. "Is there no way at all to undo the summons?"

Moira stole the chance to approach the Demons, excitement brimming in her eyes as she peered at Kath’tan’s claws, the Demon glancing down at her in mild interest.

"Not at all!" She announced with far more enthusiasm than the topic elicited, reaching out to lightly touch Kath’tan’s claws.

Dulce hurriedly pulled her away from the Demon, "No renowned mage or artifact can undo it?" He asked in a growing panic.

Moira’s attention was still on the Fiend, they were rarely summoned due to how volatile they were, so she was rightfully enthralled to see one in person. "I’m afraid only you have the power to undo the summons. After your feats, you are now miles ahead of the so-called renowned mages."

"How about a summons that can be undone?" Ruoxi joined the conversation while Dulce silently fretted, "Is it possible to not return to the very spot one was summoned from?"

Moira thought about it, well-versed in the subject of summoning Demons. "It is. It is quite an easy matter, the summoner can choose where to send the object of their summons when the pact is broken, it can be done at anytime, they simply need to envision it." She explained at length.

Ruoxi turned to Dulce, an expectant look on his face. The matter of Kath’tan’s pact remaining unbroken still hanging heavy in the small side room.

"W-Where would you like to go after I undo the summons?" Dulce gathered himself together to ask.

"Right next to you," Ruoxi said smoothly.

It was such a shameless request, but Dulce took it seriously, thinking hard. After a minute of silence, he turned to Moira, "Is it really that easy..." He started to ask, his question trailing off at the glowing sigils that circled Ruoxi.

The Incubus glanced at the familiar light at his feet, a gentle smile on his face. "It apparently is," He said as the light faded.

"And me?" Kath’tan demanded into the brief silence, chasing the confirmation that he was truly bound to Dulce for the foreseeable future.

At first, it had been a damning sentence, but now it was freeing, it would save him.

"I apologize," Dulce said contritely, regretful, "But we will need to keep searching for a way to undo your summons, so if you could tolerate the inconvenience for a while longer."

Kath’tan stared down at Dulce with an indecipherable look in his eyes, hope in the mix of emotions swirling in the deep purple sea. Outwardly, he scoffed, "Like my hands aren’t tied."

"Oh! There is something I need to tell..." Moira started to say, only to be interrupted by the side door opening.

"You kept me waiting for so long I grew impatient," A woman with a stately beauty stepped into the room.

"Your Majesty," Moira curtsied low, sending Dulce into a panic.

"T-The Queen?" He blurted out in disbelief.

"I apologize for not mentioning it earlier," Moira whispered to him in a rush, "Her Majesty had shown interest in my company for today..."

The Demons were closest to the doors, the three of them staring down the Queen. She wore a light veil, which was held in place by her crown, but Demonic senses were incredibly sharp, they could immediately tell that she was a Vampire, the veil just barely hiding her red eyes.

It was such an ironic turn of things that it gave them pause. To think that the Queen hunting down Vampires was one herself.

Dulce didn’t notice, beside himself with panic. "Your Majesty," He addressed her politely, bowing.

"I didn’t mean to startle you, I merely wanted to invite you and your..." The Queen sneered down at the Demons like they were no more than mangy dogs, "...companions to be guests of the crown. Fear not." She spoke gently to Dulce, leaving as quickly as she came.

"Did you tell her what I was?" Dulce whispered to Moira when the Queen departed, taking with her the attention of the Demons.

Moira scratched her head like she was having a difficult time putting her explanation into words. "Queen Aylin would never hurt you," She finally managed, "I can swear on my soul-"

"There’s no reason to," Dulce cut her off, still distressed despite her enthusiastic reassurance. "How long will we be required to be guests of the crown?" He frowned.

Moira right away opened her mouth to respond, only to choke back her words, an odd expression on her face like she knew more than she said. "I’m afraid only Her Majesty can answer that."