Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Chapter 58

Caedos looked back at the strange creature, his stomach rumbling. He was starving, forced to defend himself as soon as he stepped into sunlight for the first time.

He nodded, his throat sore from all the growling and howling he had done. He wasn’t quite sure what was going on, or where he was, but he instinctively knew he was safe, falling headfirst into the happy smile his savior wore.

"The entirety of the kitchens would be honored to serve you," Moira found her voice, clinging to a desk at the edge of the room to stop herself from launching across the room to get to the Hellhound.

Queen Aylin hoped to keep Dulce in the castle with her forever, and although she didn’t have as long to live as a Vampire, she rooted for the Queen to be successful. Because if Her Majesty succeeded in convincing Dulce to stay in the castle, it meant that she would equally get to live with his Demons for all of her days.

Perhaps she could even ask him to summon a Demon for her for a short while, but she didn’t think too hard about that. Dulce’s summoning magic had been so incredibly powerful that another attempt may very well summon the myths that were Holy Demons.

Dulce had his dissensions about the Vampire-hunting human Queen, but his concern over the Hellhound was stronger. "What would you like to eat?" He leaned in close to Caedos.

The Hellhound watched him with the intent focus of a child, like he was building his first memories. "Meat."

Dulce shot to his feet with a smile, not at all expecting a response. It had been worth all the trouble and mistakes to get such an agreeable Hellhound. He held out a hand, aware that the Hellhound lacked the strength to stand on his own.

"Could you have them bring several platters of meat cooked in different ways to my room?" He requested of Moira, supporting the Hellhound when he stood.

Moira jumped like she had just remembered an important task, "Of... Of course," She agreed, scurrying out of the room.

Caedos watched her go with furrowed brows, "What was that?"

"Moira..." Dulce already began to harmlessly introduce the witch.

"A human." Asael cut in, already starting for the door in resignation. "You’re on Earth."

He should have known, if Dulce managed to declaw a Fiend and control every Demon he summoned after, he knew better than to be worried.

Caedos absorbed information greedily, Earth was not unfamiliar to him, but a human was. He glanced down at the frail creature effortlessly supporting his weight. He had referred to himself as Dulce and called himself a Vampire.

Ruoxi and Kath’tan followed after Dulce and his precious Hound, reminded of just how easily the Vampire adopted stray dogs from danger. It was a selfish thought, but the Vampire being so generous with his kindness was displeasing.

Ruoxi had been the one to remind the others that another summoning meant that Dulce’s attention would be split further, but merely thinking about that said more about him than he cared to admit.

-+-

Moira easily dispatched a servant with the task of informing the kitchen. Simply mentioning the Queen’s special guest was enough to send the servant scurrying down the hallway.

Then she went to the more important task that needed to be handled, making her way to Queen Aylin’s study.

"Come in," The Queen’s cold voice invited her in. Anyone who dared to request entrance was already allowed to stand before her.

"The summoning was a success, Your Majesty." Moira right away reported.

"And you accomplished his wish of summoning a Hellhound?" Aylin asked. She was seated behind an imposing desk, her veil was gone but her crown still lay atop blonde white hair, her red eyes striking against her pale skin.

"Indeed." Moira curtsied, standing in the middle of the study. "The Hellhound was injured, and Dulce requested food from the kitchens to feed him."

Aylin silently mused over her words, a dog from the Hells was acceptable, but the rest of the Demons had to go. "And? Did you find out why he kept the other mistakes he made?"

"Only one, Your Majesty. It will be difficult to find out the others with the Demons with him." She said plainly.

Aylin thought of her brief encounter with the Demons earlier today, she had been too caught up in the fact that Dulce had finally been found to care for them. "Tell me."

"Dulce put in a clause in his first attempt at a summons and permanently bound the Fiend to him. He sought me out for a means to resolve it, but I lack the capabilities."

"Leave that matter to me, I’ll get the Demons away from him tomorrow. Make sure to do more findings." She directed, rising to her feet. "I’ll pay Dulce a visit soon to invite him to have dinner with me, make sure you stay with him as much as he’ll allow. I can’t risk getting my secret out just yet."

Moira curtsied respectfully and left the study, grateful that the Queen didn’t restrict her from seeing Dulce, she had only just gotten her first look at his Demons.

She hurried back just as the first platter of food was being brought from the kitchen, slipping into the room alongside the servants. All the Demons were in Dulce’s room, but it didn’t seem like the Queen’s secret had been in danger of being revealed.

Not when Dulce was completely taken up by the Hellhound he had successfully summoned. He had placed the hulking Demon on his bed, draping a blanket over him, a bowl of warm water, and a towel in his hand that he wiped the Hellhound’s face with.

Kath’tan didn’t hide his sneering scowl, admitting for the first time about Hellhounds. "He is aware that it is not a dog."

Ruoxi had lost his smile, displeased at how quickly he had been made to experience the confused anger he had been so heartily mocking a handful of days ago.

Caedos shook his hair to get rid of the little water that had gotten on his short hair, Dulce laughing lightly at his antics.