Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Chapter 89

The number of Demons trailing Dulce increased by one, Caedos joining them.

Their things had been placed in a veranda by the helpful camel handlers who had brought them here. Trunks were piled up in the outdoor-living area, dusty silk curtains tied up.

Taking the things inside was an easy task, the trunks were placed in their respective rooms. Soon, all that was left on the veranda were supplies.

Dulce barely carried anything, even the supplies, the Demons carrying them in one go with ease. The kitchen was better off than most rooms, so cleaning was a breeze.

The kitchen was large and airy, the wide windows letting in a constant stream of air and light. While he cooked, Ruoxi and Caedos constantly peered over his shoulders.

There was far more space in this kitchen than in the little, cramped kitchen in his cottage so there was no chaos despite having two Demons constantly trail him.

He cooked a large helping of venison stew, there were flatbreads and fruit to eat it with, it was better to eat the perishable items first.

In no time, a hearty, large breakfast was prepared, one that Dulce laid out on one of the many large tables in the kitchen. It was easier to eat in the already clean kitchen than go through the trouble of cleaning out a dining room or a living room.

"I’ll call the others," Dulce offered, wiping his hands on a towel.

Ruoxi stared down at the table of food the Vampire had prepared, already seated at the table. How long had it been since he had a home-cooked meal?

Dulce made his way out, heading to the treasury first as that was the last place he had seen Asael. The Demon was surprisingly still in the treasury room, he rose to his feet when Dulce walked in.

"It is time for breakfast," Dulce said, "I’ll guide you to the kitchen. Have you seen Kath’tan?"

Asael stared at the Vampire cryptically, he kept waiting for the guillotine to drop, and each time it didn’t. "I haven’t, and I’ll find the kitchen myself." He said shortly, walking out.

Dulce simply went on a search for Kath’tan and after a quick sweep of the empty hallways, it was clear the Demon wasn’t in the palace. He went out next, his gaze drawn to one of the rooftop terraces, where he saw a familiar figure.

"Kath’tan!" He called out to him. The Fiend was seated on one of the terraces, staring out into the desert.

Kath’tan glanced down and saw the Vampire looking up at him with a smile. He warped down to Dulce, "What’s the matter?"

"It is time for breakfast," Dulce repeated, "Let’s go eat."

Kath’tan quietly followed after him, wearing a loose cotton shirt they had worn underneath layers of clothing on their night journey through the desert.

He hadn’t found an armory so he wandered around the palace until he stumbled on a rooftop terrace. It had been airy and quiet, a balm for his heavy thoughts.

He was no longer an assassination target and he was about to see his mother... It was no surprise he had ended up staying on the terrace for so long.

Asael had already gotten to the kitchen by the time they arrived, the three Demons waiting patiently for Dulce before they ate.

"I apologize if the meal is not to your liking," Dulce said lightly, not taking himself seriously. "My cooking is mediocre at best."

Ruoxi was the first to dig in, "It tastes great to me." He said casually, meaning it.

Although no one else said a word, they all heartily tucked the stew away, a somewhat peaceful silence falling over the table.

After dinner, Dulce rose to his feet to clear the table.

"You don’t need to do that," Asael said as Dulce reached for his plate.

"I don’t mind, but I suppose I could hire some servants for the palace." He mused, they wouldn’t stay very long in the palace but he wasn’t too eager to get on the road just yet, not to mention...

Dulce turned to Kath’tan after the table had been cleared, "Have you decided when you would like to return?"

The Fiend lifted his head, the first time he had eaten Dulce’s cooking, he had thrown it out. This time, he cleaned up his plate, satiated. "Soon." He said.

With each passing day since they left Boussiney, his chaotic thoughts had only gotten more tumultuous. Now, the outcome mattered less and less, he just wanted to see his mother... know what her face looked like and hear her voice.

Dulce had thought about it deeply, there was simply no time to go searching for a way to undo Kath’tan’s summons before he could see his mother. He had considered several alternatives, his options limited due to his rudimentary knowledge of summoning.

"Can any of you create a portal to the Hells?" He asked the room, aware only of Kath’tan’s inability to do so, which was no doubt another effect of the clause he put into the contract.

"Yes." Asael was the first to answer, he had long tested if he could return to the Hells and found he could create a portal.

Kath’tan turned to him, genuinely surprised. "Without a rebound?" He clarified, that was very important.

Because while the thoughts of his death debt and his mother filled his mind, the most worrisome of his thoughts was leaving Dulce. To return to Threnval, they had to find a way to break the contract.

At least, now he would have something to return to. Regardless of who his mother turned out to be, she couldn’t possibly match his father in cruelty.

But if a portal could be created, the contract would stand, he would get a chance to see his mother and still be able to return to Dulce’s side to keep him company for a short while longer.

"That’s possibly due to the clause Dulce added to your contract," Asael replied, "The rest of us are not limited by it."