Chapter 94

Chapter 94: Chapter 94

"Mostly," Kath’tan sighed, sitting at the edge of his bed. "Zazrel believes I managed to kill the Shadow assassin he sent after me, and now that my... Lady Valrena had decided to claim me for whatever reason, he’ll likely toss me out to her."

Despite saying this, Kath’tan didn’t look relieved, if anything, his expression grew grave. Purple eyes gazing intently at Dulce.

"That isn’t as dire as I thought. If it is only for a few days, it is tolerable." The Vampire said mildly.

"You look pale," Kath’tan said abruptly.

Dulce patted his face, "I always look like this. I just drank from you in Aysel."

The Vampire’s excuses didn’t surprise him, Dulce only remembered he was a Vampire who sustained on blood when it was time for the shameless Incubus to eat. He truly always did look like that, the color draining out of his skin after he fed Ruoxi.

"My father will suspect that you helped me finish off the Shadow assassin, and they are also aware of the summoning." He articulated his thoughts, "You are in as much danger as I am."

Dulce frowned, he hadn’t thought about it that way. But he had to admit, his hopes of being a fly on the wall and remaining in the background were impossible. "I can’t die," He tried to reassure the Demon.

Kath’tan’s purple eyes dimmed, "That is a worse fate. Come drink," He invited.

Dulce rose to his feet despite his protests, "But what if I simply remain in your room until Lady Valrena arrives?"

"The banquet invite was for your sake," Kath’tan said, rolling up the sleeve of his cotton shirt. He now wished he had taken more clothes, preferring to wear the clothes Dulce had made for him than his old outfits.

Dulce sat at the edge of the bed, tense. He momentarily forgot the dangers of Kath’tan’s blood, taking the offered wrist without getting comfortable on the bed.

Kath’tan didn’t remind him, watching the Vampire reluctantly lift his wrist to his pale lips. He could read his expressive face, Dulce felt like his precious blood was wasted on him... the only creature to ever think that way.

A Wrath faction Fiend with purple blood was an aberration, not even Chaos Demons would look upon him kindly.

The Vampire bit down, his eyes widening after the first sip, only then realizing that he hadn’t lain back before drinking. His quiet panic only succeeded in making him swallow down more blood, going limp just as he pulled away.

Kath’tan caught the Vampire who fell against him, in a trance. He looked down at his wrist to find a faint smear of purple blood, struck with the image of Dulce gently wiping it.

He glanced at the Vampire whose loose hair had formed pale curtains around his face, a matching purple smear on his pale lips. He kept staring until color suffused his features, the faint tint of purple on his lips overshadowed by their red shade.

It was strange, his fascination with this colorful version of the pale Vampire. His gaze lingered on his blood on those soft-red lips for a moment too long, until he caught himself and wrenched his gaze away.

He laid Dulce down on his bed, taking off his shoes and his overcoat. He didn’t realize it while it was happening, but he had learned to be a little gentler.

It was mid-afternoon in Threnval, and although feeding the Vampire his blood meant that Dulce might not wake up in time, it was a chance he was willing to take. He would rather attend the banquet alone than take a weaker Dulce with him.

While Dulce slept, he wandered around. His room was sizeable and when he was younger, he had been heartbroken that it had been in a forgotten corner of the castle, but as he grew, it became a boon to him.

The faded purple tapestry and carpets were the only ones in all of Threnval. Purple was scorned, it was deemed insulting, and it completely explained why his room was done in purple.

He walked over to the windows and drew the curtains open, sunlight filling the room in a kaleidoscope of rays. A handful fell on the sleeping Vampire, making him glow ethereally.

Kath’tan had opened the curtains but he stood with his back to the view, his cotton shirt soon coming off. Earth clothes really had too many layers, but the weather was fair so it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Sunlight illuminated his tall figure from behind, obscuring his features as he watched the Vampire sleep. Kath’tan was still fairly young for a Demon but hope was something he had long lost.

He wanted to see his mother, and if she was happy to see him, he would be satisfied. He didn’t have grand dreams of taking his rightful place in Ashford as beloved and respected nobility.

His mother might be able to see past his mixed blood but Ashford would treat him no differently from Threnval. He also no longer cared for it, now all that mattered was growing his strength.

At first, it had been to prove himself to his father, and then to protect his life. Then after he met Dulce, it became for frivolous reasons, to be stronger than the other summoned Demons, and then to protect Dulce.

Life with the Vampire was gentle and mild, nothing was expected of him and everything was offered to him. It tempted him to be greedy, to remember how to be selfish.

Growing up, he had quickly learned to make do, to take the shorter stick, to hold the blade instead of the handle. He asked for nothing, made no demands, not even to ask for help, or a pat on the back.

He had one selfish thought now though, and that was for Dulce to never find a way to undo his summons. Then he could keep living gently, with someone who saw him as he was, and not the circumstances of his own birth.