His Redemption (TheCorsair and Xana)

Matthias kicked in the door. He didn't question how he'd gotten to the Cathedral, or how he had his armor, or where his hellblade had come from. It wasn't important now.

"She leaves now. With me." His voice was like thunder, disrupting the sanctity of the wedding ceremony. But... there was something wrong. The gathered Paladins wore the faces of demons, Barabel and Ahmoet and Otirael among them. And Aurianna struggled against the embrace of a figure that could have been Jeoram but was most certainly Baath-Me'el. The demon lord had her pinned against the altar, his skeletal wings dripping with her blood as he tore open her gown and groped her bare breast.

"If you wanted her so badly, my slave, you should have simply said so," the demon lord mocked, sinking his teeth into her throat as Matthias charged towards them. The demonic Paladins moved to intercept, and he hacked them down. It was like struggling through deep mud, though. For every demon that fell, two more rose to take its place.

Baath-Me'el laughed, his inhumanly perfect face dripping with blood as he stepped aside to display Aurianna. The sight of her, bare to the waist, her body streaked with her own blood, drove the fallen Paladin to redouble his efforts. “I wonder if you still want her," the demon lord taunted, "since we have already consummated our union. Isn’t that right, whore?” His teeth tore into her shoulder.

Suddenly, he was clear of the press. He lunged forward, thrusting with his blade. Baath-Me'el turned suddenly, dragging Aurianna around. He watched the blade drive deep into her abdomen, shearing through and spearing deep into the demon lord's bowels. He stared in horror, shuddering as he felt the hellblade drink her life. "I..." she stammered out, "I trusted you... once..."

---

"Lady Aurianna?" asked the small woman at her door. Or... maybe girl was closer to the mark. She was perhaps fifteen, small but sturdily built, and her five foot six frame looked tiny under the weight of her armor and the shield she bore, and the broad-bladed sword with a two-handed grip. She looked at Aurianna, and her blue-grey eyes went wide. "I'm sorry! I just assumed you'd be awake. I... I can come back, if you'd rather. I was just so excited, when I was told you were going to be my instructor!"

She blushed a little. "I'm sorry," she said again, ducking her head a little. "I'm Clara Olgasdottor, an Aspirant of the Order, and... this is great! I'm..."

Her enthusiastic voice trailed away, and then she clapped her hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry!" she said a third time. "You've just woken up. Do... shall I go fetch you some breakfast? And give you a little time to get ready? Oh! And the Lord Commander told me to give this to you, when he gave me the news!" This was a scroll tube.

---

Matthias shuddered on the stone floor, crimson eyes darting wildly around. "Just... just a dream..." he gasped, adrenaline and fear and lust coursing through his veins. "Just... a dream..."

Aurianna stared at the young girl for a short time, listening to the words coming out of her mouth, but not quite understanding what they meant. Well, she understood them, but they didn’t make sense in the context. She was just being promoted to instructor. That meant she would lead various lessons in a group setting, with occasional one on one lessons where necessary. If she performed this duty well, she would be promoted again to Knight Instructor, and train an apprentice individually.

“Clara? Clara, I think there is a misunderstanding. I was just promoted to instructor, and haven’t even been assigned yet. I am sure they are going to name me Master of Spears. I am not a Knight Instructor.”

Regardless, she took the scroll from the girl’s hands and unrolled it to read it’s contents.

Aurianna,
I have considered your objections to taking on this promotion, and believe I have found a compromise that will give you some hope for your future. I am bypassing the rank of Instructor, and assigning you Knight Instructor as well as the aspirant Clara Olgasdottor. I believe that having to consider the safety and well-being of another will force you to practice the prudence and restraint you currently lack. I have faith that in three months’ time, if you are consistent with your visits to Master of Healing Tiliana, you could be ready to begin taking your apprentice on field missions. Aspirant Clara is aware that her training with you does not officially begin for six days, but she was quite eager to meet with you.
Best Regards,
Lord Commander Mykel

Aurianna found herself forming a slight smile as she read the letter. It was good news, mostly. Three months’ time. That was hardly any time at all. She had been out of the field for longer periods of time with injuries. She would do as was asked of her, tend to her spiritual wounds and keep her skills sharp, so that she could be permitted to return to the battlefield.

Of course there was a condition to go along with this optimistic news. Her very own apprentice, Clara. She wasn’t quite sure how to feel about this news. She had figured she would have an apprentice, in time, but it felt so sudden now. What did she know about training an apprentice? Her own training had been cut short when Matthias... when he sold his soul, for her.

“Some breakfast would be lovely. It will give me time to dress for the day, and then we can get to know each other.” She explained, giving the girl a warm smile, trying to hide her own apprehension. Matthias had many apprentices, before her. He could give her some advice, but would he?

Clara, who had waited with baited breath as Aurianna read the letter, clapped her hand and made a delighted little squeal. "Yes!" She blushed. "I mean... of course. Yes. I'll... go and get breakfast now." Still grinning, she backed away. "I'll be right back!" she called, finally turning and racing off down the hall in a clatter of metal on metal.

---

Clara staggered under the load of dishes she'd been given. Not because it was heavy - she'd already received the Mantle of Afodisia, and was stronger than three full-grown men - but because it was awkward. Mostly because she'd overdone it. She had the healthy appetite of a growing teen, and assumed that everyone else did as well. And so the tray she carried was covered with eggs, and two loaves of bread, and butter and three different types of preserves, and a carafe of milk, and a stack of pancakes, and sausages and cheese. And it threatened to tip over on her.

"Need a hand?" someone asked.

"Uhm... no..." Clara started to say, even though she really did. But she wanted to show Lady Aurianna how competent she was, and how would it look if she needed help to fetch breakfast? But she stopped, stammering a little, because the man asking her was gorgeous. Tall and muscly and handsome, with long blonde hair and dreamy gold eyes that reflected the glory of the Goddess, and oh Goddess he was talking to her!

"That's an awful lot of food for one young lady," he said, deftly taking the tray and setting it on a table.

"It's... it's not for me. Not all for me," Oh Goddess he's hot! She swallowed, and tried again. "I mean, it's for Lady Aurianna as well because I'm her apprentice now and I'm getting breakfast for her and I wouldn't eat that much if it was just me and..." Everything dumped out at once, and she felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment as he laughed with amusement.

"Lady Aurianna?" he asked, eyeing her curiously. "Why don't I give you a hand, then?"

Clara felt her heart beat faster and faster, and she tried desperately to stay cool. "Yes! I mean... if you want. I... that is..."

Chuckling, he fetched a second tray and moved some of the dishes over. "I need to talk to her anyway," he said, offering a hand. She took it, and nearly died when he lifted it to his lips. "I'll probably be helping with your training, a little. I'm her fiancee, Jeoram."

The thought that he'd be around a lot made her feel like melting, and the news that he was engaged to Lady Aurianna made her want to go hide and weep. He was perfect and gorgeous and he'd never look twice at her if he was engaged to someone as amazing as her Mistress. Life wasn't fair! "Th... thank you..." she stammered out. Then, hefting her more balanced tray, she followed him out into the hall.

Maybe he was off limits. But he still had an ass you could bounce a coin off. And that thought kept her distracted all the way up the stairs and made her blush more than once. She watched in rapt attention as he shifted his tray, supporting it with one hand as he knocked with the other. "Ari?" he called. "We're back. Can... can we talk?"

Aurianna was already in a much better mood, the terror of her dream evaporating like the morning dew. She dressed in a tight leather top, which gave her the slightest hint of cleave and equally tight leather pants, the same ones she would wear with her armor. She was braiding her long hair now, as she waited for her apprentice to bring her morning meal. The entire endeavor felt like a clean start. Something to put her mind to, to keep the dark thoughts away. And it was an excuse to visit Matthias, and for some reason, that thought gave her flutter in her stomach. Yes, she did want an excuse to see him again.

She was already waiting on Clara when the knock happened. She opened it before Jeoram had spoken, and she had a shocked look on her face as she came face to face with him.

“Jeoram,” she acknowledged, swallowing hard. Clara was behind him, with some dreamy look on her face. She stood in the door, blindsided by this turn of events, not entirely sure she was ready to confront Jeoram. She would have stood there frozen in emotion for a bit longer, if she hadn’t noticed Clara struggling the heaping tray she had brought with her. “Come in, set down the food.” She stepped aside, to allow her two visitors to enter her room. “Clara, why don’t you get started, I need to speak with Jeoram for a moment.”

She closed the door behind her, leaning her back against the door, Jeoram so close he was nearly touching her.

“Ari… I never wanted to hurt you,” He said softly, running his hand down her arm.

“I know. That’s what I told the Lord Commander. I didn’t make an accusation,” She said firmly, flatly.

“Thank you for that. You were always were a woman of virtue, an honest woman.” He complimented her, taking hold of her hand.

“Well, then you will appreciate my honesty that I don’t think things are going to work out between us, now.” She explained simply. He had a hurt look on his face.

“I… I was afraid you would say that. Ari after you were captured, I thought I lost you forever. I am ashamed to admit I prayed you would see a quick death, rather than be broken by those…monsters. I nearly threw myself from the Seraphim Wall out of grief. Yet, the Oracle promised you would come back to us, alive, and I waited up there. Aurianna, you can back, to me, against impossible odds. Aphodesia has fated our love and we would be remiss to throw it away.” He came in for a kiss, but she turned her head, so his lips caught her cheek. Still he rested his forehead against hers for a moment.

“You need time. I understand that, and I will give you both time and space. I have been assigned to escort the supply cart, as they travel through the wastelands. It should take a month or so, before I will return. By then we will be ready to put this ugliness behind us, and start our life together.”

His words had the ring of truth to them. Yes, they will spend a small amount of time apart, and be ready to renew their commitment to one another in a couple month’s time. “I would like that,” Aurianna admitted, remembering back to last night, and the beautiful love she felt from Justine and Cassi.

“Good. I leave in five days, and when I return, we shall have our real first time. And with any luck, you will be carrying my child.” He whispered in her ear, his warm mouth tasted her neck. His hand rubbed her belly, protectively, as if he were already anticipating it.

“What? Umm, Jeoram, I love you, and I want to be your wife, but I am not ready to be a mother.” Aurianna told him, pushing him back a little bit. “I am still a warrior.”

“Don’t be silly. They are never going to send you back into the field after what happened to you.” He laughed a bit, a mocking laugh the reminded her of Baath Me’el. Now it was time to take some advice from Justine, as Aurianna brought her fist against his jaw with all of the hurt he had done to her two nights prior.

Clara didn't mean to eavesdrop. But, if Aurianna and Jeoram were going to talk on the other side of the door - right where she could easily hear them if she put her ear against the door - than what did they expevt? Some of it just didn't make sense, though.

The part about accidentally hurting her last night, for instance. Had Lady Aurianna been a virgin? She'd heard the first time hurt a little. But... well, Clara wasn't stupid. She knew what had happened to Lady Aurianna when she'd been captured. Not the details, if course - she really didn't want to know details - but...

Wait. Was that why it had hurt? Clara shuddered. Sex was supposed to be fun! Not.. Another shudder. And then they were talking about taking time for Lady Autrianna to heal, and Lord Jeoram was professing his love, and it was so incredibly romantic that she just wanted to melt and...

"Don't be silly," Jeoram laughed. "They are never going to send you into the field after what happened to you."

"What?" Clara gasped, outrage making her forget she probably shouldn't listen. How could he say that?


There was a sound of a blow, and something hitting the ground. Clara tore the door open, one hand going to her sword hilt. If he'd... no, there he was, stretched out on the ground, anger dancing in his golden eyes. Lady Aurianna stood over him, fists balled. Slowly, rubbing his jaw, he climbed to his feet. He started to say something, glanced at the unexpected audience, and stopped. "I'll see you in a month," he gritted out, stalking away.

Clara hesitated, torn between wanting to hug her mistress and not wanting to make her uncomfortable. Finally, she kicked at the ground in frustration. "What a jerk!" And then she clapped her hands over her fouth, cheeks flaming scarlet as she realized she'd said that out loud.

Jeoram looked up at her with hateful eyes, spitting blood on the nearby ground. “Thank you for proving my point. You are far too emotional to be in the field. It’s what’s got you into this whole mess in the first place. “ He stood up, dusting himself off and rubbing his jaw. He started to say something else, but looked around to the growing crowd.

"I'll see you in a month," he gritted out, stalking away.

Of course the drama surrounding Aurianna, and now Jeoram had been the major source of rumors and gossip among the order. Aurianna avoided most of it, as she avoided going anywhere with large groups of people, but now with an audience to her interaction with Jeoram, she couldn’t escape it.

“So, he didn’t rape her?”

“Well, what kind of person has sex the moment they returned from …that?”

“A slut.”

“Jeoram should have known better.”

“Hard dicks have no reason. She could have fought him off, if she didn’t want it.”

“Men love to say woman are ruled by their bodies, but the minute a guy is hard he can’t control himself?”

“Oh man, getting punched would be worth it for a night with her.”

“What do you think she had to promise the traitor in order to escape?”

“Jeoram can do better.”

"What a jerk!" Came from behind her now, as she felt the world spinning around her. She turned to see Clara standing there, kicking dirt, but then embarrassed when Aurianna had seen her. It was obvious that Clara, like everyone else had seen or heard the whole thing. And yet, her young acolyte looked up at her with sympathetic eyes, instead of the judgmental ones surrounding her. She guided Clara back into the sanctuary of her room.

“I’m sorry you had to see that.” Aurianna said, as she rubbed the hand that had hit Jeoram.

“Oh, Lady Aurianna! I am SO sorry! Lord Commander told me you might not be ready for me to show up, but I was so excited! I just really wanted to meet you! You are my hero.” Clara gushed over her, and it made a small smile wash over her face.

“It’s all well and good to have a hero, someone to look up to. Just remember that they are in fact a person, with flaws to go along with their good traits,” She said warmly, resting her hand on Clara’s shoulder. As she said the words, she thought of Matthias, both because it was something he would say, when he was her mentor and even now, and because it represented how she had come to understand him.

“Now, shall we begin to work on this enormous breakfast you have brought me?” Aurianna, asked, lightening the mood.

"We absolutly should!" Clara chirped, following Aurianna back into the room. "I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I grabbed a bit of everything." Taking a plate, she heaped it with eggs and griddlecakes and smoked sausage. "Besides, Master Conn always said breakfast was tbe most important meal of the day. He'd... he'd have insisted I eat up."

Her voice trailed away, expression becoming thoughtful as she shoveled food into her mouth. "I saw him die, you know. Just as the retreat sounded, one of the demins got him. Big bastard, in full plate with a burning sword, cut him down when he charged to give me and Tilly and Ben time to get away." Her fist tightened, white-knuckling around her fork. "I'll kill it, some day. When I'm as skilled as you, I'll hunt it down."

Grimly she tackled her food again, eating with more enthusiasm and relish than good manners. From time to time sbe'd glance up, looking curious and slightfully uncomfortable. "Uhm..? Lady Aurianna, can I... I mean..." Looking uncomfortable, she waved at the door. "What they were saying... about you and your fiancee..." She drew a deep breath, as if steeling herself. "He wouldn't... woukdn't do that. To you, I mean. Right?" There was anguish in her voice. "He's a Paladin!"

“Well, thank you, it was very considerate of you,” Aurianna told her, actually quite grateful at the large amount of food. It meant she could save some for lunch, and she still wouldn’t have go to the mess hall, with all the eyes staring at her, whispering about what happened to her. She served herself some eggs and sausage, and poured some milk. Her eating habits had been rather erratic since returning, and feeding Matthias had left her even hungrier than normal. And speaking of Matthias…

"I saw him die, you know. Just as the retreat sounded, one of the demons got him. Big bastard, in full plate with a burning sword, cut him down when he charged to give me and Tilly and Ben time to get away."

Marwyn Conn. Aurianna knew of him, not well though. He was older than she was by several years, and already well respected Knight Instructor. She had spoken to him a few times, and he was always very kind to her.

She doesn’t know about Matthias. She doesn’t know that the man who killed her master is sitting in the dungeon this very instance. She doesn’t know I begged the Lord Commander to spare his life. She doesn’t know he saved me, and she doesn’t know it’s my fault he is this way. How many dead paladins am I responsible for? Because Matthias wanted to protect me form the horrors of the demons’ keep.
She couldn’t say anything, just placed her hand on Clara’s. however, the girl’s next words cut her to the quick.

“I’ll kill it, some day. When I’m as skilled as you, I’ll hunt it down.”

For a moment, she considered telling the young girl the full details of what she had experienced as Baath Me’el’s slave. Teach her the true terror of which the demons were capable. And how blind vengeance had put her in a position to be captured. She would rather scar the girl with the dreadfulness she experienced then see her make the same mistakes. But not today. Not while the death of Clara’s master was so fresh, and her own wounds were so raw.

I betrayed your Goddess for you, and you didn't have the fucking sense to run for your life when next we met.

“I killed him. When I was escaping the demon’s keep. He was one of the ones who got in my way, and I speared him through.” She lied. It was just a small lie, after all Matthias’ trial would be here soon enough and he would be killed then. And the only reason he was even here was because he rescued her, so it was almost true. Matthias would die for her, after having sold his soul for her.

Then the conversation turned to Jeoram. Oh Aphodesia, help me, as her apprentice managed to find every tender spot. “Things with Jeoram are…complicated. He didn’t rape me.” She tried to explain, as much for her own benefit as for the girl’s. “We are having a hard time lately; my capture has taken quite the toll on him as well. But he isn’t a rapist.”

Once she finished her breakfast, she wrapped up some of the food that could be kept, at least until her midday meal. “I have some things I need to take care of, but maybe we could meet this afternoon? I would like to get a sense of your skills, so can I plan out a training routine.”

“Oh yes, Lady Aurianna! I am so happy to be your apprentice; I will look forward to meeting you on the training grounds later today.” Clara said, giving her mistress a quick, tight squeeze, and gave Aurianna just a taste of the girl’s immense strength. Then she bounded off into the courtyard.

With the traitor weighing heavily on her mind all morning, Aurianna decided it was as good a time as any to visit him.

Matthias shifted on his cot, more out of restlessness than anything else. If you overlooked the random beatings handed out by the blonde Paladin - Jeoram - it was almost comfortable. Almost. For a jail cell. He had a mattress on the floor, with a blanket. He had a privy hole. He got fed twice a day, although the food was worthless to him. They'd even given him reading matter. Scripture.

As if he hadn't memorized the entire text, two decades ago.

The trouble was, right now his life was boredom interspersed with moments of heart-stopping terror. The Inquisitors weren't cruel. But they were skilled demonologists, and utterly merciless. Honestly, he preferred the random beatings. But even they were preferable to the Oracle, with her eyes filled with the radiance of Afodisia. Eyes that seemed to see right into the scarred pit that had once held his soul. Her questions were... troubling. When she even asked questions. Her statements and her silences were even worse. Even her blood, sweet as it had been, held an aftertaste that he hadn't cared for. Like the burning of spices, it had roiled in his gut for hours.

There was the sound of bootsteps approaching his cell, a sound he recognized instantly. "Hello, Aurianna," he said, not looking up.

Not at first, anyway. When he finally did, the sight of her was a blow. "Well, look at you," he finally said, eyes tracing the curves of her body and lingering on the hint of cleavage at the throat of her blouse. "Tell me - was he any good?" His crimson eyes glittered in the darkness. "Your Jeoram? I could smell you on him, when he last visited." A grin, showing white fangs. "Did he take you, over and over again? Did his seed wash my memory from your head?"

“Hmm, do I know you?” She replied mockingly, trying to play the game for a moment, ultimately finding her heart was not into it. He was better at it anyhow.

“You are going to have to try harder than that, if you want to hurt me.” She said with a sigh leaning against the cell bars. “You have to at least be crueler than the Paladins who are supposed to be my friends and allies.” She looked at him now, sucking in breath at the sight of his grievous wounds. He was in bad shape, far worse than the last time she saw him.

“By the Goddess! Did…did Jeoram do this to you?” She asked, but it was pointless, seeing as she knew the answer. She shook now, feeling as if everything she did came back to hurt someone around her. “Do you need more blood?” she asked him, almost eager, her heart racing. She entered the cell and approached him now, dropping to her knees next to him. “Are these getting in the way, of your healing power?” She motioned to the runes that were chained to him. Dammit, was this why oracle gave me the key? Should I retrieve it?

“Do I just ruin everything I touch? Am I the cause of the all the pain in this world or just most of it?” She didn’t look at him now, giving in to her fit of self-loathing for the time being.

"Crueler than the Paladins?" Matthias sneered as she studied him. "That'll be tough. Very little is as cruel as people who believe themselves 'good'."

"By the Goddess! Did... did Jeoram do this to you?" She sounded shocked.

"What, this?" He stroked the massive bruise on his jaw. "Well, we weren't introduced or onything, but I'm pretty sure that's him. He likes it a bit rough." He leered as she entered the cell. "You probably noticed, last..."

"Do you need more blood?"

The question went right through him, making him catch his breath and leaving him rock hard. "I... wouldn't turn it down," he answered, voice husky. His eyes were glued to her as she entered the cell, kneeling beside him and fingering his chains.

"Are these getting in the way, of your healing power?"

"Getting in the way, of a lot of things," he replied, eyes lingering on the smooth skin exposed by her blouse. The sudden memory of the taste of her blood and her body moving beneath his as they came together in the desert tormented him. "Take them off," he leered, voice husky, "and find out..."

"Do I ruin everything I touch? Am I the cause of all the pain in the world or just most of it?"

"What?" Matthias snorted. "You get raped by a few demons and your boyfriend, and suddenly you're the Dark Eight? At least you didn't end your suffering by swearing fealty to Baath-Me'el to make it stop. Trust me when I say that I've caused far more pain in the world."

At least you didn't end your suffering by swearing fealty to Baath-Me'el to make it stop.

“I would have. Had I been able to speak while Laemohn…I would have begged Baath Me’el. Had I thought he would have had me, I would have begun begging before the twins…” She choked out, resting against his shoulder now, her neck precariously close to him, where he could reach it. “I considered while he took me, before I had even known true horror. I’m pathetic. And I am the reason you are like this.” She was still for a while, whether he drank from her or not.

“What would have been my fate? Had I agreed? Would he have kept me for a concubine or…” She traced his arms, and the muscle underneath the skin, moving down until she found his hand. “Or would I have been a warrior, like you?”

“Is that why you brought me to him? So I could be at your side once more? Did you hope they would break me quickly, so I could be your…” She couldn’t finish the question, She just buried her head into his chest, letting the smooth surface hold up her pain, for just while.

She pushed a hard kiss against his mouth now, exerting her greater strength over him. Her lip pressed against the razor of his fang, until her skill retreated from the sharp incisor. Her blood would be filling his mouth now, and her tongue would meet his as he tried to taste her life.

“Take it away! Take it all away, please…” She begged him, as she would have begged the Demon Lord of Lust. Dripping scarlet down her chin, she clung to him, desperately, shaking and sobbing now.

“Take me. Take me hard…It’s all I am good for now.” She begged him, crying into his mouth.

Aurianna's arms snaked around his necm as she talked, confessing her shamed belief that she would have begged for mercy. Wold have sold herself, had she known Laemohn was waiting for her. His own chain'swathed arms went around her as waii, and he could feel his fangs ache for her, an ache echoed by the throbbing hardness of his cock.

"What would have been my fate? Had I agreed?" she asked, callused fingers stroking the lones of his chest.

"I don't know," he whispered, torn between his need to taste her blood and his unaccountable desire to spare her more suffering. "I.."

"Woukd he have kept me for a concubine, or..." her hand traced lower, finding his."Or would I have been a warrior, like you?"

"I... I don't... don't know..." he confessed, lips tracing the pulsing artery in her slender throat. It would be easy, so easy to slide into her, to taste her blood as his fangs penetrated her. So easy, and yet he refused. Why? "Maybe... maybe both..."

"Is that why you brought me to him? So that I could be at your side once more?"

"I... don't know..."

"Did you hope they would break me quickly, so I could be your..." She didn't finish the thought, burying her face into the cool marble of his chest.

"No," he murmured, running his fingers gently through her raven hair." "I know you better than that, Aurianna. They would never have broken you quickly."

Suddenly she was kissing him, tongue invading his mouth and lacerating on his fangs. The copoer-sweet flavor of her life floided his mouth and he pulled her close. He sucked greedily at her wounded tongue, returning her fevered passion with a desperate lust of his own. He tugged at her blouse, tearing franticalky at the laces, rocking his hips against hers as he felt the soft warmth of her bared chest against his.

She pulled back, her blood crimson on her lios and chin, dripping slowly to stain her breasts. "Take it away!" she sobbed, begging bim. "Take it all away, please..."

He lunged forward, his tongue thrusting into her mouth as he tasted her lifecagain before sealing tne wounds. His hand found her breast as he lapoed the blood from her chin, her throat, and he bent her backwards. Lips and tongue caressed her bare breasts, following the sticky trail of blood his fingers had left.

"Take me," she begged as he returned to her throat. "Take me hard... it's all I am good for now."

With a sudden, hoarse cry, he shived her from his lap. "Get out," he snarled, shaking with frustrated lust. "You're a Paladin, not some demon's whore." He stared at her hungrily as she sprawled before him, legs spread and upper body bared, trembling with the effort required to not bury his fangs and cock in her and fuck and bleed her.

"Is this what you want?" he roared, rising. "To give up? To betray your Goddess? To be found, half dead with blood loss and filled with my seed? To prove to your felliws that you are nothing more than the broken fuck toy of Hell?"

He wanted her. Wanted her shuddering beneath him as he fucked his seed into her belly, wanted her screaming his name as her blood coursed down his throat in time with the shuddering convulsions of orgasm.

"GET OUT!" he bellowed. "Get out, and don't come back!" And with a shuddering roar of frustration and anger, he threw himself into the far corner of his cell."

A hateful howl filled the cell as he threw her off him. She was still for a moment, breathing hard, her breasts rising with each hard inhalation. Was he really saying no? That he didn’t want her? He had been kissing her with such passion, such fervor. how was this possible.

"Is this what you want?" he roared, rising. "To give up? To betray your Goddess? To be found, half dead with blood loss and filled with my seed?

“If they found me like that, they would kill you on the spot,” she baited him. And me as well. He resisted, proving to her his wishes to die were utterly insincere.

She stood now, looking down on him with the same hateful lust each of her rapists had shown her. She should take it from him. Hold him down and force his cock between her thighs. Ride him until he gave into her. Beat him if he wouldn’t submit. She had already proven she could force him to feed on her. She could bend him to her will.

“Is that what a Paladin would do?” A voice called out to her. It was close, so close to her, surely here, this cell with them. She searched frantically, knowing that someone must be there, for the voice she heard too perfectly in her mind.

“Is that what a Paladin would do?” it repeated. It was full of life and light and love. Matthias hadn’t seemed to hear it, or he didn’t care. She realized that she hadn’t been hearing it. She had been feeling it. Like the warm embrace of a mother…

“Aphodesia?” She whispered, choking on the name.

"GET OUT!" he bellowed. "Get out, and don't come back!" She fumbled at the laces for her top, trying to put her breasts back behind the leather bindings. She shuddered as she came up from the pit of despair that had ensnared her.

“I’m…I’m sorry. For everything.” She whispered to him, not sure he could even hear. It wasn’t just for him, though. She was apologizing to herself. She left with a purpose, moving towards a goal she wasn’t even fully aware of. She was at the cathedral. She was moving towards a back room, past the stares and whispers of her fellow Paladins. She came to a room, and she opened the door.

“Master Tiliana?” Aurianna called out, her voice quivering. An elder priestess turned, a delighted look upon her wrinkled face, smoothing the wild curls of silver that had once been bright red.

“Lady Aurianna! I had hoped to see soon.” The small woman enveloped the Paladin in a hospitable hug, her frail body seemingly strong enough to hold up the burdens Aurianna carried. “Are you ready to begin, my child?”

“Yes,” she said in a soft sob, letting the tears stream down her face.

"I am, too," Matthias whispered as Aurianna fled the cell. "I'm... sorry."

That look in her eyes. He'd seen that look before, in the Court. And he was suddenly relieved and disappointed that she'd left. The thought of her, taking him without regard to his own desires, made his already hard cock painfully rigid. His hand wrapped around his iron shaft as he imagined her pushing him back, her cunt squeezing around him as she pinned him to the floor. His eyes closed as he stroked his shaft and imagined he...

"I told you you had a chance," an amused voice remarked.

His eyes snapped open. "Enjoying yourself?" he growled, hand still gripping himself.

"Perhaps," answered the Oracle.

"Why are you here?" Matthias asked wearily. His hand pumped his cock as he stared at her, trying not to meet her gold eyes without looking like he was avoiding them. He bucked his hips at her, grinning lasciviously. "Looking to show me some more pity?"

"Why didn't you fuck her?" The Oracle asked, ignoring his posturing.

"What?"

"It's a simple question," she answered. "Aurianna invited you - begged you - to do it. Why didn't you?"

"How long were you watching?" he demanded.

"Why didn't you?" she repeated.

Matthias didn't answer. He didn't have an answer. The Oracle smiled an irriting, knowing smile. "Think about it," she said. "When you have answer..." her lips crooked in an amused smike, "maybe I'll... show you pity."

With that, she left. Matthias closed his eyes once more, visualizing Aurianna astride him. As his pleasure built, he could see her in his mind. Eyes closed with pleasure she fucked him with abandon. When he could hold back no longer she looked down at him with eyes of burning gold - the eyes of Afodisia. His cry was hoarse and shocked as he came, his seed spattering on his stomach and dripping down his hand.

Why didn't you fuck her? a half-remembered voice asked as his mind reeled and his chest heaved from the force if his orgasm.

And still, he didn't know.

Visiting the Master of Healing was draining. And that was saying something, considering she had just been with Matthias before, and he had literally drained her. She needed to refuel, and she was pleased to remember the leftover food in her room from this morning. She ate a nice meal alone before heading for the training grounds to meet with Clara.

Before meeting with her acolyte, Aurianna decided to meet with Justine, who would have been in the archery training grounds. She hadn’t gotten around to actually asking Matthias’ advice about her new apprentice, having been caught up in the self-loathing and lust in the moment. Justine wasn’t a Knight Instructor, but she was the youngest Paladin ever promoted to instructor. For seven years, she had served as Master of Archery, as well as one of the generals in charge of the defense of the Seraphim Wall. She certainly had plentiful experience in training the younger generation.

“Ari! I heard the good news!” Justine called, as she tended to the archery butts, removing the practice arrows from her last group of students.

“The good news?” Aurianna replied, not sure to what she could be referring.

“Jeoram? You hit him, right? I am so proud of you.” Justine gushed as she replaced the bows on the weapons rack.

“Ugh, I’m not. He said something rude, but he wasn’t trying to be mean. He was only looking out for me. I overreacted.” Aurianna explained, embarrassed.

“ARGH! Ari, what does this man have to do for you to stop defending him?” Justine argued, “I get he’s good looking or whatever, but seriously, you have to see that he isn’t good for you.”

“It’s not that easy. Jeoram has been a big part of my life for so long.” Aurianna tried to explain, “It’s hard to just throw it away.”

“I know, Jeoram was there for you after Matthias…” Justine sighed, “But you can’t hold on to a toxic relationship just because you substituted one important man in your life for another. You should try and work through whatever it is you feel towards Matthias, and talk to him, while you still have a chance.”

Hard to do that when he told me to leave and never come back. She thought bitterly. But she just nodded to her small friend.

“Lady Aurianna?” A voice called out, while Aurianna was distracted in her thoughts, “Oh, hello Lady Justine!” Clara came up now, joining the two in their conversation.

“Hello, Aspirant Clara. Are you here for archery training this afternoon?” Justine asked in a warm tone, flawlessly pushing down whatever frustration she was feeling towards her friend.

“Oh well, I…” Clara seemed to think about it for a moment, looking up at Aurianna. “I’m not sure. Is that why we are here, Mistress?” Justine looked at her friend and then back at the girl.

“Oh yes! Aurianna has bypassed the rank of instructor and been promoted to Knight Instructor. And I was assigned to be her apprentice!” Clara announced in her giddy tone.

“Knight Instructor? So you outrank me now?” Justine asked Aurianna dryly.

“No I don’t believe so, Lady Justine. You are still Knight Commander of the Seraphim Wall, so while at the temple you are higher ranked. But if we were in the field…” Clara thought for a moment, “if we were in the field, Lady Aurianna would out rank you. Possibly.”

“Well, Aspirant Clara, you are in good hands. And it should please you to know you are already exceeding your Mistress in this area. She knows I won’t even let her pick up a bow unless I am wearing full plate first.”

“Well, if you are going to dress in full plate, perhaps I should just aim at you!”” Aurianna teased defensively.

“In that case I would be fine. You never hit anything unless you aren’t aiming for it.” Justine countered, with a self-satisfied smirk on her face. Both women laughed now, letting the earlier tension between them fade away. “Ari, Cassi and I would love to have you join us for dinner again tonight. And you are welcome to come too, Clara. If you are going to be a big part of my friends life, I’d love to get to know you better.” Justine gave Aurianna a hug and a kiss on the cheek and went back to her duties. Aurianna walked her apprentice towards the training dummies.

“Why don’t you show me what you can do? Is the broadsword your primary weapon?”

"The broadsword?" Clara echoed, still caught off guard by the dinner invitation. "Uhm... oh! Yes! It...my mother started teaching me, even before I was accepted to the Order." She unsheathed the heavy blade, steel rippled and mottled by pattern-forging, and hacked deep into the side of the first practice dummy.

The impact sent the dummy spinning, making it lash out with a simulated flail - a leather sack filled with sand at the end of a rope. Clara ducked under the swing and came up thrusting, driving the blade into the dummy and halting the rotation. The other four dummies were similarly vanquushed, although her form became a little sloppy as she proceeded. Finally, standing above the wreckage of the last dummy - she had reduced it to kindling with a series of two-handed blows - her lungs worked like bellows as she looked proudly back at Aurianna. "Not... not too bad..." she gasped. "Against... dummies... at least..."

---

"Crazy bitch..." Jeoram mumbled, rubbing his sore jaw. What was her problem? He had just pointed out the simple fact that nobidy in their rught mind would trust her in the field, and she'd flat-out decked him.

And niw the rumors were flying around. Punishment detail or not, he was looking forward to tgus caravan escort nonsence. A month away would let her relax, come to terms with what had happened to her. A month would let her seehow much she needed him.

She'd see him in a different light, a month from niw.

---

"You really think there's a chance to redeem him?" Lord-Commander Mykel asked in surprise, looking up from the cup of wine he'd poured.

The Oracle had refused a glass of her own. "Yes."

Mykel drained the goblet at one go. "Why?"

"Perhaps," she said with an enigmatic smil, "I simply wish to pity him."

"Even from you, that's hardly sufficient." He frowned. "Tell me more."

Sbe spread her long, graceful fingers. "We are, all of us, the sum of our choices." A pause. "And he has made some interesting ines of late..."

“Your Mother?” Aurianna asked as Clara demonstrated her prowess. She felt a pang of jealousy at the mention, a primordial loss in her soul. When she was younger she could still remember the soft face that had belonged to the woman, but now all she could summon was long black hair, not unlike her own. Her earliest memories were Lord Mykel bringing her to the temple, and being raised by temple priestesses. Not that her story was any different from the vast majority of the paladins here.

“Was she a Paladin? She trained you well.” Aurianna couldn’t help but ask. She was impressive, at least in the controlled chaos of the training grounds.

“No, we lived in the Outskirts, just outside both the Church’s protection, and the demon’s claim. You have to be able to defend yourself out there, even if you aren’t blessed by the Goddess.” Clara explained, her voice slightly hallow.

“So she is still alive?” Aurianna pressed the line of questioning.

“Well, I got a letter from her two months ago, so she was alive then. She is a tough one, my mother.” Clara explained with a smile.

For the rest of the afternoon, Aurianna and Clara trained, until their muscles ached and burned in sweet fatigue. Aurianna led the way to Justine and Cassi’’s assigned quarters. The meal was lovely, roast beef on a platter of leeks and carrots, with a loaf of honey wheat bread. Aurianna even dared to have a glass of wine, not that she finished it.

"I heard you and Jeoram fought. Are things done between you two?" Cassi asked, as all the women finished their meal.

"Umm, not exactly? He is going to be gone for some time, so we are taking a break. Seeing how things are when he comes back." Aurianna tried to explain while Justine scoffed.

“Oh Ari, you have the worst taste in men.” Justine teased, after she had more than a few glasses.

“Do we have to do this now?” Aurianna sighed, sipping at her goblet.

“Don’t take it too personally Ari, Justine thinks that any taste in men is the worst.” Cassi tried to comfort her, placing a calloused hand over hers.

“I guess I can’t understand why anyone would choose a man when they could choose a woman,” Justine complained, nuzzling the waves of brown hair on Cassi’s head. “I mean women have such lovely features. The curves of the hips, the swell of their breasts, the scent in their hair.” She was kissing her wife now, along the neck, while Cassi playfully pushed her off.

“I cannot deny the allure of some women,” Aurianna admitted, swirling the burgundy liquid in her cup, “But men can have pleasing qualities as well. Like when their arms are muscular, and their chest is well defined. And the hip bones, when they jut out just above their pants…” Aurianna bit her lip now, thinking back to Matthias, in his cell, and how badly she wanted him. But she wasn’t ready, she knew that now. And he must have too. Why else would he have denied himself?

“Yes, Yes, they have that one part between their legs that they think everyone woman wants if she so much as smiles at them. However, did you know there are many talented craftsmen who can create a likeness from a variety of materials. Wood, bone, metal, and my personal favorite glass. Can I recommend a glass blower to you?” Justine joked, giggling impishly.

“Justine!” Aurianna gasped, motioning to her young apprentice.

“Darling you had too much wine.” Cassi held her wife against her breast.

“No, no, no…” Justine tried to protest, chuckling all the long. ”Okay maybe a bit much.”

“We will go, so you can put her to bed before anymore inappropriate things can escape her mouth. Come one, Clara, let me walk you to your quarters.” Aurianna suggested, standing and helping her acolyte.

“I am sorry about Justine, I am sure you have never seen her like that. She can be outspoken and crass, when she is comfortable.” She told the girl as they approached her lodgings.

Clara, determined to be like the other women, had drunk a glass of wine with dinner. Accustomed to the small beer that was commonly served when water was of questionable quality, the stronger drink had gone to her head. She wasn't drunk, precisely, but she felt a little disoriented and a little sleepy. Although some of that was also no doubt due to all the exercise.

"I... don't understand..." she said, cheeks a little flushed. "How do two... two girls...?" The closest she'd come to sex had been when Willam had nervously touched her breasts when they'd been kissing in a storeroom, but she understood the idea of how it worked. And... two women just didn't have the right parts.

"Or is... is that what the... the glass..?" A confused image of the kissing games she and Sue had played late at night, only with a glass penis somehow involved, danced through her mind. She flushed scarlet. "No, no, nevermind. Don't wanna know."

But as she bade her mistress good night and made her way back to the small room she shared with Sue, she really did want to know. She just didn't feel brave enough to really ask.

---

Matthias sweated inside the binding circle, dreading the next question. He dreaded all of them, in these interrogations. They always started with the same questions, ensuring that the binding was properly applied.

"What is your name?"

"Matthias," he heard himself say, even as he tried to refuse.

"Who were you, within the Order?"

"A Knight Instructor, charged with training Aspirants into Paladins."

"Why did you betray the Order?"

He hated this question more than any of the others, because it dragged the shame and horror if that day back into the light. "Because I had been tortured and raped for more than three days, without rest. Because I would - and did - do anything to end the suffering."

That was the ugly truth. It wasn't to save Aurianna, not at the end. He'd surrendered to buy time for her escape, yes. But he'd been confident enough in his faith and courage to believe he'd die before he gave in. But the demons had broken him. And in less than three full days.

"Why did you help the Paladin Aurianna escape?"

"I... don't... know..." Even the compulsion of the binding circle couldn't make sense of that act.

And then the real questioning began.

The dream shifted, as they tend to do...

The arch of the Great Cathedral soared overhead, white marble painted every color of the rainbow by the brilliant sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows. The golden statue or Afodisia stood before him, spear raised, and before the statue stood Aurianna in sheer white robes. She extended a hand. "Come here."

He stumbled backwards, acutely aware of the blood on his hands and the monster in his soul. "No," he whispered. "You deserve better."

She walked towards him, letting the thin gown slip to the floor as she did. "I want you," she smiled. "Since you first accepted me as an apprentice, I wanted you."

He backed away, shaking his head. "No," he insisted. "You don't want something like me..." He stopped short, unexpectedly backing into someone. Olive fingers slid over his chest as a slim, soft body pressed into him.

"She does," the Oracle whispered, lips tracing his spine.

"You know what I am," he protested, shivering as her fingers slipped into his breeches and curled around his hardening cock.

"Yes," Aurianna whispered, kissing him. "A demon." Her lips trailed fire diwn his chest as she slowly knelt, tugging his pants down. "And a man." Her breath was warm on his shaft as the Oracle offered it to her, and he gasped aloud as she took him in her mouth.

"A monster," the Oracle murmured, small hand stroking his cock in time with the agonizingly sweet action of Aurianna's lips and tongue. "And yet, one with a conscience. One that remembers love."

Matthias didn't respond, couldn't respond. All he could do was groan in pleasure as Aurianna's hands slid up his thighs, one cupping his balls and the other his ass. As Aurianna's mouth and the Oracle's hand became unbearably sweet on his shaft. And then the air was cold on his wet cock as she rose, and he could taste himself on her lips as she kissed him. "I want you," she purred, taking his hands and pulling him towards the statue. "On the altar, before the Goddess."

"Ari," he gasped, pulling back, "i'm..."

Her hand wrapped around his cock and gently tugged. "What I want," she growled, giving him a playful, hungry look. Then she released him and sauntered to the altar. "Now," she smiled, leaning back and stroking her belly, "are you coming here, or do I have to do this..." she cupped her sex, one finger slipping inside, "myself?"

He crissed the room, hands fisting in her hair as he kissed her. Her delighted laugh became a shuddering cry of delight as he thrust deep into her. "Ari!" he groaned over and over again, in time with the motions of his hips as thick meat slid in and out of her slick walls. Her legs flexed aroun his hips as she met his every thrust, and she called his name and invoked the Goddess in joyful abandon until his tongue filled her mouth. And then their cries of pleasure mingled as her orgasm clenched around him and his own throbbed against her walls and they annointed the altar with their shared pleasure...

Matthias awoke, cock still twitching and pants soaked and sticky with his cum. "This," he gasped, "is getting ridiculous."

“Matthias…” She was still moaning at the sunlight hit her eyes. The only thing unpleasant about now was the bed she was in, alone. Her entire body ached sweetly, covered in a light layer of sweat, glowing in passion of their lovemaking. It wasn’t the first time she dreamt of making love on the altar, though usually it was Jeoram joining her there, and she had never felt like this after those dreams. It was the first time she had a dream about fucking on the altar after having a dream about being taken by two demons, but that was analysis for another day.

“Ugh, I need new sheets,” She murmured, pushing herself out of bed. She took the bedding soaked with lust of her mattress and bundled it up, promising herself to pick up some clean ones before tonight. Dressing in her white linen robe, not just like the one she wore in her dream, but similar, she ventured to the Mess Hall, to get some food.

It was easier today, to be in the crowd of people and not lose her mind. It seemed there was some new drama playing today, something about Lhyra, master of shields finding her lover in bed with his apprentice Lucian. No, he wasn’t the apprentice anymore, having taken his Paladin vows last week. While she sympathized with the new trio having their privacy ripped to shreds, she was glad her name was not on their lips.

She grabbed herself some hash browns, sausage, eggs and cheese, mixing the ingredients in a bowl to be eaten all at once, fitted inside an empty bowl underneath. She saw Jeoram sitting, with some of his friends, his jaw still purple the yesterday. Their eyes met but there was no warmth there, merely acknowledgement. She hadn’t planned on taking this meal here anyways. With breakfast in hand, she made her way to the dungeon.

“Matthias?” she called out, not unlike how she had called it out in her dream, “I know you asked me not to come back, and if you still feel that way after I have spoken, I will leave.”

“I wanted to say sorry about how I acted yesterday, and thank you for throwing me out, whatever your reasons were,” She explained, standing close to the bars now, watching for his reaction.

“I was hoping we could have a meal together? Talk, like people somehow manage to do?” She offered, holding up the empty bowl. She bled into the bowl, “I know I can’t trust myself if you start feeding on me, but you can still drink it like this, right?” She wrapped the wound, unless he offered to seal it himself.

She sat on the floor, not close enough for them to touch, eating her meal, “I hit Jeoram. Yesterday morning, just before I came to see you.” She told him, flashing a devilish smile his way, “I wanted to tell you yesterday, but you were taunting me about him. My pride got in the way, not wanting to admit you were right about it.” She ate several more bites in silence, giving him a chance to respond if he desired.

“I was promoted to Knight Instructor, and Already assigned my first apprentice. Clara Olgasdotter. Sweet girl.” Aurianna took a couple more bits, before adding, “I have no idea what I am doing, and I am scared of messing this poor child up.”

Matthias sat on the floor of his cell, brooding on the bars of his cage. And upon his hunger. It was a palpable thing, that hunger, and the only thing that made it endurable was the Demonqueller Rune bound to his left wrist. Without it, the monster that squatted in the void where his soul had been would be torturing him. Because it wanted the blood.

He merely neededit.

The soft sounds of footsteps approaching caught his attention. Just one person, so not the Inquisitors. They always came in groups of two. Perhaps the Oracle? Or...

Aurianna. Dressed in a white robe that, if it wasn't as sheer as the one in his dream, certainly bore a strong resemblance. He shifted uneasily, watching as she stopped outside the cell.

“Matthias?” she called out, not unlike how she had called it out in her dream, “I know you asked me not to come back, and if you still feel that way after I have spoken, I will leave.”

By rights, he should drive her away as best he could. Keep her far from him. But... to be honest, he was bored. The Inquisitors were terrible company, and the Oracle played mind games. "Go ahead," he said, waving his hand at the wall. "Plenty of room."

“I wanted to say sorry about how I acted yesterday, and thank you for throwing me out, whatever your reasons were,” She explained, standing close to the bars now.

He chuckled, expression bleak. "I'm... not certain why I did. Some instinct for self-preservation, perhaps."

“I was hoping we could have a meal together? Talk, like people somehow manage to do?” She offered, holding up the empty bowl.

"That's probably not the best decision for you, but..." His voice trailed away, eyes locked hungrily on her as she cut her arm and filled a wooden bowl with her blood. "But... sure," he finished, hunger in his gaze and voice.

“I know I can’t trust myself if you start feeding on me, but you can still drink it like this, right?”

"Right," he answered, watching hungrily as she bandaged her arm and slipped into the cell. As she sat down, she slid the bowl across the floor. He picked it up, forcing himself to sip at the blood within. As he did, she began picking at her own meal.

“I hit Jeoram. Yesterday morning, just before I came to see you."

"Good for you," was his response. "I've considered it myself, but... well..." He held up his left arm, jangling the Demonqueller Rune. "Like this, I'd just get myself a far more severe beating."

She flashed a devilish smile. “I wanted to tell you yesterday, but you were taunting me about him. My pride got in the way, not wanting to admit you were right about it.”

"Nice to know it benefited someone," Matthias grumbled. "I've been trying to provoke you and him both for... three days, now? Four? I've lost track of time."

“I was promoted to Knight Instructor, and Already assigned my first apprentice. Clara Olgasdotter. Sweet girl.” Aurianna took a couple more bits, before adding, “I have no idea what I am doing, and I am scared of messing this poor child up.”

"Is that what this is about?" he laughed. "Advice?" Still chuckling, he shook his head. "Well, start with the basics. Weapons training. Tactics. Theology. Combat theurgy. Then... well," he shrugged. "Try not to have to find yourself in a position where you're selling your soul to save her life. That never ends well, I promise you."

He finished the bowl, licking the last traces of blood from the polished wood. "And you should eat better. Spinach and liver would be ideal. Even more importantly, you should probably not come back down here again. Continuing to associate with a demon, particularly the demon that captured you, is going to raise ugly questions." He grinned wolfishly, teeth and lips still crimson from her blood. "That won't end well either."

"Try not to have to find yourself in a position where you're selling your soul to save her life. That never ends well, I promise you."

“Oh, I am quite aware, I assure you,” Aurianna replied dryly, meeting his eyes with a half smirk on her face. She watched him lick the bowl clean, filling her with some kind of strange pride, knowing he wouldn’t waste a drop of her.

“And you should eat better. Spinach and liver would be ideal”

“Is that for my benefit or yours?” She asked pointedly, giving him a spirited look. But he continued.

“Even more importantly, you should probably not come back down here again. Continuing to associate with a demon, particularly the demon that captured you, is going to raise ugly questions." He grinned wolfishly, teeth and lips still crimson from her blood. "That won't end well either."


She just sighed loudly, annoyed at this advice, even if well meaning. “It’s not like I can avoid the rumors either way. At least this way I get to see you. Besides, I don’t think you are completely a demon. Even you have to admit the man is still there, somewhere.” She clenched the robe close to her, wrapping herself in the memory of his love. It was strange to think that, his love, as if the demon would let him feel such things, but the Matthias she dreamt of last night still had love in his heart.

“I won’t come back, if you don’t want me to. But don’t do this out of some favor for me. You have done that enough. I can decide for myself what I want.” She declared as she took the bowl from him, coming close now, dangerously close. She still wanted him, her dream of him taking her, both before Baath Me’el, and the Goddess, still warmed her body. She gave him a moment to respond, if he wanted to, before leaving, heart still heavy with conflicted feelings.

“And you should eat better. Spinach and liver would be ideal”

“Is that for my benefit or yours?” She asked pointedly.

"Both. Liver and spinach strengthen the blood, and you've lost a lot of it recently. But even more importantly, you should probably not come back down here again. Continuing to associate with a demon, particularly the demon that captured you, is going to raise ugly questions." He grinned wolfishly, teeth and lips still crimson from her blood. "That won't end well either."

Aurianna sighed. “It’s not like I can avoid the rumors either way. At least..."

"True, " he said, trying to interrupt, "but you can avoid feeding them."

"...this way I get to see you," she continued.

"I'm flattered, but really..."

"Besides, I don’t think you are completely a demon. Even you have to admit the man is still there, somewhere.” She clenched the robe close to her, and it made him remember the dream from last night. The second part, in particular. Grimacing, he shook off the memory - it would be of no benefit to him to dwell on something that could never be.

"Everything that made me a man," he countered, "is bound into a signet ring worn on the little finger of Baath-Me'el's left hand." He looked away, remembering that horrific sight - the last of a seeming eternity of horrors. "Oh, sure, I'm still male. But... I have no soul, Aurianna. Not any more. Just... just a demon, filling the void."

He shoved the bowl back across the floor to her, then drew his hand back before he could accidentally touch her. Her blood warmed his veins, but it lacked a certain sweetness when it didn't come directly from her veins. And if she touched him, he'd try to take more from her. And she'd probably let him.

"You should go," he repeated.

“I won’t come back, if you don’t want me to. But don’t do this out of some favor for me. You have done that enough. I can decide for myself what I want.” She declared as she took the bowl from him, coming close now, dangerously close.

"I... do... want that..." he said, voice empty. He shook off a sudden feeling of loneliness, forcing a predatory smile to his lips. "You taste better than the stew my jailers keep giving me." A sigh, and he looked away. "But.. if you really want to do something for me? If you want to return the favors I've done you...?"

His crimson eyes glittered as he met her gaze once more. "Kill me."