Chapter 120 - Subtle Arrangements

"The Archdemon of Envy." Ravin acknowledged as he continued to study her body from head to toe. 

For some weird reason, Luna's straight silver hair was flowing into silky waves, turning to gold when the illumination from the tiny glowing orbs encircled her as if attracted by the warmth she had emitted.

Shocked, Luna ran her fingers through her fragrant hair as she patted the coronet on top of her head.

It was shaped like a huge clam, and Luna also noted Ravin's crown, staring at it. 

Fortunately, she wasn't naked as the day as she was born when Ravin had brought her in this Dream Realm.

Luna was clothed in his Kingdom compared to the Vampire Realm.

The Archdemon of Gluttony had chosen a full-length gown for her to wear when she had visited his oasis.

Glancing down, Ravin had picked a transparent material made of the thinnest silk, fitting her upper body like a glove and flaring into rainbow waves from her waist down to the floor while its trails extended further like water.

If it weren't for the tiny diamonds covering her breasts and between her thighs, Luna would have felt so exposed in front of the Archdemon of Gluttony's gaze.

Based on the mischievous glint in his golden eyes, Ravin seemed satisfied by his choice of her clothing as those golden orbs lingered on her chest areas while he gave her a knowing smirk.

The gown didn't reveal everything, but it was enough to tease a man--have something for their eyes to feast on. 

Luna had wondered why the Archdemon of Gluttony had talked to her so casually.

She didn't know why they were having this conversation in the first place.

Tilting her head in curiosity, Luna narrowed her eyes at Ravin, wondering why he hadn't pulled her towards him on the bed to have his wicked way with her.

Ravin's golden eyes held that dangerous glint in them even if he seemed so relaxed as he lounged on the bed.

Luna had waited for Ravin's demon guards to jump on her out of nowhere, drag her towards his dark palace and hold her captive, torture her in the dungeon along with whatever this Demon Prince was hiding in the basement.

Where there other creatures as her or were there purely demons? 

"Where are the other Archdemons you were talking about?" Luna said softly as if saying the word 'Archdemon' would send those demonic creatures to materialize in front of her.

Ever since she had acquired the grimoire when she realized she was the High Priestess, words have the power to be spoken into existence, so she had to be careful.

"Do you want to visit them, Amare?" The Archdemon of Gluttony murmured as he caressed the gold band he wore around his neck, his fingers, circling the golden stone in the middle. "You have to stay for a while in my Kingdom."

As time went by, it appeared like she can't convince herself that this is still a dream anymore.

"I want to get back to the Vampire Realm." She stated.

"But your mine for tonight. Now, come and lie down with me while I'm still in a good mood." The Archdemon of Gluttony complained prettily, holding out his hand. "I wanted to peel the gown I had chosen for you. I don't want any barriers between us: not even Heaven and Earth, not even Realms and certainly not even your clothes."

"I have a husband," Luna repeated, gritting her teeth in the process.

She didn't move an inch and the Archdemon of Gluttony didn't as well.

So, the bastard had expected her to do his bidding? 

No. 

Never.

"Please stop with your dirty talks." She warned him, lifting her chin in determination. "  You don't know what I'm capable of."

Ravin's eyes widened for a second--probably in shock--as if he wasn't used to people defying him, but he quickly schooled his features. "I haven't met you for a long time since Hell had a different time period compared to the other Realm. Sometimes I forgot the fact that you are one feisty woman. You seem to have forgotten that I was your Husband, too."

"I already know that you are married. Since we had the blood bond, you are mine as well. I already told you that." Ravin chuckled darkly as he shook his head at her in amusement. "I don't know about the Archdemon of Lust, though. I don't think he needed you as a wife when he had all other girls at his beck and call in his Kingdom. He had a habit of not fucking the same female twice."

Luna hid her distress behind a mask of scorn. 

"Return me to the Vampire Realm right now. Or else..." She left her word hanging, leaving him something to think about punishment.

"Or else what?" His lips curled up in a smile, his golden eyes darkening.

"Try me, Amare." He said huskily. "Try me." 

Her confidence almost faltered, but she didn't let that deter her.

"What will you do with me if I disobeyed you, Ravin?" Luna asked, staring bravely into his golden eyes. "Will you punish me like my husband, Apollyon?"

Will Ravin beat her up?

Will he tie her down to a pole for all the demons to see before he drove a wooden stake in her heart just for the sake of entertainment?

Will the Archdemon of Gluttony laugh as he burns her while her tender flesh melts in the flames of Hell for petty revenge just because she sent him back here with his brother?

The Archdemon of Gluttony had risen from his comfortable bed and reached for her hand, interrupting her thoughts. "I can keep you here if I want to."

"Ravin." Luna flinched at his touch, but she didn't dare pull away. "I think you forgot the person who sent you to Hell." 

"Of course, I remember. Now that I had arrived in Hell, I think I have quite enjoyed my time here." Ravin cradled her knuckles before stroking her palms with his fingers. "I had fun destroying all the lower-ranked demons who had tried to take over my Kingdom while I was gone in the Vampire Realm, sharing the body of that pathetic Vampire King of yours."

"That's great news that you are already in your element and that you have settled in your Hellish Kingdom after you have been away for so long." Luna tore away from him with a harsh laugh. "Now, I applaud you of your achievements, but it had nothing to do with me. If you would kindly take me back to the Vampire Realm where I belong, I would gladly appreciate that as the Kingdom's Empress."

His ravenous gaze caressed her face. "Who said I would return you?"

"What?" Luna squeaked.

"You are still the High Priestess if you hadn't given your virginity to the King. Hmm, I was wondering the moment you set foot on my land earlier. Why you couldn't return using your magic? You have exorcised two Archdemons from Hell so that would be too easy for you unless---"

She swore Ravin could hear the erratic thunder of her heart before he had discovered her secret.

The Archdemon of Gluttony let go of her hand and splayed his palms against her chest with shameless abandon. "Hmm, I can hear your heart in my head, beating strong and wild."

Luna kept her silence.

It was all too late when the Archdemon of Gluttony whispered, "Hmm, I find it tragic that I couldn't have you the first time I have set my eyes on you and let that bastard had a claim on you first."

He knew.

Luna froze in her position.

It was inevitable that Ravin had learned of her weakness.

She had given up her High Priestess magic to be with Apollyon.

She had this innate fear that the Archdemons would be back, but she hadn't prepared for the situation where they would actually meet face to face so fast.

Now, she didn't know what else to do but stand and stare at him, keeping herself expressionless so as not to give anything away that would let him think he had the advantage.

"I'm giving you a choice as your mate, Amare. You have to stay with me in this Kingdom where all I need is a Queen." Ravin reached out to finger the curls of her long silver hair, shooting her a naughty glance from beneath his dark lashes. "We will live happily ever after, grudges completely forgotten."

"I highly doubt that Archdemons didn't hold grudges for a lifetime when they live a lifetime in Hell," Luna replied drily.

Nevertheless, there was an unexplainable shiver of shameful anticipation coursing down her spine due to his gentle touches.

"I had lived too long to be living with grudges." Luna would not have recognized the cynical quirk of his smile if a diabolical flash of his dimple didn't accompany it. "My grudges are only reserved to the Vampire King, the Archdemon of Lux or anyone who would try to take you away." 

With Ravin's slow fluid movement, he jumped out of bed and faced her, towering over her decent height.  "Hecate had taken your power as a High Priestess. What if I tell you that I could give you more than Hecate if you would strike a bargain with me?"

"You and your bargains." Nearly breathless with hope, Luna moistened her lips and said calmly. "At least let me hear the bargain before I decide on anything."

Was she seriously considering striking a bargain with the Archdemon of Gluttony to have her powers back?