The curse's wake had made my life into an emotional storm. Even though it had faded, I couldn't keep my insecurities in check. My desire for Finn grew uncontrollably, leaving my sanity wavering at times.
I had confessed my feelings, but they weren't entirely out of influence, which made it hard for Finn to accept. After my emotional outburst, Rizak found remnants of the curse within me. This passed the blame onto Astred.
Whatever she had done was interfering with me, or at least it was what was theorized. Sadly, it meant everyone was walking on eggshells around me, and I couldn't help it. I apologized, but it was something Finn didn't want to hear.
To him, it wasn't my place to apologize for something that wasn't my fault. Solas was lying on the floor, gazing at me whenever I moved, but those moments were short. He would soon fall asleep again.
The pup was regulating my mana by consuming all my body couldn't handle, which marked another change within me. If it's a curse or something else, I don't know. Astred didn't make it seem like the hex would make me do anything else other than want to fuck
It fills my mind these days, but there is something else; I don't know what, but I feel it. Something isn't right within me. It's the same gut feeling one gets when a threat looms.
According to Rizak, my magic mutated the curse when I destroyed that cave, triggering all these random effects. At least that was what he thought was happening, though I couldn't help but feel he wasn't saying everything either.
Am I also getting paranoid?! Crap, why is everything so hard? It all started thanks to that stupid succubus!
Whenever Nyla brought me food, Finn had to step out to get it. With my magic out of control, she and everyone else had to stay away, fearing that I could purify her without even meaning to. I went from being dependent to a liability faster than I realized.
While I was fucking Finn, my mind had been on him alone, but whenever he wasn't, my body would sometimes erupt in energies that only he could withstand. Anyone other than him would've been gone, so Rizak was also starting to treat me at a distance.
I'm more than unstable. I'm a freaking nuke waiting to go off here in Fathal!
Solas was the only thing keeping it at bay, which he had been doing before we realized it was happening. While unstable, I could take down the entire castle in a tantrum. All the while, Astred was too tricky to take down.
All the generals held and ruled a large part of Fathal, but she had the most significant chunk out of all the demons. Finn had been hiding me in his room, preventing them from approaching me. It had a hex to prevent anyone he didn't want access to me, which was all to keep the succubus none the wiser that I had been found.
Rizak thought once the curse was lifted, it wouldn't leave any traces other than a higher libido, yet its scars were still surfacing.
"Brie, we need this bitch to come to us. I can't go hunting for her myself." Finn sighed, holding me closer to his chest.
The she-wolf and Rizak were both in the room with us as I gripped onto the demon king who had become my anchor.
She shrugged, shaking her head. "Well, since you can't leave the baby, you might as well invite her in here with something she desires, and we all know what she wants from you, my lord."
I wanted to argue with her, but I couldn't. Instead, I swallowed my pride before clicking my tongue. This wolf disliked me, yet I couldn't let it influence me again. Finn's heartbeat was all I needed to feel grounded.
Yet when it quickened, my attention was taken towards the conversation before me.
"Fuck no. I'm not fucking that bitch or anyone else for that matter." He growled, shifting towards her.
"Well, m'lord, it wasn't like you minded it before Sylvia arrived. So, good luck getting a wary succubus here without sex, and even if we did, that wouldn't change the fact that your bride's hex has changed. It's possible Astred can't do anything about it." Brielle huffed, not holding back any punches.
She had hit Finn right where she wanted as he tensed up before shifting his gaze towards me. If I weren't there, he'd probably bed any female he wanted like he used to—something his knight knew better than anyone else.
I'm special to you. Yet I'm just another hole you can get. So, why be loyal to me alone? It isn't like I can… wait… can I? No stop! Why am I thinking like this?! Stop it!
I flinched at the thought as a throb coursed through me.
"Perhaps we can bribe one of her lieutenants," Rizak suggested.
Everyone wanted this to be over, and my condition was delaying everything. However, the owl watched my every move. Ever since he saw my bracelet, I couldn't help but feel like he was studying me.
"That isn't happening. All the lieutenants are loyal to their general." The she-wolf shot back.
Well… It seems like there is only one way of getting her here.
A smirk rose on my lips, "If betrayal isn't an option, then just let's fuck her."
"What?" basically everyone in the room spurted out.
"I mean, there isn't anything bad with inviting her to a fun orgy with you. You don't have to go through with it. Unless you want to." I declared, tugging away from Finn.
Even though my mind was fuzzy at times, I still craved to place that demon in her place. Solas was in my arms, the size of a plushy, asleep. I was still in one of Finn's shirts, which appeared more like a dress than anything else.
I didn't see any use in using anything else since it wasn't like I would be interacting with anyone while I was like this. Before I could get too far, Finn grabbed onto my arm.
"I'll never fuck anyone else other than you." He drew my eyes back onto him, tugging me back into his arms.
It appeared I wasn't the only one who liked being so close.
"Then let's show her exactly that." I giggled, burying my face into his chest.
It took a few moments for that to register, making Finn chuckle soon after it did.
"Oh! I like where your thinking's going." He smirked, holding me closer.
Nothing is better than to beat a succubus in their own game. I'll use her obsession with you to draw her close before showing her how little she means to you, how I am nothing like her.
"Astred will never come unless you visit her first, m'lord, and she may just feed off our little troublemaker here. I suggest placing her in the dungeon." Brielle sighed, shaking her head.
You're no fun at all.
"Then go get the bitch. If Brielle doesn't want to, Rizak will help me set the scene." I shifted my eyes towards the owl.
"I will?" He mumbled as I had been passive for the past weeks.
Letting my anger rule kept me focused on my goal: to be free of her influence.
"You sure you aren't going to bring down the castle while our king's away?" she shot back, stepping towards me.
"I want to destroy the bitch myself. Nothing will keep me from that." I smirked, feeling my magic swirl around me.
The succubi will regret making me go through that. You will regret crossing paths with me!
"Hah, fine, I'll lure her here. As long as you don't go nuclear, Sparky. Try to keep it inside." Finn let me go, allowing me to gaze at him.
"No promises, little king." I leaned into him.
A tender kiss soon followed, one that was short-lived.
Tugging away from my lips, he simpered. "There she is. I'll be back soon."
I clung to him. "Wait, you have to fix the color of your horns and wings, or she will know something happened."
"This is nothing a little spell won't fix." He assured, disappearing soon after.
I turned towards the owl, whose eyes were shimmering, carefully watching the mana that was surging with me. "So, Rizak, what's the best way to trap a succubus?"
A snicker came from him. "Oh, don't worry, dear; Brielle and I will care for everything. Just make sure to prepare for your date."
"I never thought Astred would swoop so low. All because of envy of a little human girl, pathetic." Brielle huffed, though her voice was colder than I expected.
Ah… maybe you do care in your way.
"All for a heart that was never hers to claim. Let's show her what happens when anyone messes with our lady." Rizak sounded like a completely different man whose aura was thick red.
My blood lust will always outwin her. Finn's words remained in my mind.
Maybe… You mean you can't love me while having that curse. Fuck, no, don't think of anything. These insecurities are just being amplified by whatever is happening in me. Focus!
Rizak and Brielle were gone before I realized it. A soft sigh left my lips as Finn and I had showered before they arrived. My belly was full thanks to Gael's meals, too.
Soon… I'll be back to normal, right? It's been two weeks since the curse was lifted, and the bracelet blossomed.
Sitting on the bed, I closed, hoping to remain in control. It was apparent Finn was the biggest distraction for me. Without him around, I was just a mess of electricity without anything grounding it.
"What a chaotic being I have become," I mumbled. "Is this what you wanted, Serena?"
Solas whined, turning his snout to me, barely awake.
I mean, you're constantly eating at a buffet. Who wouldn't sleep all the time?
"Are you okay?" I asked, petting his head.
"I'm fine. Are you?" he hummed, touching his little nose to mine.
Warm… your warmth is so different from others.
"I'm okay, thanks to you." I simpered, trailing my hand on his fur.
Regulating my mana was a round-the-clock job for him, yet I still missed the principles of what it even was. Yet, back in that cave, I felt something new, and it simply went off like a bomb.
"I'll always be by your side." He promised before falling asleep again.
It was the first time since the curse that I was truly alone. I rolled on the bed, not knowing what to feel.
Finn's probably playing Astred right now. All the while, I'm useless in doing anything about it.
Anger flowed within me, making me grip the bed. The sheets were full of my demon's particular scent.
How will you…. No, it doesn't matter. Once you bring her here, what awaits her isn't the lovin' she seeks.
Sitting up, I gazed at Finn's wardrobe before getting up from the bed and heading towards it.
I don't have any lingerie, but…
Instead of picking out one of his dark-toned shirts, I chose a white one. With the proper lighting, my features were well displayed—something I didn't want anyone else to see.
Yet this bitch invaded my privacy. There isn't anything special about my hole. But I'll show you how much he wants it.
Even though Finn had been playing along with me, he probably wanted to keep me out of it—something I couldn't allow. After an hour, I decided to head towards the debriefing room for the generals.
Picking up Solas, I headed for the door where Nyla was.
Crap… I still haven't…
"Oh, oh, Sylvia. You should be resting." She quickly smiled, staying away from me.
I wish I could hug you, but it's best to hold off on that.
"I am," I affirmed, walking past her.
"But…" she trailed off.
"Can you take me to them?" I sighed, fiddling with Solas's fur.
"They aren't back yet," Nyla informed, gazing away from me.
Why… no… don't think!
"Then take me to where they will be." I quickly spoke, trying to drown the useless thoughts.
"Yes, yes, m'lady," Nyla answered, nodding.
Shaking my head, I gazed at her as my lips curled downward.
"Sylvia." She smiled, triggering me to respond the same.
I wasn't trying to be cold to her or anyone else.
To be truthful, I was never the most stable person with my emotions, but I used to be able to hide them better.
I was ready for all of this to end, and the only way it would end was with her submission.
Well, it isn't like it will free me, but seeing you regret it might bring closure and answers. Something isn't… why do I feel like this?
Nyla led me to the war room, where I met all the generals for the first time. The room was well-lit, with blue flames on every lantern. In the middle of the room was the map Sebastian had used to explain everything to me.
It seemed that perhaps while I slept, Finn was with his generals discussing the cracks in the barrier.
Damn… Is that my fault, too?
I reached for the image only to stop upon hearing a commotion behind me. My eyes quickly caught Finn, whose eyes were crimson red. His horns were of that color, too, but I couldn't tell if it was a spell of reality.
Astred was standing next to him, holding him by his arm. They were both completely unaware of me. Seeing her made my heart spark in ways I never thought would. All my life had been surrounded by darkness.
What's so wrong with letting some of it out?