On the fourth day, Noah received a summons to Mistress Elena's chambers. The message came without explanation, leaving him curious—and a bit wary—as he made his way through the winding hallways.
As he reached her room, he took a moment to compose himself, bracing for whatever encounter awaited him.
He entered, and his breath caught in his throat. Mistress Elena stood in the center of the room, draped in a gown that was nearly see-through.
The sheer fabric clung to her body, accentuating every curve, and his gaze was inevitably drawn to her bare skin beneath the delicate cloth. His eyes traced over her, lingering momentarily on the slight, darker shade of her nipples beneath the fabric before he quickly averted his gaze.
Noah gulped, forcing himself to keep his eyes respectfully downcast. 'Keep it together,' he thought.
He wasn't about to give her any reason to prolong this moment with one of her "lessons." But it seemed fate had other plans, and Mistress Elena's keen gaze didn't miss his reaction.
"Look at me, Zeph," she commanded, her voice gentle but firm.
With a silent sigh, he obeyed, lifting his eyes to meet hers. A slow, knowing smile crept onto her lips as she noticed the faint blush on his cheeks. "Still the same, I see," she murmured with a pleased look, almost as if making a mental note of his reaction.
'Perfect,' he thought. The blush, the hesitant gaze—all of it was a ruse to mask his true thoughts. He could easily have turned on his (Self Control) skill, which would have killed any temptation or reaction. But he knew better than to give her any hint of resistance. Instead, he allowed himself to appear overwhelmed, using his facade to protect himself from her ever-curious mind.
Mistress Elena's gaze intensified as she took a step closer, closing the space between them with an air of undeniable allure.
She reached out, her fingers trailing lightly over his chest in a touch that was almost a caress. Her hand traced its way over his torso, up toward his collar, each movement slow and calculated.
Noah swallowed hard, forcing his body to stay still as her touch sent a subtle, feigned tremor through him. "Mistress…" he murmured, letting his voice reflect a blend of anticipation and restraint.
Elena's smirk deepened, clearly pleased with his apparent hesitation. She moved even closer, her breath warm against his neck as she leaned in. "News travels quickly here, Zeph," she whispered, her voice smooth and dangerously soft.
Her fingers grasped his collar, pulling him just close enough that he could feel her presence in every sense. "I've heard about your… playful encounter with one of the maids."
Noah's eyes widened, and he drew in a slow breath. He quickly scrambled for a response, keeping his voice steady but deferential. "Mistress, the maid spiked my drink. She tried to take advantage of my vulnerability, but I remembered… I belong to you alone." His words were spoken softly but with enough sincerity to earn a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.
"Is that so?" she murmured, her smile returning as she lifted an eyebrow, amused. "Loyalty. It's a rare trait in these parts. Good to see it hasn't been lost on you."
Noah watched her carefully, noting the way her expression shifted as she continued. She let go of his collar, trailing her fingers down his chest again, and stepped back to face him fully. Her gaze held an intensity that told him she was about to say something important.
"As the last Incubus, you have certain privileges, Zeph," she began, her voice taking on a serious tone. "You are free to do as you like, to indulge your needs however you see fit. If you need to amuse yourself, then by all means, do so." She tilted her head, her eyes glinting with a touch of possessiveness. "However, let it be known that I stand above them all. Whenever I summon you, you will appear. No one else holds authority over you. I alone am your Mistress."
Her words settled over him, a declaration of her control and her expectations. Yet, they also contained an allowance he hadn't anticipated. She was giving him a degree of freedom, albeit within certain limits.
This could work,' he thought, feeling a glimmer of relief.
Bowing his head slightly, Noah replied, "Understood, Mistress. Your wishes are my command." He allowed himself to relax slightly, keeping his tone sincere. "Thank you for trusting me."
Mistress Elena regarded him for a long moment, her gaze searching his face as if to ensure he truly understood the weight of her words. Then, a faint smile returned to her lips as she reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"There are certain privileges to being in my service," she murmured, her voice softer now. "You've proven your loyalty, and for that, I am… pleased." Her eyes softened as she traced a finger along his jawline, letting her touch linger just long enough to draw out a subtle reaction from him.
Noah felt a faint shiver but held himself together, maintaining the appearance of humble submission. He had learned early on that Mistress Elena valued displays of loyalty and respect above all else.
With a nod of satisfaction, she withdrew her hand and extended it, palm up, signaling for him to take it. "Now, enough talk," she said, a hint of playfulness returning to her voice. "Accompany me to the dining hall."
Noah took her hand carefully, feeling the warmth of her skin as he held it, and led her toward the door. As they walked, he sensed her watching him, a pleased smile playing on her lips.
He didn't need to see it to know that she was already planning their next encounter. She was as unpredictable as she was powerful, and each day with her revealed new depths to her character.
Still, he felt a small sense of triumph. Mistress Elena had given him a rare allowance, one he hadn't anticipated. She had effectively granted him the freedom to pursue his interests and test his limits within her domain.
Her expectations were clear—he belonged to her, and he would serve her above all else. But in the meantime, he had some room to maneuver.
As they reached the dining hall, Noah couldn't help but think of the opportunities this new allowance presented. Mistress Elena's control over him was undeniable, but it wasn't absolute. And if he played his cards right, he might be able to leverage this freedom to his advantage.
Mistress Elena released his hand as they entered the dining hall, her attention shifting to the room as she took her seat at the head of the table.
Noah settled into the seat beside her, aware of the glances they received from the other servants. The atmosphere was one of respect, and he noticed the faint smile on her lips, as if satisfied by their acknowledgment of her authority.
As they began their meal, Noah's mind continued to churn with thoughts of what lay ahead. He had managed to win her favor and secure a level of freedom, but he knew that there would always be strings attached.
His next steps would need to be as careful as ever if he was to make the most of his position as the last Incubus.