Kapri moved across the room with urgency, her steps silent as she held the letter tightly in her hand. In it she had written down what she has uncovered so far, and about her capitivity with Kavi and Nyxith within the castle. She sealed it in hopes Jiron wasn't also held captive and that it would reach him, she pressed it into the trembling hand of the servant who still had one hand. Her voice was cool, and sharp as she said, "Give this to the man with the dreads, and I'll consider telling you where your hand is."
His eyes widened, with a mixture of fear and hope as he nodded before disappearing off as guards started routing back towards her window. She rolled her eyes at one of them as she slammed the window closed and sat on a couch that was in the room. It had been four weeks since they were confined within the castle on pretenses of thief, and not murder since the servant was still alive and pretended Kapri didn't took his hand, though it was of self-defense.
Four weeks of high security, and it left them unable to find out anything about Lord Dazriel's heart except the possibility he willingly gave it to Count Lirael. She hasn't even been in contact with Count Lirael, and his indifference loomed over her like a rain cloud. Not a single glimpse of him since her confinement, but she knew he would eventually come back. Hopefully, eventually wouldn't be twenty years later, they have a completely different sense of time than humans since they live for so long.
A knock rattled at the door, and it broke the silence she's been sitting through for the past four hours. "Lady Kaprice, breakfast is ready," the maid voice came through the thick wood. Without hesitation, Kapri grabbed the lamp from a nearby table and she hurled it at the door. It shattered in pieces on the floor, and she could hear the maid's footsteps quickly retreat. For the last two days she has refused to eat, though she honestly couldn't afford not too since she just barely started gaining weight again. Just something to get Count Lirael's attention, because though she could have been escaped, she couldn't leave yet.
She crashed back on her bed, as she cursed under her breath as she thought to herself again. Why would Dazriel give Count Lirael his heart? Sex could have been the possibility for the intimacy pact, but Count Lirael can't be possibly strong enough to just take it or make Dazriel just give it to him. Matter of fact, Dazriel isn't in too fond of males in the demonic race anyways. So, why were they in an intimacy pact and why was Count Lirael able to get his heart?
Kapri's musings were interrupted by the quiet creak of the door as Kraxil the Diminutive stepped in, moving with a casual confidence that suggested he was entirely at ease in her presence. He didn't flinch under her gaze—perhaps because he knew he could calm her annoyance with answers.
"Where is Count Lirael?" she asked, propping herself up as he set her breakfast on the nightstand.
"He's occupied with his studies," Kraxil replied smoothly with an unhurried tone.
"Studying what, exactly?" She tilted her head with curiosity edging her words.
"Reviewing new-age politics," he answered, glancing away for a moment. "With more humans settling here, he's keen to keep up on the latest...adaptations." His voice was evasion, and she gave a soft hum in acknowledgment of the lie. "He's requested not to be disturbed."
"And the Countess Lirael?" Kapri asked, reclining back on the bed with practiced ease.
"Off on business." His replies were curt, as if rehearsed. "Who knows when she'll return."
He settled himself into a nearby chair, likely under instructions to entertain her. Kapri didn't mind; Kraxil seemed like a demon who was a source of information, whether he intended to be or not.
"Then let me ask you another question, Kraxil." She stretched out leisurely, her fingers grazing her stomach as it let out a faint rumble.
"What's the real relationship between Count Lirael and Countess Lirael?" She smiled as she watched him carefully.
"Please, Lady Kapri," he said, gesturing toward her breakfast. "Eat."
"Answer my question." She arched a brow with an unwavering gaze.
With a quiet sigh, Kraxil finally conceded. "They're twins, born centuries ago from the same mother's womb."
Kapri's eyes widened as she sat up, placing a piece of sausage into her mouth. She caught the look of relief in Kraxil's eyes as she ate, probably due to some strict order Count Lirael had left about her being made to eat. She chewed slowly after only taking a tiny bite.
"Yes, they do look awfully alike," she mused. "But tell me, how can Count Lirael hold the same title in this county as his sister? Isn't inheritance limited to a one titleholder?"
"A courtesy title," Kraxil answered quickly.
"A courtesy title for another county, perhaps. But the same one?" She narrowed her gaze, but she didn't catch any slight falter in his posture. "Two people can't hold the same title over one territory under demon hierarchy rules—unless they're married."
Kraxil's silence was thick, almost tangible, and Kapri's smile widened in satisfaction.
"So, someone's hiding something," she remarked, savoring Kraxil's uneasy quiet. "Nothing to say?"
"That because my sister and I are also spouses," Count Lirael answered from the frame of the doorway, an amused glint in his silver eyes. He looked quite entertained more than annoyed, and Kapri bristled. "Sibling marriage is frowned upon in the demon hierarchy because of the influence of humans, but it's not illegal."
He eyed Kraxil to leave, and Kraxil quickly scurried away as Count Lirael slammed the door behind him. She scoffed, as if he expected her to jump from that. "It's still quite disgusting."
"We don't decide to live by human standards," Count Lirael said as he moved closer. "But if it makes you feel better, it was a marriage for title rather than a relationship. I don't see my sister in the way I see you."
"And what do you see me as, Count Lirael?" she spat out. "Something to capture. Besides, I am not pleased being here."
"Whatever is the matter, Captive Kaprice?" he asked, his voice laced with feigned innocence. "Is the shade harpy feathers not soft enough? The room not warm enough? However, may I please Madam Thief?"
Kapri crossed her arms over her chest, her nails digging into her sleeves as she narrowed her eyes. "The waist on this dress is too loose. I need it mended," she said curtly.
A smile tugged at Lirael's mouth. "Who are you trying to look good for, exactly? The only visitors here are the women or do you like women?"
Kapri remained silent, her gaze became sharper. After a sigh of resignation, he stepped forward, hand outstretched. "Fine. Take it off, and I'll have it mended."
She slipped the dress over her head and tossed it at him. He eyed her with a slight smirk, taking in her form. "It seems you've gained a bit of weight. I don't see why you can't fit the dresses that were looser on you when you arrived."
"Speaking of, I've only brought enough close for a few days, since I've been here for about a month I'm sick of wearing the same dresses and I'm sure my ladies-in-waiting are too," she hummed.
"Fine, I'll buy you and your ladies-in-thievery dresses too," he said eying her as she sat on the couch.
"I can't fit in this room either," she snapped. "It's unbearable."
He chuckled softly, folding the dress neatly. "Strange. I could listen to you complain all day, when usually I would have your head for your behavior," he leaned in, with a piercing gaze. "Is this how Lord Dazriel feel everyday. Did you put a curse on him?"
"A curse?" she echoed, caught off guard. "What would that have to do with you?"
"A demon infatuated is just curious," he murmured, his eyes narrowing with intensity. "But one that falls in love? That's dangerous. It might be enough to make them hand over their power, yet for decades you didn't?"
"Love?" Kapri scoffed, meeting his gaze. "If that were the case, I would have been killed and paraded around as warning for letting a demon fall in love with me. I'm simply an anomaly that most you demon's either despise or fetishize, there's no love here. Except..."
"Except?" he asked.
"Except none of your business," she refocused back on him.
"I request to be allowed outside my room," Kapri demanded, her voice steady.
Lirael tilted his head as if considering her, though he probably had already made up his mind. "Request denied," he replied smoothly. "Unless you keep me company in my room."
"Mend my clothes, bring them back, and not tomorrow but today," she retorted, her voice cold.
"Then you'll surely die of old age in this room," he smirked.
"I assure you, I will not," she said, reclining on the bed.
A flicker of amusement crossed his face as he leaned downwards, and he caught her chin in his hand. Before she could do as much as react, his lips pressed against hers. Very warm and breathtaking as she found herself kissing him back; demons were so good at kissing. She tasted the faint metallic taste of blood on her tongue as he pressed her lips open. When he pulled back her eyes fell to his mouth as she touched her own lips in shock.
"What? Afraid of a little blood?" he taunted, laughing softly as he grabbed her dress and brought it to his face, inhaling deeply. "I enjoy the taste and smell of yours."
"Freaked out ass demon," she muttered as she wiped the blood with the back of her hand.
With a satisfied smirk, he left the room, the door closing firmly behind him. The second he was gone, Kapri bolted for the bathroom. Panic tightened her throat as she stuck her fingers down to try to expel whatever he'd poured into her, but there was nothing—no blood, no trace of the strange warmth lingering on her tongue. Her heart thudded with dread as she sat back on the floor, realization settling in.
"What did he do?" she whispered to herself, trembling as she hovered near the toilet. She knew the implications—intimacy pacts. They were no simple agreements; they were connections that seeped into one's very essence, and if there was a power imbalance one could control the other.
And now, with each heartbeat she could feel something else—Count Lirael's presence, pulsing faintly within her. She could sense his movements with his footsteps echoing faintly as he moved through the castle. She felt the heat in her cheeks rise as she remembered hearing of demons misusing pacts used to amplify their desire during sex, but humans don't take any bond between their souls lightly for a reason. A demon will almost always overpower them when they do.
This was the exact same one Lord Dazriel was in. So, why Dazriel wasn't able to overpower Count Lirael? Or did he not know it was Count Lirael, and Countess Lirael instead? Perhaps, Lord Dazriel meant for the pact to be made with Countess Lirael instead?
The fog in her mind thickened as she felt Lirael approaching her door again. She quickly rose to the sink, and splashed cold water onto her face because she hoped to clear her thoughts. She stared at her reflection with swollen brown lips and her eyes dark and glazed as if something was drawing her further into a haze.
The bathroom door creaked open, and she saw Count Lirael in the reflection, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine. He had her full attention, and she felt she couldn't resist. A smirk spread across his face as he stepped closer with smooth, predatory movements.
"What a lovely sight," he murmured, his voice a seductive whisper as he closed the distance. He reached out, pushing her gently against the sink and his arms locked her in place. "Do you think I look just as handsome too?"
Her heart hammered in her chest. "Y-yes," she stammered, hating herself for the way her voice wavered, "like a pretty twink."
He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear and engulfing her like she was plunged into warm water. "You're so lovely when you're acting tough," he murmured, his voice wrapping around her like velvet. "Do you want to touch me? Do you want to feel me inside you?"
Her minded screamed it so loudly in her head.
"Yes."
A satisfied smile spread across Lirael's face as he reached forward and lifted her face as he studied her expression. "Are you even trying to resist?" he whispered, tracing a thumb over her lips. "But don't worry, Kapri. I'll take very good care of you."
"I never been the one to resist from my cravings," she smiled as she looked up into his handsome face as she turned around. When her palm touched his face she could feel the heat rise up to his cheeks and his eyes widened. "The pact works both ways, right?"
"You would be corrected," he exhaled, as he leaned his forehead against hers. Though it felt nice, she pushed his head away.
"I don't love you," she mocked. "You don't have to do all the light touching. Just fuck me."
He seemed surprised by her harshness. "Human are so vulgar," he muttered, before he wrapped his hands around her neck and pulled her closer. Then he pushed her mouth open as he tongue slithered into her mouth, the saliva and the movement of his tongue felt like the best kiss she's ever had.
This explains why demons always did this for fun.
He lifted her up on the sink, her arms wrapped around his neck before she bit down on his neck. Count Lirael winced as her teeth dug deep as blood spilled onto her, it tasted better than any pastry she ever had. The crimson blood and the bruise that started to form around her teeth mark was so much more visible on his pale skin.
"You bit in quite a visible place," he said with faux disappointment.
Kapri pressed her thumb against his mouth. "You talk too much," she pressed the top of his head to make him get on his knees in front of her. "Hopefully, you're better than last time."
"Did I not please you last time, My Lady?" he asked as he got on his knees while looking up at her with a playful smirk.
"Took you a while to get me there," she exhaled as she stared off blankly at the wall on the other side as she felt her undergarments being pulled off down her legs. He tossed it to the side.
"I'll be much better this time," he smirked, before his tongue flicked across her clit. Her thighs enclosed around his head as she tossed her head back against the vanity. It was so much better than last time. "I promise."
Her hand touched the top of his forehead as she pushed his hair back so she could see his face begging for her to let out another moan. His eyes big and wet as he held her thighs open, and she noticed a hint of brown coming from his scalp and contrasting with his white hair.
"I can't wait any longer," he whined, but she was distracted by his hair.
"You're brunette?" she asked in confusion, but before he could answer he plunged in her and he filled her so deeply that she wasn't sure how to keep herself together. Her fingers gripped into his shoulders while she arched against the sink. A ragged moan escaped her lips as he leaned closer and breath shallowly into her ear.
"Do you feel that?" he asked, his voice was much deep and thick than usual, knowing full well he knew the answer from her expression. "Could you handle this much from a demon?"
Her legs tightened around his hips as he pushed her higher, one of her legs now draped over his forearm. "Of course," she teased. "This is light work."
His eyes flashed, as if he took that as a challenge before began to move with a fierce rhythm that forced gasped from her lips with each forceful thrust. They were undeniably passionate as if he was eager and desperate to bridge the gap between them. His hands gripped her firmly as pressed her by her neck against the mirror as the strength behind his every motion belied his slim frame. Each powerful movement sent waves of heat through her and made her lose herself against his wild momentum.
"Is that so?" he smirked watching her voice distort with pleasure as she further lost herself against him.
"Yes, quite easy," she said managed to say between her wining moans, and her smirk widened. "Especially with a demon without noble blood."
Her words struck him; his expression darkened. Before, she could register his reaction, he drove into her, forceful enough that the vanity cracked under them. She cried out as her legs shook as he held her up from falling. "F-Fuck."
"What did you mean a demon not of nobility?" he muttered into her ear.
Kapri turned her head. "Did I say that?" she asked as she pressed her lips against his. "Don't ask weird things while still inside of me."