Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

When Drayce returned late that night after helping Arlan with his current issue, he immediately sought out Seren. He had missed her and couldn't wait to catch up on what she had been doing in his absence. Seren eagerly told him about her visit to Keiren's residence.

"...and I don't think Prince Keiren objected to my visit with his wife. In fact, he made sure I returned to the palace safely."

"Now you've tested what you wanted to know. After this, never ask Slayer to leave your side again."

"I won't," she promised. "But I can't deny that I was pleased by how Prince Keiren was displeased when he realized Slayer was gone. He even arranged for my safety. It almost felt like brother Cian was standing in front of me. Fewer words, but actions that clearly show their intentions."

"We are family, after all. He cares about our family as much as we do."

"I see that now." She then held his hand. "Are you really not going to talk to him about what he's up to?"

"I'll think about it," Drayce assured her. "It's Arlan's wedding in three days, and we'll have to go."

"Will the wedding still happen given the situation?"

"They haven't canceled anything, so we have to go, regardless of whether the wedding takes place or not. Everything depends on Arlan and Oriana, especially Oriana."

"Will we be gone long? Edith will soon be nine months pregnant, and I want to be with her when she delivers."

"We'll teleport and return quickly."

"Great. I talked to Lady Tyra and have already prepared many things for the baby and his mother. Edith doesn't have any family members to be by her side, so I'll make sure she and the baby feel that warmth."

"You're becoming more and more considerate," he said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips, his gaze turning intense. "Now be considerate of your husband and care for him as well."

He pushed her down on the mattress, pressing her beneath his body. Her hands rested against his chest, trying to stop him. "Dray."

"Hmm?" He inhaled the scent at the nape of her neck. "Just a day and I already miss this."

"I want to talk about something...about us."

He continued to pepper kisses on her cheek and along her neck. "What about us?"

"It's about Erebus."

"What about him?" Drayce's fingers pushed the dress aside from her delicate shoulders and gently nipped at them.

"Dray..." she gasped lightly, "...are you even listening to me?"

He finally stopped and looked at her. "Why do you have to bring him up at this hour?"

She glared at him, her displeasure clear. "Then are you ever available to talk to me at any other time?"

Drayce realized his mistake. "Tell me what it is."

"I haven't talked to Erebus since that day. Even though you told me he's fine, I can't stop thinking about him. I want to meet him." Her gaze was determined. "Is there a way you can let me meet him whenever I want? It shouldn't be like always, where he just shows up when he feels like it."

"You want to control him?" Drayce asked with a chuckle. "Like how you're used to controlling me now?"

"I don't control you," she frowned. "If I did, I'd keep you by my side for twenty-four hours, never letting you leave."

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow. "Who was the one who got tired of me in just a week and asked me to return to the palace?"

Her face flushed lightly. "That was different. If you didn't always do that, I wouldn't mind spending all my time with you. Now tell me if there's a way to call Erebus whenever I want to meet him."

"I'm not sure either. He shows up only when we're in danger or when we're in the middle of getting intimate, which he stopped after you warned him last time," Drayce replied.

Seren pressed her lips into a thin line. "I warned him, that's true, but it's been a while since we've consummated, so there shouldn't be an issue with him showing up."

Drayce looked at her silently for a moment before saying, "Are you getting tired of me or losing interest in me that you now want him?"

Seren was taken aback. "No. What are you talking about? You are always the most precious one to me, and that will never change." She cupped his face in her hands and kissed his lips. "Nothing can replace you. Don't misunderstand.

I'm just worried about his disappearance. After all, he is you."

He chuckled playfully, seeing her so serious. "I was teasing you. If you truly wish to see him, he might have already heard you and show up. How about we try getting intimate, and he shows up all of a sudden like before?"

She felt skeptical. "If he won't show up?"

"We will keep going on and on until he shows up."

Seren narrowed her eyes at him. She could see his wicked intentions. "Only once. If he shows up, then fine. If not, we stop and just sleep."

"Alright, only once…"

"Not your once, my once," she interrupted him, determined not to fall for his schemes.

Drayce felt like laughing at how defensive she was being at the thought of being intimate with him, making him wonder if he had truly scared her with his insatiable desires for her.

"Alright, both of ours once," he agreed, sealing her lips with his own. "No more conditions now."

Seren gave in, knowing she craved him as well, as long as he didn't overdo it.

When they were finally done with their once, Seren lay spent in bed, her eyes closed and breathing ragged. "He... didn't show up..."

"Maybe we should try again," Drayce offered, ready to start again.

She opened her eyes and pushed him away, her hands pressed against his bare chest. "No. If he doesn't want to show up, he can do what he wants. I want to sleep now. Tomorrow, I have to visit Edith again."

"You have time for everyone but me," his voice held a note of complaint.

"This pitiful act won't work on me now. I've seen all your sides in that one week, and I'm not falling for it again," she said determinedly. "You'll complain even more when I spend more time with Edith's baby. You better prepare yourself." With that, she closed her eyes. "Let me sleep."

Drayce lay next to her, sighing deeply as he covered both of their naked bodies with the duvet.

Late in the night, Seren stirred in her sleep, feeling something unusual. When she opened her eyes, she was met with a pair of dark irises staring at her. Their owner lay on his side in the bed, facing her, observing her.

There was silence in the chamber for a while as Seren didn't react. She felt like she was dreaming and simply looked at him. He moved his hand, and his fingertips gently caressed her cheek.

Seren realized it was not a dream and that Erebus had finally shown up. Did he hear her when she talked to Drayce about it? He surely did.

"You finally showed up?" Her voice was low and gentle.