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Archdemon Empress Luna

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"Ah." Luna grimaced as she continued bitterly, "Was it that delusional princess claiming you want to replace your wife and marry her, instead?"

"It's just a speculation of mine. I think that Princess Alisabethe was the one who started the rumours that you sent the shapeshifting demons at the celebration of Ostara to destroy the Spring Courts. Because you have proven that you were the only one who can control diabolical creatures. The Spring Monarchs have witnessed you summon a Demon Snake and neutralized the threat with ease. "How can a vampire subdue a demonic legion except for its Master or a stronger demon, unless, that someone--you--who is at a level above their hierarchy?" Apollyon told her as he listened to the calming whispers of the wind.

"Alisabethe also had a reason, spreading that malicious rumour to spite me because I, apparently, led her on," Apollyon continued. "Rumors have also spread in the Spring Courts that you, my wife, is also an Archdemon."

Luna slapped a hand on her forehead, and the pitch of her voice rose in a panic. "How can that stupid gossip spread like wildfire? I am afraid, Apollyon. There is a grain of truth in every gossip--"

Apollyon interrupted her." —sometimes it can become an exaggeration. My speculations are... it was either Prince Aspen or King Zephyr who betrayed us and told someone from the Spring Courts that you became an Archdemon or... they drew out the conclusions themselves at Ostara."

One of the things Luna hated in this worked was to be blamed for a crime she didn't commit, including the things she hadn't done before.

Luna raised her head towards him as she clutched at the fabric of his loose shirt in desperation. "Princess Alisabethe suspected me first instead of King Zephyr, who was in the territory of the Spring Courts?! Shouldn't they point fingers at the Shadow Kingdom?! Those shape-shifting demons were similar to the umbras summoned by Shadow Masters--"

"—except the fact that they can possess demons." Apollyon reasoned out. "That's why they can't point fingers at King Zephyr."

She gasped. "What would they do if they found out that I am a true Archdemon?"

"Just like what is happening now," Apollyon replied calmly. "They would declare war against us because, in their eyes, you were the one who controlled those shape-shifting demons. They could also blame you for killing the unicorns as the leader of that demonic cult and make you responsible for the blood sacrifice of the faeries who turned themselves into monsters--devil worshippers--if words got out---"

Frustrated, Luna glared at the sun while its golden rays behind the tree canopies glared back at her. "I don't want to be a scapegoat, Apollyon."

"I wouldn't let them, either. I told you I would protect you, didn't I?" Apollyon's harsh tone sounded like he wanted to draw blood. "If someone found traces of evidence about Prince Aspen burning those corpses..."

Her blood boiled with anger at the Spring Courts. "Are we sure that Prince Aspen did what he promised to do? Did Cederic see him burn these corpses?"

"Yes. Cederic told me that they disposed the cadavers and set them on fire without destroying the forests surrounding it."

"You couldn't hide the thick, black smoke coming out from burning that many corpses, husband. Can all of them be trusted? How about Prince Aspen's Faerie sentinels who helped in carrying the dead bodies?" Luna demanded. "What if one of them told one of the Spring Monarchs and brought evidence with them after they burned those demonic fairies in the forests?"

'This wasn't Apollyon's fault,' Luna reminded herself, breathing hard.

Luna exhaled as she massaged her temples, calming herself down when she noticed she was close to snarling at her husband.

"Hmm." Apollyon faced her with an intense gaze and caressed her jaw at the back of his hand.

The tone of his voice was pragmatic when he said, "I would tell Prince Aspen to investigate his Faerie Sentinels, as well. You don't have to worry."

"I told the Spring Courts that I had sent you back to the Vampire Realm along with the High Priest and Cederic while I remained here in the Faerie Realm to deal with the negotiations. Just in case they would attempt to snare the Envoy while I'm not there to accompany you during your travel." Apollyon informed her, and she thought that it was particular juicy information—one she could sink her teeth.

"I will keep you with me at all times when I am not a hundred per cent sure that the Spring Courts could be trusted now." Luna listened intently at Apollyon's words. "We will know if the Spring Monarchs betrayed the agreement if Cederic contacted me that they were ambushed on the way to the Vampire Realm."

Luna sighed with relief, and the tension of her muscles loosened. "You did well, husband,"

Apollyon responded to this crisis well.

"Very smart." Hopefully, they could set up more traps just in case the Spring Courts did something unexpected.

They have to be prepared at all times to initiate a counter-attack.

"Where are we, anyway?"

'"We are still in the uncharted territory of the Spring Courts. Only solitaries Faes live around this area. As the Spring Courts alliance representative, Prince Aspen promised our safety while we remain hidden from the general public so that we wouldn't stir political unrest." Apollyon explained, playing with her hair's strands by combing them with his fingers for the thousandth time whenever he felt bored.

Luna hadn't seen Apollyon play with his raven locks yet, so maybe, she should do the same to him sometimes."Prince Aspen's trusted Faerie Sentinels and the vampire soldiers I picked from the envoy hung around were patrolling the mountains to ensure our safety and alert us of attacks from the armies of King Nuada and Queen Gloriana."

"Basically, we are living as fugitives." Luna observed, and it was supposed to come out as sarcastic but Apollyon replied in a blunt, "Yes."