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Archdemon Empress Luna

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"I didn't want you to stay there because, like my father, I might lose my access to you, my own Empress, and I didn't want that," Apollyon said without hesitation. "If you don't want to see me, I can't force you to meet me outside Scleranthus unless I compel ten girls to drag you if you refused."

If Luna were in Apollyon's shoes, she would have done that as well.

She knew that Apollyon didn't want to be separated from his mate, and knowing her previous stubborn self; Luna would have taken advantage of the fact that no man can get inside the lair if Apollyon told her about the Scleranthus, the residence of the Empress,

She wouldn't get out of the Palace, either, even if the evil Vampire King she perceived threatened to set the Palace on fire.

Pouting, Apollyon placed one large hand over hers. "If you didn't want to see me, I can't force you to meet me outside unless I compel ten girls to drag you out if you refused."

Luna snorted because both of them drew out the same conclusion.

"Don't worry. You don't have to. If I'm angry at you, I will not hide inside Scleranthus. I would make sure you know." Luna reassured him as she gently patted him in the chest before she got up into a sitting position, smoothing her skirts with her legs outstretched, brushing the lint off her loose floral gossamer gown.

Apollyon's body jerked upward and quickly stood up so that he could offer his hand.

Luna smiled at him and settled her hand on his palm.

Apollyon pulled her up without warning, and she stumbled straight into his husband's arms, leaning her weight towards him.

His hands casually settled on her waist as if they belonged there.

Apollyon towered over her despite being a tall woman as both of them stared at each other. Sometimes when they stood so close like this, it made her heart flutter.

Her husband's presence intimidated her at random moments, and she still hadn't figured the reason behind it.

It was amazing how a man could make her feel more feminine and vulnerable by his silent dominance, demanding her full attention.

Luna breathed through her parted lips, feeling the sexual tension surrounding them.

Again.

It never disappeared--always there, just lying dormant, until someone pushed the right buttons.

Swallowing hard, Luna averted her gaze and focused on his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

Apollyon didn't let her get away with brushing him off.

His left hand left her lower back to raise her chin and slanted his lips over hers.

+++

Apollyon accompanied her as she explored the landscape, walking hand-in-hand.

When they descended into a grassy area with stones and boulders, Apollyon didn't let her descend herself and insist on carrying her.

Luna only acquiesced because she couldn't look around the mountains if she disagreed with him treating her like a helpless cripple.

She knew this was her husband's way of pampering her.

It was unfortunate that she wasn't good at acting like a spoiled wife.

She couldn't stifle a laugh at how romantic he was because it was ridiculous… but at least they were having fun fooling around like they were innocent and playful children instead of immortals.

"It used to be my mother's home." Apollyon abruptly spoke as Luna listened attentively while watching at the low-hanging clouds which covered the mountaintops into a mist. "She only came out once in a blue moon, refusing to see her husband and her son because she was too obsessed with her paintings than us."

Luna can understand how Apollyon's mother was obsessed with the paintings because they were too many of them in the Vampire Castle than she could count. "She would rather drown herself in her art and focus on her muses than care about her son. I hate her very much, and I'm glad she was gone." Grimacing, Luna didn't know how to react to the declaration. "Sometimes, I wondered if I was the one who killed her when the Blood Beast had taken over me."

Luna's eyes widened in shock as she turned to look at him. "The Archdemon of Gluttony killed your own mother?"

"I don't remember." Apollyon couldn't meet her eyes and focused on anything but her.

As she inhaled the scent of the wildflower blossoms and grasslands in the crisp air, Apollyon continued, "Both the Vampire King and the Empress disappeared, so I am not sure."

"I don't know." He shrugged with nonchalance as he brought his hands behind his back. "I'm just glad they are out of my life. None of them contributed to my development except the High Priest's ancestors."

"That must be why you still respect Fei," Luna said softly as she stepped closer to him. "I know so little about your life."

"I know so little about your past, but that's alright with me," Apollyon murmured. "I told you what matters most is the present."

"Apollyon." As she grabbed his sleeve, Luna locked arms with him as she enjoyed the feel of his corded muscles in her fingertips. "I want to fight alongside you."

He shoved back strands of his raven locks and growled, "No, you will not."

"But—"

Apollyon cut her off with a snap and snarled, "There will be no trouble if you aren't stubborn. If they get a hold of you, they might held you hostage and force the Vampire Realm to retreat and admit defeat." He bared his teeth as he fixed her a deadly stare, "I don't want that."

"I will not be caught."

"Don't test me, Luna."

Luna clutched the fabric of his shirt, pleading to him, "Apollyon, we need all the strength we could get for this battle if it happened."

"Yes, if it happened. "Apollyon pursed his lips. "But I already told Prince Aspen of my plans. I'm going to leave you out of this because of the baby."

"I would have to hide you away before exposing you to even a single one of our enemies. I don't care if you disagree with me." His tone was an absolute unrelenting command. "I would lock you in the Ivory Tower even if I have to."