***The Infernal Planes of Lust***

***Amon***

Ashley led me to her office. We thankfully avoided the family’s succubus-pillar which had me done in the first time. Though, the choice of directions was probably less because of consideration on her part and more so because the shortest path led over one of the side-stairways.

We left a mournful Isabella behind, which made me feel somewhat guilty for some strange reason. The truth remained that the pretty succubus had created the mess she was in entirely on her own, so I shouldn't feel bad for her.

I still would have to see her once the business with Ashley was over.

The concerns I was having bothered me nonetheless.

When exactly had I become so attached to Isa? Not long ago, I had fought Isa's attention every step of the way. I wasn't exactly sure, but I thought that my resistance to her broke down when we shared that silent moment on the balcony.

Or was it when she willingly fulfilled my fantasies of other females?

“Oh, don't look like you just stepped on a demonling,” Ashley scoffed when she noticed my expression. Her words interrupted my train of thought, pulling me back to the here and now.

Surprisingly, Ashley linked arms with me. “I know that being mated does strange things to a demon, but you should be able to be apart from Isabella for a few hours at a time without becoming all gloomy and mournful. It doesn’t fit a strong persona like yours.”

We were just a few short steps away from Ashley’s office, so I held back with my questions, figuring that a little bit of patience now would get me all the answers faster in the long run.

Ashley opened the door and I stepped into the room.

She followed and gestured at the sofa that had usually been Khorne's place when I visited the office. “Just sit down so that we can talk. I already interrogated the others, so I already have a general idea of your knowledge about these things. I probably have to explain the situation to you. But please say so if I am wasting our time.”

The door fell shut with a ‘click’ while Ashley went to her office desk.

I frowned, but slowly sat down without saying anything. What was there to say?

“First of all.” Ashley placed the two contracts that had created this mess on her table and turned to face me. Then she tapped her finger onto the one that affected Isa and me. “This says that the two of you not only have a breeding contract but are now also mated.”

I nodded but didn’t say anything. We already knew that.

She blew out a sigh. “Normally, a breeding contract is just that. An agreement between two demons to raise powerful offspring while sharing the responsibility for its care. Being mated means that you also share and care for each other. It’s a rule that's enforced by the Infernum itself by granting the individuals in question the capability to have feelings for each other, something that most demons aren’t truly capable of. This is why my daughter is so unusually nice to you and why you are probably also experiencing feelings that you aren't used to.”

“Wait...” I pointed at the contract. “That stupid thing is messing with my mind!? Why would Isabella do that!?” Wouldn’t she be affected by it too?

“It’s not messing with your mind. Haven't you listened?” Ashley looked at the ceiling as if she was begging for help from a higher power. “It solely affects your feelings. It gives you the capability to care for one another as the mortals do. It turns you all mushy inside and all that. It's normally only done between two demons who want to tie their power to one another.”

She ran a hand through her hair as she searched for the right words. “And Isa likely did it because she thought that just roping someone into fighting Khorne for her and then dropping him like an insane demon would create lingering animosities.”

Ashley gestured with her hands as she thought of something. “Worse, it would imbalance your accounts to the Infernum! I bet she thought she would have to give you something back in return, like her unconditional cooperation. For the accounts to be balanced, something important would have to be given, and that's what she could come up with. You will have to ask her yourself later. I refuse to claim to know what went through that child's head when she made that contract.”

Then she muttered to herself. “Probably thought she was being smart...”

“I suppose there is no way out of this?” I asked, already starting to bemoan my fate.

I kind of wanted Isabella. But I didn't want her because she or I were forced to want each other. I wanted her to want me because she wanted me! This mating business was stupid!

Wait! That... actually didn't make any sense. I was Amon Chaogenito! A demon! Not some mortal in heat! Why would I want that?

Then again, I guessed that mortals hadn’t any choice in who they felt attracted to either. So was there really that much of a difference?

Then it's good that you have me. I actually like Claire a lot better than Isabella. Did I mention that I am not affected by this contract? I will keep your head straight once you dance out of line.

Oh, great! As if that wasn't another troublesome development. If the other didn’t share my contracts with Isabella and the others, did that mean that I was only half-bound to Isabella?

“No. There isn't. Once a succubus bonds to a mate it's for life,” Ashley gave me the harsh truth plainly, unaware of the conflict that had played out inside of me. “And let me warn you. If you hurt any of my girls, the rest of your existence will be short and brutal.”

I tried to smile reassuringly at the succubus matriarch. “I wouldn’t think of it.”

“Good. Then we are fine.” She gestured at the other contract. “But our real problem comes with what you inherited from Khorne thanks to your ill-considered bet with him. You are now the proud owner of your own succubus harem, myself included. Additionally, that likely means everyone who ever swore allegiance to Khorne. Meaning all of his legions are now yours to command. That is assuming that you can stay in control of them as soon as they learn of their master's demise.”

“Isn't that actually a good thing?” I asked hesitantly.

“His legions being mine, I mean,” I quickly clarified. “I wouldn’t presume that you succubi are actually thrilled about this forced wedding thing… And I have to admit that I don't really know what I would need Khorne's legions for. But could you please elaborate on this marriage thing? I have never heard about demons marrying?”

I was after personal power. The ability to command armies at my beck and call would be a nice bonus, but having my own strength at my fingertips was always far more important to me. I didn’t have any delusions that those legions wouldn't desert as soon as they heard of Khorne’s death. Actually keeping them under my control would be more of a hassle than it was worth.

Ashley cleared her throat. “About your contract with the Ashborns – I am just calling it a marriage because it’s basically that. The contract would have turned us into Khorne’s closest allies if it wasn’t for that pitfall that was intended to kill him. The relationship laid out in the contract is meant to be far more than just mere allies or friends. So, it’s a marriage, a fusion of all our resources and power for the benefit of both parties.”

She sniffed with what seemed like distaste. “Although, you don’t bring much to the table when it comes to resources. Unless you manage to claim Khorne’s assets.”

“Yeah... About that, I would like to read it. Now, please.” I held out a hand.

Ashley looked displeased but handed me the paper.

I took it and started to read while she continued to explain the situation. Even if I didn’t have the time to comprehend it all right away, my memory would allow me to recall and consider the contract later on.

“Please be aware that you have essentially taken Khorne's throne!” Ashley wagged her finger at me. “Which means that you are now the first address for every demon who is out for power! Even Khorne's enemies will be after you because they have to fear that you will continue his legacy. Mekedesh, Sogman, and Vegth are still very much alive – if a few legions poorer. They will try to rebuild their power as soon as they learn that Khorne is no more.”

“Then let’s hope that they will ignore us and continue in their ways of purging each other. Wasn’t that the state of affairs before Khorne became a sufficient threat to unify against him? Or so I have heard,” I stated.

Most of the contract was indeed just as Ashley had told. Though, the pitfall that she had pointed out wouldn’t have been obvious to me if I hadn’t been looking out for it. The woman was a genius when it came to contracts.

Which meant that I shouldn't make any deals with her.

“I have to admit that we might have had a hand in their unexpected cooperation. This means that if they found out about my involvement, they might hold a grudge. Though, hopefully not.” She interlaced her fingers and regarded me with a thoughtful expression. “And as far as the Ashborns go, we are of two minds when it comes to you. The majority of us haven’t interacted with you all that much. Many are intrigued by the high praises that your little harem sang about you. Others think that you might be just the next piece of meat on the chopping block. I guess that you will simply have to prove to us that you can take care of a succubus harem.”

Ashley narrowed her eyes at me. “Many supposed Demon Lords have entered this castle with thoughts of pretty females fulfilling all their wishes. None have lasted for very long.”

“Okay! So I just have to make nice with all the ladies and deal with Khorne’s unwanted inheritance. Which means that I just have to kill anyone who comes knocking,” I clarified and shrugged. Things hadn't really changed much as far as I was concerned. “I don't see where the problem is. Khorne’s enemies have sent assassins after me already, just by my association with Ebandon’s Warband. Maybe I will have to pay those Demon Lords a visit if they turn out to be annoying enough.”

Ashley drew a breath to say something but stopped herself. She tried and stopped again before she reconsidered her words and frowned. “No, it's probably not a problem for you. But! It's a problem for me because it’s my house all of them will come knocking at!”

I looked around and grinned. “I hope this lightens the mood but, considering the storm outside, your house should be sturdy enough.”

She looked at me with a blank expression that made her look even prettier. The flaming red hair and the silken dress that just so covered her feminine curves had drawn my attention the first time I had seen her in the courtyard. If Ashley wanted to, she could look unbelievably attractive despite her…

I had to pinch myself just to get my mind out of the gutter. This was Isabella's mother for Infernum's sake! It appeared that I was too tired to be in her presence. If I had such thoughts just from watching her.

Ashley noticed that my mind had strayed to another topic. She sighed and pressed something on her office table, some hidden switch.

The sofa I was on suddenly lengthened and transformed with me on top of it.

“What!?” I called out in surprise, but the transformation didn’t happen in a way that felt threatening, so I stayed where I was while I observed the enchantments that made it possible. They were, in fact, very similar to the ones I had learned from the succubus pillar and which I consequently used to create the shape-shifting ability of Myriad Deaths.

Though, the ones that transformed this sofa were far more interesting. Moments later, I was in a three-by-three-meter bathtub that was rapidly filling with warm water.

Ashley smiled and shook off her high heels. Then she stepped into the tub, not caring at all about getting her own clothes wet.

She dropped onto her knees and went to all fours, incidentally getting water all over herself. “It appears to me that you are too tired for any further productive conversation. So we will have some fun before the others get their turn and then Isabella and her gang can have you back.”

“Excuse me!?” I squeaked and quickly cleared my throat once I realized that I had acted very undemon-like. “What's that supposed to mean?”

Ashley slipped through the water, making sure that her red dress got thoroughly soaked while she came up next to me, sliding a perfect thigh up to my hips.

Damn! That woman has an expensive style. That’s firespider silk! Strong, but it completely dissolves if it gets wet!

I kind of had to agree with the other, but for a different reason. Seeing the clothes of a beauty like Ashley dissolve and drip down her perfect body to colour the water violet had something alluring. And I believed none of my many memories could provide me with a similar experience.

Ashley raised a sharpened fingernail and started to remove my tattered leather armour. “That's the other issue which we have to get out of the way. You see, that contract was intended to kill Khorne. I already mentioned it, but he was supposed to work his way through all the succubi before he was allowed to touch our little Isa. I just cannot let you return to her before you have proven your worth as the newest member of the Ashborn family.”

“Aeh...” I licked my lips, not liking the sound of that. “Aren't there... forty of them? Aside from Isabella?”

“The whole family is forty-two strong, counting myself,” Ashley clarified and straddled me. “But Kasdeya already explained that this little hurdle isn't an issue for you. I promised Isa that we would go easy on you. If my instructions were followed, then Hellith is already lining them up outside the office so that we can give you back to Isabella as soon as possible.” She took my hands and guided them to her perfectly shaped chest. “Now. Do your duty, husband.”

I had to get out of here! Maybe I could run away with Isabella? Was she able to weather the storm?

Certainly not! Tell Ashley to bring them in two at a time!

***The Infernal Planes of Lust***

***Isabella***

“I am thirsty!”

“I know.”

“My back hurts!”

“I know.”

“My tail hurts!”

“I know.”

“And my balls hurt!”

“You can stop now before we get into all the details that I don’t want to hear about,” I admonished Amon while I placed a pack of ice on his twitching back muscles. They continued to convulse as if the movement had turned into an ingrained reflex. “You survived. That's all that counts. Though, I certainly don't see how you could complain after a night like that.”

“Five of you were already too much!” He moaned while lying on his belly in our bed. “They said that they would go easy on me. I think the amulet might be unable to heal certain forms of nerve traumas.”

I sighed. “They kind of did go easy on you. Didn’t Ashley stay with you the entire time to ensure that I get you back in one piece?”

“That was disturbing all of its own! And the woman took her piece of me,” he continued to complain. “You have to make sure that they never get their claws on me again.”

He grunted as if he had to fight some inner conflict. “At least not all at once!”

“Of course not.” I kissed his shoulder. “That was because of the contract. From now on, you are mainly mine.”

I laid myself down next to him and spooned him between my legs and wings. “We will have more than enough time for a honeymoon of our own. The storm season will last a few more months. Nobody will be able to interrupt us while we are in the castle.”

“You know…” He chuckled. “Going out and claiming Khorne’s old assets might be a good reason to run off once the storms are over. I might even conquer Lust while I am at it.”

I dug a finger into his back until he started to squirm. “First, find a way to get rid of those cramps. And no, I wouldn’t ask Felicia for drugs again if I were you. I think that taking too much of that channeling enhancer during your fight with Khorne might be the reason for your cramps, and not mother and my sisters.”