The Damned Demon
chapter-692

The throne hall was shrouded in a heavy silence, the crimson light lighting up the ancient stone walls. Rowena stood at the center, her crimson eyes fixed on Seron, who stood before her with his head lowered in apology.

"He escaped the kingdom?" Rowena's voice was sharp, her expression darkening, "How is that possible?"

Seron sighed, his face etched with frustration and guilt, "Forgive me for my incapability, Your Majesty. But it appears to have been a coordinated effort from a powerful, unidentified group. They aided his escape. I strongly suspect someone within the kingdom helped him."

Rowena's eyes narrowed, her thoughts churning as possibilities flickered through her mind. Someone on the inside. She took a slow breath, her tone steady but cold, "Leave it. We can't afford to waste resources chasing after him now. But take the necessary measures. Ensure that whatever information he has can't be used against us. If he seeks refuge with our enemies, he may offer them knowledge in exchange for protection."

Seron nodded, his face firm, "Consider it done, Your Majesty."

Rowena was about to turn away when she suddenly felt a familiar disturbance—a presence calling her attention. In the blink of an eye, her figure disappeared from the throne hall, reappearing in her private study.

Asher stood by the window, his silhouette bathed in the crimson sunlight, waiting for her. His presence filled the room, and the air seemed to hum with the subtle power he always carried.

Rowena's crimson gaze softened but darkened once more as she spoke, "You must have heard. Oberon escaped. I'm sorry I couldn't stop it. I underestimated his connections." There was a hint of guilt in her voice, the weight of her perceived failure heavy on her that was masked by cold determination, "Maybe I can question Rebecca. She might know something."

Asher turned from the window, his lips curling into a soft, understanding smile. He walked up to her, pulling her into a warm embrace, his arms enveloping her in comfort, "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice tender, "but I can finally tell you what's really going on. None of this is your fault."

Rowena blinked, looking up at him with surprise, "What do you mean?"

Asher gently released her, his expression turning serious, "It's all part of a larger plan," he said, his voice steady as he began explaining his strategy to catch Kira. He spoke of Oberon's escape, how it was orchestrated, the intricate web he'd woven to deceive not just the kingdom but Kira's network as well.

Rowena listened closely, her brows slowly raising in disbelief as the full extent of his plan unraveled before her. By the time Asher finished, her lips parted slightly, her eyes wide, "I never expected this…" she murmured, still processing. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Asher nodded, his expression apologetic, "I wanted your responses to be genuine, for the sake of the public and for Kira's informants within the kingdom. They're watching us, and I couldn't risk them suspecting it was all a setup. That's why I had to keep you in the dark, at least until Oberon had escaped. I know you are more than capable of playing along with me, but Kira is too sharp and would notice any slight detail that might seem off to her. I wanted you to act the way you would if it was real. I'm sorry I had to do this."

Rowena shook her head, her expression softening as she stepped closer to him, "No, there's no need to apologize. I understand why you did it, and I might have done the same." Her hand gently held his arm, admiration, and gratitude gleaming in her eyes, "It must have been difficult coordinating all this while managing everything in the Severed Realm. Other than myself, my ancestors would be pleased to know that this kingdom has such a dutiful king like you."

Asher chuckled softly, his fingers brushing against her pale cheek, "I'm flattered to hear that," he said, his voice low, "but I still have a lot to do before I can proudly consider myself a good king… and a good husband." His tone softened even further, a trace of longing evident, "I haven't been able to spend much time with you lately, and I've missed you more than you know."

Rowena's heart fluttered at his words, and her own yearning surfaced, "I missed you more…" she whispered, her eyes closing as Asher cupped her face, his touch warm and gentle.

Their lips met in a slow, passionate kiss, the world around them fading as they melted into each other's warmth. Rowena's hand slipped around his neck, pulling him closer as she relished the familiar scent of his blood, the intoxicating power that always lingered beneath his skin.

She didn't know if it was because they weren't able to spend much time together these days, but the scent of his blood was more overwhelming than ever, to the point her fangs almost scraped his lips.

The air between them was filled with an increasing hot tension, a dance of predator and prey, of love and lust.

He could sense her fangs threatening to extend, her hunger a palpable force that sent a thrill of anticipation coursing through his veins. Yet, she held back, her urges leashed.

He found it lovable that even after all this time, she was still being so considerate of him.

Their kiss was a clash of passion and restraint, a dance of tongues and teeth that left them both breathless.

Asher pulled away, his eyes locked onto hers, a storm of desire and adoration swirling in their depths, "Don't hold back, Rona. Satisfy yourself by using my blood as much as you want." His voice was a low whisper, an invitation, and a challenge.

Rowena's crimson eyes flashed, her pupils dilating with a primal hunger that sent a shiver of excitement down Asher's spine. He could see the battle within her, the struggle between her desire and her restraint. And then, with a sudden ferocity that stole his breath, she pushed him down onto the floor, her long nails raking through his moon-white hair as she sank her fangs into his neck.

"Oounh..." Asher groaned, a sound of pleasure and surprise that echoed through the empty hall. He hadn't expected the depth of her pent-up desire, the raw, primal need that she had kept hidden beneath her elegant facade. A pang of guilt shot through him as he realized that while he had other outlets for his desires, she had only him. He had been selfish, he knew, and he vowed to make amends.

His hands reached up, his fingers tangling in her long raven hair as he held her to him, encouraging her to take what she needed. He could feel the pull of her mouth, the sweet, sharp pain that sent waves of pleasure coursing through his body. He was hers, completely and utterly, and he wanted her to know it.

Rowena drank her fill, her body trembling with the force of her desire. And then, with a shuddering breath, she pulled away, her tongue darting out to lick away the blood that dripped from her dark red lips. Her eyes fluttered closed, a look of pure bliss on her face as she reveled in the lingering taste of his blood, and her aura strengthened to the peak.

Asher watched her, his heart pounding in his chest, his body aching with need. And then, with a mischievous smirk, he sat up, his hands reaching for the black fabric of her gown, "Now my turn," he growled, his voice a low, hungry sound that sent a shiver of anticipation down Rowena's spine.

With a sudden, savage grace, he tore the fabric apart, her well-endowed breasts spilling out, her pale skin flushing with yearning. Rowena gasped, her eyes flying open, her cheeks stained a delicate red, "A-Ash..." she stammered, her voice a breathy whisper that sent a surge of lust through his veins.

For a moment, Asher stared at her with a mesmerized look, her body looking as bewitching as always, especially with the pear-shaped crimson gem adorning her neck.

He didn't waste any time, his arms wrapping around her naked back, his hands exploring the curves of her body that he had missed so much. He sucked on her supple breasts, his tongue and teeth teasing her sensitive flesh, drawing out soft moans and whimpers that were music to his ears, "Hhhnn~....Ash..." she cried out, her body arching into his touch, her blood heating with her desire.

Asher was insatiable, his mouth and hands exploring every inch of her skin, planting kisses on her sculpted collarbones, her smooth shoulders, her slender neck, before finally capturing her soft lips in a searing kiss. He could taste the lingering sweetness of his own blood on her tongue, a dark, erotic sensation that sent a wave of heat coursing through his body.

Rowena responded in kind, her breasts squished against his chest, her hands exploring the hard planes of his muscles, her touch leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

Their breaths mingled, their hearts pounded in sync, and as the crimson sunlight filtered in through the large windows of the hall, they came together in a steamy, passionate union, their bodies and souls entwined in a dance as old as time itself.

"My Rona," Asher murmured, his voice a soft, reverent whisper as he looked into her eyes, his heart swelling with love and desire, "I love you so much."

Rowena's eyes filled with warmth, her voice passionate as she clung to him, her body shaking with the force of her emotions, "I love you more, Ash."

And with that, they lost themselves in each other, their bodies moving in perfect harmony, their love heating up the air in the crimson-bathed hall for hours to come and forgetting their burdens for a while.