The Damned Demon
chapter-718

Asher stirred in the dark silence of his castle, rising from his coffin, his senses sharpening as he registered an unexpected presence. Standing before him was Sabina, her arms crossed, a playful yet intense look in her eye, and behind her, a dark blue coffin resting on its side.

He narrowed his eyes, a subtle edge to his voice as he asked, "What are you doing here?"

Sabina raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "What? Can't a consort even visit her husband in his training hall?"

"That's not what I meant. If you want my blood or something, it has to wait. I'm really busy right now," he muttered, hurriedly pulling on his black royal robe, his movements brisk.

Her smirk faded, a flash of disappointment crossing her face, "I know I'm a horny bitch," she began, hesitating slightly before continuing, "but I… I'm more than just that to you. I'm your woman…your wife, even if I wronged you in the past."

Asher's eyes flickered as her words sank in, an unexpected gravity in her tone. Sabina's gaze held a flicker of vulnerability, her hands tightening slightly around her arms.

"I know you still hate me for what happened," she continued, her voice trembling with barely suppressed emotion, "but I only did my duty as the young lady of my House. I can't change the past, only beg for your forgiveness." Her voice dropped, softer now. "I know you don't want to tell me everything, including why you spend so much time in the Severed Realm. But that doesn't mean I can't try to support you…as I wish."

Asher's expression softened, taken aback by the sincerity in her voice, her frustration, and the quiet pain she'd been carrying.

"Sabina, I—"

She cut him off, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she nudged the dark blue coffin with her foot, "And I waited here to deliver the extra human avatar you've been asking for. Mother struggled to find the resources, especially after Father forbade her access to precious materials required to make one. So I… helped her out," she added with a touch of pride, her tone tinged with a faint hint of defiance, "I thought you might need it urgently, but you can't afford to be careless with it. It might as very well be your last."

Asher's gaze softened even further as Merina's voice echoed in his mind, letting him know that Sabina had risked herself, spending weeks gathering the resources on her own, located in dangerous locations, some even in enemy territory.

Since Merina was standing right outside, she was able to communicate with him mentally.

Asher's heart stirred with unexpected warmth, realizing the extent of Sabina's dedication.

She took a step back, her lips pressed tightly as she turned to leave, "I suppose I've done my duty as a consort here for now," she said, her voice quieter, tinged with a mixture of disappointment and lingering pride.

But before she could take another step, Asher's arms wrapped around her slender frame from behind, pulling her back until she felt the solid warmth of his chest against her. A shiver ran through her, her pulse quickening as she felt the strength and warmth of his embrace.

"Sabina…" he whispered softly into her ear, his breath warm against her skin, "I'm sorry. I've neglected you, treated you unfairly as a wife, didn't I?"

Sabina's eyes widened, her vision blurring with unshed tears. She hadn't expected an apology from him, and his words struck her deeply, softening the guarded walls around her heart.

Asher tightened his hold around her, his voice low and filled with sincerity, "…You're right. You are my woman…my wife. I shouldn't have taken you for granted or let my anger blind me to who you are now. But I see it now. I see how hard you're trying to support me, and I can't express how grateful I am to have you as my wife. I was cautious of you because of your nature…and how you tried to kill Merina in the past. But maybe that's also what makes you even more attractive to me. I know now you'd never harm those I care about. If that was the case, you would have never spared Merina or any other woman I care about."

A mischievous smile slowly broke through Sabina's tear-filled expression as she brought her hands to his, caressing them lightly, "Fufu~ Took you long enough to realize just how irresistible I am," she said, her voice regaining its playful edge. She spun around swiftly, grabbing his robe and tugging him down, pulling his lips to hers with a sudden, passionate intensity. Her tears spilled free as she closed her eyes, the weight of everything she'd held back flooding through her.

"Mmmhnn~"

Asher returned her kiss with equal fervor, his hand gently holding the back of her head, his other arm wrapped firmly around her slim waist.

He realized that despite all her craziness, she still had emotions as any other woman.

The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the heat between them, an unspoken passion and warmth filling the silence.

Outside, Merina watched quietly through the narrow opening in the doorway, a gentle smile touching her lips. She remembered Sabina's initial harshness, the days she'd endured her sharp remarks and jealous and terrifying glares.

But over time, Merina had seen a different side of her—a woman who, despite her outward confidence and twisted unpredictability, yearned deeply for love, not just the fleeting satisfaction of lust.

Maybe her desire to seek lust was just a quest to find something that could make her feel special and her heart alive. And she did find it in Asher.

She also knew Sabina came to understand her as well since they lived in the same castle, even though she wouldn't act like it.

Asher gently broke the kiss with Sabina, a warm smile lighting his face as he said, "I would love to spend more time with you, but I really don't have time now…not with everything going on. You wanted to know what I'm doing on the other side? I'm trying to stop the WHA from destroying our world. That's why I spend so much time there. And with you helping me, I know things will be less difficult."

Sabina curved her lips into a sultry smile, brushing her lips over his palm, her fangs faintly glinting, "I had a feeling those pesky humans were up to no good. But destroy our world? They can only dream—because with you here, they'll be slaughtered before they even get the chance."

Asher's lips twitched with amusement, "I'm already feeling better seeing how much confidence you have in me."

Her eyes sparkled with a feverish light as she ran her tongue across his palm, her voice dripping with pride, "Of course. You're my man. Who else could I have faith in?"

He could see the bloodlust rising in her eyes, that familiar hunger threatening to tip her from a mischievous consort to a ravenous and lustful demoness. Knowing he needed to leave before she fully turned, he deftly spun her around, his hands resting on her smooth shoulders, "Well, I really have to go now, but I'll come to you later."

Sabina narrowed her eyes in a playful warning, "You'd better come to me later. You don't want to keep a horny lady waiting, do you? I am already so wet after that kiss." She winked while licking her finger slowly.

Asher chuckled, pulling back toward the door. Just before he stepped out, he glanced back, a question hovering on his lips. "Oh, one more thing—are you treating Silvia nicely? I haven't heard any complaints, but I want to hear from you."

Sabina scoffed, an amused smirk curling her lips, "Fufu~I'm not bullying her if that's what you're asking. I've had my fill of watching her cry and whine. Any more would just be…annoying." Her expression shifted slightly, becoming more serious, "But…I don't hate her. Believe it or not, I look after her like a little sister in my own way. Her mother, though, I hate that bitch more than anything. Of course, you wouldn't mind since you love her pussy."

Asher let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. He couldn't deny her playful barb, but he was glad to see this softer side of her, one that cared in her own unique way, "See you later, Sabina," he said with a smile, stepping out into the hall, her warmth lingering behind him as he left.

Watching him disappear, Sabina's lips softened into an unguarded, genuine smile—a rare moment of warmth she hadn't expected to find this day.

Outside the room, Merina, who had witnessed the exchange, gave a deep bow, watching her master hurry down the hall.

But suddenly, she felt a cold presence wrap around her neck, pressing her back as a familiar, low voice whispered in her ear, "Wolfy mommy, I know what you did there." Sabina's chuckle was soft, her cheek brushing Merina's as she held her close.

Merina's heart raced, her pulse skittering as she felt Sabina's fingers lightly graze her cheek, her ghostly red eyes glinting from the side, "W-What did I do?"

"Oh, I have a feeling you helped me just now," Sabina purred. "You either wanted to curry favor with me or…perhaps you truly meant it. But since you don't need to curry favor when you already have our master's approval despite being a wolfy slave…I know why you did it."

Sabina's gaze softened as she released Merina, stepping back with a playful wink. "…That's why I now like you more than before. You have my favor now—whether you wanted it or not." With a knowing smile, Sabina turned and sauntered away, leaving Merina blinking with a small, heartfelt smile before heading off herself.

—

Not long after, Asher arrived at the mouth of Lori's old cave while sitting atop Lori's long serpentine body.

He had to find out from Lysandra if she managed to find out where Kira was hiding. And of course...he wanted to check on her as well.