Hell's Consort

Newest Chapter of Highest Tier (July 2021)

*****************************

Archdemon Empress Luna

*****************************

"The  Knight from the Fall Courts might feel like withdrawing, but both of you are already visible." Her arms were crossed over her chest.

Luna slowly paced from left to right before Princess Ourania, who straightened her spine, clenched her fists on her blue skirts, which matched her eyes.

Apollyon's mother narrowed her eyes at her with biting contempt. "There is no running away from  us."

Luna's lips curved upward, smug, satisfied that she can push Apollyon's mother around after she singled her out and chose her as a target.

The advantage of having two Archdemons as Familiars was that it gave her a boost of confidence—that she was invincible.

Her husband was her security blanket, but she didn't want to see her hurt.

Ravin and Sloth will do the dirty job, letting her experience what loss was when someone she loved was taken away from her.

Well, killing Sir Tristan wouldn't give much of an impact if he was merely a toy to a bored Princess whom she can chew and spit out.

She doubted that Apollyon's psychopathic mother hardly have feelings for everyone.

In this duel, death was the goal rather than the first blood, striving for a duel by effectively killing the opponent.

"What made you think that we will withdraw, Empress? That we would run away from you?" Sir Tristan's hand was on the lead rope attached to the halter of his destrier's head and brought it forward so that he could join their conversation. "Just because my fiance and I are outnumbered doesn't mean that we are afraid of all of you." He said as he readjusted his bronze helm. "Bringing two Princes from unknown Realms following you around the Summer Castle might provide the illusion of strength, but that will not make you more intimidating."

Sadly, he didn't take it off to get a good look at his appearance, especially Ravin and Sloth.

They needed to know all the people around them to look out for potential enemies and mark their faces.

Turning her attention to Sir Tristan, who stood beside Princess Ourania, Luna shrugged, "Why? Are you scared?"

Sir Tristan shook his head.

As she shifted from foot to foot in her discomfort, Luna couldn't look at the Knight in the eye behind his mask while he could perfectly see her. "Not at all, Your Highness. A duel is a duel, and I must defend the Summer Princess' honor."

"I don't understand how you can accuse Princess Ourania of being a killer when you are obviously in front of us." Sir Tristan's voice was loud and full of bluster. "Don't you think it's the other way around? You, vampires, had an insatiable lust for blood that you would do anything to get them." Luna's eyebrows raised at that. "Unsophisticated swine."

Weren't most Faes in the Fall Courts are vampiric?

He was basically a pot calling the kettle black.

"Fuck you!" Luna spat.  "Are you calling me a god damned liar?" Her chest was thrust out as she held her elbows wide from her body from the sudden bursts of anger.

She could feel Apollyon and her Archdemon Familiars' aura behind her.

She just knew she was supported.

Luna would like to throw those insults back to him because the last time she checked, those didn't fit any of them. "Do you have to convict someone as a criminal only if the victim has died in front of you as proof?"

Sir Tristan replied as if he was gritting his teeth. "I am always around the Princess, and I haven't seen  her attack you!"

Her legs planted wide as if she was ready to start the duel. Nevertheless, he still managed to curb her desire to slay the Knight so that she could shut him up forever. "You haven't seen her push me down the stairs and almost lost my baby, Knight. You should attach a collar on her slender neck and tie it to a leash so that you would know her whereabouts and secret agendas."

"That wouldn't work, wife. Birds of the same feather usually flock together." Apollyon rumbled like thunder as he glowered at Knight from the  Fall Courts. "Perhaps, he was also in on it. I really like owning your head." His fists were clenched on either side of him. "If you could choose me to represent her as her second, I would be ecstatic. We will let you choose from the three of us, mother. But I would prefer it if it was me. I am the husband who must protect my Empress' truth and dignity."

"I will pick the man with the blond hair and green eyes."

"Slo—"

"Sloan."

Sloth's eyebrows raised to his hairline as he pointed to himself. "Why, me? I'm just an unknown prince from a faraway land. I don't want any of this. I'm too slow and tired to fight. Would you mind not picking me to fight alongside the Empress? I am weak."

"Isn't that great?" It was Princess Ourania to wear a smug expression as she scanned Sloth from head to toe. "The more you tried to formulate excuses, the more I choose you to be with her."

"I would pretend I didn't hear that and get myself a weapon." Apollyon brushed him off and stepped forwards to face Sir Tristan instead of Sloth. "Call the servants and provide us with swords of the same kind."

"What is the price in this duel?"

"King Oberon and Queen Titania told us about the old paintings you made. We will battle with those items as our prize."

"I wanted to have the Empress' baby and raise it on my own." Princess Ourania said simply as if she wasn't asking for the world.

"Are you out of your damned mind?" Luna's claws extended from her knuckles as she prepared to tear Princess Ourania's throat. "Did you forgot that you almost killed your own grandchild, and now you want her to raise as your own?"

"I didn't. I doubt the Summer Monarch would listen to you if you have no proof, no? You don't know how to take care of your child if you still desired to dance with danger." Princess Ourania settled her hands on her hips and tutted,  "You're doing it again by challenging me in a duel. You never learn, girl."

"Then, if you allow it, I would also take your life as my prize."