Monarch Of Darkness, Arsene

Mystified by the pangs rippling through Tenebrae as she looked up at me with such a blank look. I felt the laws around me tremble… shutter.

"Scared?" I asked her, feeling another pang enter through the tips of my fingers.

"I-I-I," Tenebrae bowed her head into my chest. "A little. Silly, isn't it? I'm one of the oldest things… you'd think that fear or perhaps anticipation would be foreign by now."

"Tene," I said, running my finger through her silky jet-black hair that felt like a spring waterfall. "We have been together a little over four hundred years. Why do you think I never gobbled you up? I know you are still a little uncomfortable."

"Yeah… but it's not fair to you."

"Fair?" I gave a dry laugh." No such thing as fair. And you've given me a kingdom and land, not to mention the best advisor queen one can ask for. You care about this kingdom, Tene." I paused wryly. " I could watch this kingdom burn and feel nothing… but you. But you are different. You want it to flourish. And in return, I wish so too. So relax. Have a little fun."

Glancing down at her cheeks, the smile over my lips thickened as my fingers traced over her back. She leaned in a little fragile.

Tene was far from normal. Far from it. But… But when she's like this…

Slowly, soothing the anxiety from her bones, I listened to the rhythm of her breath, humming in and out. Soft like a melody, my palm slowly found their way against her stomach.

"Ever thought of children?"

"Children… I have many." She whispered. "I have luna… Mithra… even you at one point were my child."

Getting a little smile from her, I chuckled alongside her. "Never thought I'd be doing my Mo—"

"Don't say it!" She snapped, cheeks utterly flushed.

"Haha." My hands tightened, slowly trailing over her stomach. I teased," You know if we head to sweet old Alabama, it'll all be fine. No judgment down there."

"Sene…" moaned Tene through pursed lips.

"What? I'm sure you know about Earth."

"I do. It's Father's favorite."

"His favorite?"

"Wanna know an open secret?" Tene suddenly asked, lifting her lips into a foxy grin. "We're in a story. A big one."

"A story?" My brow lifted. "We talking dimensions?"

"Yep. Someone is writing about us… Your brother told us all. And while we knew this… after all, it's how all mythos is born. The way he said, 'writing' had us all on edge for a while." Tene paused for a second. " We all wondered… are we being controlled or even real?"

"Is this what gods like you talk about?" I mused, narrowing my eyes.

"Maybe."

"So… human."

"Perhaps. But it's how we grow, is it not? Questioning your reality. Black Sabbath… Mephisto's pride and joy. Does it not question reality?"

Noticing Tene relaxing a little more, I didn't try to push more boundaries. I don't know why she showed me such interest. Honestly, it didn't make sense. But… I did land, Lilith. And that girl… My god, that piece of work. I don't even know how I manage that but compared to Lilith, Tene seems so normal.

Alone for so many years. Although, with all the children around her, I guess she wasn't really alone or unloved.

I never really paid attention to the love people have for their gods. Not a lot. But When I came to Noctem. Everyone knew of Tenebrae. Worshiped her. Even when they worshiped another like Lunafreya, they still showed the highest tribute to Tene.

It was a testament. She was a good god. Righteous? I don't know if anyone is. But Tenebrae was a gentle god for her people. Although, I have seen her show a cruel darkness at times: A very cruel darkness.

"Hey? Are you listening?" Tene suddenly said, poking me in the cheek, stirring me from my thought. She pursed her lips. " I just gave you an entire theory about some guy Father refuses to tell us about."

"I was listening.'

"Then what's his name?"

"..."

"Name?" I asked

"Hmph! You weren't listening." Tene groaned, snapping her head to the side with a cute pout. "You never listen."

"To a woman? Of course not!"

"SENE!"

Bursting into laughter, I tossed Tene into the air, catching her as I laughed. " Just joking. Is mama Tene mad… Mama Tene? I like that."

"Don't you dare!"

The blushing lass grumbled, glaring fire at me. "I do not accept!"

"But Mama Tene… Sene just wants hugs and kisses." I said with teary eyes and a chibi voice.

"SENE!!!!" Storming out of my grip, Tene grumbled and folded her arms, seemingly fuming where she stood. "It's not cute."

Wrapping my arms around her waist, I smiled," Of course it is! Your cheeks are utterly red."

"You're crazy," she whispered, still pouting, and glanced at me."You know… I still see you as a child."

"See me as you want," I said, lifting her chin to me; I brutally pressed my lips against hers. Intense and without a care of how she felt, Tene stiffened like a board; as my palm that rested on her waist pulled her in closer, I broke our kiss, took her palm, and placed it over my throbbing cock.

"I'll change your mind one day. And when I do, I'm going to fuck you. I'm going to fuck you so hard. Your toes will curl till they spasm." I said, taking my leave with an evil smile as she stood frozen in place.

Tene wasn't ready. And it would be wrong to push her… How odd. When did I become so considerate? How unbecoming.

Making my way to my royal dining hall to ensure everything was prepared for the arrival of the Pale Lord, a silvery flash appeared in my eye.

"Zariel? What's wrong." I grimly asked as the silver head of my brother materialized.

"Only here to warn." He said. " I can't protect you anymore. And honestly, you don't really need my protection. But take care of yourself. The Pale Lord is dangerous, and no matter what she says. She cannot be a friend."

My brow grew knitted." You know something I don't?"

"Do you know what level I'm at with the Weave, Arsene?"

I shook my head no.

"Its apprentice. Not full mastery. I'm not even close to full mastery. But the Weave still speaks to me. It still warns me. If you die… if I die. It'll be for good. There is no coming back. Have your fun with Tenebrae. Or whatever you have with her, I don't understand. But use her. Same with Lilith. Because we will need them. Our kids need them."

Lifting my fist, Zariel did the same as we fist bumped. "Let's do this, bro. The Snow Family… we'll make all of the Myriad Heaven fear it."