Newest Chapter for Highest Tier (September 2021)
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Archdemon Empress Luna
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"Nothing." Sloth wiped both of his hands on his borrowed beige pants as if he was ridding himself of the excess cobwebs and said, "You addressed me a question like I wanted." The Archdemon's dark green eyes lit up like fireworks as he regarded her. "Finally. It took half an hour." He chatted excitably, grinning from ear to ear. "It pained me not to talk to anyone."
Luna remembered that her earlier command as their Master was very much present, controlling their whole being.
Her Archdemon Familiars can't talk if they weren't addressed in a question.
If no one ever attempted, Ravin and Sloth will remain muted for the rest of the day.
This was the cause of Sloth's mischievous behaviour… so that he could say what was on the tip of his tongue.
"Damn you, Sloth." Luna spat angrily, "Don't you have other things than to do this shit?"
"Hmm." The bastard's eyebrows squished together, pretending to think, but then he smirked. "No."
Apollyon grabbed Sloth's collar and growled, "Sloth."
The Autumn Queen walked with regal ease as she sat on her chair with slow grace. "Let us sit down before the council meeting started."
The door opened to reveal another group of Fae who came in with cloaks of orange shades dark enough to obscure their identities.
Chairs creaked as Queen Morgan's Council masked council sat on their chairs.
All the Queen Morgan's Council members and her Cadre were now open to discussion and ready to contribute.
Luna could already hear the gurgles of liquid as some of the council members had poured the aromatic blue tea into their cups, so Luna tugged her husband's hand so that they could sit next to each other.
Sloth stretched his arms before he sat down to an empty seat next to Ravin.
Comfortable chairs circled a large rectangular table with a quill, papyrus and a teacup with a saucer placed on each empty seat.
A dozen pitchers of butterfly pea flower teapot and lovely deciduous bonsais were scattered strategically around the area.
According to Jora, the Council Room was filled with flowers that Luna wasn't allowed to touch, but she could inhale its alluring scent.
The materials needed for gathering information, planning and brainstorming inside the Council were complete for those involved in the Autumn conclave. Luna thought that if the Fall Courts would go to war, they would surely win it based on going to great lengths for the preparation.
The Council Room had bright magic lighting over their heads when the illumination from the large windows didn't do enough.
At least, the windows made up for the picturesque view of the landscape.
"What are these people doing here?" Apollyon asked in a deep baritone as his blue eyes examined each hooded member of Queen Morgan's Council, "And here I thought you would honor our request to keep this private."
"Not when you mention Archdemons and the Tree of the Four Seasons in the same breath." Her voice turned a higher pitch as her hand thumped against the table in frustration, "They are members of my Council and they are older than you, Vampire King." Queen Morgan glowered at her husband with the confidence of someone in a high position of power, "Please show some respect to our Elders."
"We also brought two of our Elders here so let us respect each other." Queen Morgan said in a loud voice which commanded everyone's attention.
Luna thought their discussion was turning heated.
"Yes. We also ask you to respect the spider, Vampire King, and not to hurt them by throwing it to the wall. The Autumn Courts had a long standing tradition to treat cats and spiders with reverence since the presence of these two special creatures served as important omens." Queen Morgan said as her gaze focused on the Archdemon beside her, "Where did you find it Sloth?"
"I found that spider nearby at the corner. Near the door. I wasn't the one who hurt it, Your Highness." Sloth smiled as if he was glad to have a chance to talk, "It was the Vampire King who smacked the poor thing to the wall."
Luna tapped her fingers on the table and flicked her eyes heavenward, "You forgot the important part where you threw it at me."
Tantalizing heat moved over her skin when she felt someone's forearm brushed against hers on purpose.
As she turned to the right, she was surprised to see that it was Jora.
What was this suspicious Autumn Fae up to?
Did Jora want to die in her husband's hands?
She glowered at him, and the bastard's face was blank when he shrugged.
Across the table, Luna could feel Ravin and Sloth's scrutiny boring holes into her forehead.
Wait until Luna tell her oblivious husband, who was busy pulling answers straight from Queen Morgan's mouth!
What do spiders mean as an omen, Queen Morgan?"Apollyon demanded, "Do you think it is good? Because I don't think it is from my experience."
"The presence of a spider in our vicinity is a warning that the dark forces are near." Queen Morgan replied, "It would be a matter of time before they can reach us here inside the Fall Courts."
"You don't consider us as the 'dark forces', aren't you?" Luna asked as her gaze were fixed on the materials while her fingers slid over the rough texture of the papyrus.
"All of you weren't burned by the truth elixir when some of my previous visitors from other Realms had perished from it. The darker the intentions of a creature, the more the truth elixir reached its boiling point and kill the person with its acidic properties. I am well aware that you are not the group which the spider warned us about--"
"—yet, you haven't answered the question if you know where to find the Tree of the Four Seasons, Queen Morgan." Apollyon pointed out.
"I apologize.. I wouldn't answer that question unless that old man with the golden eyes tell me where he got the necklace so I will give you the chance to explain everything to me and the Council from the start."