Newest Chapter of Highest Tier (November 2021)
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Archdemon Empress Luna
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"I don't know how you can say that you are merely tired from the pregnancy when you look like death herself, wife." Apollyon said gruffly.
Death? She blinked as her mitten-ed hand slid down the warm, soft mattress.
It was a nice feeling to set her sights on her husband the moment she woke up from her slumber, but it seemed like the Vampire King had returned adamantly from the Autumn Courts to her so that he could scold her like this.
It took her a while to understand if it was meant to be an insult, a jest, or was she telling the truth.
Maybe, she would agree with her husband's statement once she got a hold of a mirror.
What would be Apollyon's reaction if she told him that she hadn't seen her reflection for the past three months?
Her thin arms settled on each of her sides, with her palms facing down.
She would rather not because that might make her feel more insecure than the last month.
The Vampire King might not admit it, but he was romantic by nature just from the way he flirted with her when Apollyon was in a sensual frame of mind, but tonight, he was more concerned about her and their heiress' wellbeing.
Apollyon didn't care about how she looked as long as she was perfectly well.
He often told her how she was the most beautiful woman he looked at, whether or not she made extra efforts to make herself presentable… but not this time.
Instead, Luna shouldn't think about that and focus on why her throat was parched.
She licked her lips, but it did nothing to alleviate this eternal thirst, making her feel like someone had poured burning acid into her chest.
She couldn't lift her hand to touch her husband's handsome face.
If she wished to be honest with Apollyon, she should tell him that every cell in her system had altered into something she couldn't recognize anymore.
Her body had transformed to accommodate two babies.
Was this still her body, though?
Because it eerily felt like Lilith had taken over her, and she was just there to watch herself paralyzed from this heavy round rock on top of her stomach.
Giving birth was different than carrying the child, and it scared the living daylights off her as a vampire.
She was relieved that Apollyon had secured her hand in marriage even if it wasn't easy for him.
At first, neither of them was willing to enter into this unbreakable contract.
In the past, the blood bond that Ravin had done with her and Apollyon before his reverse exorcism was enough as a problem.
Both of their characters would have never taken marriage lightly, but the mating bond and the rest of the previous circumstances demanded to decide in an instant.
Now, that quick decision had turned her life for the better… or, perhaps, worse.
It was a good thing that their unstable love had evolved into a solemn and mature commitment.
She didn't want to waste all those precious memories just because the Fates foretold her death.
Browse furrowed with concern, Apollyon's blue eyes were wild as he gazed down at her with his thick sensual lips parted in disbelief.
The instant her ears caught the crack at the spasm of her neck, Luna paused and slowly adjusted her gaze to face to face the ceiling.
She quickly regretted turning her head from side to side in an attempt to loosen the muscles around her neck and shoulders.
Groaning in pain, the sudden motions had caused her temples to pulse like a butterfly's wings.
Three minutes had passed, Luna released all the tensions knotting on her vulnerable form.
Her husband's presence seemed to boost her health every time he returned from the Autumn Courts.
His alliance with Queen Morgan's Militia, along with Ravin and Xerxes, to find the Garden for the Four Seasons had evoked intense focus in his willpower so that he could obtain those magic fruits.
Luna didn't want to distract him and turn into this inconvenience.
"It was a mistake. It's just this perpetual cold seeping deep into my bones that bothered me, husband." This torture didn't end, and complaining wouldn't help, either. "I was determined to stay here in Hazelnut Manor with you. I don't want to hear your unnecessary concerns. It makes me feel worse than what I feel when you leave me in the estate." Luna said softly as she feasted her eyes on the Vampire King's physique when he took off his thick cloak made of fur and that hat he wore.
She never expected her husband to take his silk shirt and the breeches off as the flames cast mysterious shadows on his naked chest and pectoral muscles before he threw all of his garments casually on the carpeted floor.
Finally, he slid under her duvet to lie down beside her.
"I apologize but I just can't help but give voice to these worries, wife." His deep baritone was her medicine.
It was a soothing balm that gave him the reason to stay and fight for her life.
She wouldn't leave yet.
The babies in her womb had to endure a little longer so that they could come out safe.
Then, Apollyon cradled her head with his large hand and lifted her so that she could rest her head against his chest. "You know that vampires like you—no." He paused for a few seconds to look her in the eye before he continued, "A Vampire Archdemon like you shouldn't feel cold. It is the winter in the Faerie Realm but it didn't affect that much in the Fall Courts—"
"—but it did, Apollyon." Of course, her husband didn't have to point that out because it made her feel like she was blind.. Nevertheless, a thin-lipped smile played upon her cold lips as her fingers clutched the duvet, "As an Archdemon and Vampire, Winter shouldn't affect me but it did even if the rest of the creatures around me is functioning well."