Mattheus, Matty, has meticulously crafted a cunning plan to topple his two brothers. Feeling utterly marginalized by their lavish and ruthless demon-dealing empire, he is determined to make them rue the day they cast him aside. Although he failed to capture Martinique during his recent visit to her extraordinary realm, fate has shifted, and she now finds herself within his domain. With a network of powerful allies and access to strategically significant locations, Matty is primed to execute an elaborate web of deception and manipulation that will ensure both of his brothers crumble beneath the weight of their underestimation. The time for retribution has come, and he is ready to strike.
Casperius recognizes that his brother is absolutely correct. He has significant changes to make in his life if he wants Martinique to be a permanent part of it. The priority now is to address everything before she uncovers the truth about the life he’s been living, not the facade he has presented. With Cormoran poised to intervene at a moment's notice, there’s no time to waste. The fact that another brother, Matty, is lurking in the shadows adds even greater urgency to the situation.
When Casperius makes it to the kitchen things take an interesting turn..
When Casperius made it down to the kitchen, Cormoran was leaned back against the counter in front of the large sink while Sioban and Martenique were sitting at the round dark wooden table sipping tea from fine china cups with their heads close together talking low and soft about something. Both women were smiling and looked relaxed. He noticed a small, empty plate between them with some crumbs. It seemed they had at least had a snack while he and Horace had finished their conversation.
The stone floors of the room normally echoed when walked on with hard soled shoes, so he was careful to measure his footfalls to not disturb the two women who were speaking in a language he did not understand. So, it seemed his cook knew sprite, or maybe they knew a common language. Martenique having someone she could speak freely within the manor would not be a bad thing. As he passed behind her, on his way over to his brother, he let his fingers gently dance across Martenique’s back between her shoulder blades, the feel of her soft skin under his calloused fingertips soothing him in a way that not even demon’s brew could. Her head tipped up to look at him, and he was even more resolute that he would find whoever had put her in danger and they would pay, very painfully.
"Continue your talk, Teni, I need to talk to Cor." Casperius' fingers softly caressed her cheek, as he momentarily paused to bestow an affectionate smile upon her, and receive one in return. She was so damn precious to him that his heart was still thundering at the thought of losing her to either his brother, or interference of others.
When he turned to continue over to where Cormoran stood, he had to roll his eyes at his brother’s expression. It wasn't just the smirk, that was a common sight, it was the whole smug ass expression painted from his eyebrows to the set of his strong jaw. It all spoke to how his brother knew Martenique was someone more than just a body to warm his bed and ride his cock.
"You know Horace wasn't completely wrong." Cormoran said low once Casperius had assumed a duplicate stance next to him. "You may not like hearing it, but you haven't acted like a male in a relationship."
Casperius' eyes squeezed shut and he breathed out heavily, a weight settling on him he'd been trying to avoid. "Teni and I are not intimate." Even as he was keeping his voice low, he had opened his eyes to keep a close watch on her. Knowing about Emma would destroy her, he was sure, and he had no one to blame but himself. "I hadn't thought she would be here this fast. I thought I had time to get things sorted." Another heavy sigh as the weight of his lie and the ones he'd have to tell her in the near future bore down on him further.
“Well, you don’t. So you had better think osomething very fast, or you are going to have a mess. A mess is the last thing we need after what happened earlier today. Not to mention what just happened in the hallway, and figuring out who clued our little brother in on the fact that she exists.” Cormoran’s tone was reproachful. He was tired and on edge. While he had gotten some sleep, it had not been enough and he was now on edge after the argument in the hallway. That Sioban and Martenique were getting along was at least a positive sign.
“I’m well aware. I’ll have Visalus handle Emma. He is more than capable of distracting her.” Casperius’ eyebrows rose as his eyes rolled. That was a nice way of putting it. It was not that he cared, it had only been carnal between them, and at least this would make it easier in the end. That was one thing down. “We need to focus on figuring out who would talk to Matty. Someone did, and that means that everything that we talk about could be getting to him.”
Cormoran scoffed and shook his head. “You’d better hope so, little brother." Already in his mind he was developing plans to handle the fallout of his brother's mistakes. Martenique was beautiful and innocent, she did not deserve to be drug into Casperius' debauchery.
Casperious looked at his brother and rolled his eyes. "I will take care of it. You can trust him. I will let nothing upset Martenique. She has become very important to me." He sighed in frustration and gave Cormoran a pointed look as he continued. "I have had Horus prepare the gardens for her. When have you known us to have gardens upon the estate?" His eyebrows rose and he waited a couple beats before continuing. "Never. Do you think I would go through all of this and then let her be upset because of a woman who means nothing? Hmm?" Once more his brows rose as he regarded his elder brother.
Cormorant looked at him, he knew his brother. He knew of his whims and ways. He knew that one woman rarely kept his attention and although Martenique was beautiful, she was not of the kind that his brother normally found to be of interest. She was short, and while she was proportional, she did not have the curves that normally caught his brother's eye. She was not a succubus, an incubus, or a lust demon that had all of the attributes that would drive any male, of any type, to desire her. Her face would be what could be described as sweet. It was not one that would inspire men to fall at her feet with desire. What could be inspiring his brother now to take all of these actions did mystify him. Casperius was normally one to only go after the most beautiful of women. Women who upon the Earth would be considered models or actresses, those who were desired by many. And while Martinique was certainly beautiful, she was neither of those.
"If you are not careful, you will destroy her. You will not need Matty to come and capture her and fill her head with his manipulations and destruction. You will do it yourself. I am not sure why you have done this. I'm not sure why you have decided such an innocent creature should be brought into our world. But if you do not take care, then I will have to take action." There was a firmness and directness in Cormoran’s voice, a seriousness in his whole demeanor that bled into the ether around him.
He couldn't even tell his brother why he had made such a declaration other than their brother had destroyed too many people to get back at them to allow one more to be destroyed for nothing more than Casperius' whim.
As he looked at the woman sitting there with Sioban talking in some fae tongue that neither he nor Casperius could understand, the joy and the radiance that came off of her was infectious. Just watching the two women talk made him smile but he also remembered the fear on her face when she walked out to see the three of them fighting in the hallway. He remembered having to go rescue her because their brother had shown up in her realm and decided he was going to try and kidnap her. Another victim of being in their lives.
Cormorant couldn't take another woman being destroyed on his conscience. When Matthias did it was one thing, the Casperius doing it was a completely different one. He could stop that. He could control that. He could save her. Maybe just once he could save one of the ones destined to be destroyed by his family. Maybe he could make her fall in love with him. Maybe he could change her eye from the wayward brother to the strong one. He was just as dirty, his hands had just as much blood on them, and he had written many of the contracts that conspirius enforced. But he was not as capricious, and his desires did not blow in the wind, ever changing with the tides. She would be safe. And she was more his type. She was the type that he could fall in love with. Sitting there watching her talk to the woman that currently occupied his bed, he found he was more drawn to the sprite. It would cause a fight with Caspirius, but it would not be the first one the Cormoran had.
The confrontation in the hallway gets interupted...
It seemed like forever that Martenique had been waiting for Casperius to come back in, although she had no real way to track the passage of time within the room he’d left her. She did not recognize the clocks that were of his realm and the sun moved differently there as well. There had been a loud thud against the wall, then shortly after that had come the raised male voices. She’d try to ignore them at first, figuring someone had bothered his brother and not being very sure of the temperament of Cormoran other than what she had experienced when he had stopped by only briefly earlier. The longer it Casperius’ absence went on, she felt more unsure of whether she should stay in the room or not, and finally she decided to see what was transpiring in the hallway.
The creak of the door upon her opening it had been enough to bring everything in the hallway to a halt and have the males all turning their attention to her. As she stood in the doorway, now with all of them focussing their attention upon her, she was second guessing her decision to not just stay within the room. "Ummm…I thought that I heard fighting." She swallowed, trying not to cry. All three of them looked enraged. It was a safe bet now that she HAD heard fighting.
Cormoran gave his brother a chance to answer her. It should not have come as a surprise that she would wonder what was going on in the hall. When Casperius wasn't forthcoming with anything, the elder brother once more took control of the situation to fix things before they could get worse with her.. Shouldering past both Casperius and Horace as he approached the svelte sprite, he swore that Casperius was either going to have to step up and manage his household or things were going to devolve into further chaos and Mattheus was going to get the upper hand at some point. "Horace just had some upsetting news regarding preparations that Casperius had requested previously. Let's leave them to finish their discussion. Now I'm awake and you've been disturbed, I'll give you a tour and show you where the best snacks can be pilfered from." He was trying to give her a smile and hoped it didn’t look like barred teeth of a predator, he had been told in the past he could be intimidating.
Stopping in front of the door to the bedroom, he offered his arm to the slight female. Martenique, for her part, looked between Casperius and Cormoran a few times, then slid her hand into the crook of his elbow, still looking confused. Cormoran was glad she did; if she’d tried to press for anything else in any way, he wasn’t sure that Horace would keep his mouth shut and it was paramount that he did. After almost having her kidnapped by Matty, Horace upsetting her might just send Casperius on one of his legendary tirades and who knew how that would end up. The only sure thing was that it would be disastrous, but to what degree was never a sure thing.
As they headed down the stairs, Martenique looked back at Casperius and Horace who were still standing in the hallway, both still watching she and Cormoran without having resumed any conversation or animation. Her lips were thinned and brows drawn together as her attention turned back to the tall demon escorting her down the stairs, who she had to admit was as handsome as his brother. Younger brother maybe? A few minutes before, everything had seemed fine, and now there was something wrong in the home. She could feel that there was more than what had been said, but she was nowhere near enough on strong enough footing to begin to figure out what. At least she knew it wasn’t something that she had done. Still as they descended down to the first floor, she was becoming more nervous and wondering what could be wrong, and if soon again that the demon she had faced in her forest would again be there.
Once he was sure that Martenique was well out of ear shot and not paying attention to them any longer, Casperius returned his attention to his butler. “You upset her again and you will be missing parts, Horace.” He growled. He hated the fact that Horace wasn’t completely wrong. “This will be the last time we talk about it. Emma and Veronica are the PAST and are not to be mentioned again. Yeah?” His head cocked to the side, jaw set, and eyes intense as he waited for an answer from the other male.
Horace’s jaw ticked and he controlled his breathing through his nose. He wasn’t a demon, he had a problem with innocents being hurt or used, but fighting with Casperius was going to get him nowhere. He’d have to warn Vasilus as well, otherwise there was sure to be another explosion sometime along the way, and Cormoran might not be around to defuse that one. “Do what you want Casperius,” he leaned forward, “but when she figures out how you really are, do you think she’s going to want anything to do with you? The drugs, the women, the booze, the death? You’re bringing her into that? Don’t bullshit me that she means anything more to you than a new plaything and when you’re done, you’ll do what you always do and discard her and move on.” His eyes narrowed as his head also tilted, a sarcastic smirk forming. Horace was pushing buttons and he’d stopped giving a fuck. “Then Cormoran, Vasilus, and I will clean it up so that she doesn’t end up Matty’s victim since you’ve already put her on his radar. We’ve gotten good at cleaning up your messes over the years, The Source knows someone has to.” Horace turned to head to the stairs that the other two had headed down. He was done with the conversation and had other things to attend to. It was out of loyalty to Cormoran more than Casperius that Horace stayed at the manor and kept things in order.
Casperius’ hand shot out and grabbed Horace’s bicep, stopping him from walking off. “How did Matty find that out? You and Vasilus are the only ones who knew about her.” It hadn’t occurred to him about that till Horace, himself, mentioned Matty finding her. Cormoran wouldn’t have said anything to anyone at his estate, so it was someone on his own, and that pissed Casperius off.
“And Sioban, and the fae you had make the dress, and the sprite designer you had working on the decor for her room, and the garden gnome you have working on plants, would you like me to continue? It’s not like we could hide the remodeling of…” he had about said Veronica’s name again. It had been her dressing room that was now going to be Martenique’s room. “The room to be for your new love. It is limited to this house, of that I am sure, but it was not Vasilus nor I. Maybe you should consider how many females you’ve fucked over that know. Sioban’s your brother’s current toy, so there is no reason to believe that she would endanger your sprite, but who might YOU have made jealous. You are so good at that, sir.” He knew that he was getting close to a line, he knew it, but someone needed to talk sense to Casperius, and his older brother was busy at the moment.
“None. Sioban’s the only female that knew there was a woman coming here. The rest of the staff is male, even those I had hired to make things for her. I’ve been careful to not mention it around Emma as well.” It wasn’t like he and Emma actually talked when she was there, and he’d never promised her anything more than sex.
“Who says it’s a woman? Anyone wanting to get to you would know that a female getting your attention would be the way how. And it is also not like your proclivities have always JUST been women. It is this kind of short sightedness that puts her in danger. You never should have engaged with her, let alone intended to have a relationship with her. She is not of our world, our life.” Horace’s voice was becoming preachy, more like a father talking to a son. He’d served Casperius’ family since before the demon had been born, even before Cormoran had. He had seen what it took to be part of the family.
For the next few minutes, Casperius and Horace continued to try and figure out who it could be on the estate that would have said something. It had to be someone that had overheard him talking to Cormoran, Horace, or Vasilus. Those were the only ones he had opened up to about the realm she lived in. They needed to figure out who it was that had betrayed his trust before something happened to Martenique, or even Sioban. Anyone coming after Casperius was most likely after Cormoran as well.
In the end, the two males decided to get with Cormoran and Vasilus later and create a plan to keep Martenique and Sioban, Casperius’ cook and current romantic interest of Cormoran, under surveillance and see who else was showing interest in them. There was a spy in the manor house, and the sooner they figured out who it was, the safer all of them would be.
Horace confronts Casperius and Cormoran has to step in...
A few hours after they had returned to the manor house, Cormoran had gotten hungry and called down to the kitchen for food. As always, Casperius’ staff was more than happy to oblige. When Horace brought up the meal, he stopped by Casperius’ room to see if the couple within would like anything. The female on the bed when his master opened the door made his brows furrow and head tilt. Certainly she was not the one that the boss had been pursuing. There had to be some mistake, or it would be a mistake in the future. “Sir, can we please speak in the hall?” He inquired, trying to be delicate.
Casperius, for his part, caught that there was something off about Horace and stepped out, enveloping them in a ward of silence so that whatever they discussed went no further. There was something about the set of the other male’s face that told him that he was not going to like whatever Horace had to say. “Yes, what is it that you have to say that could not be said in front of Martenique?”
“Sir, she cannot truly be who you are intending to live here. We both know that your tastes lean far more towards Veronica,” just mentioning Casperius’ ex made the demon’s face grow hard, a tick beginning in his jaw, and the blue of his eyes becoming icy. “While the sprite is indeed cute, she is not going to be able to hold your attention long, and we both know that. You need…more.” While Casperius might be supremely unhappy about what Horace was saying, he couldn’t really argue with it. Horace knew that and it was reflected in the slightly smug expression on his face.
“Let me make a few things clear, Horace. She is different than the enchantress I had a three centuries relationship with, true. She is not sensuous in the same way. She also won’t fuck every demon I know.” The bitterness was now dripping from Casperius’s words and the smirk on his face was growing more malevolent. He took an aggressive step towards the ghast before him. “As for holding my attention, she’s done just fine, and even had me redecorating my house and grounds. Let me worry about making sure my attention is on her, and you make sure that this manor and the gardens meet her needs. I’ll take care off ALL her other needs. Keep. Your. Hands. Off.” If there was any doubt in Horace’s mind that Casperius knew about Veronica, that had been wiped out. “Tell Vasilus to as well, or you’ll both be missing hands in the way that they won’t grow back. Yeah?” The thin lipped smile that formed on his face gave Horace chills.
Horace cleared his throat. While he was still concerned that Casperius was going to lose interest and this innocent female, far more than Veronica had been at her birth even, was going to be hurt by the betrayal that would come. Casperius’ partners tended to be the most sensuous of creatures in any realm. Sweet and cute were never descriptions for them. Demons didn’t lose their horns overnight.
"And you're going to give up Emma? Just yesterday she was pleasuring you on the couch in your study within an hour of you returning from seeing your sprite, so how captivated are you by this female if you're still fucking others?" Horace wasn’t going to let it drop. He might not know the sprite in the other room, but no female deserved to be exposed to the life Casperius and Cormoran lived unaware, and he was quite sure that she was unaware of his relations with other females.
Horace had pushed the wrong button and pushed it hard. Casperius had the lapels of his jacket fisted in each hand and his back hit the wall with a thud, that unfortunately the demon was sure could be heard in his bedroom. At the moment, he was too enraged for one single fuck to be given. He’d find a way to explain it to Teni later. Right now he was making his point to Horace that he was NOT to be questioned, not now…not EVER.
Suddenly Casperius found himself ripped away from Horace and slammed into the wall behind him. The ward was broken by Cormoran who looked pissed as fuck and had one male held in each hand. “I am going to assume that there is one fucking good reason the two of you are having a brawl in the hallway? Yeah? Want to clue me in? I’ve already bloodied one asshole good today, do I need to make it two,” he looked at Horace, “or three?” His head swung over towards Casperius
Before he said a word, Casperius’ eyes cut over to the door to his room. It was still closed. Whether anything had or could be heard, he wasn’t sure, but he was taking no chances. “Horace decided to speak out of turn, and about things that are none of his business.” He freed himself from his brother’s hold and adjusted his collar. “He seems to disapprove of my guest.” His jaw clenched and started to tick.
Cormoran’s eyes closed and he took a deep breath in through his nose. He could imagine what Horace had said, and he wasn’t sure he could disagree with the ghast all that much. If he said that, he was sure that Casperius would literally explode. Not to mention, the female was just in the other room and did not deserve to hear herself denigrated because his brother was a whore. From what Casperius had said, she was sweet and innocent. How his brother had gotten mixed up with her, that still mystified him.
Opening his eyes he first cut them to Horace then to Casperius, then Cormoran spoke slow and low to make his point. “Our GUEST is innocent, sweet, and a short time ago was being hunted by our youngest brother. She is NOT to be upset or you…” he looked between the other two males again, “will deal with me because I’m the one that had to go hand-to-hand with the bastard.” Now his attention turned to Horace, “what you think of her, or Cas’ intentions, you’ll keep to yourself from now on and if you can’t do that, you’ll be replaced. Yeah?” Horace gave a curt nod. Which meant now Cormoran’s attention was turned to his brother, “and YOU will behave yourself and all previous objects of distraction will be eradicated permanently. If you can’t control yourself, then I’ll take her to Abriella to keep safe. Yeah?”
Casperius’ jaw ticked as he fought the urge to throttle his brother for threatening to take Martenique away from him. He kept his voice low, “I have done nothing and I will do nothing to hurt her. She is to be protected and cherished, always. We have been courting and I had planned on having her visit and considering betrothal. I do not need your help.”
Cormoran got in his brother’s face, “then do not have a brawl in the middle of the god damn hallway. Otherwise I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. We have a business to run, contracts to collect on, and new contracts to convince beings to sign. As long as you keep your head on your shoulders, I won’t have to HELP.”
The longer that Martenique laid in Casperius’ arms, the more relaxed she became. His arms around her were something she had always looked forward to before, and now it was setting in that she was not going to have to miss him like she had before. “So, I am going to be living here in your house?” In truth, she knew the answer. He had just told her a moment before that he’d set up a room for her next to his own. Still, she wanted to hear him say it.
“I hope you will. If you do not wish to, I am sure my brother can set you up in his home.” Casperius cupped the side of her face to tip it back to look at him and looked down at her, trying not to get lost in her eyes. “I had hoped you would eventually want to live here with me, but I don’t think it would be safe for you to go back into your forest. Matty is not going to give up.” His thumb swept her cheek and his heart clenched as he thought of his younger brother getting ahold of her. Even if he did not hurt her physically, he would definitely make it so she would never speak to him again, and possibly even manipulate her into a relationship with him that would just make her a pawn in the war of the brothers. She was far too innocent and sweet for that, it would destroy her.
“Can you or your brother go back and get my things? And some cuttings from my plants?” There was a tremor in her voice, a nervousness in her asking. She knew she couldn’t go back, even if Casperius was with her, she wouldn’t feel safe. Not after today. She didn’t blame Casperius for his brother showing up or trying to deceive her, even if there was anger at him for not having told her about his brothers at all. There had been that one conversation where there had been that flash of anger in his eyes, that protectiveness, and she’d known there was something. In that moment she could have asked more, and didn’t. The future would have to be different, absolutely no secrets. There would be time for that conversation later. Both of their emotions were too high for that now. She didn’t want a fight with him.
“Of course, love. I’ll get them. I know where everything is. I’ve had a garden started for you here; so you can plant the cuttings out there so that they get lots of sun. I’ll introduce you to my butler, Horace, and he’ll get you anything you need. Ok?” He used his fingers to tip her head back to look at him. The pain and sadness he saw in her eyes gutted him. It was his fault it was there and he knew it. Nothing he could do would fix it, but he could try and would keep trying. “I’ll do whatever you need.” One of the few times he meant it and wasn’t just trying to get something that he wanted by making empty promises.
“You made me a garden?” There was a sense of wonder in Martenique’s voice and it was clear from the look in her eyes that she was shocked. Her mind also went to what his brother had said about there being no greenery and her never seeing plants again. Maybe there hadn’t been before, but there was now. Now as all that mattered. It seemed Matty didn’t know Casperius as well as he thought he did, or he just enjoyed lying.
“I did. How could I think you’d want to spend any time here without some of your plants and some from here as well. I would never want you to leave the plants you love, Teni.” The backs of his fingers stroked the soft skin of her cheek. His heart was still racing from the fear that he’d felt realizing that Mattheus was there and had come close to getting his hands on her. “I love you and want you happy, my beautiful sprite.” The words were out before he had a chance to think about them. Once they were, he thought about trying to mitigate them some to not give her power over him through them, but he knew that she wouldn’t use his feelings for her as a weapon. That wasn’t Martenique though, which was one of the things that made him love her. So, instead of taking back the words he’d just spoken into being, he held tighter and ran his fingers through her dark locks, looking into the eyes that he missed whenever they were apart.
Martenique just blinked at Casperius for a moment as his words sunk in then wrapped themselves around not only her head but her heart. Due to the timing of Mattheus’ appearance in her realm, they hadn’t had much opportunity for either of them to learn each other's language, so they were still using the one they were both bad at, but she still understood what he said perfectly. “Me?” Her eyes searched those crystal blues, but they showed no clouds of deception floating in them.
“Aye, Teni. You. Just you.” He kissed her softly, the wonder and surprise in her eyes touching a part of him he kept hidden from everyone. To show weakness in his line of work was to open yourself to trouble. The female currently in his arms was his only weakness, and Matty had found it far too easy. If Matty could, others would as well, best to keep her near him in the manor and on its ground where none could come close without facing Horace and Visalus. “That’s why I need you to be careful even here, till Cormoran and I take care of our other brother, I can’t have you hurt.” He gently brushed the hair from her face “You still have to teach me to speak sprite.” He gave her a lopsided grin to try to lighten the mood from the dark topic.
Martenique nodded, not taking her eyes from those brilliant blues of his that she could see clouded with worry still. “I will, but you have to not keep secrets.” His lips thinned and he nodded; she could tell he wasn’t happy about what she asked, but he had agreed. “And..I might be falling in love with you too, you sneaky demon.” Her eyes narrowed a bit as her fingers gently caressed the side of his face where it looked like one of the branches had scratched him.
“I’m a contract demon, darling, it’s in my nature to be sneaky and keep secrets. You don’t belong in my world. It’s too dangerous for you, but here in the manor and in the gardens, you’ll be safe.” He assured her, and he would make sure it was true. He’d had Horace reinforcing the warding around the manor and at the four corners of the property were the sigils that evoked an old and ancient magic to protect things further. Matty had got close to her once, he would not allow it again.
“And who keeps you safe?” She had never worried about it before, but after the visit from his brother and the way that Casperius was talking, Martenique was starting to worry about him more now.
“Don’t you worry about that.” He reassured her, knowing that she would anyway. “I have my ways and my people. Cormoran and I have a whole system for how our deals are made and enforced. It’s nothing for you to worry your sweet little sprite self over, you and my butler have a garden to worry about. Hear?” He closed his eyes and kissed her forehead and then her nose, hoping that she’d agree. This was a conversation that he had been afraid of since he had decided that he wanted an actual relationship with her.
“I can’t make that promise, Peri.” Her beautiful green eyes looked up at him and he swore inwardly. Those eyes would haunt him whenever he was walking into trouble, he knew it. She was the one thing that he was going to refuse to give up though, his world was already brighter with her in it and it was just starting with them.
“You know, you make it hard on a demon, Teni. I have to go and save ya, I have to protect ya, and now I am not supposed to not make ya worry..” he teased her, hoping he was going to be able to distract her before this discussion went dark. “I’m starting to think you’re regretting agreeing to court me and are wanting an angel instead.” He lighty popped the end of her nose with his index finger and tickled her sides with the hand he was holding her to him with.
Squirming on him a little, she let out a laugh. “Now, I didn’t say that. I happen to like my demon.” She brushed her lips over his with a smile. “I just like him in one piece and safe.” She got a smug little smile on her face that he found fucking adorable. By the Source he was whipped when it came to her and he was glad his older brother wasn’t there to see it, or he’d never hear the end of it. He was already sure that Cormoran was going to kick his ass pretty good at the first opportunity.
“Oh, I promise to keep all the right parts in all the right places for you, Teni.” He grinned mischievously and rolled over so he was now pinning her down to his bed gently with his larger body. The fingers of one hand threaded through hers as he kissed her deeply, his body already responding to the change in position and the need he’d been sating with sucubi. A need he soon hoped to be sating with her since there would no longer be an opportunity to do otherwise.
There was that familiar fluttering in her stomach and the light whirling in her head that his kisses always brought, but now there was something more, something more intimate. Her fingers tightened against the back of his hand, liking the new feelings that this position was evoking. The thoughts she’d been having about his safety and what kinds of danger he could be in were being knocked out of her mind, replaced by the pleasure that their new position was providing. Her free hand found its way under his shirt and the growl into their kiss she got in response gave her another soft shudder of satisfaction.
When Martenique had been grabbed in the tree, she had known it had not been Matty, she could still hear him talking with Cormoran below her. However, she did believe that it was someone with him. It had not occurred to her that Casperius was with Cormoran and that he too was looking for her, let alone that he would have asked her plants and trees for help. So once she had been released, she was ready to fight whoever it was who had traced her away from her forest, even if the only weapons she had were teeth and fingernails.
Once everything in front of her snapped into place in Martenique’s brain, her arms flew around Casperius’ neck and she sobbed against his shoulder. She was safe. When his arms were once again around her, she completely fell apart letting all of her emotions release in the tears and wracking sobs that shook her whole body. Never in her life had she known fear as she had while up in that tree. While she wasn’t sure what Matty would have done to her, she knew that it wasn’t good just from what she overheard of him and his brother conversing. There was something about the energy that swirled around him that had given her a feeling that he was one to be avoided, and she’d been right.
“Shh…it’s okay, Teni. I’ve got you. You’re safe now. ” Casperius held her as close as he could without smothering her against his shoulder, one hand softly running over her hair and back to try and soothe the emotions that she was releasing. There was nothing else he could think to do to comfort her at the moment. He kept his voice low, soft, and calm. The side of his head pressed gently against hers, trying to help her feel safe and know that he wasn’t going to let anyone near her now. Guilt was eating at him, and he did not try to hide that from her. She deserved to know that he truly had not meant for her to be hurt and he was grappling with how to explain why he hadn’t mentioned his younger brother. That was something he might even have to get Cormoran’s input on. “Are you alright? Did he hurt you at all, my darling sprite?”
Martenique could barely form words, but she did manage a weak “no'' against the side of his neck in between sobs. There was something that also sounded like “scared”. Both words were like daggers straight into Casperius’ heart.
“I’m so sorry, please forgive me for not warning you about him. I’m so, so sorry, please forgive me, love.” Casperius spoke softly against Martenique’s hair. The soft smell of a summer’s meadow came off of her as he gently kissed her hair and kept his head against hers as his hands slowly caressed her body, both to reassure her and also to make sure that there was truly nothing wrong with her. Cormoran’s words from their earlier fight were booming in his head, inflating his already blossoming guilt with every breath he took. He could have gotten her killed by hiding the existence of his brother from her and not taking more care to ensure that Mattheus had no way to find out about her.. If anything had happened to her, even a scratch, it would have been on his head as much as Mattheus’. “I never thought he’d find you; I thought you were safe. You ARE safe now. I won’t ever let him hurt you, love.” He kissed the side of her head, just holding her and lightly running one hand over her back still as he tried anything in his power to comfort her. This was not something he was good at. Emotions. Normally he tried to avoid them, just as much as he tried to avoid relationships. It seemed his little sprite was good at getting around his avoidance.
“She ok?” Cormoran’s deep and tired voice from the doorway startled both of them and they jerked. When Casperius looked over he saw black blood coating the front of his brother, and kept Martenique’s face turned into his shoulder to keep her from seeing it and getting upset all over again. There must have been one hell of a fight from the state that Cormoran was in. Mattheus wasn’t, and never had been, a match for their eldest brother. So, there was no doubt the lion’s share of that blood belonged to their younger brother. Still, Cormoran looked exhausted. How much of that was from the fight with Mattheus and how much was exasperation with himself, Casperius wasn’t sure.
“Yeah, just scared. He never got ahold of her, that forest protected her. Without its help, I probably wouldn’t have found her.” Casperius nodded to his brother as he continued to sooth the female in his arms that meant more to him than even he had realized up til he had heard Mattheus’s voice taunting her in her forest. She was still clinging to him, and he wasn’t about to try to make her let go, or let her go. “We’ll talk later. Why don’t ya stay in the room we have for ya here tonight.” Cormoran nodded and turned to head down the hall, too tired to put up much of a fight. Thank The Source for small favors that his brother didn’t argue or try to reprimand him right now. He wasn’t sure he could take it.
“Who was he?” Martenique’s voice was soft and low. She was afraid if she tried to be louder that she’d start crying again. That she wasn’t still losing her mind was only thanks to how calm Casperius was being. Matty showing up in her forest was so different than how Casperius had been. Even knowing that he’d been lying and trying to trick her into going with him, Martenique could not help but think over all that Mattheus had said.
“That was my brother Cormoran, he was the one down on the ground in the forest who was talking. I keep a room for him here so he can stay over whenever he wants. It’s on the other side of the one I’ve been making for you. He was here when I felt you call for me, so he went with me to see what was wrong. He kept Matty busy so I could get you out of there without you getting hurt.” Casperius answered her, kissing her forehead and rolling onto his back from his side so she was on top of him. “Yours is between mine and his but it’s not quite done yet, love. You can stay in here with me tonight if you want, I promise to be a good demon.” He kissed her forehead again. If it meant her being relaxed he’d sleep on the damned floor after what just happened. He wanted her to be able to relax and get some rest.
“No, the one in the forest, Matty.” She clarified, slowly relaxing as he held her. There was part of her that wanted to be mad. Obviously they knew each other and from what Casperius had said after they’d arrived in his house, at least that’s where she assumed they were, he’d known the man might come after her. Still, she couldn’t muster anger at the moment. Just a few moments after she’d pressed on the mark on her wrist, his brother’s voice was heard. He’d come like he’d promised.
“My other brother, Mattheus, Matty. There is a long story of a feud between him, and Cor and I.” Casperius decided to be completely honest with her. If he hadn’t given her the mark on her wrist. If Cor hadn’t been there. If they hadn’t JUST talked about this exact situation. If she hadn’t had those damn plants to protect her. So many things had worked in the right way to keep her safe and she was in his arms, he felt like he’d be giving the universe the middle finger to lie to her now. “He’s gone after several of the females Cor and I have had relations with. It’s not been pretty or ended well. I swear, Teni, I didn’t think there was any way he’d find you. Cor knew better.” He let out a heavy sigh. Guilt was eating him alive. If anything had happened to her it would have been his fault. His ray of sunshine in the dark world he ran in could have been stolen so easily. Not many things frightened Casperius, but that did.
If you have not read it, this story makes more sense if you read the preceding one HERE
“Matty, Matty, Matty…you really think we weren’t gonna find out you were here.” Cormoran was now standing in front of Martenique’s house. He wasn’t sure which of his brothers he wanted to murder more at the moment, but the youngest one was slightly in the lead. If it hadn’t been for one little ace in the hole that Casperius had given Martenique, Mattheus might have eventually gotten the upper hand on her. However on his last visit, right before he left, he’d swept his thumb across her wrist and put a little glyph there, a rune. He’d told her if she ever needed him, needed him for anything, to rub it. Right in the middle of them discussing business, she had and now both of them were there, and it was a good thing.
“This ain’t your business big brother. I’m just visiting a sweet little sprite. I have done nothing wrong.” Mattheus’ voice came from above him, making Cormoran sigh. This was fucked up and he was tired. Casperius was gonna hurt later for this bullshit.
Martenique was almost at the top of a large fir. The branches below her had moved closer together to conceal her location so that she could remain hidden. Vines and other branches were making noises to distract Mattheus and lead him in the wrong direction. There was a new voice that was below her, but it wasn’t Casperius. Whoever it was, it seemed to be against whoever this Matty was, so that was at least a bonus.
“Cas is gonna gut you if you hurt her. Ya know that. Ya better hope we find her before you do. Don’t know how ya found out about her, but this was stupid bro.” Cormoran’s eyes scanned the trees again and caught sight of Mattheus’ shoes. He slowly started to move, wanting to make sure their brother had the girl before he took on the youngest of the three of them. It could get violent and downright bloody. No reason for a female to witness that.
“Maybe he shoulda kept it in his pants then. Although seein her, can’t blame him, bro. Gonna enjoy tastin when I find her.” Mattheus listened. He wasn’t provoking Cormoran, well he was, but his oldest brother wasn’t the main target. If Cormoran was there, then Casperius was. That was who he was listening for. He also hoped the little diamond of the forest was going to make a sound so he could find her and trace out before either of his brothers located him.
“Now, Matty, you really think we’re gonna let you do that? Lay a hand on another innocent female after all you done?” Cormoran kept his eyes on those shoes that were balancing on the limb, and he could now see the bottom of Mattheus’ pants. “What kinda demons you think we are? We don’t go down in the torture pits, we got standards. We’re not you.” At this point he couldn’t resist taking verbal swings at Mattheus if he couldn’t take literal ones at him.
While Cormoran and Mattheus were verbally sparring, Casperius had been trying to figure out where the fuck Martenique was. It was clear his brother hadn’t found her, but neither could he. Finally he did the only thing he could think of, he talked to a tree. He felt like a bloody idiot doing it, but it wasn’t like he had a lot to lose at that point. “Listen, I know you can hear and understand me. You also know I’m not going to hurt Martenique. I’m here to help her get away from that guy on the limb over there. He will hurt her if I can’t find her. I’ll keep her safe, but you have to help me find her. If he finds her first, he could kill her.” His forehead came to rest against the tree. This was his only hope without Martenique doing something herself to let him know where she was, and that didn’t seem likely.
It felt like an eternity, but a vine wrapped around Casperius’ chest and he felt himself jerked off the ground. Thank The Source, the forest had listened. Either that, or he was about to be suspended in the air and of no help to anyone. Handed from one vine to the next, he was passed up, up, up and over till he was just below the branches Martenique was crouched on, hugging the trunk of the tree. When he saw her, his heart clenched, she looked terrified and was shaking with tears streaming down her face. Instantly he wanted to rip Mattheus’ throat out with his bare hands. First things first, he had to get her the fuck out of there and let Cormoran know he’d found her.
Quiet as he could, he got onto the branch and moved over to her. She was so engrossed in watching Cormoran and Mattheus below her that she didn’t even notice him. The closer he got and the more saw how truly petrified she was, the more enraged he became. He could never let this happen again, and he had to find out how it happened this time. Cormoran had been right, and he’d been too stupid to have seen it coming. He’d just been lucky that his brother had been there.
Finally close enough, he looked down to ensure that Cormoran had Mattheus distracted with the verbal sparring they were doing. Lunging forward suddenly, he clamped a hand over Martenique’s mouth while banding an arm around both her arms and her waist before giving a very loud whistle. She immediately started trying to fight him and he was surprised at her strength. Thankfully they weren’t going to stay around long enough for that to matter. He had a good enough hold on her and she had let loose of the tree, so he traced them straight to his bedroom and onto his bed. It was the softest landing place he could think of to land so she would not be hurt at all. He figured she was already scared out of her skull, adding injury to that might earn him never being forgiven.
Martenique had thought that Matty had found her and was fighting for her life when all of a sudden they were in a cool, dim room and whoever had a hold of her was letting her loose. Terror flooding her veins and sending her heart racing, she rolled over quickly to face whoever had grabbed her and fight to get away, only to come face to face with Casperius. She froze, her eyes wide and breathing heavy, it taking a moment for her brain to catch up with what she was seeing and register that she was safe.
Their eyes locked on one another, Casperius wasn’t sure if the sprite was going to scream, hug him, or if he needed to fear for his balls. Maybe grabbing her the way he did wasn’t the best idea he’d ever had in his life, but he wanted to have enough time to let Cormoran know he had her and for Mattheus to not show up on scene and grab her back. Now they were lying on his bed and he was afraid that while he still thought it was best plan, that things could be permanently ruined with the first female who completely got under his skin the way she did. If she rejected him, he was resolute that he wasn’t going to give up on making it up to her and trying to keep her in his life.
Martenique was about in her forest when the vines told her she had a visitor, and it was not Casperius. Cautious, she moved silently through the underbrush to see who the newcomer could be. It was another male demon, which perplexed her. He was about the same height as Casperius, same intense blue eyes, his hair was a darker shade of brown, but there was something about him that reminded her of the demon that had found his way into her heart. She was curious why this male was now in her domain. Has Casperius sent him? Was he a friend of his? Would Casperius have sent him without telling her first? Curious, but cautious, she continued to study him.
“I know you’re here, little sprite.” Mattheus called out. He could sense her near. His spy in Casperius’ house was paying off in spades. “You can come out, I won’t hurt you.” A smirk formed on his lips as he looked around and turned in a circle, trying to get a bearing on where she was. He was not lying, at least not at the moment. What his true intentions were, he hadn’t completely decided.
Martenique continued to study him. Something inside her felt like she should be wary of him, to the point of keeping the fact that she could control the foliage of the forest from being known to him. Why she felt this way made no sense to her. When Casperius had first come, she had been curious and a little wary of him, but not like this male. He was different, but how he was different was not something she could put her finger on.
“You know a friend of mine. Casperius. He told me about you. I wanted to come meet you since he seems to be hiding you from us all.” Mattheus lied as he spoke. He wanted to get the female to trust him and come out of her hiding. The one under his employ had said that Casperius was enchanted by her beauty and he wanted to see for himself what had so captured his brother’s interest. It had been centuries since his elder brother had taken interest in just one female, so this one must be special.
At the mention of Casperius, Martenique’s head cantered to the side and she studied the male more closely. Maybe he could be trusted. Her Peri wouldn’t have told someone about her if they meant her harm. He’d made it clear he would protect her in several of his recent visits. Slowly she edged around where he was standing, drawing ever closer. Still trying to decide if she should reveal herself, she was definitely going to keep out of arm’s reach. Even if he was a friend of Casperius’, that didn’t mean she wanted him touching her.
“Who are you? And why have you come?” Martenique’s voice seemed to come from all around him. She was using the plants in a way that only a nature sprite would know how. Until she was ready, the nature of her forest would conceal her location and keep her safe.
“You can call me, Matty. All of my friends do.” A smug smirk began to form on his face. So he had found her, his information had been correct. His spy would be handsomely rewarded when next they met. “I know Casperius very well.” Not a lie, not a lie at all. “He and I go way back. When I heard that he had found a female that he was so interested in, I wanted to meet her. Of course, he is wanting to keep you all to himself, so I came to you.”
“And what did you hope to gain by coming here, Matty?” Still cloaked behind foliage and her voice being passed amongst the leaves, Martenique inquired. Her eyes were trained on the male that so resembled a younger Casperius that she did not believe that he was a friend. Inexperienced in the ways of demons she might be, but that did not mean that she was completely naive.
“Only to get to know you, little sprite. To learn about the female that has captivated Casperius and caused him to deviate from his normal routine.” Mattheus was being very careful to dance around the truth without outright lying. Omitting facts was not lying. If she kept asking questions, this game of escape and evade would become much more dicey. He was hoping to pull her out into the open before then.
Keeping close to the edge of the small clearing he was in, Martenique stepped into view. “Now you have seen me, but you come no closer. Peri has not mentioned you, nor has he mentioned any friends coming to visit.”
Once more Mattheus was pleased to see that apparently his brother had been telling the truth to whomever he had divulged her beauty to. She was exquisite. He liked her. The ones before had all been pretentious and destroying them had been delectably enjoyable. This one, oh she was something completely different and he would savor discovering more about her. Maybe this one he would keep, seduce, and steal from his brother like his brothers had stolen everything from him.
“Of course he hasn’t mentioned me, or any of his friends. Casperius can be rather greedy, you see. He wants to keep you all to himself, afraid one of us would be so charming you couldn’t resist. His charms are all surface level, it makes him good at making contracts that only benefit him. The rest of us, well we’re just simple demons with no ulterior motives.” Mattheus tipped his head slightly as he gave her a sly smile. She was studying him and he was definitely going to give her something to look at.
Slowly he moved towards her, hands out to his sides. “You can see I’m no threat to you. I’m just here to talk, see what Cas is hiding from the rest of us. He definitely undersold your beauty.” He watched her brow furrow and had to keep from getting too cocky. “I’m sure you’re far smarter than he said too.” Slowly he was drawing closer to her and either she was no longer leary of him, or she was distracted by the shade he was throwing at his brother. Either way, it was to his benefit that she was not backing up. A few more steps and he’d be able to grasp her. “Downplay your beauty and brains, and I’m sure oversold your sexual prowess. So like him.”
Martenique didn’t respond, but she now knew that whoever this male was, he was not a friend of Casperius’. They had never done more than kiss still and he had never even tried. Even if she were to believe that he would make her sound like he did not find her as attractive and smart as he told her he did, she did not believe he would lie about that. It was possible she was wrong, but he had asked to court her, and after talking with some of the fae and pixies in town, this was apparently a major thing to those in other realms. It was almost akin to a mating contract betwixt sprites.
“Well, he is a demon, and demons….”she trailed off for a minute and brushed her ankle against the foliage behind her discreetly to wake it up, “they lie.” Now her face was a mask of irritation and she gave a whistle that had a vine coming down to wrap around her wrist and whisk her up above his head to a branch. “I don’t know who you are or why you are here, but you are not welcome.” Another vine came down and took her higher. If this Matty could do that disappearing thing that Casperius did, she was in trouble and had to get where he couldn’t find her and fast. A few more whistles and a hum and her forest went into motion to protect her.
“FUUUUUUUCK!” Mattheus screamed up into the trees when she disappeared for a moment. He traced up to the limb she’d been on, barely keeping his balance and listening for a rustling above him. He knew the damn sprite was somewhere overhead, but not where. “Now, little sprite, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m trying to help. You don’t know Cas like I do.” He heard a rustling to his left and traced to a tree in that direction.
“Did he tell you that three of his former lovers ended their own life because of him?” He left out that the reason was because of the torture that he’d put them through after kidnapping them. This little gem of a sprite though, she was smart and he wanted her for other reasons. If he could capture her and turn her against his brother, it would be beautiful and his final revenge.
“He will destroy you, little sprite. Take you from all you love. You’ll never see plants or greenery again. Has he shown you his estate? Not one drop of greenery on it. NOT. ONE. Stone and metal, all of it. You’ll die there, little sprite.” Mattheus couldn’t hear or see anything. He knew she had to be around but there was nothing. Nothing at all. Unlucky for her, he wasn’t going to give up and could keep this up for a long, long time.
I have a special place in my heart for main characters who are supposed to be side characters and are utterly bewildered by the main character hijinks happening to them because this was never supposed to be theirs
“You haven’t told her anything?” Cormoran blew smoke in the air as he leaned against the marble mantle in the great study of Casperius’ mansion, and cast his brilliant blue eyes over to his brother, who was now scowling at him with a matched set of his own. Cormoran’s eyes weren’t too friendly either, nor was his tone. He couldn’t believe his brother was so daft as to get himself in the situation that he was in. Mattheus hated them and if he caught wind that Casperius had a female of interest she would as well of had a target on her forehead. Oh, their youngest brother wouldn’t kill her. No, see that would end things and make it too quick for his liking. What Matty would do, it would be much, much worse and both of them knew it.
“When exactly does one bring up that you have a younger brother that wishes you dead, your older brother dead, and to take over the deal making empire you’ve run for millennia? It’s not exactly something that comes up with a sprite that you haven’t known too long, Cor.” Casperius rose from his chair, needing to get out some of the tense energy that he was feeling pent up inside him at the moment. It wasn’t that he HADN’T thought about telling Teni, it was that he didn’t know HOW to tell her. Not to mention telling her what Mattheus might do if he ever found her would terrify her, and he was afraid that would only drive her away. Mattheus was a cruel bastard, something more than one female that had caught either of his older brothers’ eyes had found out the hard way. They all had been left alive, but they were never the same; some devolved into madness til they were taken out by someone else, and others ended their own existence.
“Is she at least safe from him?” Cormoran asked after taking another drag, his irritation at the situation increasing. His intense eyes hadn’t left his brother, who was now pacing the length of the large room. Cormoran was studying him as one might study a caged animal, it wasn’t just Cormoran’s questions that were being used to scrutinize Capserius, so was his gaze. He was barely containing his anger at his younger brother. How could Casperius be so stupid as to not take precautions? It wasn’t that Cormoran didn’t want Casperius to have love or someone in his life, but doing so without them was just opening both of them, and the poor unwitting female, up to a world of troubles. Had Casperius learned nothing from the past and the repeated heartbreak it had brought to both their doorsteps?
“She isn’t even here in Imperium, on Earth, or in Caligo. Her realm is one of forests and mountains that I’d never seen before until one of our clients wanted to meet there because it’s so clandestine that he was sure none of his associates would know of it. There is no reason Matty would go there.” Caperius stopped and cut a sharp look over at his brother. In truth, he hadn’t even considered Mattheus showing up where Teni lived. After all, he had just found her by accident on the day they met. Could his brother do the same some time when he was there for some other reason and Casperius was as well, and therefore find out about her? His heart seemed to stop at the thought and he felt like the demon’s brew he had was about to reintroduce itself to the room.
“Are you a complete dumb fuck?” Now Cormoran had gone from just angry to completely and utterly enraged. Casperius had lost all sense and put everyone in danger over a quick fuck? Maybe not a quick fuck, the girl sounded nice, but his brother had lost his sense of self preservation and that could get both of them killed, and he didn’t want to think about what would happen to the girl. “She’s out there with no protection AND no idea someone could be hunting her because of you?” Cormoran’s arm shot out to point out the window. “You invite me over here to tell me about wanting to make things more serious with her, and you’ve never thought to mention any of this shit to her?” His one hand continued to gesture as he tried to control himself from beating sense into his brother since it was clear that all that Casperious had previously contained within his skull had leaked out his ears somewhere. “She means so much to you according to you, but you’ve not given one thought to what Matty did to the last woman you just liked, not even loved. Do you remember the state she was left in, what was left of her psyche when he was done with her?” His jaw clenched, teeth ground, and his eyes flashed as he pushed off of the mantle and started to stalk over towards his younger brother, his posture and gate those of pure aggression. His eyes had gone pure yellow, fangs dropping as he prepared for a physical confrontation. They were pretty evenly matched in size, but at the moment, with how enraged he was, Cormoran was pretty sure he was going to kick Casperius’ ass without much problem. “GET HER and get her safe before you ruin everything for everyone! Either you do, or I do. Full. Fucking. Stop.” There was a tick starting in his jaw and it had his brother backing up. “I don’t think she’ll like it much if I do. She might not like you too good afterwards either.” The look on Cormoran’s face was nie on a murderous rage.
“If you hurt her -” Casperius started, his eyes going ice white as he started to challenge his older brother. His hands balled into fists, white sparks crackling off of his skin, he was ready for a fight as well and a beat down if Cormoran even thought of breaking one hair on Martenique’s head. Yeah, maybe he hadn’t thought of Mattheus, but that didn’t mean he was stupid and it didn’t mean he was careless. Besides, she had those damned vines that always tripped him up. They could protect her, couldn’t they? Give him time to get there if she needed him?
In a split second Cormoran had him against the wall by his throat, his fingers curling in to give Caserperius just enough air to not pass out. He’d moved so fast that Caperius hadn’t even seen or felt them move, but he sure as fuck felt the impact of his back against the rock solid plaster. If his brother’s earlier demeanor hadn’t indicated how completely exasperated he was, this move certainly did. “You want to stop fucking around and have one girl, great. But you aren’t going to put all of the rest of us on the line to save one of your asses because you didn’t cover them. Matty is unstable and we have no clue where that fucker went after that last confrontation. So go fix your shit before I do it for you, because I guarantee that if I do, she’s gonna know everything, little brother.” Cormoran’s face moved closer to Casperius’. “EVERYTHING.”
As suddenly as he’d grabbed him and throttled him, Cormoran was back on the other side of the room at the mantle and lighting up another cigarette. “So which is it, little brother? You or me?” Casperius was still pinned by his brother’s glare and neither had released their tension. Eyes still shining bright it was now a silent face off across the room from one another.
“I will.” Casperius finally replied, the thumping in his head not dissipating from where he’d been slammed into the wall that didn’t even dent under the force. “And when she’s here, you’ll be nice. You hear? This shit stays away from her til I can figure out how to tell her all of it. Or at least what she needs to know.” As enraged as Cormoran was, Casperius was in protection mode and he’d slaughter anyone who made her so much as cry. “She knows kinda what I do, I can make it so she stays inside the manor. Horace and Gracie (the cook) will help.” Casperius was still defiant and his jaw was set as he stared at his brother. They rarely fought, but when they did, it was often one for the ages. Last time they’d leveled someone’s house, this time it might have been Casperius’ own if both of them were not more concerned with keeping an innocent being from feeling the wrath of their younger brother. “Anyone hurts her and I will take pleasure eviscerating them and feeding them their own entrails. Ya know?”
Cormoran relaxed back against the mantle with a sarcastic huff and sardonic smirk. His anger was not abated, but for the moment he was satisfied that it was going to be handled and handled quick. The point had been made to Casperius, and he knew his brother well enough to know that if the girl meant even a fraction of what he’d told him, then Casperius would do great and terrible things to anyone that did harm her. “Yeah, I do. I can see you doin it too. But you gotta keep your head on your shoulders with her, Cas. Til we know what’s goin on with Matty, we can’t let our guard down. If this girl is that important, I don’t know how you let this slip.” His eyes closed and his head shook, memories of what had happened to some of his past loves flooding behind those closed eyelids to make his heart clench. Guilt bubbled up from the depths he tried to keep it locked away in, threatening to overwhelm and drown him in it if he allowed it. All three brothers might be demons, they might enforce the contracts that were freely and willingly signed, but neither of the two older brothers were violent and brutal sadists like Mattheus was to complete innocents. They had their code and they stuck to it. Mattheus had no code and enjoyed torture, torment, and suffering. It was that fact that had Cormoran forcing the guilt back down and locking it away once more. He had to keep his head, just in case Casperius slipped in any way.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had a run in with him, that’s all.” It felt like their father was back from wherever he’d fucked off to with the way Cormoran was dressing him down; but Casperus guessed he couldn’t blame him too much. Being immortal did not mean they weren’t able to be hurt, or, fuck all, killed. He’d been so enamored with his gorgeous little sprite that he’d gotten careless, his brother was right. She meant too much to him to not make sure that she would be safe in the future though.
“When we’re done here, I’ll go and get her. Bring her back by whatever means necessary. Good enough?” Casperius raised his brows and tipped his head, looking at his brother to ensure that the conversation was concluded. They had other business to discuss and he really didn’t want to get in another fight with Cormoran over this.
“For now.” Was the only reply he got, but it seemed the matter was settled. He knew his older brother though and this topic WOULD come back up, most certainly after they’d been introduced.
“We have business to talk.” Cormoran walked over and sat in one of the dark burgundy leather wingback chairs that faced Casperius’ desk. “There are contracts getting ready to expire, and we need to make sure we are poised to collect, and that we aren’t..” he paused with a smirk on his face, “distracted….” His point made, based on the deep breath his brother took and nodded, it was truly time to move on to business that they could not delay on. If they did, then they might have contracts expire without consequence. That was not something they could allow to occur. Let a few beings slip and then everyone would think that they could get away with shit. Not. Going. To. Happen.
While Casperius had been gone from her forest, Martenique had began to look about the small hut that she called home. It wasn’t fancy, but it sufficed for her needs. At one end was a series of hooks that her dresses hung on. They were spun by the spiders and silk worms that also called her forest home in exchange for treats that she provided them. Each had their own special color of silk and so she always had beautiful things to wear, even if they seemed so light and flimsy compared to what Casperius always had on. The few pairs of shoes and boots that she owned came from the village where she traded goods with others. That was also where she saw her friends. For the most part, she lived a solitary life, that was until that day Casperius had wandered into her life. All of her footwear were forms of leather and some were lined with fur for the colder months to keep her feet warm. She took special care of all of her belongings to make them last.
Everything was in its place and she kept her home clean and neat. Before Casperius, she had never really thought much about her home. Most sprites lived in a home much like hers, it looked very similar to the one she had grown up in with her mother. Sprite dwellings were simple, clean, modest, and earthy. She doubted that wherever Casperius lived was anything like she did, she could just tell from the way he dressed and carried himself. It did make her wonder though, where did demons live? Was it like the huge manor house that was near the village where the magistrate lived that ruled the forest and all the lands around it? Was he as kind to the people under his purview? And would she fit into his world if she ever went to visit?
She had just finished sweeping up and doing her daily chores when she heard an unusual thumping outside, a loud male yelp that sounded like Casperius, and then a growl of some kind that she did not recognize. Peri must be back, she had to laugh to herself, wondering what her vines and plants had done this time. It was not at her command that the vines and foliage had started protecting her, it was just something that they did naturally. However, she might have encouraged it a little after his last visit, enjoying the teasing and playful nature it seemed to bring out in him. Instead of going out to see what had been done this time, she waited once more for him to call for her. She kind of liked making him wait, more of that teasing and playfulness.
“Ok, my darling sprite. Come out and let your minions know that the big bad demon is not here to do their goddess harm.” Casperius’ amused voice filtered through her closed front door, sounding a little bit strange compared with the past though. “You know you want to see me, Teni, don’t even try to pretend you don’t.” There was a definite undercurrent of tease running through it that her standing on the inside of the door, forehead pressed to the wood, smiling. “You’ll really want to see what I brought for you, although I guess I could just take it back home…” he continued to tease, knowing it would draw her out, and a little surprised she hadn’t bounded out. But his sprite was playful, so of course she would make him wait. Her playful and spunky personality was one of the things that the demon most liked about her.
With a laugh, she leaned the broom that she still held in her hands against the wall then walked back over to the door and pulled it open, expecting the handsome demon to be standing somewhere in front of it. Instead she was greeted by absolutely nothing but air and a view of the clearing in front of her home. Her brows drew together as she stepped out of the small hut to look around the clearing, wondering where he could be hiding and what trick he was playing this time. Martenique was sure she had heard his voice close by, but she knew he held magic that could make him disappear. So, where had he gone to, she wondered. And why had the vines let him go?
“And now you are hiding because I did not come at you beckoning, Sir Peri?” She continued to look around, wondering where he was and how he had escaped the vines. Her language had gotten slightly better, she'd been practicing. “That does not seem very gentlemanly of you? How are we to court if you abandon me?” It was hard for her not to laugh; she was sure he was not truly gone.
“Look up.” Casperius replied, clearing his throat and smirking. He had to hand it to the vines that protected his favorite female, they were original. Good guard dogs too. He didn’t have to worry about someone sneaking up on his little sprite while he was gone, which was good because he did not like people messing with anything that was his. Martenique was already his in his mind, he just had to keep coming out ahead on deals. He was going to do everything in his power to ensure that she was eternally so, believing that the sprite would be a source of constant intrigue and interest. Not to mention having her beauty around the manor would be a boon. Unlike his bedmates, he actually missed her when they were apart. Yes, she had done something to him he quite liked.
Slowly Martenique’s head tipped back so she could look up, and when she saw Casperius suspended above her, held upside down by his ankles, her eyes went wide. “Oh dear! Peri! I…I…” She was trying not to laugh, but failing quite badly. In fact, she could not even finish her sentence from the laughter bubbling up from within her. Her hands covered her mouth but she could not hide the merriment dancing in her eyes.
“Go ahead, laugh all you want. I’ll just take my gift back home with me if you prefer me suspended midair rather than having me down there with you. It makes no difference to me, you know. There are lots of sprites that I could give my attention to.” His voice was full of teasing, as was his expression. Just to be sure she knew he wasn’t serious, Casperius threw in a wink. After their misunderstanding before, he did not want another where she might have hurt feelings. The eye roll, blindingly bright smile, and shake of her head that had her chestnut brown hair fanning out that he got in return told him that unlike their confusion over the unknown phrase last time, she understood what he really meant this time. It pleased him, she was absolutely perfect in every way, and after hearing her laughter again, he couldn't’ wait to hear it once more as well. She was spinning some kind of spell over him, he was sure.
“Maybe I’m just keeping you up there because I can’t trust you not to be running around after every sprite, faerie, and pixie you see. You are a demon after all.” She crossed her arms over her chest and smirked smugly up at him. Two could play at the teasing game, and she found it fun. From the way he reacted, she thought he did too, and she liked making him happy.
“Ah, I see how little faith you truly have in me, Teni. I’m wounded to the core. Heart broken. A demon destroyed. Here I come bearing gifts and you regale me with accusations of infidelity.” He sniffed and pretended to wipe his eye as if there were a tear. The laugh that erupted from his beautiful sprite below again made his chest seem to vibrate and the rhythm of his heart change. Whatever it was she did to him, he liked it. He had spoken to his brother Cormoran about her, and couldn’t wait for the two of them to meet as well. At the moment, Cormoran thought him half mad at his description of her.
“Now, we can’t have you all like that. You might go and make a deal that goes bad.” Martenique blew out a big sigh and once more rolled her eyes in an exaggerated way. “I guess I’m going to HAVE to let you down. But you must behave.” She smirked and laughed as she wagged a finger at him, continuing the game.
“I will be on my best demon behavior, I promise.” he winked and grinned at her, garnering another eyeroll. If they could keep this kind of interaction going, he would gladly hang upside down all day. The only thing better would be whisking her away back to the manor house and keeping her there with him always. It wasn’t quite ready yet, just a few more days…
When she began to hum a soft melody, the vines began to lower Casperius to the ground. When he was a short distance from being all the way down, they wrapped around him differently so that in the end he was put on his feet about a foot in front of Martenique. Gazing up at him once he was back in front of her, she wondered if he had grown even more handsome since he had last been there two days before or if she was just a besotted fool. It was possible that it was both, but she was sure that she was just being a fool.
“This is much better.” He grinned, stepping to her and bringing her into his arms. This time he did not ask or prepare her for the kiss, and he would not apologize afterwards. It was still soft and chaste, he would let her determine when it was time to move forwards, forcing her would just cause things to take longer and he was impatient as it was. He wanted and needed her trust to be able to keep her, and for her to want to be kept by him. That he had not been able to return the previous day had almost cost a ghast its existence. “And now that you have been properly greeted, I did mention a gift.”
Martenique wasn’t sure if his kisses would ever stop making her entire body tingle, but she was willing to repeatedly keep testing. He was so unlike sprite males, in that he confused her and made her keep wondering what he was going to do next. And now a gift, what could be the meaning of that? And what could it be? “Yes, you did. I hope I got you down fast enough that you don’t feel the need to take it back with you.” One hand had made it’s way into the back of his hair and she now ruffled it playfully.
Casperius pulled her in flush with him, finding he had missed the feeling of her smaller body against his more than he had realized. “I think that it was adequate timing to get your gift.” His fingers played in her dark tresses, almost mesmerized by how soft and silken her hair was. “Close your eyes.”
She did as she was told, and when he stepped away from her for a second, Martinique had to fight the inclination to follow. Her teeth caught her bottom lip as she waited, trying not to seem too impatient while doing so. It had been ages since anyone had gotten her a gift that she was having trouble remembering who it had been from or even what it was for.
“Ok, you can open them.” He told her softly and when she did, Martenique was greeted by the sight of him holding up the most gorgeous dress she’d ever seen. It was a teal that was the color of a peacock, and it had gold threads running through it so that it sparkled as it caught the light. Along the bottom were embroidered peacock feathers and the edge was scalloped along the feathers. She had never seen anything like it, even when she had gone into town to do her trading.
“Oh Peri, it’s beautiful but it's too much! I can’t imagine what you must have…” her words were cut off by one of his fingers against her lips; he had quickly closed the distance between them with one of his large steps. She didn’t even try to fight him, just looked into those sparkling blue eyes that were creasing at the edge because he was smiling so smug and proud of himself. He knew she loved it, and she did.
“No, it is not. I want you to have it because I believe it will look beautiful on you, and I have ideas where we can go with you wearing it.” He then looked down at the sprite shoes she wore, which wouldn’t really go with the dress. “And I have some little black shoes I want you to try as well. They are supposed to be very soft and comfortable.” He leaned in more and kissed the middle of her forehead. “Now go try them on.”
While Casperius waited for her, he went over all the plans for his manor house in his head. Things were already happening, and it would only be a week at the longest till it was ready for her to visit. Horace was sure he’d lost his mind as well, or that Martenique was in danger. He’d had to talk to his butler more than once and assure him that neither was true, he’d just found a female who had captured his interest like none before. Horace hadn’t been wholly convinced, but he’d show him when this little sprite finally was in Imperium.
The creaking of her front door brought him out of his thoughts of back home and Casperius turned around to see that the fae had done an excellent job with everything. The dress fit her perfectly and the way the color worked with her skin tone and eyes was breathtaking. “I do hope that you will wear this when I visit sometime, Teni, you look amazing, my little sprite.” HIS.
Martenique felt the blush rise to her cheeks and she didn’t know what to say. Her eyes fell to the floor for a minute. Which reminded her of the shoes he’d brought. They were much different than her shoes she wore when in the forest, but they were comfortable and the insides were lined with some fabric that felt like fur but wasn’t. It was wonderful. “You are too nice.” Again she smiled and felt her cheeks flame more as her eyes once more rose to look at him. “And the shoes are very comfortable. I don’t deser..” how he had moved so fast to have his finger on her lips, she didn’t know.
“Now, if we are to get along, I don’t want to hear you say such things.“ Their noses almost touching, he was looking right in her eyes so she’d know he was serious. When he took her home he didn’t want any of the staff intimidating her by picking up on her insecurities and feeding them, but he had a feeling they’d fall in love with her. How could they not? She was like sunshine personified. He was the one that was normally the darkest and most grumblesome in the manor. “I told you, I like you and when I like people, I enjoy making them happy.” An arm encircled her waist to pull her flush against him. “And I want to make you very happy, my little sprite.” Maybe he had gone insane and Horace and Cor were right, but he was at least enjoying it. He would not hurt her, he’d sworn that to Horace, damn ghoul all concerned. She was so untouched by anything negative that he couldn’t help but want to know more and keep her that way. The few times they had been together he could feel himself being different, and he liked it. Like a weight was gone.
“Who am I to argue with a demon?” She finally said when his finger had slowly slipped from her lips.
“You’re not supposed to.” Casperious winked. “And I will do my best to be a good demon and not argue with you either.” Promises, promises, promises…he kept making them and wasn’t sure why other being around her made him feel more relaxed and she was still a puzzle that he wanted to solve. Even if he got her figured out, something told him she would still be interesting. “Just don’t leave me tied up in vines too long.”
“Never.” She laughed. “Although you do look good tied up.” She couldn’t help but tease.
Those words did something to him that almost had him growling, but not in aggression. She had no idea about his world, and it was all he could do not to make a remark that would be pushing the boundaries of things again. “You know that you have other ways of keeping me here.” His voice was deeper and more strained as the thoughts of what fun could be had with either of them tied up were dancing through his head, and affecting his groin.
“You mean you don’t always have to run off and leave me alone?” She continued the mutual tease, but knew something had changed. He seemed more intense and even his scent was different. Whatever it was that was affecting Casperius, it made him more alluring to Martenique.
“I will always have to go make my deals, Teni, but I don’t have to be gone as long in between visits.” Casperius’ voice was lower and he kept his eyes firmly on hers while one finger danced along her skin, tracing the edge of the dress as the neckline descended between her perfect breasts. The catch in her breath, the widening of her pupils, and the pebbling of her skin all made a smirk start to form on his lips. He enjoyed the effect he had on her, and she had on him. “All you have to do is ask. I might be able to rearrange my schedule to slip in a few minutes for you.”
“Just a few, I guess I must not keep your interest too much.” There was a sassiness to her smirk as she started to turn in his arms. The feel of his hands sliding across the silken fabric of the dress, causing it to press against her skin under their weight sent a small shiver through her. He certainly had the oddest effect on her, so unlike anyone else.
“Oh, no you don’t, my little sprite.” Casperius’ arm shot out and caught her waist to bring her back against his chest with a soft thud. Again that melodic laughter of hers floated in the air and he loved it; it bringing out his own as he picked her off of the ground and spun her around. “I am just a busy demon.” A kiss was dropped on the side of her head as he brought them once more to stillness. “If I had someone who wanted me to find more time though, I might be able to clear some of that schedule up. Would you happen to know someone?”
“Hmmm..” Martenique tapped her chin, a playful smirk playing on her lips. “I just might know someone like that. I mean, this courting thing we’re doing...we’re supposed to be spending time together right?” She leaned her head back against his broad and muscled chest, tipping her head so she could look up at him. Was there any angle he wasn’t handsome from? More research would be needed to draw a firm conclusion, but for the moment she was quite content to stay wrapped in his arms with hers laying over his.
“You know, Teni, I think you might be right.” He feigned that enlightenment just hitting him. “We are supposed to be spending more time together. How could I have forgotten? I hope you can forgive me.” His gaze now dropped into those gorgeous chocolate pools that looked back up at him, light twinkling in them as she laughed lightly at him again. Her little pink tongue poking out of her mouth made him chuckle. “Is that a yes, my sprite?”
“It’s a - this time.” She teased and then dared to go up onto her toes and place her own kiss right along his jaw. The raised brow and grin she got in return told her that he liked it. It made her grin up at him and bite her lip a little as she swayed gently in his arms, a little proud of herself.
“I think I told you that you might be in trouble if you got to know me too well, but I think I was wrong.” He watched one of her brows go up and the questioning look come over her face and almost laughed. Their first miscommunication, and one he would have to tease her about for a time to come. “I think I am the one in trouble. Clearing my schedule, bringing gifts, what would the other demons think?” He gave her a wink and she started to laugh. Fuck what anyone thought. The only one whose opinion that mattered was his brother Cormoran and he doubted that Cor would have a problem with her other than keeping his hands to himself. But then, Casperius was having that same problem and only wanting her to offer herself to him kept him being a “good boy”.
“They will think I’m an amazing sprite.” Martenique raised her chin with a little bit of a smug smile as she kept looking up at him. “And they will be jealous that you caught me first.” Once more she went to pop up quickly and give his jaw or cheek a kiss, but he anticipated her move and caught her lips with his own, earning him a pleased little sound from her.
“And if they touch you…” he cut himself off, he didn’t want to scare her. He would cause great pain to anyone that touched her and positively kill anyone that hurt her. A few visits and he was already to bring about ultimate suffering for her, but she was going to be the preeminent jewel in his proverbial crown.
“I would not wish to be them.” Since he did not finish, she did for him. Even if she was not sure what he would do, there was something about the look that had flashed in his eyes that scared her a little on the inside. He had never been anything but gentle with her, yet in that fraction of a second there was put into her a certainty that he could be capable of great and horrific violence. It was something she never wanted to see, and hoped to never be the cause of.
“No, you would not. But you, my beauty, never have to fear.” He kissed her forehead softly, then the tip of her perfect nose, and then her petal soft lips. “For you will be the most cherished and protected sprite in the history of all sprites.” His arms around her tightened as he wondered inwardly exactly what did make him so affectionate and soft towards her, it was something he’d have to think on later to ensure that he was not allowing a weakness that others could exploit, possibly with dire consequences.
“You sound very positive of that, Peri. You haven’t known me that long.” It wasn’t that Martenique wanted to discourage him, but she did have her own doubts and insecurities.
“Ah, you have a point. I guess I’m just going to have to spend more time with you to ensure that I am not overlooking any horrid habit or thing about you.” He narrowed his eyes at her playfully, which earned him a laugh. “Speaking of which, I have never seen the inside of that cottage of yours. Am I always going to be relegated to the outside and being mauled by your vines?”
“Well, I guess if you promise to behave I can take you inside. It’s nothing fancy, but it is home.” Martenique felt her cheeks heat up. She wanted him to come in but was also nervous at Capseirus actually seeing her home. What if he thought her too poor for him?
As Casperius was getting a tour of the small cottage that Martenique lived in and wondering how she would react to the grand estate that he lived on, Horace was on that estate working with the other staff to try to ready it for the sprite’s visit. Her cottage was much like the woman herself, beautiful and simple…and in the wrong realm.
“HORACE!” Casperius’s voice echoed off of the stone walls of the large manor house he lived in as he threw open both of the large front doors as he strode through. Long steps took him across the grande entrance as he waited for his butler to show himself. There were things to be done and plans to be made, and Cas wanted them started right away.
“Sir?” Horace appeared from a side room, not sure what had upset his master. Not that Casperius was a calm demon, but he normally didn’t come in yelling and upset.
“Come into my study. I have plans to make and I need you to organize the staff and household. Changes are coming.” His tone left no room for question and it was an order, not a suggestion that it would be done.
Horace motioned for someone that had been in the room with him to follow and quickly caught up with Casperius. He would ensure that whatever it was that his master wished would be done, and done to perfection. It was one reason that he was so trusted by his master. While he was a servant to Casperius, he was also a trusted advisor to the noble demon.
As soon as Casperius entered his office, he went straight to the massive mahogany looking desk that dominated the room and stood behind it, waving his hand to bring up an illusion of the manse and grounds in the center, and off to the side a floorplan of the top floor where the residence apartments were. He also brought up one apartment up. Leaning over the desk, he studied the center portion first. Things would be taken in order.
Horace was quick to enter behind Casperius and his brows knit together when he saw what his boss was leaning over. What did the demon have planned? Close behind him was Visalus, the valet for both Horace and Casperius. He was trusted by both and if there was something serious and extensive that was going to need to be done, Horace had a feeling that his aid would be needed. Both men felt a sense of dread when they saw the situation that they were walking into. Horace closed and locked the french doors that lead into the large room walled with floor to ceiling bookcases then turned to his master, “what is it you wish of us, sir?”
“Come.” Casperius beckoned the two males. He was glad that Horace had brought Visalus without having to be told to. “The grounds have been rather plain around the manor house of my property that are not wooded. This needs to be changed. I want gardens, hedge rows, flowers, ponds with fish, reflecting pools, fountains. I want it to be as grand as the Palace of Versailles. There is a nature sprite who will be coming to visit in the near future. I want her to be impressed and for what we have to leave her in awe. This is not a request, this is an order. Am I clear?” His gaze alternated between the two before him.
Horace’s brows rose and he looked over at Visalus. A female? A sprite? They were doing extensive landscaping just for a visit from a sprite? “Yes, sir.” Horace answered in a clipped and efficient manner with a head nod. He would not question, regardless at the moment. Later, when things were progressing he would inquire what had brought this about.
“Good.” Casperius nodded in acknowledgement and moved to the floor plans next. “This empty apartment next to mine is to be redecorated immediately. A door is to be put between it and mine. The fireplace and chimney are to be inspected and readied for use. Colors are to be muted and of nature. Linens are to be silken and creams, pinks, silvers, and bluish-gray. I am going to need a tailoress fae immediately. This is to be done in the next few days. Questions?”
Once more Horace and Visalus looked at one another, there were lots of questions that both of them had, but neither of them were sure if this was the time to begin asking them. Both men gave small shrugs, the questions would wait. “No, sir. I will summon the fae immediately.” Horace responded.
“Good.” Casperius nodded and now finally looked up at the two men. “I need the kitchen staff to research and learn what nature sprites eat. In coming days, I want sampling menus. I want some of our normal dishes to be altered in ways that might make them palatable. Food needs to be available for our guest when she comes, she may be staying.”
“Of course, sir.” Horace nodded. “We will ensure your guest is taken care of and welcome. However, if I may take a moment, are we to assume that the sprite will now be a resident of the manor? If so, will she require staff as well, My Lord?” The changes that Casperius was making were bold and drastic, not something that the demon was known for. He did not change things for others, only for his own purpose and pleasure. If he was changing things for another now, then something had happened and Horace wanted to be prepared and to prepare the others.
“If things go according to my plans, then she will be a permanent resident of the manner. However, she will not require additional staff other than a permanent tailoress fae. Find one needing long term employment and who can keep her mouth shut. I want one with discretion.” Horace was familiar with how lose lipped fae could be and he understood the concerns of Casperius. He gave a curt nod in response to the request. “She will be mine.”
Horace’s mouth opened and closed like a fish, he knew he had heard Casperius right but the true meaning behind it he was unsure of. “Yours?” He finally managed to get out in a tone and inflection that said it was a question of so much meaning.
“MINE.” Casperius stood erect and looked Horace straight in the face. What about that declaration was so confusing to people? Martenique had been confused by it as well. That Horace did not seem to understand the stated and unstated implications of it displeased him and Casperius’ face reflected that. Visalus stepped back some, unsure of what was going on, but not wanting to feel his master’s ire. “She has agreed to court.”
“To court?” Horace asked, clearly flummoxed and confused. Had his master struck his head? He was not sure if demons could get traumatic brain injuries, but that would at least explain this sudden change. Maybe the sprite was really a seductress of some kind and had him under some kind of enchantment.
“She is quite…unusual.” Casperius picked the word that he thought would best fit her. “She is unique and when she comes here I want her to be so enraptured with all that she sees that she will not want to leave. You two will make it happen.” A smirk formed on Caperius’s lips and the look on the rest of his face indicated to both of the males before him that failure was not an option. Pain and torment would be the only rewards for not meeting his expectations.
“As you wish, sir.” Horace bowed slightly and Visalus mirrored it, both men now confused on what had caused such a change in their master. If a female had indeed captured his interest, it could cause great change in the manor. If she was of the same mind as Casperius, may Lucifer help them all.
Casperius's activities between visits to Martenique had not gone unnoticed. The dealer demon had his enemies and there were those who were looking for any opportunity to find a weakness in the normally violent and disagreeable demon's armor. Once one was found, it would be exploited to bring the demon to his knees and a recompense for past actions would achieved.
