Hell’s Consort

Newest Chapter of Highest Tier  (August 2021)

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Archdemon Empress Luna

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"You tried to stop me from interfering when they used magic against my wife even if it wasn't allowed?"

"If you still had an ounce of respect for your grandfather, don't put him on the spot among his people, Vampire King." Queen Titania warned.

From a distance, she could see her Prussian Blue eyes changing into a lighter shade of electric blue that was vibrant, alive and crackling with radiance.

When Queen Titania's dark pupils turned into thin slits similar to a snake, Luna realized that the Summer Queen's glower became more intimidating and she wasn't easily intimidated.

Her skin prickled.

Powerful, ancient wisdom swirled in her intense gaze as the Queen's lips curled in contempt. "That also didn't change the fact that your Empress' second is a monster!" Apollyon's grandmother stated as another accusing finger pointed towards her Archdemon Familiar the second time today.

She wouldn't be the last. 

  Luna's jaws clenched as her eyes ricocheted between the angry Summer Monarchs who looked down on them from the Royal Box.

She didn't say anything back to them.

It wasn't that the Summer Monarchs had rendered her speechless.

She just couldn't believe their audacity to convey their wrath against their group for being entitled to justice.

Her mind raced with frustration. 

The situation was getting out of hand!

Why were they considered the villains in the arena when they weren't the duelists who cheated?

"Monsters? So is everyone. We are all monsters here, including the Summer Monarchs." Sloth responded out loud far across them as he took off his gauntlet and proceeded to wipe the scarlet smudges around his chin,  "We turn into monsters depending on our greed and desire."

  Luna rubbed her fingers on her brow as her headache intensified.

Sloth was right.

Everyone was a monster here.

All of the spectators were monsters for having a thirst for anyone's blood and suffering but theirs.

Blood flowed like red poppies on the sand where the vanquished heroes struggle to fight only for their flesh to turn into ash and meet their eternal rest.

Unfortunately, Luna's enemies ran out of their luck.

They also did not die an honourable death.

"I desire to win for my Empress, and I need to become one to protect her. Being called a monster by a mere Fae is not my problem," Sloth added.

"Mere Fae?!" The Summer Queen's eyes protruded, and her jaw dropped in disbelief at her Familiar's insult.

Oh, goddess! 

"Don't pick up a fight anymore, Prince Slo--an." Apollyon scolded him like he was a naughty child whose hand was caught inside the cookie jar.

From his cold blue eyes, Luna assumed her husband didn't miss her Familiar regarding her as his... master. 

Not his Empress!

But, her jealous husband would never understand!

"I'm not picking up a fight." Sloth shrugged. A smirk was plastered on his handsome countenance as he faced Apollyon. "I'm just saying to make things clear."

Her head turned slightly to her side when she heard her husband approach.

He clasped her metal fingers tight to let her know that he will always be there to support her... or was it stark possession that made him act like this?

Nevertheless, her husband's presence as they faced King Oberon and Queen Titania gave her the courage to talk back. 

"Queen Titania, you have no right to call my…." Luna cleared her throat and continued, "My second did the right thing to protect me and defend my honour."

Then, she regarded the spectators with a feigned indifference by waving her hand in dismissal, "Anyone who opposed what he had done  to the courtier shall descend on the arena and accept our challenge."

"If you want to be eaten by my second, then please let him do the honours." Luna made her voice stronger and steadier to scare those Summer Fair Folk who were against their victory. "The Ghoul Prince is still hungry."

She gestured at the Archdemon of Sloth, who had licked his fingers clean after wiping the courtier's blood on his chin.

"Anyone? Why is everyone becoming silent?"  Watching her Familiar made her more aware of Sir Tristan's blood smearing her nose and cheeks, and she winced. 

"If no one wants to challenge my wife and the Ghoul Prince, then all of you must shut your mouth." Apollyon said. "This duel is done."

Her husband bent his neck closer and whispered to her ear. "We need a new courtier." 

As if his other Familiar heard Apollyon's words, Luna found Ravin behind Sloth.

She heard him announce, "How about you, delegate?" He picked up one of them by the back of his neck and ordered, "I command you to announce my Empress' victory!"

With quivering pupils ricocheting between Sloth and Ravin, the delegate obliged in fear of being eaten by the older Ghoul Prince.

Sloth's made-up story about him and Ravin's royal background was a lie, but it could have been closer to the truth. 

"P-princess O-ourania is guilty of h-her murderous attempts to k-kill the Empress of t-the Vampire Realm a-and her future heiress!" The delegate proclaimed.

Nobody cheered from the crowd or hoisted them—the champions--up in the air to congratulate them, and she already expected this. 

After the delegate's statement, Ravin shoved him harshly to the ground and walked towards her and Apollyon while Sloth followed him.

The Summer Monarchs were strongly against them.

She finally figured out why when she heard an inaudible whimper from the south near the walls dividing the arena and the lowest segment.

The remaining duelist was there.

Princess Ourania laid flat on her stomach as her entire form was buried under the sand.

The only thing which emerged was her bright red hair and her right leg broken at an odd angle. 

With gritted teeth, Luna stalked towards her Familiar and circled her fingers on his neck, "I told you to spare her life, Sloth!"

"The Summer Princess is still breathing, isn't she?" 

"She is not moving!" Luna tried  to shake him, but her husband pulled her back from choking the Archdemon for breaking his promise, "You killed her!"