FROM HELL
From Hell – Chapter 11&12
→ Craving•The•Unhinged ←
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.
Copyright © 2026
Naomi Cindy B.
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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Ares and Lucia stepped in together like twin flames, and steel shrieked as Edwin’s blade cut through the air faster than most men in the court could ever dream of.
He wasn’t bluffing.
His strike came clean, aimed straight for Ares’s throat.
Ares tilted his head, and the sword missed him by a breath.
Lucia moved at the same time. Her knife flashed low—too low.
Edwin barely caught it in time, twisting his body, but not enough.
The blade kissed his side, slicing through his cloth and entering his skin deeply.
First blood.
“Ahhgg!!” He groaned,, staggering shockingly to the bed.
He retaliated instantly, pivoting with surprising control, forcing Lucia back with a flurry of strikes.
Lucia let him—as if she was testing how far he could go. Edwin mightn’t be a seasoned fighter, but he trained.
His sword danced with measured, dangerous moves. One swing made Lucia step aside.
“Not bad,” Ares murmured, muffled under his facecloth, then he stepped in, and their rhythm shifted.
Edwin blocked Ares’s strike, but Lucia’s strike came a heartbeat later.
A shallow cut opened along his arm, and another one followed across his shoulder.
His movements began to tighten, and he gritted his teeth, forcing himself forward with a roar.
Ares’s response was immediate. His sword drove forward, striking just beneath his ribs before pulling away as quickly as it entered like he was playing with Edwin’s life.
Edwin lurched.
The strength in his stance faltered for a fraction of second, and that was all Lucia needed.
Her blade came down, carving a line across Edwin’s back as he turned too slow to avoid it.
Edwin choked on his breath, and the room tilted.
Still, he didn’t fall.
He forced himself upright again, eyes blazing, though the fire in them had begun to flicker.
“You… think… this is enough?” he rasped. “I’m going to crawl to the depths of hell to find out who you both are, aggghh!!!!!!” He roared again, lunging with his wounds.
Lucia and Ares switched positions, shoulders brushing.
Lucia’s blade glide across Edwin’s thigh, not deep enough to cripple, but enough to break his balance completely.
Edwin dropped to one knee, and Ares was already behind him.
The edge of his sword pressed lightly against Edwin’s neck.
Edwin’s grip on his own sword loosened, and blood from his wounds dripped steadily, staining the floor beneath him. He swayed, breath uneven, strength draining fast.
His vision blurred.
“For someone so loud,” Lucia said quietly, voice satisfied and unhinged, “you fell rather easily.”
She returned her bloody knife to her waist sheath, and she expected Ares to leave Edwin to fall to the floor
But Ares doesn’t seem like he wants to let go.
His sword is still on Edwin’s neck, ready to take his head.
“What are you doing?” Lucia’s her brows hunched.
No reply from Ares, but at the remembrance of Edwin’s words about Lucia’s virginity, he drove the sword into his neck, but before he could cut, Lucia held his wrist tight.
Edwin fell unconscious to the floor, the blood pool widening around him.
“I badly want to kill him too. This is the same bastard who’s oppressing citizens by taking taxes twice per week, but not yet!” Lucia bit out.
Ares took his wrist from her, glaring. “You don’t get to tell me what to actually do!” He spat lividly—more livid than he expected himself to be.
Once he allows certain words to get in the wrong side of his head, he’s always untameable like this.
“I don’t care about who you kill and don’t!” Lucia glared warningly. “But he lied on me in court and was supposed to be executed but Bones agreed to lay with Kai’s wife instead. If Edwin gets killed, then I’ll be the prime suspect! I still have so much to do and being the suspect for the death of a wimp like him is not part of my plan! His death can’t be now!”
Drawing a needed inhale, Ares’s hand dropped, his immovable stance lowering, but he couldn’t stop staring maliciously at Edwin on the floor.
They heard approaching footsteps outside, and their eyes moved to the door at the same time.
Then their eyes came back to each other, and their thoughts matched.
Tey burst to the only window in the room. From there, they jumped off.
Courtesans entered the room, and they screamed in high pitches when they say Edwin’s wounded body laying helplessly on the floor.
The ones in the attached bathroom came out, and fearful screams filled the room.
The Madame of the brothel was called for, and when the veiled Madame with lavishly jeweled robe entered the room, she was astounded.
“Minister Edwin Duan?”
“If he wakes up, he’s going to kill everybody!” A courtesan wailed. “The fact that he was almost assassinated in our brothel? He’ll kill everyone!”
“Dispatch search guards to the four escape points of the brothel. The assassin wouldn’t have gone far.” The Madame ordered, and one of them rushed out to do that.
“Get his body to the bed, and call the brothel physician.” The Madame said.
“Yes, Madame!” Another courtesan rushed out to do that.
—
[Woods – Unbridled River]
It’s the same river where Ares and Lucia talked last night.
They came here again after escaping the brothel since it seems like the only unmarked place in the woods.
It’s the only place the government don’t pay attention to cos the main river is far from it.
This part is just where it flows from.
Ares raised his wine vessel first, and Lucia gave him a loud stare like she wasn’t going to tap.
“I didn’t kill him like you wanted. You should at least start showing some courtesy now, Xue-Mei.” He smiled.
“That stupid name, or your peevish face, I don’t know which is more disgusting.” Lucia let a frown descend on her face before clinking her vessel with his own.
It’s so violent she almost cracked the jars, but has she ever cared?
She drank straight from the vessel.
Intriguingly, Ares watched her drink before lifting his own vessel to drink too.
Their eyes stayed stuck as they took the intoxicating liquor from the vessels, and it became a game.
They kept drinking, holding eyes, spilling on their chin and throat and allowing it to flow in slow waves as their shots drained.
Ares knew she was a good drinker.
Holding your liquor is part of the things taught at their training camps.
Though, she trained at Blood Camp and he trained at Pain Camp, but the trainers at both camps were equally ruthless nonhumans who broke their humanity with the trainings and made them kill orphans to get food.
Innocent orphans were brought to both camps weekly, and the more you kill, the more food you’d get. That’s the only way you won’t starve to death, so it was survival of the fittest.
Holding of liquor was one of their last trainings before they left their camps. According to the trainers, a good warrior must be able to hold their liquor.
Thirty kids entered Blood Camp, but only Lucia survived and came out after she brutally killed the 29 others.
Same with Pain Camp. Thirty kids entered, but only Ares survived and mercilessly killed the 29 others before coming out.
Ares was 18 when they came out.
Lucia was 15.
They were introduced to each other immediately they came out of both camps, but Lucia’s eyes carried too much fire she wouldn’t talk to anyone and wouldn’t associate.
Even after they were initiated as Shadow Ministers, she wouldn’t communicate no matter how hard Ares tried to strike a conversation.
Not like he’s that easy, but he hates being ignored. He has always hated it.
So he kept trying, and here they are, drinking together by the Unbridled River after they jointly wounded Edwin at the brothel.
He gets what he wants, doesn’t he?
They lowered their vessels after they drank every drop.
They threw the vessels in the river stones, and the porcelains broke before they faced each other.
“Allies?” Ares asked seriously.
“On two conditions,” she lifted two long fingers.
“List them,” he quipped.
“You must tell me everything you know about the tragedy twenty years ago. Every damn truth.” She said, folding a finger.
“Agreed. And the second?” He tilted his head with a sly smirk.
But before she could continue, Qui and Meng appeared.
And as if planned, Falcon and Limon appeared from the other side.
“Killed my mood,” Lucia stood.
“Did we interrupt anything?” Falcon asked with his jovial smile.
“It’s obvious we did,” Qui replied from the other side.
“Should we go back?” Meng said.
“The next operation plan, My Lady.” Limon said, unfazed by the fact that they interrupted anything.
He has always been stone-like.
“Dakota is still settling in, and till I study how he works, we aren’t going on any operation. Just stay around and come when I snap my fingers.” Lucia settled them.
“Meaning I can actually tour the streets now? I’ve been dying to do that!” Falcon cheered.
“Kai’s wife is sleeping with Bones tonight, and we beat Edwin to stupor at the brothel. Kai is going to want to dig in, and Enya might look simple, but she’ll do something too.” Ares faced his ladies. “Stay around and just come when I blow the whistle.”
“Yes, My Lord!” The ladies chorused.
While Meng frowned, Limon grimaced. They both surely don’t like this new thingy like collaboration between their bosses.
But Qui and Falcon look elated.
Ares and Lucia left together, their footsteps disappearing with the trails of water on the ground.
Falcon sat, took off his shoes to wash his feet in the flow.
Qui sat beside him on the rock, taking off her shoes too.
“Looks like I’m going to like you,” Falcon looked up.
“I can’t say the same. You look fake.” Qui gave him a snicker.
“How did you come to that conclusion?” Falcon’s face squeezed immediately. “I only want to protect Horror, and since it looks like she’s going to be cooperating with your Lord, then you and your fellow sidekick should get used to Limon and I.”
“He’s Limon?” Qui looked back to see Limon sitting on a high rock, untouched by the water.
He’s just staring into space.
“Yes, but don’t pay him mind. He doesn’t have a heart.” Falcon said.
“Same with Meng. Meng is too serious.” Qui sighed.
“Her?” Falcon looked at Meng who’s sitting on a high rock just like Limon. She’s drinking from a flagon of water.
“That makes two of us then,” Falcon faced Qui.
They smiled and continued washing their feet in the flowing water.
—
[Northern Part of the Woods]
As usual, Dakota is doing his patrol around the woods.
He has been on it even before he got introduced to the court, and now that he finally got introduced, his grip is stronger.
Bones gave him twenty imperial guards to follow him around, and with them, things are easy.
Not like Bones is that generous, but it’s because the people who’re always victims of Horror and Calamity are rich people and rich tombs.
Bones is for the rich, of course he’d do anything to find the culprits.
“I found something!” One of the guards announced from the steep part of the angle they’re at, and Dakota rushed there with guards trailing behind him like dogs.
Before they even got there, a strong foul smell invaded their nostrils.
Getting there, they saw a carriage buried in the dirt and bodies of two noblemen, a coachman and two guards. Dakota had to cross his forearm over his nostril to block the smell from the bodies.
“This looks like it happened about two days ago,” A guard said.
“On the day of Princess Ina’s wedding,” Dakota nodded. “They were definitely coming for the wedding. This Horror of a woman is really what they call her.”
“Do you think she works together with Calamity? That one also killed twelve guards in the last tomb he raided. They’re becoming too much at this point.” A guard said.
“Weather they’re working together or not, that remains to be found out.” Dakota replied. “Dig out the bodies and get carriages to convey them to the Empire. His Majesty needs to see them, and this cat and mouse game between the criminals and I is only just beginning.”
His jaws grinded, hard.
—
[Streets of Somara]
Since Somara City is the capital of Zura where all Palaces and imperial sectors are, it’s the brightest of all cities under Zura at nights like this.
Though, the brightness is for the rich, and they don’t hesitate to flaunt their wealths at the faces of the poor.
Expensive orange-color lanterns filled the streets, fireworks crossed the skies in beautiful patterns. Street stalls are full of sweet snacks and delicious delicacies for those browsing and touring to buy with silver ingots and stuff their mouths.
The city Tower stood tall in the middle of the city, and rich people pay heavily to climb and stare at the city beauty from there.
Shadow play is unfolding by a side.
Fire play unfolded by another side.
On Somara bridge, lovers could be seen kissing and making promises.
Spoilt daughters of Ministers bullied the commoner girls, and jerk sons of businessmen harassed the poor beautiful maidens, taking advantage of their powerlessness.
Somara is too beautiful a sight to behold, and in the middle of the choky perfumes from rich people, Ares and Lucia walked.
Their disguises are still intact, so they strolled boldly, and is it weird that Ares is hoping their shoulders would bump again? But it seems she’s avoiding it by putting a gap between them, and since they entered the city, they haven’t talked to each other.
They just stared at the vain beauty of the city through their disguises, and the disgust on Lucia’s face?
Thick.
When she was 5, her father used to take her on night strolls and spoil her with sweet things. Her favorite was the honey cakes, and her favorite play-toy was the rattle drum.
Back then, her father and Ares’s mother were the only chefs in the imperial kitchen. They cooked the Emperor’s meals always and got payed heftily cos they cooked the best meals. There was no rival to them.
The Emperor was Bones father back then, and he adored them so much, but the sweetness came to an end that fateful day twenty years ago.
That bitter day.
Lucia’s thoughts galloped when she realized she’s thinking too much.
She paused and faced Ares in the middle of the busy market.
“My second condition,” she raised a finger slowly.
She’s tall, but still not as him, but at least she reached his neck. She’s the tallest woman here.
“Say it,” Ares urged.
It’s obvious he has been buried in thoughts of the past too. The coldness of his voice marked that out.
“You mustn’t try to….”
Lucia was still talking when a drunken laugher hit their ears from the street side bar beside them.
They turned.
There, a bunch of drunken businessmen sat, gossiping.
“Ren and Mulan are the biggest joke of the century, I’m telling you! I mean…why kill the former Emperor when he was so good to them?”
Lucia went rigid.
Ren is her late father, Mulan is Ares’s late mother.
Ares’s eyes turned.
“They poisoned the Emperor’s food and killed him. As if that wasn’t enough, they set the Emperor’s chamber on fire too! Who does that?”
“I heard Mulan tried to sleep with the late Emperor, but he turned her down and punished her by giving her fifty strokes. Ren was in love with Mulan despite having a wife, so he got mad that Mulan was beaten, and he planned with Mulan. Mulan poisoned the food, and Ren set the fire!” Another gossip bursted.
“You’re saying all of this happened because of the pv+xy of Ares’s mother? Ren is such a pv+xxy slave!” Another one said.
That was the last straw.
Lucia bursted forward, ready to go stab them all to death and drag their bodies to abyss, but Ares was swift to hold her back.
But of course she broke free. Their strengths don’t outrun each other, so he couldn’t hold her down.
He grabbed her again though, and she immediately smashed her forehead on his own, brutally.
“Touch me again, and you’ll be the one I’ll kill!” She threatened impatiently and went forward again.
This time, Ares caught her by the right wrist, and she winced as he dragged her to a corner.
He pushed her inside, and she swung her leg up, kicking him in the face.
Ares held her shoulder blades, thudding her backside hard on the rough wall of the bar.
No sound came from her if she felt it. Just harsh, shallow breaths that indicated her heavy fury.
Ares grabbed her right wrist again, raising it up.
Just like there’s a burn mark on his chest, there’s a large burn mark on her wrist too.
It’s like a sign of selling off their souls to Void Emperor Bones.
On the day they left their individual camps and got initiated as Shadow Ministers, they were given the marks with hot, poisoned rods.
That’s why the wounds haven’t healed till now, and it’ll never heal.
It’s their weak points,
Known by just the two of them apart from Bones himself.
“You stopped me from finishing Edwin earlier cos it’d attract attention, so what made you think killing the gossipers wouldn’t attract attention. They gossiped about our dead parents, and someone suddenly jumped in to kill them. You’re being unreasonable right now, and listen to me; I don’t care who you kill too, but you will not ruin my plans!” Ares slammed at her face.
She still didn’t move.
“My mother didn’t poison the late Emperor. Your father didn’t set the chamber fire. The truth is far from that!” Ares continued, his orbs burning too.
Lucia’s lids squeezed as she finally talked, cold and hollow.
“Get your hands off my shoulders, or I’ll give you something to remember on your wrist too.”
And that was when Ares realized he’s holding too tight to her shoulders.
If she wasn’t wearing a clothe right now, his fingers would be digging deep into her flesh.
He could feel her cold skin under his palm, and he gave her arctic eyes another glance before letting go.
Immediately he did, Lucia pushed him out of the way and walked off without saying a word.
Ares turned, watching her leave with pinned gaze till her shadow disappeared under the starry sky.
—
[Palace of Silent Night]
When Emperor Bones sent out a decree, not even the descension of thousand gods can revoke it.
When Sally received the decree that she’s to be inside the bedroom when Bones would take Enya’s mother, she tried to avoid it, but she was instantly captured by guards and brought here at Bones orders.
Now, the tears on her face would fill a bowl as she stood frozen right beside the bed, watching the sin.
Emperor Bones, on top of Enya’s mother, taking her as ruthlessly as he does anytime he sexed her.
Worse is that every lantern in the room was lit, so she’s seeing every process, every thrust.
As Bones rocky boner entered Enya’s mother’s hole. Sally saw every insertion, and she’s counting how many times the woman came.
She came three times already, and Bones looks like he’s just getting started. He hasn’t released at all.
His thrusts were unforgiving, snaring, murderous, knocking Enya’s mother in and out of the bed.
But she was ordered to not hold back her moans, so she didn’t hold back.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Deeper, Your Majesty!”
“I can take everything, Your Majesty!”
“Ahh…hh….Your….mmm…”
“I love this c+k so much!”
And for the fourth time, she came. This time, Bones came generously too. His hot release spilled all-over her inner thighs, the thickness rolling off her sweating skin.
Bones remained hard—as usual. So, he thrusted back into the now mashy p+xy, drilling on.
“Your Majesty!!!!” Sally cried, sitting on the floor, hitting the floor with her hands. “Your Majesty please stop!!! Please stop! Please stop!!!!”
Bones scooped some of his release with his finger and pulled Sally closer by her hair. He shoved that finger in her mouth, forcing her to swallow.
“You were so eagar to become Empress you killed the other eligible candidates. You should enjoy that position, Empress Sally.” Bones grinned, continuing his drills.
Enya’s mother’s m+ans went higher.
Empress Sally choked.
Outside, Princess Ina stood below the steps, her palms embracing each other. And as Enya’s mother’s moans filtered in her ears, she raged.
The meal she supervised is definitely cold in the kitchen right now. How would she have time to serve her husband when her father is humiliating his mother this way?
Her mouth is so bitter right now.
Enya is behind her, her hands clasped like Ina’s, and she looks too nervous. She’s gulping.
At the last line, there’s Minister Kai who has no expression.
But he’s sure hearing everything going on in there.
“Your Majesty!!” Dakota rushed into the Palace with his guards.
“I have a report!” He shouted.
“No reports would be entertained till tommorow,” the imperial Eunuch told him. “His Majesty is busy.”
Dakota looked at Kai, and his jaws grinded again.
An additional guard entered, leaning into Kai’s ear to whisper…
“Minister Edwin was nearly assassinated at the brothel. He got brutally wounded.”
“What!” Kai snapped.
—
[Zura Army Camp]
The night smells like danger here. Smokes rose to the sky from different campfires, and the camp tents stood like sturdy giants, clustered around the vast grounds.
For an Empire this big, the camp shows the wealth too. It’s the largest camp ever with the largest number of armies—the new recruits inclusive.
The new youths have submitted to fate, knowing nothing can be done to stop this process.
Now, they’re sitting fearfully in circles and receiving instructions from the commanders and tops.
Lothar stood by the entrance of one of the tents, watching with pained expression and helplessness.
“This is insanity, look how they’re shaking. How will they survive war?” A comrade said behind him.
Lothar stayed quiet.
“Can’t something be done about it at all?” Another comrade said.
“Go meet the Emperor and let your head roll. I can’t believe he defiled Prime Minister Kai’s wife.” Another one talked disappointedly.
“General Sir, are these youths really going to war?” They asked.
“I’ll protect them in my own way,” Lothar muttered and returned inside.
His comrades followed after twinning confused glances.
—
[Aloof Dessert]
It’s some minutes to midnight—the time of the night when nocturnal animals come out to play.
Fadey’s target is a wild boar tonight. With the deers he killed yesterday, he’s not supposed to step this forest till some days after, but sitting at home when his mother is asleep bores him out of his mind.
He doesn’t sleep at night, so hunting is his way of deflecting.
He moved stealthily under the shadows of the large leaves and wide branches, and he quickly blew off his lantern when he heard the sound of movements on fallen leaves.
His ears would always recognize it.
He rested his back on the big tree he’s standing beneath, and from there, he peeped out, seeing what he expected to see right in front of him.
A wild boar, but it’s got babies.
Piglets.
Newly born ones who’re crying as they tried to suck some milk.
Fadey lowered his gun, giving up on shooting as compassion took the best of him. He can be too merciful.
He took his lantern and head the other way, going down the dessert while chewing a chunk of candy.
But getting to the middle of the dessert, he met the water jar already!
With hurried steps, he rushed there.
The footprint of the deliverer is still fresh on the sand.
The windstorm hasn’t covered it up, so he followed the prints.
He didn’t follow for long before he saw a horse galloping away.
The water deliverer is already on top of it. A male.
“Wait up!” Fadey shouted, running after the horse as it moved.
The water deliverer must have pulled the horse reins too tight the horse ran madly like it was injected.
Fadey continued running too, taking every breath he could take into himself and using every ounce of strength as his tattered shoes took in sand, prickling his rough foot, but that only fueled his desperateness.
He rolled on the ground when he fell.
“Wait up!!! Show me the way out of this Dessert at least!!!” He shouted, but by the time he stood, the horse and the rider are gone.
He’s not even hearing gallops anymore. It’s like they disappeared.
Fadey ran few more inches forward but met a dead end.
He fell on his knees weakly.
—
[Daybreak, Fenxi Empire – Empress Palace]
Princess Ruyi came first thing in the morning to pay her daily respects to her mother, but as she entered, she met her mother addressing the maids. She’s surrounding by them.
So, Ruyi waited.
She sat on the mahogany chair and poured herself some peach tea, drinking patiently till the maids dispersed, and her mother’s face came to view finally.
Empress Teyana.
Prettily calm.
“What were you discussing with the maids?” Ruyi dropped her cup.
“I should ask why you interrupted the court meeting yesterday first.” Teyana sat beside her.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Ruyi rolled eyes. “Lucia, she should start counting her days. How dare she?”
“We heard stories of her ruthlessness. Stay away from court affairs, Ruyi. I don’t want you getting hurt.” Empress Teyana said worriedly. “His Majesty will take care of it. He’s already gathering the armies.”
“Have you forgotten I was brought up to be a warrior Princess?” Ruyi stood, towering. “If the vagina can be scrapped off without me dying, I’d do it and just be genderless so I can do whatever the hell I like!”
“Ruyi!” Teyana spranged up strictly, eyes showing she hates what Ruyi just said. “This next war? You’re not going with the armies.”
“In your dreams, mother.” Ruyi said stubbornly.
And the voice of the maidservants outside cut them off.
“Welcome back, Your Highness!”
A younger male stepped into the Palace, tall and good-looking.
Ruyi’s younger brother…
Prince Zaine.
“I’m back,” He said, walking in with a little smile.
—
[Zura Empire – Palace of Darkness]
Ares received the order of his next mission this morning.
Bones has never sent him and Lucia on a mission together before. He takes turns to send them, and since Lucia did the last one, it’s only normal for him to go for this.
As he stood by the window of the bedchamber, he held the note in hand, reading.
He’s to kill a businessman in this city.
Reason? None.
Bones gave none, but he’s going to kill the businessman anyways.
He folded the note, his mind wandering to last night—Lucia’s anger and how she left.
As if his thoughts are being read, a strange errand pigeon came flying.
He studied the black-red feathers for just a second before getting it.
Who else would own a black-red pigeon in this Empire?
She probably dyed the poor pigeon.
He took the note from the pigeon and safely sent it away, then he opened the note fast.
Lucia’s calligraphy is top stuff, so he recognized her handwriting.
★ THE FOUNTAIN.
He immediately turned around to leave for the fountain, and Princess Ina choose that moment to enter.
She’s not crying, but her eyes are red from sleeplessness.
Throughout last night, she was by the door of Palace of Silent Night, listening to Enya’s mother’s moans.
The sex ritual ended just now—this morning, so she returned.
The moment she saw him, she broke into tears.
“Hubby! My mother was humiliated last night. I’m so sorry I couldn’t even serve your meal on our first say of marriage! I’m—”
“Suck it up, Ina. I have important business this morning.” He cut in and walked out on her.
Since the back fence is always free of guards, he went that way and did his crazy high jump.
His shoes barely touched the fence before he jumped down, landing inside the fountain below with a crash which made bubbles and white fumes fill the water surface.
He got completely wet, but just as he was about to start moving, Lucia surfaced right in front of him.
She was in the fountain pool even before he arrived, she only dived in.
Her ponytail has been loosened down by the water, leaving wet, gummy strands to her face and body, down to her butt behind.
Most beautiful? Tallest? Longest hair? Fairest skin? She possesses it all.
No wonder she’s hated.
Ares was lost staring at the insane perfection for a flicking minute he couldn’t make a move.
She’s danger and blood.
Poison and pain.
Ruin and carnage.
She moved in the fountain, stopping two inches in front of him.
“Second condition,” she talked stiffly. “Don’t EVER touch me without my permission.” She finished.
Ares looked at her again.
Eyes. Hair. Body.
His gaze tried hard before it could stop rummaging her, as if he was questioning his own restraint.
The upper and lower parts of his throat dry-humphed each other.
“Agreed,” he replied stiffly too.
Lucia smirked, but then she dipped her hand into the water and pulled out two wine jars.
She threw him one, and he caught it professionally, pulling the lid open.
Who buries wine in a fountain?
Of course it’s Lucia.
It’s safe to call her a wine-addict.
“Cheers to alliance, Calamity.” She blankly pointed her jar at him.
“Cheers to togetherness, Horror.” Ares smiled, hitting his jar on hers.
And they drank.
TBC.
