The plot against his mate

El-kharis pov.

Her body tasted like heaven on earth. Every thrust made me want to devour her whole. We had just consummated our mating bond, and the sexual tension had been too much for either of us to bear. She lay on my chest now, her breath steady, her skin slick with sweat. She'd had a rough day, and I...I couldn't wait for her to fully regain her energy before I pounced. At least she'd eaten.

We lay there, our bodies tangled, our slow heartbeats in sync. God, she tasted good. The intense pleasure lingered in my mind, and I felt myself harden again. Her hand rested on my cock, soft and smooth, but she didn't move. Not stroking, not rubbing. Just resting there. I cursed inwardly. Normally, I'd have grabbed her and forced her to continue, but I had to be gentle. I didn't want her thinking I mated her just for sex—even though that was the main reason.

Slowly, her hand began to move, and I groaned. I'd never moaned or groaned for any woman's touch before, but she...she made me do it. Her fingers circled the tip, and I groaned again as my precum leaked from just that teasing touch. Finally, she gripped me fully and began to stroke.

"Good girl," I groaned, my eyes closing in pleasure. She was taking me to cloud seven, each slow stroke dragging me closer to the edge. But just as I was ready for the next stroke, a knock echoed through the room. Her hand pulled away, and I nearly growled in frustration.

I rose from the bed, annoyance flaring, and reached for the door. When I opened it, there was Levy, his face as irritating as ever. I'd sent him to gather intel on the officials' plans for Esteria, and this idiot couldn't find any other time to report back? His eyes widened as he took in my naked form, his gaze quickly dropping to the floor in embarrassment.

"There's something I need to report, my lord," he muttered, still avoiding my eyes.

"Alright, let's go," I said, eager to get him out of the room before he embarrassed Esteria further. She didn't need to be reminded of what we'd just done, especially not by this fool.

"Would you like to put on some clothes, my lord?" he added, daring a glance at my naked form.

I smirked. "What's wrong with me going out like this? We're all males here, and the only female is my mate. Any specific reason I should dress?" I teased him, enjoying the priceless look on his face. The ever-grumpy Levy, shy and flustered—today was a good day.

"N-no, sir," he stammered.

"Good boy." I shut the door in his face, grabbed a robe, and we both headed for the study.

Of all my men, I was closest to Levy, perhaps because he was the only relative of my late wife. I'd vowed to keep him safe and mold him into a strong demon. But sometimes, I felt like snapping his head off. He could be unbearable, though Adrian was worse. That red-haired menace always knew how to get under my skin. Rowland and Leon were like twins, doing everything together, so I often assigned them to the same missions.

The door to the 15th study creaked open, and the familiar scent of old parchment and aged wood greeted me. The room was dim, lit only by the faint glow of a single candle on the cluttered oak desk at its center. The walls were lined with ancient tomes, their spines cracked and worn, holding secrets forgotten over centuries.

I stepped inside, quickly scanning the space, noting every detail as I always did. The worn leather chairs facing the desk were just as I remembered. I motioned for Levy to enter, and he followed without a word. We took our seats, the door closing behind us with a soft thud, sealing us in the heavy, familiar silence.

"So, the report?" I broke the silence, my brow furrowing. I needed to know who was scheming against my mate.

"Nobody is doing anything, but Azazel…" he said, handing me a piece of paper.

I took it, and my mood darkened as I read the contents. Azazel had requested some men to sneak into my palace and gather information about Esteria.

"Is this all?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady even as anger boiled inside me. I thought I made it clear in the last meeting that no one was to meddle in Esteria's affairs.

I nodded to Levy, signaling the end of our discussion, and rushed back to the room where Esteria lay. She was already asleep—or pretending to be. I grabbed an outfit and dressed quickly, no time to summon the maidens to help me. The moment I was ready, I darted downstairs in a blink. Adrian was playing his violin, while Leon and Rowland read a book—typical.

"Leon, if Esteria wakes up and the sun has risen, take her on a walk around the palace with Levy," I ordered. Without waiting for a response, I summoned my wings and flew to the Fire Palace, where Azazel was staying.

The fire palace loomed ahead, a towering structure of obsidian and brimstone, glowing faintly with the embers of eternal flames that lined its walls. The heat was intense, even for a demon god like me. It was a testament to the raw, untamed power that resided within these walls. As I approached, the massive iron gates groaned open, allowing me entry. The guards, demons of flame and shadow, bowed their heads in reverence, their fiery eyes flickering as I passed.

I didn't bother acknowledging them. My focus was singular—Azazel. The corridors of the palace were lined with tapestries depicting scenes of war and conquest, the air thick with the scent of sulfur and smoke. I made my way through the winding halls, my steps echoing ominously in the vast, empty spaces.

As I approached the central chamber, I spotted a guard standing at attention outside the door. He was a towering figure, his body wreathed in flames that danced across his skin. I came to a halt before him, my eyes narrowing.

"Where is Azazel?" I demanded, my voice low and menacing.

The guard hesitated, his flames flickering slightly as he glanced nervously at the door. "The Lady is... occupied, my lord. She cannot be disturbed."

A growl rumbled in my throat. "Occupied, you say?" I stepped closer, the air around us crackling with the energy of my growing rage. "Do you think I care about her schedule? Tell me where she is, now."

The guard's eyes widened, but he stood his ground. "My lord, she gave strict orders not to be interrupted—"

My patience snapped. With a flick of my wrist, a bolt of lightning shot from my fingertips, striking the guard square in the chest. He let out a pained cry, collapsing to the ground as the flames on his body sputtered out. The scent of scorched flesh filled the air, mingling with the ever-present smell of brimstone.

I turned to the second guard, who was now trembling violently. He stared at his fallen comrade before looking up at me, sheer terror in his eyes. "Where is she?" I asked again, my tone dangerously calm.

The guard swallowed hard, his voice shaking as he answered, "She... she is in the Fire Lord's chambers, my lord. Please, I... I didn't mean to—"

I didn't wait for him to finish. With a single, fluid motion, I pushed past him, the heavy door of the Fire Lord's chambers splintering under the force of my power as I kicked it open.

Inside, the room was a den of heat and shadow, the walls lined with braziers that cast a flickering, hellish light across the space. And there, on the massive bed in the center of the room, were Azazel and the Fire Lord himself, their bodies entwined in the throes of passion. Their eyes widened in shock as the door crashed open, their movements freezing as they realized who had just barged in.

The room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the crackling of the flames. Azazel's gaze met mine, her fiery eyes wide with a mix of fear and defiance. The Fire Lord, a hulking demon with skin like molten rock, quickly disentangled himself from her, his expression shifting from surprise to anger.

"What is the meaning of this, El-Kharis?" the Fire Lord growled, his voice a deep rumble that reverberated through the chamber. "You dare to barge into my chambers unannounced?"

I ignored him, my eyes locked on Azazel. "You have some nerve," I said, my voice icy. "To plot against my mate and then lie with the Fire Lord, all while I stand guard over this realm. Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

Azazel didn't answer, her eyes darting to the Fire Lord as if seeking an escape. But there was no escape from me. Not now, not ever.

The Fire Lord took a step forward, his hands igniting with flames. "You overstep, El-Kharis. Leave now, before I make you regret this intrusion."

I smirked, feeling the surge of power within me. "You think you can make me regret anything?" I raised my hand, the room suddenly filled with the sound of thunder as the sky outside darkened. "You forget your place, Gladious. You forget who I am."