"Training?" Esteria's heart jumped to her mouth. She was not prepared! She had just arrived in this world yesterday, and so much had happened: first, she got mated to him; next, she had an intense moment with him; and now, training—all in less than 48 hours?
"Yes, and it begins NOW," he repeated, making the "now" louder. "Training?" One of the men suddenly flared up. Esteria turned to see it was the demon who had brought her here. "I thought she was only your mistress. Why would a human like her train with us? Lord El, she is a human!" he exclaimed, confused about why his boss would suddenly bring a human into their midst and say she would train with them. "Shut up, Levy. I don't think she has our scent, even if it's a little different," another voice among the four demons was heard. "No, you shut up! Lord El must have probably rubbed his scent all over her," Levy grunted back. El-Kharis watched as his men shouted at each other, debating whether she was human or should train with them. Normally, he would have snapped their heads off for daring to raise their voices in front of him, but he understood them—a human in their land, on their training ground! "Enough!" El-Kharis's voice jolted them, sending shivers down their spines, causing them all to keep quiet and turn their faces down. No one dared to look at his face after completely forgetting his presence and fighting over an unknown creature. "Yes, she is human," El said, turning to Levy to see his reaction, but the demon kept his face down. "But she is more than that." A sudden smirk appeared on his face as he walked towards Esteria. Esteria flinched as he touched her from behind, his cold hands gently removing some strands of hair from her neck, revealing their mating mark. "She is my mate," he said, his hand caressing the mating mark on her neck. Surprise, awe, disbelief, and shock danced on all four of their faces. Their mouths hung open, unable to find the perfect words or reactions to display. "Whoever talks badly or treats her badly is in trouble, or worse, whoever lays their hands on her will..." He left his sentence incomplete but finished it with his facial expression. They were all aware of what their boss could do and undo, so they knew better. His face softened, shifting from a cold expression to a normal one. "Let's start the training. Get prepared," he said, causing all four of them to reach for their swords and put on their training equipment. Esteria turned to him, her face puzzled. She wanted to talk, but he stopped her by placing his finger on her soft, rosy lips. "I know it's too early, but here, we don't do things the same way humans do. We do things fast and give no time to pause and relax. In no time, you will get used to it." Esteria could only nod, as her head was too heavy to even think of a reply. "Good!" he nodded, covering the mating mark with her hair. "First, let's determine the type of demon you are," he said, adding more to her headache. "What do you mean by 'what type'?" she asked, her voice rigid and stable this time. "There are five types of demons, Esteria," he said, calling her name for the first time. "Fi...ve," she stammered. "Yes, there are fire demons, water demons, earth demons, air demons, and thunder demons. Each demon clan has its own god, and yes, I am the Demon God of Thunder," he said with a hint of a smile on his lips. "So they are not the same type of demons," she said, pointing to Levy and the rest, who were wearing their training gear. "They are; they all wield thunder, Esteria," he said. "So we need to know if you are with us or if you will have another master," he added, and a hint of anger showcased in his last statement. "So there is a chance I will not be here with you but in another place," she said, recollecting the five castles she saw when he was bringing her in. Fear crept into her heart at the thought of being with another set of demons. Not that these ones were better, but she felt safer around El-Kharis and felt she could trust him. "Yes, if you are not a demon of thunder, I will have no other choice but to entrust you to another," he said, adding to her fear. "No... I don't," she was saying before he cut her off. "Don't worry. No one will dare touch you. You are now my mate. Anyone who troubles you will face death," he said, sensing and soothing her fear. Soon, the demons joined the couple, all with swords and other battle equipment. Their bodies were covered in iron guards to prevent any bruises. El-Kharis walked up to Levy and whispered something in his ear, causing him to leave and return with a lantern in his hands. The lantern was ancient-looking and had a pin on top of it. "Bring your hand, darling," he said, stretching out his hand to her. She hesitated a little but gave it to him after his gaze reassured her. He slightly pierced her hand with the edge of the lantern, making blood drop out, followed by a sharp pain. As blood dripped out a little, he placed his hands on her bleeding hand, and some green energy burst out. When he removed his hand, her hand was completely healed, and the pain slowly subsided. He nodded at Levy, who put the blood-stained pin into the lantern. The lantern started changing colors like a chameleon. El-Kharis's face turned pale, as did the faces of all the demons. Fear ate at Esteria again. "What type of demon am I?" she asked slowly, looking at all five of them, puzzled by their reaction to the lantern changing colors. "The thing is, it is supposed to be only one color, but it is showing five different colors," El said before removing the pin and trying again, but the result was the same—five different colors. "Maybe the lantern is broken," one of the men spoke, and they all agreed. El-Kharis sent Levy to bring another one, and when they did the process again, the result was still the same. El-Kharis carried the lantern, staring at it intently. He then turned to Esteria, confusion evident in his eyes. "I will be back," he said, leaving Esteria more puzzled. Why was the lantern showing five different colors instead of one, as they had said? Was it because she was human? "Levy, Adrian, take her back to her room and stay there with her. Protect her with your life and make sure no harm befalls her," he commanded. Turning to the other two men, he continued, "Rowland, Leon, guard the castle walls. Ensure no other demons enter this place like last time." They nodded in acknowledgment. "We will continue our training later." He stepped back, summoning his majestic black wings from his back, then took to the sky, flying away. One of the demons assigned to her gestured towards the huge door. "Let's go, milady." ... In the grand meeting hall, important demon officials were gathered. Lord El-Kharis, the Demon God of Thunder, had called for an urgent meeting regarding the strange occurrence with his mate. In the middle of the large table, the ancient lantern glowed with multiple colors, leaving everyone in a state of confusion. "So, are you saying your human mate did this?" Gladious, the Demon God of Fire, asked, completely stunned by the lantern's reaction. "She is no longer human," El-Kharis grunted, clenching his teeth. "But this has never happened before in the history of demons. It must have something to do with the fact that she was human," Azazel, the only female present, spoke with a rigid and cold tone. She was the strongest demoness in the land, trained by the Demon God of Fire and the Queen Mother herself. "She was never truly human. She is an orb—a human orb. She is different from the others. Her heart was pure, but now it is tainted with my blood flowing through her veins," El-Kharis explained, tired of defending his mate. "That does not matter, El-Kharis. Whether she is a human orb or not, she is a potential danger to us, and we need her to leave," Zareon, an earth demon, said angrily. "Zareon, you better know your place. Don't forget you are just a representative of your god here," El-Kharis snapped back, standing up angrily to leave. "She is a demoness of all five elements, El-Kharis," Lilith finally spoke, her terrifying yet calm and alluring voice echoing across the room, prompting El-Kharis to sit down again. "What do you say, Mother?" he asked calmly, turning to Lilith, the mother of all demons despite not being a demon herself. "Like you said, she was an orb before you brought her here and mated with her, causing her pure heart to be tainted and turn into a demon's heart. That change enabled her to wield all five elements," Lilith explained, adding to their confusion. "I don't quite understand, Mother," El-Kharis admitted, still perplexed. Lilith sighed and then turned to Taruis, the Demon God of Water, who had been silent throughout the discussion. He sighed and then addressed El-Kharis, "What she was trying to say is her former heart possessed power before it was tainted." "But that heart died; it was stabbed, and then I healed it by mating with her and making her one of us," El-Kharis interrupted. "Will you be quiet, you fool? Like you said, the heart was stabbed and then healed because it became a demon's heart. But the power the original heart possessed made it possible for her to wield all five elements," Taruis clarified. "I hope your question has been answered." "Maybe that's why humans who were mated to demons in the past were not able to wield all five elements like her," Zareon suggested. "The humans no longer have an orb. I wonder why she was stabbed," Azazel mused. "Thanks for clarifying," El-Kharis said, standing up and looking to Lilith for permission. When she nodded, he strode out. "Are you leaving just like that?" Gladious asked angrily. "Then why did you summon us?" El-Kharis did not reply. He simply walked away, stopping only when he heard Lilith's voice. "Bring her for the next meeting," she commanded. He nodded, and with a fluid motion, his wings unfurled from his back. The officials watched quietly as he stepped towards the open window. With a few powerful flaps, he lifted off the ground, his wings carrying him smoothly into the sky. The officials continued to watch through the window as he soared away.Esteria was walked back to her room with Levy and Adrian escorting her. Levy kept his distance, wearing a grave expression and acting cold, but Adrian was the opposite. At first, he acted cold, but the ice melted away."Woah, I can't believe I'm seeing a human-demon. What kind of combination are you? Half-demon, vampire, or what?" Adrian kept going, his fiery red hair flying back and forth, his green eyes gleaming with excitement."I honestly don't know, and to begin with, I'm not fully human," Esteria spoke up suddenly. She had wanted to keep her space like Levy, but Adrian made it impossible."Huh? What do you mean?" Adrian asked, curious."I'm a human orb," she said simply."Human orb? What's that?" he asked again."I don't really know. My father told me days before my wedding, and I came here after that," she said."Has this place always been quiet?" Esteria asked, changing the subject."Yes, after the war," Adrian's face darkened, and he paused for a moment before moving again."
As the night deepened, the intensity of Esteria's training session finally subsided. El-Kharis, ever watchful, escorted her back to her quarters, his presence a comforting shadow at her side. He exchanged a brief nod with the head maid, who curtsied with grace, acknowledging the silent command to take over from here.Once inside, Esteria's muscles ached with the residue of exertion. Her body felt heavier than usual, every movement a reminder of the grueling session she had just endured. The maids approached her with practiced ease, their hands gentle yet efficient as they began to undress her. The layers of clothing, which had clung to her sweat-slicked skin, were peeled away one by one, revealing the pale, almost translucent surface beneath. Her skin shimmered in the dim light, like moonlight on fresh snow, a testament to her ethereal beauty.The maids led her to the adjacent room, where a large marble bath awaited her. The room was filled with the soft glow of candlelight, casting f
Esteria's POVHis lips were soft and gentle, yet his kiss was filled with an intense passion that made my heart race uncontrollably. Every touch, every movement was deliberate, as if he wanted to savor each moment, each sensation. He pulled me closer, his warmth enveloping me in a cocoon of desire as I felt the slow, steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my chest. His towering frame pressed against mine, making me feel both small and completely consumed by his presence. I could feel the hard planes of his muscles as they flexed against me, a reminder of the raw strength he possessed, a strength that thrilled and terrified me all at once.When he broke the kiss, I was left breathless, a soft whimper escaping my lips before I could stop it. My mind was a whirl of emotions, a mix of anticipation and fear of what was to come. He didn't give me time to gather my thoughts; his lips found their way to my neck, and I shivered as he kissed a trail down to the mating mark. His tongue teased my
"Pleasure me, darling," he said, his voice thick with lust, his eyes dark with desire. He guided me to him, his hands on my shoulders as he pushed me down to my knees, his length throbbing before me, a testament to his arousal. I hesitated for a moment, my heart racing, my mind spinning with the implications of what he was asking.But the desire in his eyes, the need in his voice, it was too much to resist. I reached out, taking him in my hands, feeling the heat, the hardness of him, and I couldn't help but be in awe of the power he held, the control he had over me. I leaned forward, pressing my lips to the tip, tasting him, the salty tang of his arousal filling my senses.I took him into my mouth, slowly at first, my movements tentative, unsure, but as I found my rhythm, I became bolder, taking more of him, sliding him deeper into my mouth. His hands found their way to my hair, his fingers tangling in the strands as he guided me, his hips moving in time with my movements. The sounds
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.
Gladious snarled, flames flaring around his fists, but I held my ground, unwavering. The room crackled with energy as our powers clashed, the heat of his flames meeting the cold fury of my storm. Azazel's gaze flicked between us, her body tense, ready to bolt at the first sign of violence."Do you think you can challenge me, El-Kharis?" Gladious spat, his voice a low rumble, the floor beneath us vibrating with his barely contained rage. "You dare to insult me in my own domain?""I don't care about your domain," I shot back, my voice cold as ice. "This realm is under my protection, and that includes my mate. Your little trysts with Azazel are of no concern to me, but if you think for one moment that I will allow her to conspire against Esteria, you are sorely mistaken."Azazel finally found her voice, trembling with fear and fury. "El-Kharis, please, I was only—""Silence!" I roared, the very air in the room trembling with the force of my command. "You will stay out of Esteria's affair
Author pov...After they had taken a moment to rest and rehydrate, the training grounds were filled with a sense of calm, a brief respite before the next challenge. Esteria sat on the grass, her chest still heaving from the exertion of the race. She wiped the sweat from her brow, her thoughts racing just as fast as her heartbeat.Lord El stood nearby, his gaze fixed on the horizon, lost in thought. Esteria couldn't help but admire the way he carried himself—an air of quiet strength and authority that commanded respect. Despite the intensity of the morning's training, he seemed as composed as ever.Esteria's thoughts drifted back to the race. She had given it her all, pushing through the pain and fatigue to reach the finish line. The memory of Lord El's subtle smile when she crossed it brought a sense of accomplishment, though it was tempered by the knowledge that she had much to learn and improve upon.Lord El turned to face her and the others, breaking the silence with a tone that wa
Esteria lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind of fear, anger, and confusion. The room was dimly lit by a single candle, casting flickering shadows that danced across the walls. Despite the comfort of the silk sheets and the gentle breeze from the open window, she couldn't shake the terror that had seized her heart. The news of vampires in the land had struck her like a blow, dredging up memories she had fought so hard to bury. She had been betrayed once by Vincent, the vampire who had promised her love and protection, only to stab her in the heart—literally. The mere thought of his name sent a shiver down her spine, and now, with the possibility of his return, she felt as though the walls were closing in around her. "Is he back? Is he here for me?" she whispered to herself, the questions gnawing at her mind.But despite the fear, something deep within her—a small but resolute voice—insisted that she was not alone. Lord El-Kharis would protect he
The grand dining hall, once a place of comfort and camaraderie, now felt cold and heavy with unspoken tension. El-Kharis, Esteria, Adrian, and Rowland sat around the large, polished oak table, their meal untouched as their minds grappled with the weight of recent events. The quiet murmur of their conversation was abruptly shattered when Lilith burst through the doors.Her usual calm demeanor was replaced by a tense urgency. The shadows cast by the flickering candlelight accentuated the severity of her expression, and her eyes, normally so composed, now held a storm of emotions."El-Kharis!" Lilith's voice cut through the silence, her tone a sharp contrast to the serene atmosphere that had filled the room moments before. "Levy is dead."The words hung in the air like a dark cloud, and for a moment, it was as if time itself had stopped. El-Kharis's face went from a controlled mask of concern to a blazing inferno of rage. His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles turning white. The room
The chamber was dimly lit, the air thick with an unsettling silence that hung like a shroud over the gathered assembly. A heavy book lay open on the table, its pages empty, yet it seemed to pulse with a hidden power, as if waiting for the right moment to reveal its secrets. Around the book stood a group of figures, their faces obscured by the darkness that clung to the corners of the room. Each of them carried the weight of their master's will, and none dared speak as they awaited the signal.Elijah was the first to stir. He was a dangerous-looking man with an aura that spoke of countless battles survived and a soul steeped in darkness. His eyes gleamed with a predatory light, the kind that came from years of hunting and being hunted in return. A jagged scar ran from his left temple down to his jaw, a mark of some long-forgotten battle, but it only added to his menacing appearance. His black armor, etched with ancient runes, seemed to drink in the light around him, casting his figure
[ warning mature content]Strictly R-18El-Kharis's eyes smoldered with a dark, irresistible desire as his voice, rough and commanding, broke the silence. "Now, it's your turn to pleasure me."Esteria's heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. She was eager to reciprocate the intense pleasure El-Kharis had given her but felt an overwhelming pressure to perform perfectly. She took a deep breath, her eyes darting over his powerful, muscular frame as he lay sprawled on the bed, his erection standing tall and firm, throbbing with need.With trembling fingers, she reached out to him, her touch tentative at first. As her hand made contact, El-Kharis's body shivered, a low, throaty groan escaping his lips. The heat radiating from him was almost overwhelming, and Esteria could feel the hardness of his desire through her palm. She wrapped her fingers around his length, feeling the heat and the pulsating throb beneath her touch.Her strokes were slow and deliberate at first, te
[Warning mature content]Kharis's gaze was molten with desire, an unmistakable hunger simmering beneath his calm exterior. With a swift yet gentle motion, he swept Esteria into his arms, carrying her across the room. The solid wall greeted her back with a cold shiver, but the heat between them quickly turned it into nothing more than a fleeting sensation. His strong arms pinned her in place, his body a cage of warmth and power that left her breathless.The world outside this moment faded, leaving only the two of them, their breathing the only sound in the quiet room. El-Kharis's fingers brushed across her skin, deliberately slow as he began to undress her. The fabric fell away with a soft whisper, exposing her to his hungry gaze. His touch was firm yet gentle, a contrast that made her pulse quicken, the anticipation a sweet torture.As the last barrier fell away, he pressed his lips against the curve of her neck, a trail of heat following where his mouth traveled. He took his time, sa
The night air was thick with a palpable tension, the stillness of the room punctuated only by the soft sounds of their breathing as Esteria rested against El-Kharis's chest. His cool, steady heartbeat was a soothing rhythm beneath her ear, and his fingers lazily combed through her dark hair, each gentle stroke lulling her into a sense of calm she hadn't realized she craved. Despite the intimacy of the moment, a nagging unease gnawed at the edges of her consciousness, a whisper from the past that she couldn't quite shake."How was your training today?" El-Kharis asked, his voice a deep murmur that rumbled through his chest, vibrating against her cheek."It was... challenging," Esteria replied, her voice quiet, almost detached. Her mind was elsewhere, adrift in memories she had long tried to bury. "But I managed."He hummed in response, a sound of approval, but said nothing more. The silence that followed was comfortable, yet heavy, as if both were lost in their own thoughts, reluctant
Esteria's heart thudded in her chest as she stared into El-Kharis's eyes, the intensity of his gaze pulling her in like a riptide. The room seemed to shrink, the space between them charged with a tension that made the air itself feel thick. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, the warmth of her recent shower doing little to combat the coolness radiating from him."You're back," she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper.El-Kharis tilted his head slightly, his enigmatic smile never wavering. "I never left, not really," he murmured, his voice a soft caress in the quiet of the room. He moved closer, his presence overwhelming, and Esteria felt the familiar, intoxicating pull that always accompanied his nearness.For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the quiet rhythm of their breathing, the tension between them growing thicker with each passing second. Esteria's gaze flicked down to his lips, a sudden, fierce longing surging within her. She wanted to
Esteria awoke with the first rays of dawn spilling through the thin curtains of her room, feeling the weight of the previous day's events resting heavily on her. The darkness she had mastered with Lilith's guidance was both a blessing and a burden, a power she could not afford to ignore. But today, her thoughts were elsewhere—on completing her training and finally returning home. The longing to leave this place and resume her lessons with El-Kharis had grown stronger, but it wasn't just the lessons she missed. The thought of El-Kharis brought an unexpected warmth to her chest, something more than mere anticipation for training.She sat up, glancing around her room. The maids were absent, but a gown had been neatly placed on the stand beside her bed. For once, she decided to dress herself, without the help of the maids who were always so precise and swift. The task proved more cumbersome than she had expected; the delicate fabric and intricate laces tested her patience. It took her lon
Esteria awoke with a start, the remnants of her dreams fading into the quiet of the chamber. The soft light of dawn filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. She blinked, feeling the residual ache in her limbs from the previous night's training. As she stirred, her eyes fell on a familiar figure seated by her bedside.Lilith."Good morning," Lilith greeted, her voice smooth and almost soothing in its low timbre. There was a certain intensity in her gaze, as if she had been watching over Esteria the entire night.Esteria sat up slowly, wincing slightly at the stiffness in her muscles. Lilith's presence, though comforting in a strange way, was also a reminder of the grueling night before. She had delved deep into the darkness within her, guided by Lilith's relentless yet nurturing hand."How are you feeling?" Lilith asked, her tone laced with genuine concern."Sore," Esteria admitted, managing a small smile. "But I feel... different. Stronger.""Good,"
Esteria sat up slowly, the lingering heaviness in her limbs making her wince. But she was determined, knowing that the darkness within her needed to be understood, controlled—if she was ever to feel like herself again.Lilith watched her with those sharp, crimson eyes, a hint of both amusement and pride playing across her features. Esteria could sense the power radiating from Lilith, a dangerous yet captivating aura that made her both want to trust and fear her at the same time. Lilith's smile widened as she observed Esteria's resolve."You're stronger than you realize, Esteria," Lilith remarked, her voice silky yet firm. "But strength alone won't help you master the darkness. You must learn to dance with it, to make it your own without letting it consume you."Esteria swallowed hard. "How do we start?"Lilith stood and gestured for Esteria to follow her. They left the chamber, and Esteria was surprised by how stable she felt on her feet, the weakness from before slowly ebbing away. T