19. Volezimir

19

VOLEZIMIR

A s we walk through Ti'lith, Kaelox's small hand in mine. His mismatched eyes dart around, taking in the imposing architecture and magical runes etched into the walls. Pride swells in my chest as I watch him, my son, half-demon and half-human, a perfect blend of Zylpha and me.

"Ready for your lesson, little one?" I ask, my deep voice softening as I address him.

Kaelox nods eagerly, a grin spreading across his face. "Yes! I practice."

This time, we enter Tolmond's study, a circular room filled with arcane artifacts and shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes. The air crackles with magical energy, and I feel Kaelox's grip tighten slightly.

Tolmond, a tall, slender demon with intricate markings covering his skin, greets us with a nod. "Ah, young Kaelox. Let's see what progress you've made."

I take a seat in the corner, watching intently as Tolmond begins the lesson. He starts by having Kaelox summon a small flame in his palm. My son's face scrunches in concentration, and for a moment, nothing happens. Then, a tiny spark ignites, growing into a flickering flame.

"Excellent," Tolmond praises. "Now, let's try something new. Can you change its color?"

Kaelox's brow furrows, and the flame wavers. Slowly, it shifts from orange to a deep, royal purple. My chest swells with pride. At his age, I could barely maintain a flame, let alone manipulate its properties.

The lesson progresses, each exercise more complex than the last. Kaelox levitates small objects, creates illusions of butterflies that flutter around the room, and even manages a rudimentary shield spell. His power grows with each success, and I can't help but marvel at his potential.

As the lesson nears its end, Tolmond presents a final challenge. "Let's see if you can combine what you've learned today," he says, placing a feather on the table. "I want you to levitate the feather, surround it with your colored flame, but keep the feather from burning."

Kaelox's eyes widen, but he nods determinedly. He extends his hand, and the feather rises slowly into the air. The purple flame appears around it, carefully controlled. Sweat beads on Kaelox's forehead as he concentrates, keeping the delicate balance between fire and protection.

For a full minute, he maintains it, but the strain overwhelms him and the fire engulfs the feather and then burns out. Kaelox deflates, but I kneel besides him.

"That was incredible."

His eyes turn up to look at me and then dart to Tolmond, who nods. "I'm very impressed." This brings a smile to Kaelox's face, and the demon says, "I think that's enough for today."

I stand up, taking Kaelox's hand, and Tolmond watches us. "He's really improving. A faster learner."

I grin down at my son. "He's amazing."

As Kaelox and I make our way back to the castle, the streets of Ti'lith buzz with demonic activity. I keep a protective hand on my son's shoulder, guiding him through the throng of ebony-skinned demons going about their daily business.

"Dad, look!" Kaelox points excitedly at a street vendor selling glowing crystals.

I'm about to respond when a familiar voice cuts through the noise. "Well, if it isn't Volezimir and his... offspring."

My jaw clenches as I turn to face Azrathel. The demon towers over us, his obsidian skin gleaming in the dim light, multiple sharp horns forming a crown-like structure on his head. His red eyes bore into mine, a false smile playing on his lips.

"Azrathel," I nod curtly. "What brings you to this part of the city?"

He shrugs, his carapace shifting with the movement. "Oh, you know. Business as usual." His gaze drops to Kaelox, and I feel my son press closer to my leg. "And who might you be?"

I tighten my grip on Kaelox's shoulder. "This is my son, Kaelox."

Azrathel's eyes widen with interest, and he crouches down to Kaelox's level. "My, my. Aren't you a fascinating little creature?" His voice drips with honeyed venom. "Tell me, boy, what sort of magic can you do?"

Kaelox looks up at me, uncertainty clear in his mismatched eyes. I give him a reassuring nod, but every instinct screams at me to get him away from Azrathel.

"I... I can make fire," Kaelox says quietly.

Azrathel's smile widens, revealing sharp teeth. "Fire, you say? How delightful. And at such a young age, too." He reaches out as if to touch Kaelox's face, but I swiftly step between them.

I step forward, placing myself firmly between Azrathel and Kaelox. My voice drops to a low growl, "We need to be going, Azrathel. It's been a long day of training."

Azrathel's eyes gleam with interest. "Training, you say? How fascinating. What kind of training does a half-breed require?"

I clench my fists, fighting to keep my temper in check. "That's none of your concern."

"Oh, but it is," Azrathel purrs, his gaze sliding past me to Kaelox. "A child with both demon and human blood... the potential is intriguing. Tell me, boy, what other magic can you do besides fire?"

I feel Kaelox grip my leg tighter, his small body trembling slightly. Before he can answer, I cut in, "Enough, Azrathel. We're leaving."

But Azrathel isn't deterred. He sidesteps, trying to maintain eye contact with Kaelox. "Can you manipulate shadows like your father? Or perhaps you have some unique abilities from your human side?"

"I said, enough," I snarl, my patience wearing thin.

Azrathel raises his hands in mock surrender, but his eyes never leave Kaelox. "I'm merely curious about our young prodigy here. After all, it's not every day we see such a unique blend of bloodlines. Tell me, Volezimir, does he take after his mother at all?"

The mention of Zylpha sends a jolt of protective rage through me. I take a menacing step towards Azrathel, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "My family is off-limits, Azrathel. This conversation is over."

"I was just trying to be friendly." His smile is anything but.

"We should be going," I say firmly, my voice low and threatening. "It's almost time for Kaelox's dinner."

Azrathel straightens up, his red eyes never leaving Kaelox. "Of course, of course. We wouldn't want to keep the young one waiting." The way he says 'prince' makes my skin crawl. "I do hope we'll be seeing more of each other, Kaelox. Your... potential... is most intriguing."

As we walk away, I can feel Azrathel's gaze burning into our backs. Kaelox tugs at my hand. "Dad, who was that?"

I swallow hard, trying to keep the anger and fear out of my voice. "Some demons are just curious about new things, Kaelox. But remember, not everyone has good intentions. Stay close to me or your mother when we're in the city, understand?"

Kaelox nods solemnly, and I pick up our pace, eager to put as much distance between us and Azrathel as possible. The encounter leaves me unsettled, Azrathel's predatory interest in my son setting off every protective instinct I possess.

As we enter our wing, I try to shake off the encounter with Azrathel, but the tension refuses to leave my shoulders. Kaelox immediately runs off to play with his toys, oblivious to my unease. I watch him go, grateful for his innocence.

Zylpha approaches me, her green eyes searching my face. "Volezimir, what's wrong? You look... troubled."

I force a smile, not wanting to worry her. "It's nothing, Sunshine. Just a long day of training with Kaelox."

She frowns, clearly not buying it. "I know you better than that. Something happened in the city, didn't it?"

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "We ran into another demon, and he was just interested in Kaelox. Demons and humans do mate here, but it's not that common, yet.." Zylpha steps closer, placing a hand on my arm. "Did he threaten Kaelox?"

I shake my head. "No." I can still see the worry on her face, so I pull her into an embrace, trying to reassure her as much as myself. "No. I won't let anything happen to either of you. Azrathel's just... curious. It's probably nothing."

But even as I say the words, I can't shake the feeling that this encounter with Azrathel is just the beginning of something much larger.

Zylpha turns to me, and I can already see she's not letting this go. So I lean down and pinch her chin between my thumb and finer. "I've got you, Sunshine."

And then I kiss her.

Zylpha's lips are soft and yielding under mine, her body pressing against me with a need that matches my own. She tastes like sweet wine and desire, a combination that drives me wild.

I deepen the kiss, one hand cupping the back of her neck, the other pulling her flush against me. She whimpers, a soft, needy sound that sends a jolt of pure heat through me. Her fingers dig into my shoulders, clinging to me as if I'm the only thing keeping her grounded.

I walk her backwards, our lips never parting, until we're in our room. The door slams shut behind us, a loud, final sound that echoes through the chamber. Zylpha's breath hitches, her eyes wide with anticipation as I break the kiss, only to press her gently but firmly onto the bed. Her auburn hair fans out around her, a stark contrast against the dark silk sheets. She's a vision, my sunshine, radiant and so damn tempting.

I want to ease her worry. I want to make her relax. And dammit, I need a fucking taste. This woman has been driving wild for years and now I can't seem to stop myself where she's involved.

I kneel before her, my hands trailing up her thighs, pushing her dress up as I go. Her skin is soft, smooth, and I can feel her muscles trembling beneath my touch. I lean in, pressing a kiss to the inside of her knee, then another, and another, trailing a path upwards. Zylpha's breath comes in short, sharp gasps, her hips squirming as she anticipates my next move.

"Volezimir..." she breathes, my name a plea on her lips. I smile against her skin, my hands gripping her thighs, spreading them wider.

"Patience, Sunshine," I murmur, my voice a low rumble. I can feel her heat, scent her arousal, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to rip her clothes off and take her right then and there. But I want to savor this, savor her. I want to hear her beg, to see her come undone beneath my touch.

I trail kisses up her inner thigh, her hips bucking as I get closer to her core. I can feel her tension, her need, and it's intoxicating. I hook my fingers into her undergarments, pulling them down and off, leaving her bare before me. She's perfect, glistening and ready, and I can't wait any longer.

I lean in, my tongue finding her center, and Zylpha cries out, her hips bucking against my mouth. I grip her tighter, holding her in place as I explore her, my tongue delving into her folds, tasting her, teasing her. Her moans fill the room, a symphony of pleasure that spurs me on. I find her clit, circling it, applying just the right amount of pressure, and Zylpha's hands fist in my hair, holding me to her.

"Volezimir, please..." she begs, her voice ragged with need. I can feel her tension, her body coiling tighter and tighter, on the edge of release. I redouble my efforts, my tongue working her, my fingers thrusting into her, and she screams, her body convulsing as she comes, her release flooding my mouth. I lap it up, every last drop, as she rides out her orgasm, her body shaking with the force of it.

Only when she collapses back onto the bed, her body limp and sated, do I pull back, a satisfied smile on my face. Zylpha's eyes are closed, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her skin flushed with pleasure. I crawl up her body, pressing kisses to her skin as I go, until I'm hovering over her, my body aching with need.

"Volezimir," she murmurs, her eyes fluttering open, a soft, satisfied smile on her face. "That was... incredible."

I grin, my heart swelling with pride and love. "And I'm not done yet, Sunshine," I promise, my voice a low growl. Her eyes widen, a spark of renewed desire igniting in their depths, and I know she's ready for more. Ready for me.