Dungeon Annihilation 3 - 4

Good Evening everyone! I hope the End of the year is going well for everyone.

Louella

Breathing out a large puff, relief washed over me as the last noble left for the day. Navigating the roads of high society was more than a little exhausting and I found I had missed it little in the months since I moved out this way. I had always heard that Thonacan nobles were easier to deal with than Lecazarians but that would be a lie.

“Well done, mistress,” Ezal handed me a cup of tea that smelled strongly of herbs.

Taking it, I downed the cup in nearly a single gulp as the door was thrown open. I sputtered unladylike as Helicilia marched into the room even as two guards attempted to hold her back. I narrowed my eyes as they were both tier two. She had to be fairly powerful to be able to move even as they were pressed against her.

“Remove yourselves if you wish to keep breathing!” she nearly hissed at the two men. They glanced my way and I felt it was better for their lives if they listened. Nodding, they released her, and she moved over and slammed her hands on my desk leaving noticeable hand prints. “What is the meaning of this?!”

“I’m sorry. I have quite a bit to deal with, thus you’re going to have to be a bit more specific.”

Her fingers carved grooves into the desk as she made fists. “You know every well what I speak of, but since you’re an idiot allow me to clarify. Where the fuck do you think you get off by taking my fiancé?!” she demanded pointing a finger in my face.

“You really should take that up with Val. Even if I wanted to refuse, do you think I could?” I asked bravely pushing her finger out of my face. It took a bit of mana being poured into my arms, but I managed it. “He not only gave me my current rank but outranks me by several levels. It was out of my hands.”

She gave me a smug grin as if she couldn’t believe me. “So you say, but I know your kind. You act all weak and helpless then sink your fangs into the best man around. I can only imagine how skilled you are under the sheets.”

I matched her grin and even licked my lips as seductively as I could. I might have been practicing for Earle, but that was beside the point. “I’m sure that’s one of the tamer rumors going around about me. Give it a week, I should be able to write a book.”

“You bitch! I’ll kill you!” Helicilia screamed before shadows started rippling around her. I felt something else as well but couldn’t place it. Could she have been a dual cultivator? Before anything came of the situation, a blade was pressed against her neck in a fashion I recently saw with another noble that was trying to throw his weight around.

“Right. Let’s stop there miss high noble. I might not be able to enter a city for a few months if I cut your throat, but I’m fairly confident in my ability to survive in the wild,” Raven said with a voice like silk. Was it just me, or was she getting even more beautiful? Considering she partied with Earle, she was likely able to cultivate deeper in the dungeon.

“You dare?” The shadows got thicker in the room until it got harder to see, but they suddenly receded as if sucked away. When my sight returned, I found Earle with his hand around a wide eyed Helicilia’s neck.

“Did you know there is a very easy way to apply a slave brand?” He asked with a menacing voice that sent chills down even my back. It was scarier because it was so level. “All I need is direct contact with your skin and no matter your tier, you will be under my control in seconds.” Sparks started popping off his hand landing on her exposed collar bone. Each time one of the sparks hit her, she twitched. It was the first time I saw the woman something other than anger. I found it ironic that it would be fear to replace it.

“I’m… Sorry… I let… rage fuel me,” she said between gasps. Earle opened his hand and she dropped to the ground in a crumpled mess. She coughed as she held her throat. I couldn’t help noticing the bruise that now ringed her neck.

Earle bent down and whispered something that I couldn’t hear, but considering how her face managed to fall further, it had to be a threat. After that, he helped her up and with a bow she left with hurried footsteps.

Earle turned to me with a grin. “She shouldn’t give you any trouble for a while, but I could sense a strong will from her. She is going to be a pain.”

I waved the guards out then slumped onto the desk. “If she wasn’t technically engaged to the Marquis, I would ask you to deal with her,” I moaned glaring out the window from between my arms.

“Mistress. I’m not sure it is wise to resort to that for everything,” Ezal said as she tidied up my desk. The two handprints were more permanent though. Looks like I’ll have to make a shopping trip soon.

“I know.” I chuckled as I waved her off. “Someone offers me an easy way out; I can’t help but want to consider it.”

“Forgive me for being so tempting,” Earle said with a bow.

I smiled with a blush. “Sure.” I coughed and looked at the others. “If everyone could give us a bit alone.” Ezal and Raven grinned but made their way out of the room. Clearing my throat, I looked up at the man that had been missing for the last couple days. “Well?”

He chuckled as he leaned on the desk next to me. “Well what?”

I looked up into his dark eyes and gulped. They reminded me of precious stones as they shone in the evening light. Hard and unyielding. “Where have you been!?” I demanded then lowered my voice. “I’ve missed you.”

“A bit of a mission for the goddess. I just got back in when I noticed some mana fluctuations. Good thing I decided to investigate.”

“But Raven said you’d be a few more days.”

“Let us just say I had a good wind in my travels,” he replied. Before I could say anything, he reached down and pulled me into his arms with a swift movement. I only managed to let out a small gasp as he locked his lips around mine. I stopped caring after that.

~~~

Earle… did not stay the night. Apparently, he had other things to take care of now that he was back in the valley. He still gave me several hours of attention. Settling for that, I laid back in the bed and fell asleep faster than I had the last few nights. It felt like morning came in only a few moments after I laid my head on the pillow.

“Mistress.”

Snapping my eyes open, I found Ezal standing next to the bed. Groaning, I sat up and looked at her. “What is it?”

“Thrad just arrived. He says that his clan is just outside the valley. The Golden Dawn have already been told about their arrival, but commander Yin and Thrad both think it is a good idea if you were present to welcome them into the valley with most of your Golden Dawn forces. A show of force.”

The drowsiness fled me instantly. “Alright. Help me gear up.”

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