The Gloaming Pavilion was a realm of nocturnal beauty, a sanctuary bathed in the soft glow of the blood moon.
Moonflowers and night-blooming jasmine released their heady scents into the air, creating a mesmerizing blend of floral fragrances.
The pavilion's heart was marked by a large, tranquil pool, its surface a mirror reflecting the celestial dance of stars and moonlight above, casting a serene ambiance around the chamber.
The servants and maids of the castle had already come to know that this place was officially Consort Isola's private chambers.
Isola, her twilight-blue skin subtly illuminated by the moon's caress, stood gazing out the window, lost in thought.
The gentle rustle of her dress, akin to the whisper of night winds, ceased as she sensed Asher's presence.
Turning with a graceful ease, her smile was a mix of relief and warmth, "I was just thinking of heading to your training chamber," she said softly. "But if you're still tired, you should rest."
Asher shook his head with a light smile, "Merina has already tended to me. How could I not spend time with my consort on the very day of our union?" He moved closer, his steps quiet and assured.
Isola, her eyes reflecting the moon's radiance, turned back to the window with a shy smile.
Her expression then became solemn as she looked up at the skies, "I still wish you wouldn't go to the Draconis Kingdom," she murmured, her voice tinged with concern.
Asher responded with a gentle sigh, closing the distance between them. He wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in a warm embrace from behind, "Now that I am king, I have responsibilities that I can't turn away from. And this is one of them," he whispered, his breath stirring her hair, "But I promise, I'll return to you. Without doing this, we can't pave the path to the future we dream of."
Isola leaned into his embrace, her tension easing slightly in his hold, "I wish I could be there with you," she whispered, her voice a soft murmur of concern, "And I'm still puzzled by your choices. Oberon, of all people... He won't hesitate to kill you if the right opportunity presents itself."
Asher's embrace tightened reassuringly, "That's exactly why I chose him," he replied, his voice steady and cold, "Away from his mother's influence, Oberon is nothing. I can handle him. As for the others, it's crucial for me to gauge their loyalties. Being a king now, I must know who I can keep close to me."
He then shrugged and added, "Even if I picked the 5 most trustworthy people to accompany me, it wouldn't make a difference if all the draconians ambush us."
Isola's expression grew tense upon hearing his words, "Asher…what if they try to do something like that?"
He shook his head gently, "If they intended to do that, they would have already waged war against us instead of wasting time."
Relief washed over Isola's features, her anxiety easing, "I'm glad Eradicator and Naida will be there. Speaking of Naida... Is there really nothing... between you two?" She asked with a knowing, skeptical smile.
Asher pulled back slightly, meeting her gaze with a look of amusement, "You also can't be suspecting me like Ceti. Do you think I would take a huge risk by getting tangled with the lady of a great house?"
Isola maintained her skeptical smile and said, "You are the only one I know who doesn't know the meaning of 'risk'."
Asher chuckled and shook his head as he said, "Jokes aside, she only volunteered because I had promised to do her a favor in the past. It seems like whatever favor she wants me to do probably aligns perfectly with my journey. That is why I would be leaving within two days."
Isola's brows raised, "That early? Sigh…I thought we could spend at least a few days together."
Asher smiled and said, "Don't worry. I will be back before you know it. But for now…" He curled his lips into a mischievous smile as his hands slowly traveled up to her bra, weighing them with his hands, "...let's have our first night officially."
"Asher…" Isola's cheeks reddened as she felt his fingers dipping into the skin of her breasts, and turned around to seek his lips.
And then, for the rest of the night, the king and his consort drowned themselves in the warmth of each other's bodies.
The Rustblood Clan, notorious for their ferocity and terrifying poison arts, resided in the foreboding landscape of the Gharak Plains, a region where the land itself mirrors the clan's poisonous nature.
The plains were a stark, unforgiving territory, with craggy hills and sparse vegetation dotted with patches of dead forests, the trees gnarled and twisted and chilling howls echoing through it once in a while.
This place was thousands of miles away from the Bloodburn Kingdom and took up 1/6th of the Rhogart Continent, which was dominated by werewolves in general.
Nobody would dare take a step into this continent unless they possessed the strength and wits to protect themselves from the hostility of the werewolves, who were extremely territorial.
However, under the dark, eerie skies, there was an unlikely presence of two figures.
An alluring vulpinari, her presence a stark contrast to the harsh landscape, with her golden hair and three luscious tails, moved with an air of confidence and grace that seemed to enchant the very air around her.
Close behind, a vigilant vulpini kept a protective eye on their surroundings, his posture tense and ready for any threat.
As they traversed the desolate plains, their journey was abruptly interrupted by three rough-looking men, their eyes a dark green hue typical of the werewolves of the Rustblood Clan.
Each brandished a weapon that seemed as rugged and unrefined as the plains themselves.
However, the leering gaze of the men, fixated on the vulpiniari's voluptuous form, was a mixture of lust and mockery.
Never in their lives did they see such a large, sumptuous pair of breasts that were threatening to spill out of the fabric of her dress.
When was the last time they tasted a vulpinari? But they knew this vulpinari was far from an ordinary one.
One of the men, more lustful than the rest, stepped forward with a salacious grin, "Today must be our lucky day, brothers. Seems like the great Temptress Supreme has nowhere else to run and needs to seek comfort in the warmth of our bodies, hehe," he sneered, his tongue slithering over his weapon in anticipation.
Shoichi's body tensed, his eyes burning with killing intent, prepared to leap into action.
However, Kira raised a delicate hand, halting him with a gentle gesture.
She then turned to face the trio, her smile radiating a seductive charm that seemed to shimmer in the air.
"Ora~ Aren't you boys quite energetic," she cooed, her voice a melody of allure and confidence, "Unfortunately, I can't indulge you three now because I am here to see your chief."
The menacing laughter of the three men echoed across the area, their attitudes dripping with arrogance and disrespect.
The leader among them, with a malicious glint in his dark green eyes, advanced towards Kira with a predatory gait, "How dare a slut like you demand to see our chief," he sneered, his voice laced with contempt, "If you give us a good time, maybe then we'll consider taking you to him. Let's see if you live up to the rumors and can please us enough for our chief to enjoy you too."
Unfazed by their vulgar approach, Kira maintained her composure, her emerald eyes glowing with an enchanting light, "Obedience is only needed from slaves. So tell me, boys, who are the slaves here?" she retorted, her voice calm yet carrying an undercurrent of power.
Suddenly, the men halted in their tracks, their expressions morphing from lewd anticipation to bewildered submission.
It was as if an invisible force had seized control of their minds, compelling them to bow deeply before her, "Forgive us, Mistress! We were blind and stupid to not recognize our own master. Please cast death upon us!" they pleaded in unison, their voices now soaked in fear and reverence.
Kira's lips curled into a smile, a mix of amusement and satisfaction playing on her features, "Ora~ Mistakes can happen," she replied with a sigh, her tone laced with mock generosity, "For now, obediently take me to your chief, little boys."
"Yes, Mistress!" they chorused, their demeanor completely transformed from brash aggressors to subservient followers. They quickly scrambled to their feet, leading the way with newfound eagerness to serve.
In the rugged heart of these plains, a sense of raw, untamed wilderness prevailed.
The buildings, though primitive in construction, exuded an air of formidable resilience, perfectly harmonizing with the clan's wild and untamed nature.
The structures were primarily made from the bones of large beasts, expertly pieced together to form the frameworks of their homes. These skeletal frames were covered with thick hides, tanned to a tough, weather-resistant finish.
The hides bore the marks of battles and hunts, with scars, claw marks, and even remnants of fur, telling silent tales of the clan's prowess.
The most prominent building was the chief's hall, located at the heart of the settlement. It stood taller and broader than the rest, constructed from the bones of the largest creatures the clan had conquered.
The werewolves lingering in this area stopped whatever they were doing as they sensed an unusual disturbance.
Some of them emerged from their dwellings, ears twitching and noses wrinkling as they sniffed the air, trying to discern the source of this disturbance.
But then they frowned as all of them looked in the same direction.
Their expressions shifted from curiosity to shock and then to hostility as they laid eyes on the intruders.
A vulpinari and vulpini, followed by a hundred seemingly entranced members of their own clan, approached the center of this domain, the atmosphere shifting palpably.
The sight of their own kin, bent-backed and subservient behind a vulpinari, especially one like this, was an affront to their pride.
Kira, unfazed by the growing hostility, flashed a confident smile, "Apologies for my unannounced visit," she said, her voice carrying clearly over the murmurs of the crowd, "But it is of utmost importance that I see your chief now."
Her words were met with a snarl from a young werewolf.
His compatriots followed suit, their forms shifting as they prepared to defend their home against the perceived threat.
"You foxy bitch. How dare you come to our territory and make demands!" A young werewolf roared, his voice a guttural growl that echoed through the clan's settlement. And the next moment he transformed into his werewolf form, his body expanding and contorting into a towering, muscular creature with fur as red as blood.
The others also followed suits, their roars causing the air to tremble as they transformed.
Kira sighed with a pitiful smile, "Why do you cute puppies always think with your tiny muscles?"
