Elysia walked beside Malvoria through the vast corridors of the castle, the rhythmic sound of their boots against the polished stone floor filling the space between them. The air felt heavy, charged with sothing unspoken, sothing neither of them was willing to address.
It was unbearable.
The tension between them coiled tight like a drawn bowstring, ready to snap at any mont.
Elysia kept her eyes forward, determined to act as if nothing had happened earlier, as if she hadn't just left Malvoria's room in a daze, as if she hadn't worn Malvoria's shirt like a ridiculous oversized dress and caught the Demon Queen practically undressing her with her eyes.
Gods.
She hated that she had seen it.
The way Malvoria's gaze had lingered—dark, hungry, almost predatory.
It made her skin feel too warm, her breath too shallow.
And the worst part?
Malvoria wasn't even trying to hide it.
Elysia refused to acknowledge it.
Instead, she focused on walking through the massive hallways, feeling the occasional flicker of magic from the glowing lanterns lining the walls, their golden light casting elongated shadows that danced with each step.
Beside her, Malvoria was silent.
Too silent.
It wasn't like her.
Normally, she would have thrown a snide remark by now, would have teased Elysia for whatever she could.
But today?
Nothing.
Elysia didn't know whether she liked it or if it was sohow worse.
She glanced at Malvoria from the corner of her eye.
The Demon Queen looked as composed as ever—too composed. Dressed in her usual structured attire, a fitted black coat with red embroidery lining the edges, high collar accentuating her sharp jawline, tall boots clicking against the floor with every confident step.
Her long red hair was tied loosely at the back, stray strands framing her angular features.
She looked like the picture of control.
But Elysia had spent enough ti around Malvoria to know better.
There was sothing in the way her fingers flexed slightly at her sides, the way her shoulders were just a little too stiff, the way her jaw tightened ever so slightly whenever Elysia took a step too close.
She's just as affected as I am.
That thought made sothing stir inside Elysia—sothing close to satisfaction, sothing dangerous.
Before she could dwell on it, Malvoria finally spoke.
"You're awfully quiet."
Elysia scoffed, relieved to have sothing to focus on. "Is that a problem?"
Malvoria smirked, slow and lazy. "No. It's refreshing."
Elysia rolled her eyes. "You act like I talk all the ti."
"You do."
Elysia shot her a glare. "I do not."
Malvoria humd, unconvinced.
Elysia let out a huff, crossing her arms. "Well, excuse for not feeling particularly chatty after—"
She cut herself off.
The mont the words started slipping past her lips, she realized where they were heading.
Malvoria arched a brow. "After?"
Don't say it.
Elysia looked straight ahead, quickening her pace. "Nothing."
Malvoria chuckled, easily keeping up with her. "No, no. Do continue. After what?"
Elysia refused to answer.
She wasn't about to let Malvoria drag her into that conversation.
Malvoria knew.
She knew exactly what Elysia had almost said.
And yet, she was still grinning, taking pleasure in Elysia's discomfort.
Elysia clenched her jaw.
If Malvoria thought she was just going to sit there and be teased—
She inhaled sharply, tilting her chin up. "After you undressed with your eyes this morning."
Malvoria stumbled.
It was barely noticeable, just a slight hesitation in her step, but Elysia caught it.
She smirked.
Malvoria narrowed her eyes. "I did no such thing."
"Oh, you absolutely did."
"I was simply assessing your questionable choice of attire."
"It was your shirt."
"You stole it."
"I borrowed it."
Malvoria rolled her eyes. "Convenient wording."
Elysia smirked, feeling an odd triumph in finally making Malvoria falter. "I think you liked it."
Malvoria turned to her, gaze sharp. "I think you're talking too much."
Elysia laughed, the tension in her shoulders loosening slightly.
The banter was familiar, comforting in its own way.
For a mont, it was easy to pretend like they weren't caught in this strange, tangled ss—like things between them were simpler than they actually were.
But reality had a way of creeping back in.
Because no matter how much they danced around it, the truth remained.
They were alone together outside the castle.
For the first ti since this marriage, they were leaving the safety of their routines, stepping into unfamiliar territory where neither of them had full control.
That thought left Elysia feeling unsettled.
She had wanted space from Malvoria.
She had hoped that being away from the castle would help her clear her mind, help her rember that this was supposed to be nothing more than duty, that she was supposed to hate Malvoria, that she was supposed to—
She inhaled sharply, pushing the thought away.
It didn't matter.
They weren't here for personal reasons.
They were here to investigate the orphanage.
That was all.
Malvoria stopped abruptly.
Elysia blinked, snapping out of her thoughts as she realized why.
They had reached the teleportation circle.
The intricate runes glowed faintly beneath their feet, shimring with an otherworldly blue light, ancient markings swirling in elegant patterns across the smooth stone. The air around it buzzed with energy, the lingering power of demonic magic humming like an invisible force against Elysia's skin.
This was it.
No turning back now.
Elysia turned to Malvoria, eting her gaze.
Malvoria studied her for a mont, sothing unreadable flickering behind those storm-gray eyes.
Then, without a word, she stepped onto the circle.
Elysia followed.
The magic flared.
And in the blink of an eye—
They were gone.
The mont the teleportation completed, Elysia felt the ground steady beneath her feet, the shift in atmosphere striking her instantly.
Gone were the towering black spires and looming grandeur of Malvoria's castle; in their place was the vibrant and unfiltered heart of demon society.
The village was alive—laughter, conversation, and the rhythmic sounds of daily life filling the air.
The buildings, unlike the castle's cold elegance, were warm and welcoming, constructed from dark stone with intricate carvings glowing faintly with protective enchantnts.
Colorful banners hung between rooftops, swaying in the breeze, and the streets bustled with rchants, craftsn, and families going about their day.
Elysia rembered the last ti she had been here—how free she had felt, laughing and drinking with demon soldiers, allowing herself to embrace the chaos of their world.
But now...
Now she was walking beside Malvoria, and everything felt different.
The weight of their presence turned heads, whispers trailing behind them as demons recognized their queen and her human wife.
Elysia exhaled, rolling her shoulders as she prepared herself.
This wasn't a visit for leisure.
They had a purpose here.
And she couldn't let herself get distracted.
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