A Kinky Daemon Queen?

I always prided myself on my ability to know exactly where I am without the help of visual information.

There was a time in my old world when my fellow knights blindfolded me and took me all over the city of Camelot on horseback.

I still remember their astonished faces when I told them about the exact route they took down to the cobblestones of the corners and the turns we took.

I couldn't help but crack a smile despite the tight situation I am in now.

And it is quite tight. 

Worst of all. I have no idea where I am. I am so cut off from the outside by these chains that I don't know if I am even in the right position.

I could be upside down for all I know.

I guess that's how these chains work. They strip away one's sense of position, making one feel weightless in the cold darkness.

I can still control ardor, but can't use it to sense my position or try to escape. Looks like the chains kind of filter the ardor flowing in.

And so I relaxed and allowed my strand to heal my injured and exhausted body.

Despite not knowing where I am, I do have an idea of where I am being taken.

The palace of Lilith, the queen of the daemons.

I would have to stand my ground, one way or another, so I must rest and conserve my energy.

Lilith…

Just what kind of monster will you be?

*******

I did not expect a plush carpet.

It was the second-softest thing I had ever experienced—the first being Iris's lips when we kissed.

I would've enjoyed those amazing memories on the soft carpet if I hadn't fallen face-first into it.

Ouch.

"Well, that must not be pleasant," a soft voice cooed, smooth as silk and sweet as honey.

I raised my head and froze at what I saw.

Beautiful. The word felt inadequate as I gazed upon her.

Her obsidian hair cascaded like liquid night streaked with shimmering violet strands that pulsed faintly, like veins of molten amethyst. 

Her pale, flawless skin seemed to glow faintly in the dim light, a stark contrast to the deep black of her slip-on dress. 

The fabric hugged her lithe frame, clinging like shadows sculpted to perfection, embroidered with faintly glowing purple patterns that swirled like living runes.

But it was her face—her soft, kind smile—that captivated and unnerved me most. Her lips, a deep red like freshly spilled wine, curved in a way that promised warmth, understanding, even love. 

Her eyes were twin pools of luminous violet. They gleamed with curiosity, and amusement... and something darker veiled just beneath the surface.

Brushing her hair over her ear with her long and thin fingers, she smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Mordred Pendragon," she said, her voice smooth and intimate like a lover's.

She began to circle me slowly, her bare feet gliding soundlessly over the carpet, her glowing eyes looking me up all over, making me feel exposed.

The vast hall around us seemed to darken and brighten in rhythm with her steps. 

The towering black stone pillars, etched with shifting, glowing engravings, loomed overhead, disappearing into an unseen ceiling that seemed alive with a bright light as if the sun was shining through a clear glass ceiling. 

The plush purple carpet stretched before me until it reached a raised podium on which sat an elegant throne made of black crystal that shimmered in the light.

The throne room was a place that radiated beauty, grandeur, and dread, much like the woman before me.

There is something about her, something truly eerie yet enticing. Every movement she made, every breath she took captivated me.

"You must be Lilith," I said, forcing the words out despite the tightness in my throat.

The Daemon Queen's smile widened as she stopped before me, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

"Oh, clever boy," she purred, her voice sending shivers down my spine. "You catch on so quickly. No wonder Alisax was drawn to you."

Her hand rose, fingers brushing against my cheek. Her touch was icy, but her movements were so tender, so deliberate, that it sent heat racing through my veins despite myself.

"I didn't expect a face," I replied, trying to shrug her off but her grip, though deceptively gentle, was immovable and I found myself unable to move my body.

"Are you disappointed?" Lilith leaned closer, her breath warm against my skin. It carried a scent—sweet and intoxicating, like overripe fruit or wine spiked with something forbidden.

"Such fire in those eyes," she murmured, her thumb lightly tracing the edge of my jaw.

"Interesting."

The Daemon Queen brought her face closer to mine, her purple eyes piercing into my soul.

My breathing became heavy and my body started to feel warm. I can't take my eyes off her and I can't move a single inch despite how hard I tried.

Her voice slowly pierced through my mind. "Why are you struggling, my dear? It pains me to see you like this." 

She sounded so sad that I faltered, almost losing myself to her voice, her touch, and her very existence.

Desperately I tried to fight back and thought about the sole reason I am moving forward. 

Iris.

I filled my mind with her—her wild laughter, her mischievous grin, the sparkle in her eyes that always defied the chaos around us. Her voice, her touch, her memory, they flooded my mind.

Lilith's hold began to weaken, and I felt the first flicker of movement in my fingers.

Good. I am regaining control over my body.

Unfortunately, Lilith realized that as well.

"Oh, I love fighters," she breathed, her voice tinged with delight.

Before I could react, her fingers slid to my temples, and a sharp, searing pain erupted in my head. I cried out, falling to my knees as the agony consumed me.

"Shhh," she whispered, her voice soothing, and tender, even as my skull felt like it might split in two. "It'll be over soon. Just let me in."

And then, as abruptly as it began, the pain vanished. I was left gasping for breath, my vision swimming as Lilith stepped back, her hands clasped in front of her as though nothing had happened.

"What did you do to me?" I rasped, glaring at her calm smile.

Her smile softened, her head tilting slightly in mock innocence. "Oh, I only peeked," she said sweetly. "Your memories are... exquisite. So vivid, so delicious. I could spend hours savoring them. No wonder Alisax was intrigued by you."

My heart skipped a beat. "Where is Alisax?"

Lilith shrugged. "Oh, she's in another place. I'll get to her but I wanted to meet you first. Your memories are quite interesting."

I glared at Lilith. "My memories are interesting?"

Lilith's smile widened, revealing teeth that gleamed too white. "You've locked part of yourself away," she murmured, almost to herself.

 "There's something hidden, isn't there? Memories I cannot reach, no matter how deeply I delve. Tell me, Mordred—what are you hiding from me?"

My mind raced after hearing her words. Does this mean that she and Alisax only saw my memories of this life and not of my past life? 

Does this mean that something is keeping them from seeing those memories?

So many questions swirled my mind as I met her gaze with cold resolve. "You'll never know."

Her laugh was soft, melodic, and utterly chilling. "Oh, Mordred," she said, her tone dripping with indulgence. "We'll see about that. But for now..."

She leaned closer again, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Let's talk about Iris."

The mention of her name hit me like a blow.

Lilith's eyes sparkled, as though she could taste the pain the name evoked. "Such a beautiful name," she purred, stepping closer. "And an even more beautiful girl. I almost envy her... the way you think of her, the way you ache for her."

I froze and looked at Lilith, except she wasn't there.

"It's a shame," her voice echoed all around me. "If she had remained with you in the Shield. I could've asked Zygaxis to bring you both."

"What did you say?" My voice was quiet but sharp as I looked around, trying to find her.

She appeared before me and her smile grew softer, almost pitying. "You and Iris would have made such lovely pets."

Rage surged through me. "Don't you dare—"

"Shhh," she interrupted, placing a finger lightly against my lips. Her touch was cold as death, but her voice remained gentle. "No need to sound so scary."

She leaned in closer, her lips brushing against my ear. "But oh, the things I could have done with the two of you. Broken her first after restoring her memories, made you watch. Or broken you and used you to destroy her."

"Or perhaps..." Her voice dropped lower, softer. "I could have erased your memories, both of you and let you fall in love all over again, just to tear you apart anew."

Her laughter, soft and melodic, sent shivers racing down my spine. "You would have been perfect," she continued her tone now wistful. "Such perfect toys. Such perfect pets."

"With the right amount of agonizing pain, both physical and mental, and some rigorous training, you both could have become the perfect mongrels!" Lilith exclaimed, her sweet smile curling into something far more deranged—a twisted reflection of her own words.

That was it.

Before I even realized it, I had her hoisted into the air, my left hand clamped around her slender neck like a vice.

"You're sick," I snarled, my voice trembling with equal parts rage and disgust.

Her reaction was as unsettling as everything else about her. The delicate smile on her face didn't falter; it deepened. 

Her lips parted in a grin that was both serene and terrifying, a sinister delight flickering in her glowing amethyst eyes. 

She almost looked pleased, as if she enjoyed getting choked.

"Am I?" she said softly, her voice like velvet, utterly unfazed despite the pressure tightening around her throat. 

Her tone was so calm, so maddeningly unshaken, that it sent a chill racing down my spine. "I merely spoke of what could have been, Mordred."

Her eyes locked onto mine, glowing with an otherworldly intensity that seemed to pierce straight into my soul.

"It's a shame," she continued, her voice unwavering, seductive even. 

"But I suppose I'll have to settle... for you."