Zavaikal did not move.
He simply tilted his head, studying Erebus the way a child might study a broken toy—with detached curiosity, with the faintest hint of disappointment.
"Or what?" the Crown Prince murmured. "You'll strike me? In front of half the empire's nobility?" He chuckled, low and cruel. "You forget your place, hound."
But he released Luciana's chin. Stepped back. His golden eyes slid from Erebus to her, and something shifted in his expression—a hunger that had nothing to do with appetite.
"Though I confess," Zavaikal continued, circling her slowly, forcing her to turn to跟踪 him because she refused to turn her back, "I have missed the sight of you."
Luciana's blood went cold.
"When I infiltrated your little fortress in Stygian," he said, "do you think I was there for trade negotiations? For diplomacy?" He laughed—a sharp, ugly sound. "I came to see what my brother had hidden away. And there you were. Bathing in moonlight. That hair—" his fingers twitched, as if aching to touch, "—white as fresh snow. And those eyes..." He stopped before her, close enough that she could smell wine on his breath. "Silver like jewels. Like the moon herself had poured her light into your skull and left the rest of you hollow."
His voice dropped to a vulgar intimacy.
"I wondered what sounds you'd make spread across those black sheets. Whether that silver gaze would stay so pure when—"
The fist connected with his face.
Not a slap. Not a push. A hammer—Erebus's full weight behind it, every year of starvation and suffering and simmering rage compressed into a single knuckle-cracking impact. Zavaikal's head snapped sideways. Blood sprayed from his nose, black in the moonlight, and he staggered two steps before catching himself on the railing.
Silence.
Then—Erebus's voice. Quiet. Final. The kind of quiet that precedes an avalanche.
"You forget your own place, Asmodeus."
Zavaikal went rigid.
The name hung in the air between them—foul as sewer water, sharp as broken glass. Asmodeus. Not the gilded title of Crown Prince. Not the polished mask he wore for the court. But the name of a gutter rat. A starving boy who once fought dogs for scraps.
"Don't," Zavaikal hissed, wiping blood from his lip, "call me that."
"Why not?" Erebus stepped closer, and for the first time, the Crown Prince flinched. "Because it reminds you of what we were? Sewer rats. Orphans. Begging for a morsel while the nobles rode past in golden carriages?" His lip curled. "You've built yourself a pretty cage, brother. But the bars are still there. And I know every one of your weak spots. Because I bled for them beside you."
Zavaikal's composure cracked—just a fraction. His eyes blazed, gold bleeding into something darker.
"You dare—"
"I dare because I am the only one in this room who knows you." Erebus's voice dropped to a whisper that cut deeper than any shout..
"This is my warning to you... Asmodeus." He warned him darkly.
Luciana quickly pulled Nemesis into her arms, the young one trembling in fear from the sudden violence. Zavaikal staggered to his feet, wiped the blood from his lips, and with a cold, controlled tone, said, "Prepare yourself for the consequences. You know what happens when a hound attacks its master."He turned and strode back into the ballroom, leaving a trail of bloody footprints on the marble.
"Mama..."
Nemesis's small voice broke the silence. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his lower lip trembling violently. He clutched Luciana's skirts with white-knuckled fists.
"Mama, I'm scared."
Luciana dropped to her knees—awkwardly, her pregnant belly making the motion graceless—and pulled him into her arms. Her own hands shook. Her own heart pounded so hard she thought it might crack a rib. But she held him. Stroked his hair. Pressed kisses to his temple.
"Hush, sweetling. Hush. Mama is here. Papa is here. You are safe."
Behind her, Erebus stood frozen. His fist still throbbed. His chest still heaved. And then he saw it—
Luciana's hair.
"Your disguise... it's fading," Erebus observed, noting how Luciana's hair had started returning to its natural color. She recalled Derran's warning—overuse of the potion would weaken its effects.
Her disguise was failing.
The stress, he realized. The fear. The baby.
He crossed the balcony in two strides and scooped her up—Nemesis still clinging to her—cradling them both against his chest.
"Erebus—" she started.
"Don't speak. Don't think. Just breathe."
With urgency, they left the balcony, trying not to attract the stares of the other nobles. The hallways of the palace were empty, and Erebus scanned the area, ensuring they were alone. His private lounge was located at the far end of the west wing, a privilege he had earned through years of servitude to Zavaikal.
As they made their way down the corridor, they were confronted by two men. Erebus quickly removed his cloak and wrapped it around Luciana, concealing her appearance. He stepped forward to intercept the approaching figures, giving them a brief nod of acknowledgment. The men, lower-ranking demons, returned the gesture respectfully.
Suddenly, a voice called from behind them. "Callum?" Erebus turned, surprised to see the man approaching. "I thought you were assigned to the artillery division?"
Callum shrugged. "Shift change. These banquets have everyone scrambling for duties. What are you doing here?" His eyes shifted to Luciana, still hidden beneath Erebus' cloak. "Why is your wife covered like that?"
Erebus ignored the question, hurrying towards his lounge, but Callum followed. "Come on, if there's trouble, tell me," he insisted.
As they reached the lounge, Luciana's hand lost grip over the cloak when he suddenly stopped. In the rush, the cloak slipped from her shoulders, revealing her true form. The damage was done. Callum's eyes widened as he processed what he saw.
"Wait... Aphrodite?" he stammered, recognizing her striking resemblance to their saviour in the past. "What's going on, Erebus? Why is Aphrodite wearing your wife's clothes? And how is she here?"
Flustered, Luciana looked away, remembering too late that she had left the potion back at the Ashcroft estate. Nemesis clung tightly to her in fear.
Erebus ushered them into the lounge, shutting the door quickly behind them. Callum followed, still bombarding him with questions.
"Erebus," Callum pressed, "what's happening? Is she really Aphrodite? How did she—"
Erebus cut him off, his voice low and tense. "It's complicated. You'll just have to trust me."
Callum blinked, trying to comprehend the situation. His gaze shifted to Luciana, who was softly comforting Nemesis. "So... she's Aphrodite's daughter?" he muttered, seeing the clear resemblance. "You've really gotten yourself into a mess this time," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Why does bad luck always find you?"
Erebus glared at him. "Quiet. Let me think."
Luciana, her voice calm despite the tension, suggested, "My lord, you should attend the banquet. Staying here too long will raise suspicions."
Erebus frowned, unwilling to leave them. "You want me to go out there, knowing Zavaikal is watching us? I can't leave you two alone."
Callum nodded in agreement with Luciana. "She's right, Erebus. The Tzar's eyes are everywhere. If you don't show your face, it will only draw more attention to you."
Still, Erebus hesitated. "I don't trust anyone to protect them in my absence."
Callum placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Leave it to me. I'll guard them while you're at the banquet. No one will get close."
Nemesis had stopped crying. His small face was buried in Luciana's neck, his breathing still hiccupping but steadying.
"Stay here," Erebus commanded. "Both of you. I'll lock the door. No one enters without my express order."
It took a moment, but Erebus finally relented and left the lounge, still uneasy about leaving Luciana and Nemesis behind.
As soon as he was gone, Luciana turned to Callum, her expression anxious. "Is it really alright for you to abandon your duties to guard us?"
Callum smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, my lady. I'm just working a little overtime."
Luciana felt guilty. "I'm sorry for involving you in all of this. It wasn't fair."
Callum shook his head, his smile softening.
"Don't fret over it my lady. This is the least I can do for his sake."
" But still....to involve a friend he just reunited with...." Luciana felt pathetic. She didn't self pity herself. She only hated herself for not being strong enough to stand up for herself. She felt useless for relying on others ever since she came to Wahrheit.
"Erebus and I go way back. We're practically brothers. We met as orphans, both of us struggling to survive. Over the years, he's saved my life more times than I can count during our mercenary days."
He paused, glancing at Luciana. "That's when we met Aphrodite—your mother. She was the most incredible woman we'd ever known: strong, fearless, and wise. She was the first person we ever truly opened up to. When I saw you, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was like she had come back to us."
He chuckled softly. "But I never imagined her daughter would end up becoming Erebus' wife. I guess I lost to him long ago."
"You... lost?" Luciana asked, trying to make sense of his words.
Callum shifted uncomfortably. "Ah, well, it's just that in our youth, both Erebus and I were completely smitten with your mother," he admitted, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Well she was gorgeous. And I was heartbroken when I found out that she was already a wife and a mother to someone else. She seldom spoke fondly of her daughter." He referred it about her.
"But she left us, disappeared from our lives without a trace. After that, Erebus and I went our separate ways. He took work at the palace, while I was stationed at the Yusupov estate. That's where I met Calypso. She was from a fallen noble house, and I found myself drawn to her. She was kind, reserved, and undeniably beautiful. Something about her vulnerability made me want to protect her."
"You make a perfect pair." Luciana complimented how caring and understanding they were with each other.
Callum's gaze softened as he spoke of Calypso. "She didn't accept my proposal right away. After losing her fortune and being betrayed by those close to her, she had trouble trusting anyone. I had to earn her trust and work to get her to even notice me. But she is the reason I'm here now. The high society ladies refuse to accept her, and I fear what that rejection might do to her. I've seen her teeter on the edge of despair before. When we learned she was pregnant, it was as if a light returned to her life. Having a family of her own was her deepest wish, and I'll do anything to keep that happiness alive."
Luciana's heart sank with guilt as she listened, knowing the weight of her own troubles might burden him further. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke again, more determined than before.
"My Lord, I know it's sudden, but I need my medicine. If I can take it, everything will be all right. Please, trust me on this. Could you retrieve it for me?"
Callum looked taken aback. "I'm sorry, my lady, but I can't leave you alone. What would I say to Erebus?" he replied, clearly uncomfortable with her request.
"That's exactly why I need it," Luciana insisted. "If you delay, things could escalate beyond control. Please, you must act quickly."
Callum considered her words but remained hesitant. "I can send a servant to retrieve it for you."
She shook her head. "My maid won't trust a stranger, and I don't have anything to give you that she would recognize as proof. It must be you, my lord."
He fell silent, weighing the situation. He could sense that matters might already be spiraling beyond his grasp. The palace guards might be on alert by now, and if things worsened, no one would listen to his orders. With a sigh, he finally conceded.
"Very well, I'll go. But stay here, and I'll send guards to watch your lounge. Please, do not leave this room."
Luciana nodded in agreement, watching him hurry out. As soon as he was gone, she whispered to herself, "I'm sorry, Lord Ashcroft."
-" I hope Erebus isn't too harsh on him. Given his nature, he won't take kindly to anyone disobeying his orders."
Resolute, she stood. "I have no choice but to take matters into my own hands now."