The Royal Bathhouse was offensively opulent. Gold-trimmed fountains poured steaming water scented with exotic ash-blooms, decadently carved pillars rose around the sunken pools like sentinels of seduction and silk towels embroidered with the Demon Lord's sigil lined the marble benches.
Everything shimmered, either through magic or pure shininess.
Serenith sat on a stool in the corner, one perfect brow arched in judgment.
Lucien lay in the largest pool, head nestled between Vile's thighs as she massaged his shoulders expertly and he groaned in sheer bliss.
The water swirled at his waist, shifting and bubbling as he groaned with pleasure.
Vex popped up from between his legs, water cascading down her horns and she licked her lips.
"Am I getting better?" She panted.
Lucien rolled his eyes back. "You're amazing. But with the memory wipe, I'm gonna need a lot more testing to be absolutely sure, though."
Vex nodded excitedly.. "I live to improve, my lord."
"And perfection takes practice, my devilish delight." Lucien nodded knowingly. "Deep breath, darling."
Vex giggled and gulped a chest full of air before Lucien guided her back underwater with a gentle hand on top of her head.
Vile snickered. "You're too kind, my lord."
"Honesty is its own kindness," Lucien replied, voice soft and syrupy. "And you are both dangerously talented."
The water stirred to a froth and his eyes twisted as Vex's mouth vigorously took his manhood through several stages of carnival bliss. "...hoooooly shit…… so much… talent!"
Vile chuckled from behind. "Maybe she is getting better."
Serenith groaned from the corner and mumbled something about mental restraint, just loud enough for Lucien to hear.
He took a deep breath and snorted, then lifted Vex gently from the water and kissed her forehead.
Vex frowned. "D-Did I do something wrong?"
"Sweetheart, you did everything right. But I can't fully enjoy myself if my holy muse is pouting in the corner like she wasn't invited to the orgy."
Vex and Vile turned to Serenith and snarled, their crimson eyes glinting with malice.
"Girls!" Lucien snapped.
The twins yelped and bowed their heads.
"Forgive us, Lord Lucidius." they both whimpered.
"Give us a moment," Lucien said. "Alone."
They pouted, then slinked out of the room together, murmuring creative plans of seduction to earn his forgiveness.
Lucien turned to Serenith, beckoning her into the bath with a confident smirk. "Come on, darling. Join me."
"I'm here to observe," she replied. "Not indulge."
He scoffed. "Same thing in my book. You're stuck with me. Might as well enjoy it."
"I might get corrupted," she muttered.
He laughed. "Oh, I guarantee it."
She narrowed her eyes. "I'm stronger than you think."
"Then come enjoy a purely platonic soak with yours truly. Just a simple relaxing bath. Or is that too much to handle?"
She sniffed. "Of course I can handle that."
"Prove it."
She stood and, in one dramatic motion, dropped her gown.
Lucien's jaw hit the water.
Her body was nothing less than a celestial sculpture carved from the very concept of beauty. Divinely radiant, curves kissed by starlight, skin that shimmered with holy power. Lucien clutched his chest like he'd been repeatedly stabbed by Cupid's arrow.
"Mother of—"
She stepped into the water, smirking. The bath began to steam as holy energy bubbled around her, glowing softly.
Lucien began sweating.
"You alright there, demon lord?"
"I... I am not alright. Not at all! This… this is torture!"
She giggled.
He managed to pull himself together, slicked back his hair, and put on The Smirk.
"I spoke nothing but the truth earlier." he crooned. "You really are my muse, Serenith. I don't think I've ever felt this way before. Your beauty, your grace, your… everything—"
"Ugh! Stop!" She blushed, sinking lower into the water while holy ripples radiated outward from her bare skin.
He turned serious, eyes smoldering. "I meant what I said. I want to do good. You inspire me to."
She rolled her eyes. "You just want me because you can't have me."
"Exactly! And I've never met a woman I couldn't have. Whatever it takes... I will have you." he said.
Lucien smiled softly, softening his expression, almost to the point of looking vulnerable. Almost.
"Even if I have to earn it."
She gasped. Her halo sparked a flash of pink and body glowed.
He reached out and gently took her hand. Holy magic instantly seared through his skin. But he held on regardless, jaw and butt fully clenched as he forced a smile through the pain and brought his mouth to her hand.
"Even… if… it hurts."
The instant his lips touched her knuckles, BOOM.
A burst of holy magic sent him flying backward, clearing the bath completely before he smacked into the bathhouse wall.
"Owww..." he groaned, sliding down the wall like a wet noodle.
Serenith giggled. "You'll have to hurt a lot to earn me."
He raised a trembling thumb. "Worth it."
She rose from the water, glowing with heavenly radiance and dripping with sensual poise. Lucien stared like a starstruck teen. She stepped toward him, raised a finger, and healed him with a twirl of divine light.
He sat up. "Thanks, sweetheart."
"Fine… You win." she said as she looked down at him, eyes soft. "I believe there's good in you, Lucien Vale. Even if you hide behind it decadence and debauchery…"
Lucien blinked.
She glared. "You better not screw this up."
He stood, heart thudding, placing hand over chest. "I vow. Demon Lord's honor."
Then came the smirk. And Serenith's heart melted.
She smiled softly, then instinctively leaned in and kissed his cheek.
BOOM.
Lucien slammed against the wall again with a grunt.
Serenith gasped. "Oh, holy hell! Sorry, I forgot—!"
He slid down, twitching slightly and heaved.
"Still... worth… it."