Steam curls, thick and fragrant, filling the bath chamber.
The white stone walls of Frostvale Villa blur behind the rising mist, the dark wooden beams above seeming to swim in the humid air.
Iron lanterns cast dancing shadows, painting the room in a warm, flickering glow. Cedar and candlewax mingle, a heady aroma that settles heavy in Elliot's lungs.
He sits on the edge of the copper tub, testing the water with a toe. It's perfect—scalding, almost, but just shy of painful.
Mira should be here any moment. The crimson sigil on his chest pulses, a hungry throb beneath his skin. Asmodeus stirs within him, a dark tide rising with anticipation.
A soft knock.
"Enter," Elliot calls, his voice a shade deeper than usual.
Mira steps inside, her cheeks flushed from the heat of the kitchen. She carries a stack of fresh towels, their starched edges crisp against her apron.
Her eyes, the color of warm honey, flick to his face, then dart away, settling on the floor.
"Good evening, Master Elliot," she says, her voice a low murmur.
"I'm sorry for the delay. Cook needed help with the stew."
"It doesn't matter," Elliot replies, rising to his feet.
The sigil flares, a jolt of raw power that prickles at his fingertips. "Thank you for coming, Mira. I appreciate it."
She sets the towels on a nearby bench, her movements precise, almost nervous.
He notes the faint tremor in her hands, the way she avoids his gaze. Edric, her husband, is a good man. Kind. Loyal.
But Mira… there's a quiet sadness in her eyes, a yearning that even she might not recognize.
"Is the water to your liking, sir?" she asks, her voice still soft.
Elliot steps closer, closing the distance between them. The air crackles with unspoken tension.
"I haven't tested it properly yet," he says, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
He reaches out, his fingers brushing against her arm. She flinches, a subtle jerk that betrays her surprise.
Her skin is warm, soft beneath his touch. He lets his hand linger, savoring the moment.
"Perhaps you could help me?" he suggests, his eyes locking with hers.
Her breath hitches. He sees the conflict in her eyes—the loyalty to Edric, the fear of crossing a line, but also the undeniable pull of attraction. The sigil throbs, urging him forward.
"I… I don't know, Master Elliot," she stammers, her voice barely audible.
"Nonsense," he says, his voice laced with playful authority. "I wouldn't want to burn myself. It's a simple task, Mira. Just test the water. For me."
He takes her hand, guiding it towards the tub. Her fingers tremble as they dip into the water. A small gasp escapes her lips.
"It's… it's very hot, sir," she says, her eyes wide.
"Perfect," Elliot replies, his gaze never leaving hers. "Just the way I like it."
He releases her hand, stepping back to give her space. But his eyes hold her captive, drawing her in.
He can feel the heat radiating from the sigil, the seductive energy that flows through him, amplified by her presence.
"Tell me, Mira," he begins, his voice soft and coaxing. "Are you happy?"
The question hangs in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. He watches as her face flickers through a series of emotions—surprise, confusion, a hint of pain.
"Of course, Master Elliot," she says, her voice a little too quick, a little too bright. "I have a good life. A good husband."
"Do you?" he asks, stepping closer again. "Or do you simply tell yourself that?"
He reaches out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. Her skin is so soft, so smooth. The scent of her—a mix of soap and spices fills his senses.
"Don't you ever crave something more, Mira?" he whispers, his voice a silken caress. "Something… exciting? Something forbidden?"
Her eyes widen, and he sees the truth reflected there—the longing, the desire, the secret fantasies she keeps hidden deep within her heart.
He leans closer, his lips hovering just above hers. "I can give you that, Mira," he murmurs. "I can give you everything you've ever wanted."
Her breath hitches again. Her lips part slightly, inviting him closer. He can feel the heat of her body, the rapid pulse of her heart.
"Please, Master Elliot…" she whispers, her voice trembling. "I shouldn't…"
"Shhh," he says, pressing a finger to her lips. "Don't think. Just feel."
He lowers his head, his lips finally meeting hers.
The kiss is soft at first, tentative, a gentle exploration. But as her lips part, as her tongue dances against his, the kiss deepens, becomes more urgent, more demanding.
He pulls her closer, his arms wrapping around her waist. Her body presses against his, soft and yielding. He can feel the heat radiating from her, the desire that matches his own.
He breaks the kiss, gasping for breath. Her eyes are glazed, her cheeks flushed. She looks lost, bewildered, but also undeniably aroused.
"You want this, Mira," he says, his voice a low growl.
"I can feel it."
She doesn't answer, but her eyes betray her. He knows he has her. He knows that the power of Asmodeus, fueled by her hidden desires, is working its magic.
He lifts her into his arms, her body weightless against him. She gasps, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.
"Where… where are you taking me?" she asks, her voice barely a whisper.
"To paradise," he replies, his eyes gleaming with lust. "A paradise of pleasure, just for you."
He carries her to the tub, gently lowering her into the steaming water. She sighs, her body relaxing as the heat envelops her. Her dress clings to her skin, outlining her curves.
He kneels beside the tub, his eyes devouring her.He reaches out, slowly unbuttoning her dress.
Her eyes flutter shut as the fabric falls away, revealing the soft swell of her breasts beneath a thin chemise.
"You're beautiful, Mira," he whispers, his voice thick with desire.
He leans forward, gently kissing the curve of her neck. She moans softly, her body trembling.
He moves lower, his lips trailing down her chest, teasing her nipples through the fabric of her chemise.
She gasps as he finally takes one of her nipples into his mouth, sucking gently. Her body arches towards him, her hands gripping his hair.
"Oh, Master Elliot…" she moans, her voice filled with pleasure. "Oh, please…"
He continues to suckle, his hand reaching down to caress her thigh. He can feel the heat radiating from her core, the wetness that betrays her arousal.
He slips his hand beneath her chemise, his fingers tracing the soft curve of her belly. He moves lower, his fingers brushing against the entrance to her womb.
She cries out, her body convulsing with pleasure. He slips a finger inside, gently probing. She moans again, her hips thrusting towards him.
"Yes, Master Elliot," she whispers, her voice desperate. "Yes, please… harder…"
He obliges, his fingers moving faster, deeper. Her body shakes with each thrust. She claws at his back, her nails digging into his skin.
"I'm close, Master Elliot," she gasps. "I'm so close…"
He increases the pressure, his fingers teasing her clit. She screams, her body arching violently.
A wave of pleasure washes over her, and she collapses back against the tub, her body limp and trembling.
He continues to caress her, savoring the moment. Her breathing slowly returns to normal, her eyes fluttering open.
"Thank you, Master Elliot," she whispers, her voice filled with gratitude. "That was… incredible."
He smiles, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "The pleasure is all mine, Mira," he says.
He stands, stripping off his own clothes. She watches him, her eyes wide with anticipation. His schlong is hard, throbbing with desire.
He steps into the tub, the hot water enveloping him. He reaches for her, pulling her close. Her body presses against his, soft and wet.
He kisses her again, his tongue plunging deep into her mouth. She moans, her body writhing against his.
He moves lower, his lips trailing down her neck, her chest, her belly. He reaches her core again, his tongue flicking against her clit.
She screams, her body arching violently. He continues to lick and suck, driving her wild with pleasure.
He moves above her, his schlong throbbing between her legs. He pushes inside, slowly, gently. She gasps, her body tightening around him.
He begins to move, slowly at first, then faster, harder. Her body writhes beneath him, her moans filling the room.
"Oh, Master Elliot," she cries. "Oh, yes… like that… harder…"
He obliges, his thrusts becoming more forceful, more demanding. Her body shakes with each stroke.
"I'm close, Mira," he gasps. "I'm so close…"
He thrusts one last time, his body convulsing with pleasure. He empties his seed inside her, a hot, pulsating stream.
He collapses on top of her, his body limp and trembling. She wraps her arms around him, holding him tight.
They lay there for a long time, their bodies entwined, their breathing slowly returning to normal.
Finally, he pulls away, his eyes filled with tenderness. "Are you alright, Mira?" he asks.
She smiles, her eyes shining with happiness. "I've never been better, Master Elliot," she says.
He smiles back, his heart swelling with emotion. He knows that what they've done is wrong, that he's betrayed Edric's trust.
But he can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction, a sense of power. The sigil on his chest glows brighter, stronger than ever before.
He can feel the energy coursing through him, the power of Asmodeus growing with each passing moment.