The Ruler's Rift

Paper Truth

As promised, Celeste assisted in Lucy's slumber when she returned. It had taken little time to make it back home, and even less to brew tea for the sleepy sweetheart. She fluffed the malamute's pillow and read to her. History bored the demon, but it made Lucy smile. Eventually the insomniac's eyes shut and her breathing slowed.

Celeste turned on the lamp; its rays revealed tiny particles of dust pollinating the air. For once, it was the demon who couldn't sleep. Boredom clung tight, so she pried it off with the notes that Lance had tossed at her. He claimed they were letters of audience demand for her, and it appeared he did not lie.

She leafed through notes of praise and scribbles of adoration with a smirk. Then, her face fell blank as she saw the name Nova Therapyrre. Celeste flipped to that letter. She skimmed past Nova's flashy greetings and reached a paragraph which read: I've heard so much about your performances and your troupe's unmatched skill! You charge so little and, with all due respect Mr. Lance, it's a shame. I'm willing to pay any price you'd like to have you perform on my humble planet, Sharcandia. Oh yes, and your star jester, Celeste? She's lovely - I'd bet her juggling is even more spectacular than I've heard! Do you have comedians in your group as well? You see, it's-

Celeste stuffed the letter into her cloak pocket. Nova would hear about this soon enough. Letting her love for Lucy soothe her, Celeste put a pin in Nova's trickery. Snuggling and nuzzling the warm malamute could distract Celeste from anything. Just in time for the sun to come up, she slipped into a flimsy sleep. And when daylight dripped through the curtains and onto her purple eyelids, she awoke to the most fabulous bedding of warmth and fur. Lucy's bushy tail coiled tightly around her, and her soft paw pads brushed against the demon's ankles. Blush stained any composure she maintained.

Wide awake, Lucy stroked white hair. "Good morning," she cooed.

Celeste yawned and stretched, exposing her fangs to the morning air. "Nnn...what time is it?"

"About noon."

"Noon!?" Celeste lurched up, tearing herself out of Lucy's snuggle.

Laughter exploded from Lucy's red lips. "I'm glad you slept well," she teased.

"I don't suppose you did?"

Tired eyes drifted aside. "I didn't sleep very much, but it was better than usual. Thank you, Cel." She smiled up at the demon, a gesture that warmed the room more than the sunlight.

Despite the bed's temptations, Celeste abandoned the sheets and dressed herself. She borrowed her girlfriend's brush and sorted out her wild hair. Stray thoughts simmered to the surface once again; with Lucy rested, Nova's lies became the focal point of Celeste's memory. How that fox would pay for her deceit. She must've thought Celeste was truly a fool, and that fed fresh anger. The rage twisted into schemes and sadistic thoughts, each one enticing the demon differently. So difficult to choose how she'd confront Nova.

"Lucy, I was thinking..." Celeste started as she put on her cloak. "I don't quite like the way that Nova treated you."

A snort was Lucy's reply. "Not the first time it's happened."

"I noticed. And I would love to hear about it but not before I give her a piece of my mind..."

"Oh man," chuckled the malamute. Her ears stood and her eyes shined. She pawed up to the demon. "I'm so going with you."

Celeste took Lucy's hands. She rubbed her knuckles with her thumbs - such a soft, delicate dog. "Actually, I want you to stay here," whispered the Mystearlian. "I would hate for her to be mean to you again."

The two shared a brief back-and-forth until Lucy caved. "Fine...but only because it's cute how protective you are," she hummed.

With lidded eyes, the demon pulled Lucy close. Grip firm and eyes full of lust, she pressed her black lips onto the insomniac's. An excited squeal tried to escape her, but her mouth was held shut by the kiss. She melted, leaning into Celeste. In every shaky motion, she delighted. In each shuddered breath, she relished. With great composure, Celeste let their lips part. "Oh my, you look so dizzy...all from a kiss?" She teased.

"Shut up...you know you're gorgeous," Lucy argued, her face redder than her hair.

Celeste tossed a lock of white hair. "I know," she said. "I'll be back later. Please take it easy."