The Riddle Of Magic

Chapter 63: Acidic Desires III

✨Content Warning: Sadism / Psychological Torture / Dubious Consent 

Charlie Morningstar's body was a dismal cloud of pain when she finally struggled back to consciousness, and the scent of Nox Magia was so strong she thought for a moment she might actually have returned home.

That hope gave her the strength to finally open her eyes, but her heart dropped as soon as she saw the room was still cerulean. The azure Radio Demon sat on the sofa reading a large book, his hand tracing through the air, almost as if he was conductor leading an orchestra. Runes popped and flashed briefly, a strange burning white outlining a dark blue script.

Across the back of the couch, his shadow lounged like a panther, its glowing eyes shining the cyan Alastor's shadow's had been, once. It noticed her watching, and its umbral mouth widened in excitement as it trailed over to her.

Blue paused, noticing the movement. "Well, good... afternoon, my darling!" He smiled over at her after checking the clock. "Sleep well?"

Did she? Despite having rested for nearly a day, she didn't feel refreshed at all. "Not... really."

She thought she'd had that vague dream of walking that dark beach beside the ocean again, following after someone, but her thoughts were a jumbled haze.

The deer demon set his book on the coffee table, rising to head over beside her. "Well, you can rest if you need to." He stroked her cheek gently while his shadow hovered over her. "I'll be busy in my tower for the next little while, I'll wake you when it's time for a late lunch!"

She dimly wondered if lunch was for her or for him as he shooed the spectre off.

Blue seemed in exceptionally good spirits, chipper even, as he snapped his fingers. She recognized the Summon rune as a cerulean blanket appeared, and as the Radio Demon draped it over her Charlie realized she was naked.

She jerked to try to cover herself, which sent a shock of pain through her as she convulsed in pain. "Wha-?" the blonde demoness gasped. "Why?"

Blue's eyes glowed as his eyes roved over her. "Well, it hardly seemed appropriate to keep you in a ruin of a dress, my sweet flame."

A trophy. She was a trophy, her body on display as proof of his victory.

The blankets were still crusted with blood, but the princess laid back in a disgusted daze, still too exhausted to argue. "When... can I go home?" she asked quietly.

His expression flashed as he let out a breath, his smirk trembling slightly, as if he was fighting to keep it.

"You... promised..."

Blue's eyes were unreadable as he leaned over her, his hand drifting along her cheek before he pressed his lips against hers.

Charlie squeaked in revulsion, writhing to try to push him away, but her limbs were heavy as iron, dulled with agony, and didn't respond. The scent of Nox Magia flared as a rune flashed beside her head, though she felt herself drift before she saw which it was. It wasn't as if she was being drained this time - more as if her energy had suddenly been locked away entirely, like a candle being snuffed out.

The deer demon turned away, and everything went black.

She could hear the ocean again, and the figure ahead of her was closer than ever, long hair bound in the familiar ponytail, the strands floating close enough Charlie might have touched them if she'd wanted.

A thought of calling out to the other demoness occurred, but the princess wasn't sure what would happen if the figure turned, and she glimpsed her own face looking back at her.