Brandon stood before a full-length mirror, adjusting his appearance with practiced efficiency.
Gone were the training clothes. Now he wore formal attire, black shirt with silver embroidery along the collar and cuffs, dark pants that managed to look both elegant and functional, a vest of deep crimson that complented his eyes.
Everything fit perfectly, tailored specifically for him, suggesting wealth and status.
His hands moved through his dark hair, styling it back from his face in a way that looked effortless but clearly wasn’t. The teardrop pendant remained visible against his shirt, catching light as he moved.
He examined his reflection critically. Checked that everything was properly aligned.
Aunt Lily summons, you present yourself properly. That’s the rule.
Satisfied, he turned from the mirror and strode toward the door.
The corridors outside were busy, guards moving about their duties, servants carrying supplies, guards patrolling.
All of them stepped aside as Brandon passed, bowing respectfully. So with genuine respect. Others with the kind of deference given to soone powerful by association rather than personal achievent.
He turned a corner and nearly collided...
"Brandon!" Serana’s voice was warm, surprised.
"I was just coming to find you."
She stood before him in elegant gown of deep blue, her black hair swept up in style that emphasized features still beautiful. Her crimson eyes—so like his—lit up at seeing her son.
Brandon’s entire deanor shifted. The formal bearing lted into sothing more genuine and younger.
He grinned and pulled her into a hug, pressing kiss to her cheek.
"Where’s my beautiful mother off to in such a hurry? Got a secret rendezvous I should know about? Or should I be worried about so demon suitor stealing your heart?"
Serana laughed. "Oh, stop. I’m just heading to the gardens. Lilith asked to check on the shadowbloom, apparently they’re not flowering properly and she thinks I might have suggestions."
"Shadowblooms?" Brandon pulled back, still grinning. "Mother, those things are practically indestructible. If you can’t make them bloom, they’re choosing to be difficult out of spite."
"Well, plants can be stubborn." She reached up and adjusted his collar slightly, maternal gesture, automatic. "Much like certain sons I know."
"I have no idea who you could possibly an." His expression was pure innocence. "I’m a perfect angel. Everyone says so."
"Everyone lies." But she was smiling. Her hand lingered on his shoulder. "You look very handso. Is this for Lilith’s summons?"
"How did you," He paused. "Never mind. Of course you know. Does anything happen in this palace without you hearing about it?"
"Very little." Her smile beca slightly strained. "Be careful what you agree to, Brandon. When Lilith summons formally like this, it usually ans she’s planning sothing... significant."
"I’m always careful, Mother."
"You’re never careful. You’re reckless and stubborn and too much like—" She stopped. Her smile faltered. "Just... be careful. Please."
Brandon’s expression softened. He squeezed her hand. "I will. I promise."
"Good." She patted his cheek. "Now go. Don’t keep her waiting, you know how she gets."
He kissed her forehead. "Love you, Mother."
"Love you too, sweetheart."
Then they separated, Serana heading toward the gardens, Brandon continuing toward Lilith’s chambers.
But he stopped at the corner. Pressed back against the wall. Hidden from view but able to see...
His mother’s smile dropped the mont she thought no one was watching.
Her shoulders sagged. The brightness in her crimson eyes dimd. Her hand moved to her chest, pressing there.
She stood there for long mont, alone in the corridor, looking exhausted in ways she never showed her children.
Then she straightened. Smoothed her dress. Lifted her chin. Put the mask back on.
And walked away with dignity that cost her everything to maintain.
Brandon watched from his hiding place, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. His fists were white-knuckled at his sides.
After all these years...
He drew slow breath. Exhaled. Forced his hands to unclench.
I’ll make it better. I swear.
Then he turned and walked toward Lilith’s chambers, his expression settling into sothing harder. More determined.
And when he reached there...
He didn’t knock.
Just opened the door and walked in with casual confidence of soone who’d done this a thousand tis.
"Brandon, you... eep!"
Lilith’s startled yelp was followed by scrambling sounds.
She’d been doing... sothing.
Brandon couldn’t quite tell what, but papers were scattered across her desk, and she was hastily shoving what looked like a small creature back into a drawer.
"At least knock, you idiot!" She glared at him, her white hair slightly disheveled, eyes blazing with embarrassnt.
Brandon grinned and sauntered over to her couch, an elaborate piece of furniture in deep purple velvet, and threw himself onto it with absolutely no concern for dignity.
He sprawled across the cushions, one arm behind his head, looking completely at ease.
"Didn’t want to." His grin widened. "Got a problem with that?"
Lilith’s lips twitched. Torn between amusent and irritation.
"Little brat..." She stood from her desk, her tail swishing behind her in agitated patterns. "I could throw you out of here. Have guards drag you to the dungeons. Make you regret—"
"Oh?" Brandon’s tone was pure challenge. "What will you do then, huh? Ground ? Take away dessert privileges? Send to my room?"
She smirked. Dangerous expression. "You really want to know?"
Brandon’s confidence faltered fractionally.
He flinched, suddenly finding the ceiling very interesting.
Started whistling—off-key, deliberately avoiding eye contact. He knew what that look ant.
Lilith laughed. Delighted sound that suggested she’d won this round.
"That’s what I thought." She moved closer, still grinning. "Smart boy."
"So what do you want, Aunt Lily~?" Brandon sat up slightly, abandoning his lazy sprawl for sothing approaching actual attention.
But then he launched into rapid-fire complints. "You know, you look absolutely radiant today. That dress really brings out your eyes. And your hair! It’s like spun starlight. Truly, the most beautiful demon in the entire realm. No... the most beautiful being in all realms. I’m blessed to even be in your presence. Honored. Grateful beyond—"
"I know," Lilith interrupted, waving one hand dismissively. "I don’t need you to tell what I already know."
She padded over to him and reached down, pinching both his cheeks between her fingers. "Besides, you look cute like this. Trying to butter up. How adorable~"
"Ow, stop!" Brandon’s protests were muffled by cheek-pinching.
She released him and moved to sit on her bed, a massive four-poster affair draped with silk. She crossed her legs, her expression shifting from playful to more serious.
"Now," she said, her voice losing its teasing edge. "The real reason I called you here."
Brandon rubbed his abused cheeks. "Why?"
Lilith’s crimson eyes t his directly. Held them with uncomfortable intensity.
"It’s about Malachai."
User Comments
0 comments from readers