Cooled Passions Chapter 43: Discovery

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Chapter 43: Discovery

The atmosphere at my breakfast table could be described, in a word, as ‘fraught’. Melina and CC glared daggers at each other while Naomi glanced worriedly between them, Kasane kept a wary eye on the two to intervene if necessary and Shiro merely ignored it all to focus on my hand that was rubbing her head. The little gremlin had demanded head pats, and I found no reason to disagree, even in times such as these.

If I ignore it, they will either sort it out themselves or escalate it to a point where I have to get involved. I trusted CC to not take anything too far and will make a note to have a chat with Melina about what caused this friction between them. Either way, it will not be solved at the table, at this very moment.

The only thing to be thankful for is that Valerie was still passed out in bed, not witnessing this in her state. Speaking of vampires though…

“Selene?” I asked, causing the attention of the table to snap to me, “What’s the problem? You haven’t dished anything up.”

“Oh.” Selene jolted in place, startled by my words before she looked around the table, realising she was the only one with an empty plate.

Suddenly a calculating look entered her eyes, “I’m still rather full, only one thing really appeals to me. Can I eat anything at this table?”

“Yes?” I answered, a questioning tone in my voice, “Why would you ask me to specif…”

My words were cut off by her pulling back her seat, hopping out of it and walking around the table, followed by everyone’s gaze as she walked up to me and straddled my lap. Ignoring the growl from the girl under my hand, Selene leaned in close and kissed my neck.

“Thank you for the meal.” Her breath tickled me, before she sank her fangs in and started to drink greedily.

“Consort?” Ranni asked, unsure, “Art thy…”

“It’s fine. I will replenish more than she can ever drink.” I answered the unasked question, bringing my spare hand up to gently rub at Selene’s head, causing the Vampire to hum into my collar.

“She could do this forever and never actually hurt me.” I finished, causing a hum of agreement to emanate from the lamprey this time.

“I see. Very well then, if thou hath no objection. Incidentally, that action thou art performing with your hands, it appears pleasant. I would ask that you perform it upon me as well, when thou art finished.” Her words caused the table to come to a stop, motionless as we all stared at her.

Did Ranni, the Dark Moon, Goddess of the Chill Night, just ask nicely for head pats? The silence was broken by CC’s laughter, Naomi giggling along with her. Kasane smiled fondly, even Melina managed to crack a small grin.

Shiro meanwhile, glared at the Goddess.

“Dangerous.” Is all she said.

---XXX---

True to my thoughts, I wanted to find Melina after breakfast to get to the bottom of what happened between her and my Queen. However, the Queen in question found me first, just as I was starting to look for the wayward Kindling Maiden.

CC grabbed my robe and started leading me towards my room, a frown gracing her features.

“May I ask what brought this on?” I asked, a wry smile on my face.

“Can I not spend some time with my lover?” She replied, tension lacing her words.

“Funny thing to call someone you refuse to admit you love.” I replied, “Besides, somehow I don’t think this is as spontaneous as you wish me to believe.”

“Stop being so observant and go with the flow for once, you infuriating man.” She snapped, “A woman is coming to you for comfort. Is this any time to interrogate her as to her reasons? Shouldn’t something else be more important, hmm?”

“You are right, of course.” I stopped, causing her to jerk to a halt as well, the sudden resistance taking her by surprise, “Who am I to deny my Queen when she is being so needy and cute?”

“I am not cute… Hey! Unhand me, you brute!” Her protestations were cut off by me grabbing her and throwing her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Silence, woman.” I spanked her lightly on the ass, causing her to playfully struggle in my grasp, “You wanted this, don’t complain about getting what you wished for.”

“Barbarian.” She sniffed, crossing her arms, which I could feel on my back, “Absolutely no class or tact. Such a philistine.”

“This ‘philistine’ is your lover, as you oh so proudly proclaimed. Besides, you love this, be honest.”

My words were repaid by a strike to my back, I could clearly see her pout in my mind as she responded, “Some things should be left unsaid, fool.”

Opening the door to my bedroom, I tossed her onto the bed, causing a delightful jiggle as she bounced on the mattress.

“Oh, my dear Cecelia, trust me.” I stalked towards her, causing her to prop herself up on her elbows and watch my advance with anticipation, “I won’t be saying anything else for a while.”

---XXX---

“Thou seem distracted.” Ranni’s voice was free from judgement, but I felt it nonetheless, “Is the reasoning that blemish upon thy neck?”

“No.” I opened my eyes, looking towards the Goddess from where I was sitting cross-legged within my Manor’s garden.

Ranni had asked me to join her to attempt to strengthen my soul. Apparently, the first step was meditation, attempting to reach towards my inner self or something like that. However, clearing my mind was easier said than done. Despite spending some time, I had come no closer to feeling anything like the source of inner energy she had mentioned, aside from my own Demonic Power.

“Then what ails you, Consort?” She asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

“I am worried about Melina. CC and her seem to have an issue, and I wanted to speak to her about it.” I spoke, causing her to nod in reply.

“Indeed. Their strife would cause some disruption to thy house. But that is not all, is it not?” She pressed, causing me to sigh.

“Tomorrow I’m meeting with Runeas Gremory. I have no idea what to expect.” I finally revealed, deciding that talking through the issue might help.

“I see. This ‘Gremory’ is a powerful being?”

“That’s not the issue. It’s the form her power takes is the issue.” Seeing her interest, I decided to elaborate, “Devils from the Pillar houses each have a unique power that they can use. My own is the power of Binding, being able to lock concepts and people. It can even affect the physical world as well.”

“It is this power that makes you weary? Surely you can combat its effect in some way?” She asked.

“For most of them, yes. But the Gremory are special. I’m not sure I could counter it, depending on how she uses the effects. You see, their power grants them control over Luck.” Ranni’s eyes widened as I continued, “Probability manipulation is always difficult to deal with. If she used the effect on me, I could likely resist it, but if she can use it on herself… Thing’s will just go right for her, no matter what I attempt.”

“A truly vexing issue.” Ranni agreed, humming as she considered the problem, “Would you wish me to be present? I should be able to mitigate the effect should it be that pronounced.”

“That would be helpful.” I smiled, before sighing, “It would be a lot easier if I just knew what her goal was. It’s the unknowns that are bothering me.”

“I understand.” Ranni commiserated, before she went to her knees in front of me, arms coming up to rest upon my cheeks, “It is unlikely that thou wilt be successful on thy own with this issue clouding your thoughts. With your permission, wouldst thou acquiesce to allowing me to attempt to guide thee?”

I grinned, “Why would I refuse?”

Her eyes stared into my own, “Most would baulk at allowing any to touch their souls. The damage that could be done…”

“I trust you.” I said, simply.

“Thou art foolish, to place so much faith in one such as me.” She whispered, before closing her eyes, “Allow me to be thy light, my knight. Follow me.”

I closed my own, before feeling what she was talking about. A thin, wispy feeling, like a coil of mist, beckoned me within my being. Following it, I was drawn ‘deeper’, for lack of a better word, far into my very own being. Soon, I was beholding a vast, white orb, light shining off it and blazing like a sun, giving a feeling of intense foreboding.

However, despite the danger and violence that I could feel, I was perfectly comfortable. Content, as if this was intimately familiar with me. In a way, I suppose it was.

“Thou art beautiful. I would expect nothing less.” Ranni’s voice whispered, appearing in my mind, rather than my ears, “Perhaps it is not your fault thou were unsuccessful. I do not need to say more, do I? The sight alone fills me with immense displeasure.”

Rather than tone, the contempt and fury she was feeling was conveyed to me directly. Of course, I was mirroring those feelings myself. Mine for more personal reasons than her. I could see why she, believing as she does in being the master of your own fate and having the freedom to act, would be incensed at the sight.

I was filled with wrath, because of the structure that was erected around my soul. Thick bars, like the cage for a dangerous animal, encased it from all sides. The cage was not containing it, or seeming to press down upon it, rather it just seemed to surround it fully.

More than fury however, I was also filled with dread, a single burning question filling my mind.

‘Who the fuck put a seal on my soul?!’