The Grand Mall of the Stygian Kingdom pulsed with an otherworldly energy.
A labyrinth of towering spires and floating platforms that blended mild futuristic tech with the raw, sinister beauty of ancient magic.
Holographic billboards shimmered in the air, advertising enchanted artifacts that promised eternal youth or whispers of forgotten spells.
While demonic fairies — nearly human looking with obsidian wings and glowing eyes —flitted about like mischievous shadows, their laughter echoing like distant whispers.
The kingdom was primarily a haven for these demonic fairies, but it welcomed a big mix of other beings.
Humans mixed in Stygian culture, vampires cloaked in elegant shadows that absorbed light, and even the occasional werewolf prowling the lower levels.
The air hummed with the low buzz of anti-gravity lifts and the crackle of arcane wards, casting everything in a veil of beautiful menace —crimson vines that bloomed with thorny flowers capable of drawing blood, yet exuding a hypnotic perfume.
Nyx found himself being led through this chaotic wonder by Leyina, his hand firmly clasped in hers.
He was in his disguise, courtesy of Elysiana's potent abilities.
Earlier that morning, Leyina had called him with an insistent urgency, dragging him straight to the shadowy confines of the Ebon
Church to officially finalize his apprenticeship under Elysiana.
The ceremony had been brief but binding, a swirl of energy that sealed his status as her disciple.
To aid his new path, Elysiana had woven a subtle illusion over him: his physical appearance remained unchanged —tall, with black hair, piercing midnight blue eyes, and a lithe, athletic build —but to the world, he was now Noah,
A unassuming newcomer,
Far removed from the infamous shut in prince he truly was.
No one would recognize him as Nyx unless they pierced the lairs of magic.
Leyina, with her cascading white hair and curves that could tempt even the most stoic soul, glanced at him sideways, her amber eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Oh, My little Noah," she said, emphasizing the name with a teasing lilt,
"I still can't believe you can wield Sister Elysiana's abilities like this. It's like watching a fledgling take flight for the first time."
Nyx kept his expression neutral, though internally he fought a smirk.
Leyina had always been like this, a blend of maternal affection and seductive playfulness that kept him on his toes.
She reached out and poked his cheek gently, her nail tracing a light path.
"My little boy has grown up so much. Look at you, all disguised and mysterious."
He maintained his straight face, refusing to give in to her teasing.
The mall around them buzzed with activity: a vampire couple haggled over a vial of synthetic blood infused with starlight essence, while a human merchant demonstrated a hover-board that left trails of illusory flames.
Nyx felt the weight of his new identity settling in, a cloak that allowed him freedom he hadn't known before.
Leyina's smile widened, and she suddenly hugged his arm tightly, pressing her ample breasts against him in a way that was anything but accidental.
The softness sent a jolt through him, but he held steady.
"Well then, let's begin our date," she purred, her voice low and inviting.
"It's been so long since we went out together like this. Just you and me, no royal duties or shadowy intrigues."
Nyx glanced down at her, his violet eyes meeting her emerald ones.
"I can't stay with you the whole day, Leyina," he replied calmly.
"Aunt Cyanthia summoned me to her quarters this afternoon for a checkup. She was insistent about it."
Leyina's expression shifted in an instant.
She puffed up her cheeks like a petulant child, her glare playful yet pointed.
"It's already 1 in the noon already!" she exclaimed, her voice rising just enough to draw a few curious glances from passing demonic fairies.
She huffed dramatically, crossing her arms but not releasing his.
"Fine, but you'll have to be with me until then. No excuses, Noah."
He nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite his efforts.
"Okay," he agreed simply, allowing her to lead him deeper into the mall.
They wandered for a while, weaving through stalls selling everything from enchanted jewelry that whispered secrets to futuristic gadgets like neural implants that enhanced magical affinities.
Leyina chattered animatedly, pointing out a dress made of living shadows that shifted colors with the wearer's mood.
"What do you think, Noah? Would it suit me?" she asked, batting her eyelashes.
"It would," he replied, his voice steady.
"But you'd outshine it anyway."
She laughed, a melodic sound that cut through the mall's ambient hum.
Eventually, their path led them to the pinnacle of luxury.
The Eclipse Pavilion, a lavish restaurant perched on a floating platform overlooking the kingdom's spires.
With a wave of her hand and a flash of her family's crest, Leyina booked the entire private room for them —a opulent chamber with walls of smoked crystal that offered panoramic views, cushioned seats woven from silk spun by lunar spiders, and a table laden with dishes that glowed faintly with infused magic.
They settled side by side on a plush divan, the intimacy of the setup encouraging closeness.
Leyina leaned into him, her hand resting on his thigh as a waiter —a tall vampire with pale skin and fangs tucked neatly behind her lips —brought in platters of exotic fare:
Roasted phoenix eggs that crackled with inner fire, salads of midnight blooms that tasted like forbidden dreams, and wines distilled from the essence of captured nightmares.
As they began to eat, the flirting escalated naturally.
Leyina picked up a morsel of succulent meat, dripping with a sauce that shimmered like liquid rubies, and held it to his lips.
"Open up, Noah," she cooed, her eyes locking onto his.He obliged, taking the bite, their gazes never breaking.
"You are being too much now," he said after swallowing, his voice a low rumble.
"That's not the point," she replied, her fingers lingering near his mouth.
"Now, tell me —do you plan on joining Mooncrest Academy as Noah?"
Nyx nodded, wiping his lips with a napkin.
"Yes. I have some plans in motion there."
Leyina tilted her head, curiosity piqued.
"Plans? Oh, do share. Is it about honing your new abilities? Or something by the church?"
He chuckled softly.
"A bit of both. The academy will be a good cover for what I need to do."
She looked at him thoughtfully, then picked up another piece of food —a delicate fruit that burst with sweet, tangy juice —and fed it to him by hand.
Her touch was gentle, almost reverent.
As he chewed, she leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear.
"Has Goddess Nyxiana spoken to you?"
Nyx paused, the question catching him off guard. He tried to dodge it smoothly.
"Why would a goddess talk to me? I'm just Noah now."
But Leyina wasn't fooled.
Her eyes narrowed, and she reached out, grabbing his ear lightly but firmly, twisting it just enough to make him wince playfully.
"Oh, my Noah has become such a bad boy after his awakening," she scolded, though her tone was laced with affection.
"You shouldn't lie to me. You'll never get away with it."He rubbed his ear when she released it, feigning innocence.
"How did you know?"Leyina smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes.
"I've watched you grow up since we were kids, Of course I'd know. Every little twitch, every evasion...it's written all over you. Now, spill it."
Nyx sighed, conceding.
"Fine. Nyxiana did talk to me. She tasked me with reviving her as soon as possible."
Leyina's expression softened, a mix of concern and intrigue.
She glanced at a bit of sauce lingering near his lips from the last bite.
Before he could wipe it away, she leaned in, but it was he who acted —leaning down to lick the food clean himself, his tongue brushing his own lips in a way that made her breath hitch.
"Reviving her, huh," she murmured, her voice thoughtful.
Nyx felt a stirring within him, his body reacting to her constant proximity.
She was pressed against him now, her curves molding to his side, her hand tracing lazy circles on his arm.
His little brother began to harden, the arousal building like a slow-burning fire.
He shifted slightly, trying to maintain composure, but her scent— a mix of rose and dark spice— was intoxicating.
"It's complicated," he replied, his voice huskier than intended.
"But I'll manage."
Leyina nodded, her fingers now interlacing with his.
"You always do. But remember, you're not alone. I'm here for you, Noah."
Their conversation flowed into lighter topics, but the flirting never ceased.
She fed him more bites, each one accompanied by a whisper or a touch that sent sparks through him.
"Try this one," she said, holding up a chocolate-dipped berry infused with aphrodisiac magic.
"It's supposed to heighten senses."He took it, savoring the explosion of flavors.
"That's Dangerous choice for a date."
"Isn't that the fun part?" she teased, her leg brushing against his.As the meal progressed,
Nyx's hands found their way to her hips, pulling her closer.
The room felt warmer, the views outside blurring as their focus narrowed to each other.
Leyina giggled softly, her head resting on his shoulder.
"You know, I've missed this. Just us, no pretenses."
"Me too," he admitted, his fingers tracing the curve of her waist.But just as the tension peaked, a sharp feminine voice pierced the air like a dagger, snapping his hands away from her hips in surprise.
Nyx turned, his arousal fading into alertness.
Standing in the doorway was a girl with beautiful red hair that cascaded like flames down her back, and sparkling red eyes that gleamed with recognition and amusement.
She crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips.
"I knew it was you here, Leynie," she said, her voice dripping with familiarity.