by C C Morgen
I let my body continue to feed on her until it stopped. My pores closed, and my skin shifted back to normal; and my eyes became hazel once again. I gazed the whole time at Amphis looking at me in the mirror, her arms still embracing me.
“Feel better?” she asked.
The high still clouded my mind. “Yes…,” I gasped for air. “I should ask you that.”
“I’m all right,” she let go of me and sat on the bed. “I’m sorry I worried you the whole time. But you needed to feed longer,” she sighed. “Oh, the ninth heavens… You’re a Succubus, my love!”
“Is that what I am?” I asked in confusion.
“By how surprised you are… I’m just as surprised,” she retorted. “Yes, by what happened? I believe you have awakened into a mature Succubus.”
“I’m sorry,” I looked at her in tears.
She grabbed me by the arm and yanked me to my knees. Then she took my arms and wrapped it around her waist and hugged me.
“I was more worried about you than me,” she admitted. “I heard if a Succubus doesn’t continue to feed through the mature phase they die. That’s why I wanted you to continue feeding on me until it satisfied you. I was so worried that you were holding back. I thought you would die right here if I didn’t let you. Don’t hold back anymore, ok.” She shed tears. “You will not live without feeding on the life-force of another. That’s the curse of a Succubus. They have to feed off others to survive for the rest of their life. If you refuse, you will die.”
I exhaled. “Are you ok with me being like this?” I asked in sadness. “Can you accept this? I’m half Demon. And I knew since this morning about what I am. I didn’t know it would be like this. A monster.”
“You’re not a monster,” she sighed. “For the sake of the ninth heavens, you are so beautiful. Even through the change you looked gorgeous. I couldn’t believe I witnessed something as amazing as that. Your true form is mesmerizing. It’s no wonder I’m so in love with you. Never think you are a monster, ok? I’ll accept you as you are until I’m gone from this world.”
I rested back to look at her. “I love you, too.” A lustful grin formed on my lips.
Amphis giggled. “What’s with the look?”
“You taste so good,” I reacted with a face of hunger. “You are more intoxicating than the wine.”
She kissed my lips. “We have all night, Solitary One.” She guided me beside her with ease. “Happy birthday.” Her hand stroked my cheek while our lips kissed passionately through the night. Our hearts were sealed as we made love with every kiss and touch that reached deep into our souls like a heavenly dream of bliss and happiness; and forever being loved by my Ocean Princess.
CHAPTER XIV
Betrayal is Bittersweet
THE NIGHT FELT LIKE AN ETERNITY in the company of my love for Amphis. We made love until dawn where our bodies laid drained in bed, and I watched her eyes close as she fell into a deep sleep. The sun crept above the ocean’s horizon and the faint light caught my eye as I gazed upon it, still feeling the energy of Amphis’ life force surging in my veins. My heart eased with the warmth on my face and the breeze of the ocean freshened the air with a scent of salt. The sound of the waves, crashing below was like a lullaby to my ears, sending me into a blissful sleep.
While in my dreams I could feel Amphis’ soft angelic touch on my face and I could hear her sweet words whisper something in my ear, but I was too exhausted to wake up from my sleep. Something relaxed my body in my dreams as I gazed upon myself sitting on my mother’s throne in the darkness. Two large hounds sat on each side of me with fiery red eyes. Amphis was in all black sitting between my legs on the floor and her head laid back against me. The shadows of our aura radiated black around us and the hounds howled. Amphis is our queen.
Suddenly I awoke from my dream still hearing the howls echo in my mind. I reached out and searched for Amphis, but her side of the bed was empty. My body appeared normal again and back to its usual self, which meant the euphoria from last night's feed had worn off.
Yuna strolled into my chambers with a grin on her face. “Good morning, milady.”
“Ummm... Good morning.” I stretched in the bed and sat up. “How was the rest of the party last night?”
“When you left nothing much happened,” Yuna answered. “Your cousins were intoxicated and flirting with the guests most of the night. I’m sure they took them to camp this morning.”
“What about you Yuna,” I asked. “Any companion for the night?”
She had a playful smirk. “No one really,” she replied.
“I saw my cousin catching glimpses of you all bashful like she couldn’t find the courage to just ask you for a dance,” I stated sarcastically.
“Calipee…. Humm.” She paused while checking on my wound, which had healed more since yesterday and the black veins disappeared slightly. “I actually found her rather adorable for my taste.”
“What is your taste?” I asked.
“The bashful ones.” She had a large grin that made me think something happen between them after I left for the night.
“Something happened between you two, didn’t it?” She remained silent to my question. “Oh, come on. Do share stories of my bashful cousin!” She turned her back towards me.
Then suddenly, a faint smell rose into my nostrils. It was distracting, but why haven’t I noticed the smell before when it came from Yuna’s silver locket? I sniffed her neck making her react with unease. “What’s that smell?” I asked her as my face went close to the locket until my nose touched the silver surface. “It’s coming from here. It’s revolting!”
Yuna pushed my face away. “Milady, please!”
“Take it off!” I ordered, being annoyed by the smell. Yuna stood still in fear as I unhooked the chain and took it from her neck. “What is this?” I asked wondering what the smell was. “Why have you been wearing this all this time?” I throw the locket out the balcony window. It only took a minute for my pheromones to entice her. She leaned in close and laid her lips on my neck and grazed her nose against my skin. I grabbed onto her shoulders and slipped her away from me. “Yuna.” I called out to her, but I could tell she was in a daze. “Yuna, I need you to snap out of it!” I snapped my fingers in her ear and she jolted from the loud, startling noise.
“I’m sorry, milady.” She broke from the trance and finally controlled her urges. “It’s hard to control myself. Your smell… it’s too alluring… It’s so hard to resist.” She grasped me by the back of the neck and pulled me close to her where she leaned her forehead against mine. I’ve never realized how strong she was physically until I couldn’t move her away anymore.
“I need you to snap out-of-it.” I could sense the sexual tension that rose inside her. She smelled succulent as my hunger grew again. “Yuna… You need to stop, or I might…”
My mother walked into the room with ease even though Yuna had her hands wrapped around my waist. “Mother!” I blurted out hoping she would stop, which she did, and I could push her body away.
“Yuna dear,” my mother had a strong tone while giving her a sinister glare. “You need to learn to control yourself around my daughter.” She dropped her eyes and bowed her head before my mother. “Go. I need to speak with my daughter in private.” She left the bedroom, and I was alone with my mother.
“Thank you,” I replied with gratefulness and laying back on the bed. “Thank the ninth heavens.”
“You really need to control yourself, my child.” My mother expressed sarcasm with a crooked smile. “You are making everyone who’s not immune to succubus pheromones go into a state of lust in this castle. The servants are having a rough time keeping their composure.”
“Sorry mother,” I felt ashamed. “I didn’t know I was that type of Demon.”
“Well my dear, after last night, I’m sure you now know. And congratulations on maturing into a Succubus.”
“I don’t feel that’s something to congratulate me about,” I stated. “Poo
r Yuna. All this time she has been fighting the urge.”
“Oh child, she has been fighting nothing. I had her see Amphitrite about making her that locket with herbs to repel your pheromones. Wood Elves are enticed by certain smells as you have witnessed, it compelled her. A Succubus is hard to resist you know. It’s fortunate that Luna and Amphis are more resilient to such pheromones. Water beings are not affected by such smells and suggestion like others. And it doesn't affect Hell Hounds like Luna. They are immune to all. You, my dear child is not immune to your hunger for sexual energy. I could sense that if I didn’t arrive when I did, you would have given in to your cravings and feed.”
“I almost gave in to my hunger, but I didn’t!” I declared. “I don’t want to touch anyone else.”
My mother expressed a devious laugh “Oh my dear, if only you understood. A Succubus could never just have one partner. They physically can’t, because of the hunger and the sex. They cannot devote themselves to just one mate no matter how hard they try to remain faithful to their partners. Love is a tricky thing to keep if you always desire to drain the life of another, maybe even enjoy the hunt too much to keep yourself fed and alive. The ecstasy is hard to resist.”
“I understand what you are telling me mother, but I will resist,” My tone became heavy with anger. “For her it’s worth the restraint.” Hearing how my mother talked about what I am made me feel negatively towards myself. I was being eaten away by shame for being such a dark creature. I didn’t like myself after listening to her caustic words since I now understood the feeling of being swept away by temptation. This Demon I am, has been something hard to accept because I loved Amphis and I wanted to at least try not to succumb to my will to hunt. “I love her mother.”
“I know you do my dear,” she answered. “She is truly fortunate to have your love. But should you put so much faith in someone that hasn’t been entirely honest with you?”
“What do you mean by that mother?” My tone became serious and something heavy fell on my heart when she mentioned honesty.
“My dear daughter, I would love you if I could,” her tone became dry and without care. “That’s why it doesn’t hurt me at all to say this. Amphitrite came to this island long ago, trying to escape someone. Not just anyone. She ran to the far edges of the sea desperate to get away from a God. A God who took an interest in her. Wanted her to be his bride. Of all the women he lied in bed with he wanted her. Of course, she didn’t want to marry him. She didn’t love him, but this God was very relentless. She wasn’t safe anywhere without him finding her. Then she found sanctuary here since my reign allows no outsider to touch the women on this island. No God has rule over my territory, not without facing my wrath. Well, this so-called God has been at bay for a long time, waiting patiently for her to accept his proposal… She has accepted him.”
“What?” My mind went blank with only her image in my thoughts. “What are you talking about?”
“My child… She has left the island,” my mother replied with no sign it was a lie.
“That’s not possible,” I patted the side of the bed where she slept. “She was just here with me. How is that possible?” My voice became shaky with anger. “Who’s the God that proposed to her?”
“Poseidon, my dear. She’s marrying Poseidon.”
I felt the veins on my wound throb, and I breathed heavy in pain as my heart ached with fear of it being true. I rushed out of bed to the door. However, Luna stopped me.
“You shouldn’t go,” Luna stated. “It will just cause you more pain.”
I shoved her aside and found my clothes on the steps from the night. I rushed to get dressed as I found each article of clothing while making my way down the tower and into the hallway. My brisk pace became a frantic run as I jumped the staircase and ran down the main hall to the outside staircase.
My heart raced, and my legs kept running and running, trying to reach the cove as fast as I could. “AMPHIS!” I yelled out her name while approaching her hut, but it was quiet and empty. She was gone.
The wind blew inside the hut and my heart sank. I dropped to my knees in the sand and sat by the water. I tried to understand last night and the love she had confessed so many times. How could she leave without a word? What did I do wrong?
Time didn’t seem to matter when I sat, pondering on the beach, still feeling Amphis’ link nearby. I detected it as the sun set over the horizon. This link was a curse, because I could feel her being penetrated by Poseidon as they consummated their marriage, which rendered me powerless to my rage. The darkness rages inside me with every thrust she tolerated. I stood from where I sat and couldn’t take the feeling anymore.
In my mind, I could imagine Amphis going with Poseidon and leaving me behind. The very God she escaped from, she chooses after all this time to be his wife. The anger raged through my heart like a sickness that spread throughout my body. She told me she loved me. How dare she speak those words to me? How dare she even touch me? We made love last night of all nights; she told me how much she loved me, now she's gone and it’s as if she had never existed.
The rage made my wound throb, and the veins turned black as night, spreading throughout my body. I ran with hate in my heart back to the secluded beach of my mother’s castle where she had awaited my return with Luna.
“I told you so,” Luna exclaimed with eyes of sorrow. “You shouldn’t have gone.”
“You were right, she is gone.”
“I’m sorry she used you for the time being,” my mother responded. “I knew she would accept his proposal, eventually. It would mean a high status for her and that’s what her family wanted for her in the first place.”
“Power… status…” The rage blackens my soul and a dark aura radiated from around me. “Did she even love me like she said?” I yelled at my mother and Luna. “Was it all a lie?”
“Actions speak louder than words,” my mother answered. “She would have stayed if she genuinely loved you.”
The pain in my heart brought me to my knees and tears fell from my eyes. “I hate her.” The rage blurted the words out. “I don’t care anymore about this heart. Take it away from me,” I yelled at my mother. “I hate her so much it hurts. It hurts so much.” The black veins spread down my arms and into my hands. It was like fire throughout my body. “I don’t want to feel this pain anymore,” I had a depressed tone as my heart being swallowed up by the betrayal. “I’m tired of being betrayed. No more.” I stood back up to my feet. “No more.”
Suddenly, the light in my heart disappears into the thick darkness of my soul, and the black veins seeped into my body. An immense pain pierced my back like knives trying to cut through my skin. I screamed as loud as my voice could carry and I dropped back to my knees. The wings on my back emerged out of my skin. Thick black and red feathers sprouting, and the bones of my back shifted and broke while creating the form of my wings; expanding outward.
The pain was dreadful to handle, but the rage inside me created a desire for vengeance and hatred for everyone and everything. My love was gone, replaced only by vengeful feelings of causing her pain. Her image burned in my mind, her giving herself to Poseidon in every way infuriated me through the excruciating pain. I could see my mother’s eyes widen with astonishment when my wings formed, and I knew she could feel my hate, because I could sense her excitement. She watched as I formed a shadow bow in my hand. An arrow formed, and I tied the choker Amphis gave me as a gift to the sharp tip.
Since our link was still strong, I knew her location from afar. I closed my eyes and I could see her in the chambers of Poseidon’s kingdom across the sea through my mind’s eye. In precision to my precise view, I extend the bow string with all my strength. Wind rapidly moved around me, sending its power in the arrow. My anger flowed down into my fingertips until I released the string. The arrow glided quicker than the wind, exploding across the sea.
My eyes were still closed, seeing Amphis in the room, looking out the window with sad eyes. What is she sad abo
ut? She has no reason to feel sad. I don’t care about you anymore. I envisioned the arrow soaring past her, grazing her cheek with the blade and it plunging into the stone wall. Blood dripped down her face and I could see her approach the arrow. She found embedded into the wall the choker with the breathing gem that glowed a faint blue green, and she took it into her hand and held it close to her heart. It sickened me to see her act so remorseful. I had no empathy for her. It had all turned to strong, black hatred. Goodbye Amphis.
I opened my eyes to see my mother, smiling proudly at me.
“Amazing!” She was breath taken by my power. “You are so much stronger than I imagined.”
“You got what you wanted mother,” my attitude became cold, with no life, and the bow evaporated from my hand. “This is true power.”
“You are now invincible my child.” My mother’s grin became even wider. “They will fear you.” She nodded at Luna as if it was an order to do something.
Luna whistled loud enough for it to echo down the beach. It became quiet for a moment until I heard growling in the shadows, approaching our direction. The footsteps were heavy, and the smell of burnt hair filled the air. As the sounds came closer, in the distance I could see two enormous hounds with dark fur with singed tips as if it was burnt in the flames of Hades in the Underworld. Their eyes red like fire; their bodies had bulky masses of muscle that made them look thick. It reminded me of the dream I had of the two hounds that sat beside me. They looked like the ones in my dream. The same smell and the same power in their stance that can frighten a soul.
“This is my real gift to you,” my mother declared with pride. “Phyla and Pharah.” The hounds circled around me sniffing me and grunting. “They will obey your every command.”
