Stacia and Kitten stood on either side of Alburet, supporting him as they guided him to the chair. Alburet blinked, trying to adjust to the changes in his vision. Colors were far more vivid, and there seemed to be more of them. Everything was much more sharply defined, which did odd things to his depth perception. He looked up to watch Mother directing a small group of Succubi arranging the carts they brought in, along with some large covered thing.
The Succubi that followed Mother’s directions were the most refined and sensual creatures Alburet had ever seen. He could see the differences between Stacia’s demon form and their forms, though most of the refinements were subtle. Their wings were the most pronounced difference, being much larger than Stacia’s. Alburet saw one Succubus using her tail as a third hand, which Stacia was not able to do. But most telling was the way they moved. Dancers all over the world would have killed to be half as graceful.
“My daughters and granddaughters. These are the Succubus Ladies, equal in rank to the Destroyer Lords and Imp Lords.” Mother told him. “Alburet, would you like to view your new form before or after you have refreshed yourself?”
“Mirror, then food please, Mother.”
“Ladies,” Mother gestured and two Succubi moved forward before they pulled the cloth off what proved to be a large mirror in a standing frame.
Alburet blinked at his reflection. His face, hair and eyes were still the same. His skin now had a pronounced ruddy tinge to it and two small horns were on his brow, just visible through his hair. Baring his teeth, he found his maxillary canines had lengthened noticeably, but not to the extent of the Dark Lord’s fangs.
He stood up, still feeling rather wobbly, and pulled his chest armor and shirt off. The skin on his torso was a blackish hue that reddened as it went towards his extremities. He thought he might also be an inch or two taller. “Huh. So an imitation of the Dark Lord, then?”
“You’re the first to resemble him so closely after taking the Half-blood elixir.” Mother motioned and the curtain was put back over the mirror. “You should sit, please, and we’ll set out food for you.” She motioned again and the other Succubi moved their carts in closer, removing covers from plates and bowls.
Alburet sat down and with Stacia’s help got his shirt and armor back on. “Where are Tiny and Bob?”
“We are here, master,” Tiny rumbled from behind the Succubi.
“Did you help hold me down?”
“Yes, and you kicked me clean off of you,” Bob replied as he darted forward. “I mean, yeah, it wasn’t your fault and no hard feelings, but you threw me right into the wall!”
“Did you manage to hang on for eight seconds first?” Alburet asked, his lips quirking up.
“I had you for a good ten,” Bob said, looking puzzled.
“Then you get a prize,” Alburet chuckled as the Succubi finished setting up.
“I will arrange for that,” Mother said. She nodded to the two Succubi closest to Bob. “Ladies, this Imp has earned my favor along with his master’s. Treat him well, and attend his every need until his master calls for him again.”
“Oh, Mother, thank you! Thank you. I’m not worthy...” Bob kowtowed, not quite daring to kiss her hooves in his gratitude, “Thank you.”
“Bob,” Alburet said to get his attention. When Bob looked his way, Alburet smiled, “You’re done helping me for today. Go enjoy yourself, I’ll call on you again tomorrow.”
Bob sprang to his feet, feet dancing a mad jig and his wings fluttering almost quickly enough to lift him off the floor. He took the hands of the Succubi smiling down at him from either side, grinning up at them. “Two succubi, one bed. I mentioned that once, right?” With a cackle, he skipped out of the room flanked by the Succubi. Alburet was reminded of a small terrier tugging eagerly at its leash as Bob and the two Succubi Ladies left the room.
Alburet couldn’t help chuckling as he watched Bob go, “Tiny?”
“Yes, master,” Tiny rumbled.
“Go see to your wives, enjoy the rest of your day.”
“As the master wishes,” Bowing, Tiny walked out of the room.
“He has gained status as your Destroyer,” Mother told Alburet. “Soon, he will have more ladies vying to join his family.”
“I wish him luck, then,” Alburet said, eyeing the food displayed before him. “Will you be joining us for the repast, Mother?”
“Alas, other duties require my attention. My daughters here will be more than happy to stay with you and entertain you as you desire.”
Alburet shook his head, “I’m a one wife kind of guy.”
“You need not marry them,” Mother laughed. “Even the Dark Lord has no true wife. So, feel free to sample anything they offer you. I think you do not fully understand the privileges that accompany rank here. And you have considerable rank.”
“He be nay interested in others, Mother. I have told him it be fine, but he insists on his way for now.” Stacia said softly as she gently stroked Alburet’s neck. “He be silly, but I be lovin’ him all the same.”
“You know I’m right here, right?” Alburet replied. “I wish you a good day, Mother.”
With a small bow of her head, Mother swayed from the room. The other Succubi finished arranging the carts, ensuring the refreshments were all within easy reach of Alburet.
“May we speak with your wife while you eat, Alburet?” One of the succubi asked, her voice soft.
“She can speak to whomever she wishes,” Alburet replied absently, putting a sandwich together, which he then handed to Stacia. “I do not curtail her words, nor will I.”
“Let us step away from me master while he eats, Ladies,” Stacia accepted the sandwich and a kiss, then led the group away from him.
Alburet watched her go and his lips twisted just slightly. He knew what the conversation was going to be about. He wondered for a moment if maybe he should give in to what Stacia obviously wanted. No single man would turn down the bevvy of flesh that he could sample here.
As he chewed, his mind wandered back to his father. He’d been a god-fearing man who held to the sanctity of marriage. Alburet’s eyes grew moist at the memories and he wished his father was here. Just one day with his father, to discuss life and show his father that he’d found a woman who loved him, even if she was a demon.
“Would you approve, dad? Or would you curse me for loving a demon?” Alburet barely whispered between bites. “Would mom finally be happy that I found someone? Or would she hate the fact there would still be no grandkids?”
He was still lost in his thoughts when Stacia touched him gently. “Master, be ya done?”
Shaking his head to clear it, he looked up to find them alone and the carts gone. “Sorry, I got to wondering if my parents would be as accepting of you as your family was of me.”
“They love ya, master,” Stacia told him. “I be sure they would have been happy tha’ ya found love.”
“Of course,” Alburet said, getting to his feet. “How was the talk?”
“They all be askin’ to be considered to join us. They could nay grasp ya stance on marriage, but they be demons so they will wait patiently for me to give them an answer.”
“You could have just told them no,” Alburet told her.
“Iffin I did tha’ and ya changed ya mind later, I would nay have a ready pool to pick from. What was the line Gerald said the other day? ‘Always be prepared’?”
Chuckling, Alburet pulled Stacia into a hug, “Yes he did. But let’s head home. I think I should sleep.”
“As ya wish,” Stacia murmured into his ear.
“I love you too, my little fire kitten.”
Together they drew out their Homestones and used them, reappearing before their home and guildhall. Alburet was vaguely aware of Stacia in both her human and demon forms leading him inside, to the bedroom, and putting him to bed. He was briefly aware of two naked bodies against him as darkness claimed him again.