The Broken Halo

Chapter 1073 - 1072: Beneath The Black Moon

By the time they turned toward the Varn residence, Simon had seen the floating flower gardens, the upper terrace, and enough lanterns to light a small kingdom.

The gardens had been worth visiting.

Round beds of flowers drifted above a canal, their trailing roots brushing the water. Neris had proudly explained how the flowers changed colour when touched.

Seraya waited until Simon reached toward one.

”That variety releases pollen.”

Neris caught his wrist.

”Not that one.”

Simon looked between them.

”Which one then?”

Neris pointed at a flower and Simon picked it.

Afterward, Neris hurried them toward the lantern walk.

There, she bought a small paper dragon that followed the movements of her fingers. She sent it circling above Simon before attempting to make it bow.

It bowed into a fountain.

Seraya retrieved it with a serving tray borrowed from a nearby stall.

”You could have warned me that the formation was weak,” Neris complained.

”You said you knew how it worked.”

”I did.”

”Obviously you didn’t.”

Simon had laughed enough that several passing merchants turned to look.

Now, climbing toward the residence, he listened as the sisters continued arguing over whose fault it had been.

”I’m telling you, that dragon wasn’t working properly,” Neris insisted.

”It was working perfectly until you tried to make it land,” Seraya replied.

”I was aiming for the railing, not the fountain.”

”Then why did you point it toward the water?”

”I didn’t!”

Neris turned toward Simon.

”You were watching. Tell her.”

Simon hesitated.

”Well... I did see it fly past the railing.”

Seraya burst into laughter.

Neris stared at him.

”Blackmoon! You’re supposed to be on my side!”

A small thump interrupted them.

Simon’s shoulder struck someone emerging from beneath an arch.

”Ah!”

The demon stumbled backward. A wooden box tipped out of his arms, sending round red fruits spilling across the path.

Simon acted before they touched the paving.

His Seed of Pride stirred.

The fruits stopped in midair.

The box hung sideways above the ground, while the demon landed on his backside with a startled grunt.

Several passersby halted.

Simon turned the box upright. The fruits rose and drifted back into it, settling neatly before he brought it toward its owner.

”My apologies. I wasn’t looking.”

The demon stared at the floating box.

He wore a plain black robe, its unused hood resting against his shoulders. His skin was black, his face ordinary, and a small silver ring pierced one side of his nose.

For a moment, he seemed unable to decide whether to look at Simon or the fruit.

Then he scrambled upright and caught the box.

”No, honored guest. Forgive me. I should have made way for the young ladies and their companion.”

He bowed so quickly that the fruits nearly rolled out again.

Simon watched him with an unreadable expression.

”It’s alright.”

He waved a hand.

The demon bowed once more, moved to the edge of the path, and hurried away with his box pressed against his chest.

Simon followed him with his eyes for another moment.

”How foolish,” Neris said. ”He could see us coming. He should have waited instead of walking into our path.”

”There was enough room beneath the arch,” Seraya agreed.

Simon shook his head.

”It doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”

Neris caught up beside him.

”Anyway, about the lantern-”

”Please don’t make me judge that.”

Seraya laughed again.

——

Simon closed his door and dropped onto the bed.

For several breaths, he simply lay there.

He had enjoyed himself.

Truly.

But trying to listen to both sisters, answer both sisters, and avoid offending either sister had exhausted him in a way he hadn’t anticipated.

A battle at least allowed him to focus on one problem at a time.

He exhaled and covered his eyes with his forearm.

’Perhaps I should have accepted the duel.’

No.

He didn’t regret the outing.

After a while, he rose and crossed to the window.

Night had settled over Vhal-Sar.

The black moon hung above the island, while amber lamps traced the streets below. Lit windows climbed the terraces. Boats moved slowly along the canals, carrying small pools of light across the dark water.

Farther away, the harbor was still busy. Figures crossed the decks of moored ships, and the golden curve of The Wall rose beyond them.

”It truly is beautiful.”

He rested his hands on the sill.

From here, he could almost forget what waited beyond that barrier.

Almost.

Simon stepped back and stretched. A few quiet cracks came from his shoulders as he rolled them.

”One good day doesn’t mean I can neglect everything else.”

The mission remained. So did the strength he still needed and the things he intended to achieve.

He looked toward the city again.

”And where have you gone, Lilith?”

He hadn’t sensed her during their walk, despite passing through several parts of Vhal-Sar.

Had she really found the Soulmending Spring?

Or had something else caught her attention?

Simon reached for their connection.

It remained intact.

Whatever she was doing, she was alive.

”At least there’s that.”

That was all that mattered.

He shook his head and returned to the bed.

Just as he was about to sit cross-legged, someone knocked.

Simon frowned.

Then he recognized the presence outside.

Seraya?

He considered the door for a moment.

”Come in.”

It opened slowly.

Seraya stood in the doorway, one hand still on the handle.

She didn’t step inside.

Her eyes met his, then dropped to the floor, then rose again. A faint flush darkened her ash-grey cheeks.

Simon stared at her.

For someone who could command a force of armed demons without hesitation, she seemed remarkably uncertain about where to put her hands.

The composed woman who had argued over garden routes and paid for his wardrobe without blinking was gone.

She wore a nightgown of sheer black silk, so thin the lamplight passed straight through it. Thin straps rested on her shoulders. The neckline plunged low, and the fabric clung to the full curve of her breasts before falling loosely past her waist. A slit climbed one side almost to her hip, baring a long, smooth thigh.

Her silver hair was loose, spilling over her shoulders.

She might as well have been wearing nothing at all.

Simon’s gaze travelled slowly from her bare feet to her face.

He couldn’t deny it.

Fire was spreading through his body.

Throughout this second life, he had never touched a woman. And every evolution, every surge of power, had only sharpened his hunger. He had restrained it with iron will.

Now that restraint was being tested.

He looked at her for a few more seconds.

”Why are you here, Seraya?”

His voice came out lower than he intended.

Her lips parted.

Nothing came out.

Her fingers tightened around the handle as her gaze slid away from his.

Simon’s Seed of Pride stirred.

An invisible force wrapped around her waist.

”Ah-!”

Her feet left the floor. The door swung shut behind her as she drifted across the room, silk fluttering around her legs, until she hung mere centimetres before him.

Close enough to feel her breath.

Close enough to see her pulse racing at her throat.

Simon looked down at her. He didn’t hide the desire burning in his eyes, and he didn’t try to.

”Do you want to fuck?”

Seraya froze.

Silence stretched between them.

She stared into his eyes, at the sharp lines of his face, at the four horns crowning his white hair. Heat pooled low in her belly, and she pressed her thighs together as a shiver ran through her.

Her lips trembled.

Then she nodded.

”Mm...”

The sound was barely a whisper, muffled and helpless.

Simon released his hold.

Before her feet fully touched the floor, his hand was at the back of her neck, and his lips claimed hers.