Chapter 12
Cedar and Smoke
Something felt different today.
She brushed her hair carefully, weaving the dark strands into a high braid.
It fell thick between her shoulders, glistening softly in the low light.
Her onyx horns curved back elegantly, polished and smooth.
Silver eyes caught her reflection, while the faint glow of her reddish skin made her look like a living ember.
She was fit. Warrior fit. Muscle where it mattered, her posture naturally straight, composed.
There was a coldness about her. An intimidating calm that few dared approach.
She studied her bare legs in the mirror.
“I need to work on these.”
She sighed quietly.
Ever since that night in Vel’thriel… something had changed.
The chemistry she had witnessed.
The bond between Aldric and Saphie.
Her stomach tightened.
She had never felt anything like that.
But after seeing a true bond… she knew she couldn’t go back to meaningless flings.
Well… mostly.
Every now and then she indulged. But it was never deep. Never meaningful.
And it always ended the same way.
Her leaving.
Or enchanting some poor human to forget she had ever existed.
She reached for her favorite leather leggings.
Snug.
They wrapped around her legs like a second skin. She paired them with a tight leather blouse that hugged her waist and accentuated her figure. The open back revealed the smooth red glow of her skin and the base of her wings.
She stepped into matching delicate, leather boots.
Effortless.
Her red skin contrasted beautifully with the dark leather.
She sighed softly.
“Who am I even dressing for?”
There was no one here.
No one for miles.
And yet…
The oracle’s words echoed in her mind.
What you desire requires patience and work.
The wilderness of Gaar’dal is where you must be.
She stepped outside and looked around.
Dry land.
Rocky terrain.
A stretch of wilderness not far from the desert.
Many days of travel from any major demon settlement.
She looked behind her into the cavern.
The warm pool.
The only one in the vicinity.
She had found it weeks ago.
Turned the rocky cave into her lair.
A faint smirk formed.
She straightened.
Her leather-like wings shifted slightly behind her, smooth and well maintained. Her tail swayed lazily behind her, controlled and elegant.
Tall.
Poised.
Right.
“Let’s see what the wilderness has in store for me.”
Then, almost bitterly, she muttered:
“If it’s another drooling moron, I swear I’ll wear a dirty rag next time.”
She stepped out into the dusky land.
And felt it immediately.
Someone had entered her land.
She could feel it.
A presence.
Heavy.
Stubborn.
She inhaled slowly.
And then she smelled him.
Musk.
Cedar.
Something deeper.
Hardwood and iron. Like a man who had lived beside campfires and steel his whole life.
She caught another scent.
A campfire.
Resourceful.
Prepared.
She smiled.
A competent man was always a good starting point.
She tried to catch the scent again.
It made her pulse quicken.
This wasn’t some boy who had wandered too far from civilization.
No.
This was a man.
A real man.
And she…
She was getting excited with every step.
Finally she heard it.
Bushes bristling.
She unfolded her wings.
With a gentle push she lifted off the ground, gliding silently toward the sound.
Moments later—
She saw him.
Old armor pieces.
Torn.
Scratched.
A giant mace strapped across his back.
And his back.
She felt a small thrill run through her.
Muscle.
Not sculpted for show.
Thick.
Covered in scars.
A back shaped by hardship, brutal training, and years of carrying weight that most men wouldn’t survive.
She clenched her thighs slightly.
He was massive.
Definitely taller than her.
Good.
Short men were fine.
But she did prefer looking up.
Then she leaned closer, watching.
He was gathering berries.
With clumsy, bear-like hands.
Her lips curved.
Adorable.
She had made sure the blouse hugged her perfectly, shaping her breasts just right. Her braid was neat, falling elegantly over her shoulder, and the snug leather leggings accentuated the curve of her ass and thighs.
Satisfied, she took a slow breath and glided quietly to his side.
Then landed.
Nonchalant.
Poised.
Slow.
“You seem lost. First time in the Demon Wastes?”
Her voice was calm.
The man turned in a blink of an eye.
The mace was already in his hands.
Ready.
She gasped softly.
His frame was massive. Broad shoulders, thick neck, and a powerful chest. The sharp line of his jaw looked carved from stone, rough stubble only adding to the rugged perfection. His eyes, deep green, almost otherworldly, were calm, but she could feel the tension beneath them.
He was holding himself back.
Restraining something powerful.
And that…
felt exquisite.
He looked her up and down.
Green eyes met silver.
Slowly.
His jaw tightened.
“A demon.”
She straightened slightly.
Yes.
Definitely taller.
Yum.
“Well… you don’t look lost.” Her silver eyes traced him slowly. “You look like you came here by choice.”
He didn’t attack.
She tilted her head.
“Here to fight? Or just a leisure trip?”
Green eyes studied her.
Down.
Up.
Careful.
Measured.
“Well?” she pressed lightly. “Are you going to answer?”
“You’re a succubus.”
She laughed.
It was the way he said it.
Flat.
Matter-of-fact.
“I’m Lirith,” she said, tossing her braid over her shoulder.
She gave him that curious look that had unraveled many men before.
He simply stared at her.
Unchanged.
Finally—
“Ulric.” He spoke calmly. “If you try to touch me, I’ll bash your face in.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
This man…
She tilted her head, her expression softening into something innocent.
“That’s not a very polite way of talking to a girl you just met.”
He didn’t respond.
Didn’t even acknowledge her.
He simply turned—
And started walking away.
What the—
“Hey! I’m talking to you!”
She followed.
No—
Hellfire—
She had to bend his will.
She quickened her pace.
Moments later, she reached the campfire.
Ulric was crouched beside someone lying on the ground.
Dark armor.
Unmoving.
He was trying to feed him carefully.
Lirith stepped closer.
The man on the ground looked familiar.
She leaned slightly—
Her eyes widened.
“Aldric!”
Ulric turned immediately.
“You know him?”
“Yes! How did you find him? What happened?”
Ulric finished helping Aldric drink, then slowly set him back down. He stoked the fire, watching the flames for a moment.
Lirith stood still.
Perfect posture.
Back straight.
Composed.
“You’re not going to attack me,” Ulric murmured.
She slowly shook her head.
Her silver eyes never left his.
She waited.
Is he going to say it?
A moment passed.
Then he finally looked at her.
“Sit.”
She smiled.
Then she looked at Aldric.
“Battle?” she asked softly.
Ulric didn’t respond.
For a brief moment, Aldric stirred.
He pushed himself up slightly, his eyes still dazed.
They settled on her.
A faint smile crept onto his lips.
He leaned slightly toward Ulric and whispered something.
She didn’t catch it.
Ulric exhaled slowly through his nose.
He answered quietly.
Aldric chuckled faintly.
He tried to say something—
Then his body relaxed.
Sleep claimed him again.
Ulric adjusted him carefully, making sure he was resting comfortably.
Then he looked back at Lirith.
His voice calm.
Measured.
He told her everything.
The Well of Light.
The pillar.
The dragon.
The shard.
Varnir.
As he spoke, Lirith’s expression changed.
Curiosity give way to concern.
Genuine concern.
When he finished, she exhaled slowly.
Her voice was steady.
Barely.
“That’s why I can’t smell him. He barely feels like a human soul anymore.” She stood immediately. “Grab him and come with me.”
“Come where?”
“To my lair.” Her voice sharpened. “I’m going to pull that splinter out.”
She got up.
Dusted her leggings.
Then turned.
A quiet sigh came from behind her.
Followed by rustling.
She smiled to herself.
“Come. It’ss not that far.”
She looked over her shoulder.
Ulric was ready.
Aldric slung over his shoulder. The rest of the supplies strapped across his chest on a belt. The mace rested diagonally across his back, the heavy head peeking over his shoulder.
He stood there.
Massive.
Steady.
Her smile deepened slightly.
They walked.
Fast.
She didn’t look back.
But she felt him.
Heavy steps.
Even breathing.
Measured.
She tossed her braid over her shoulder and fully retracted her wings, folding them neatly against her back. The soft curve of her hips and her shoulders revealed.
Then she heard it.
A sigh behind her.
Her heart did a small somersault.
Involuntary.
Definitely not the drooling type.
She allowed her hips to sway just a little more as she walked.
Another sigh.
Okay, maybe just a little bit.
A faint smile touched her lips.
Then she forced herself to focus.
This wasn’t the time.
Oh Aldric, what did you get yourself into?
If Saphie knew…
“Once we get to my lair, just lay him on the table and let me work.”
Silence.
Then his raspy voice.
“Have you done this before?”
“No.”
A beat.
“How do you know it’ll work?”
She tilted her head slightly and looked behind her.
“Let me ask you something. Has anyone ever taught you how to breathe?”
She didn’t let him respond.
“That’s how it feels for us succubi to deal with soul tears and damage,” she continued calmly. “And don’t think I can’t feel your soul… Inquisitor.”
She felt it.
A shift behind her.
He didn’t deny it.
Didn’t step away.
Good.
They were close now.
The lair came into view, a cave-like entrance nestled between dark stone ridges.
She stepped inside, murmuring a few quiet incantations, as Ulric followed.
The air shimmered.
A stone-like door slid shut behind them with a low rumble.
She turned toward him.
“Put him down there.”
She pointed to a sturdy stone table.
Ulric carefully lowered Aldric onto the surface, adjusting his position so he lay flat.
“Just sit. And don’t distract me.”
Ulric raised an eyebrow.
Lirith turned away from him.
A small smirk briefly touched her lips.
Then it faded.
This was, after all, serious.
She stepped closer to Aldric, her expression shifting, focused now, composed, her silver eyes studying him carefully.
Aldric was hot to the touch.