Page 43 of A Kiss of Deception

In one corner, a spiral staircase of polished obsidian leads up to my private chambers and down to my workrooms and dungeons. The air thrums with the steady pulse of wards and protective spells, a constant reminder of the power that permeates every inch of this place.

This sanctuary is more than just a hideaway - it's an extension of myself, a physical manifestation of my power and desires. Every object, every spell, every inch of this place has been carefully curated and created by me. It's my refuge, my fortress, and my playground all in one.

I breathe in deeply, savoring the familiar scents and sensations. This is home - the only place where I can truly be myself, where I am in complete control.

"Welcome home, demon," I purr, trailing my fingers along Milkor's muscular arm. "Time for some truth."

Milkor's eyes narrow. "More revelations? Haven't you toyed with me enough?"

I laugh, the sound echoing off the stone walls. "Oh, darling. I'm just getting started."

I saunter to a plush velvet chaise and sprawl across it. With a flick of my wrist, I conjure two goblets of blood-red wine.

I swirl the wine in my goblet, watching it cling to the sides like memories that refuse to fade. "This wine, Milkor, is like my past - bitter, intoxicating, and impossible to forget. Each sip is a reminder of where I came from, of the pain that forged me."

I take a long drink, savoring the complex flavors. "But like this wine, I've aged. Grown stronger, more potent. What was once raw and harsh has become something to be savored, to be feared."

"Drink," I command. "And listen."

Milkor hesitates, then takes a long swallow.Good boy.

"I wasn't always this powerful, you know," I begin, twirling a lock of hair around my finger. "Once, I was weak. Helpless. A mere mortal at the mercy of men's desires."

His brow furrows. "You? Helpless?"

"Hard to imagine, isn't it?" I smirk. "But it's true. I was born a helpless human, in a world where women were seen as little more than flesh to be used and discarded." I take a sip of wine, savoring the bitter taste. "My body was not my own. It belonged to any man with coin to spare."

Milkor's jaw clenches as I recount my past, his silver eyes flickering with a mix of emotions - shock, anger, and something that might be empathy. His muscles tense under my touch, and I can see the slight tremor in his hands as he grips the goblet tighter.

"And how did you become... this?"

I lean back, memories flooding through me. The taste of wine turns acrid on my tongue.

"I was barely more than a child when they took me. Snatched from the streets, bundled into a carriage reeking of sweat and fear."

Milkor's eyes darken.Good. Let him feel a fraction of the rage I've carried.

"They sold me to the highest bidder. A fat merchant with wandering hands and foul breath. He was the first, but far from the last."

I drain my goblet, willing the alcohol to dull the echoes of pain.

"I became a plaything, passed from one cruel master to another. They used me, hurt me, treated me like less than nothing." My fingers clench around the empty cup. "Every night, I prayed for death. Or vengeance. Whichever came first."

Milkor shifts uncomfortably. "How did you survive?"

A bitter laugh escapes me. "I didn't have a choice. They made sure of that. But in the darkest moments, something inside me... changed."

I meet his gaze, letting him see the inferno that still burns within me.

"One night, after a particularly brutal session, something inside me... snapped. The pain, the rage, the despair—it all coalesced into a burning knot in my chest. And then, suddenly, it exploded outward."

I lean forward, my eyes blazing with the memory. "It was like a dam breaking. Power surged through me, magic that had always been there, dormant, waiting. My hands glowed with an eerie light, and I felt invincible."

As I describe discovering my powers, Milkor leans forward, his breath quickening. A bead of sweat forms on his brow, and I watch as he unconsciously licks his lips, captivated by my tale.

"What did you do?"

A savage smile curves my lips. "I slaughtered them all, Milkor. Every last one of those bastards who thought they owned me. My newfound magic tore through their flesh like it was paper."

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