Page 26 of Sins of the Succubus

"You're still thinking in terms of mortal morality." His chest rises and falls with every breath. "This world you live in? It's devoid of true morality."

I frown, struggling to comprehend. "What do you mean?"

Dremlor sighs, a sound that seems to echo with the weight of eons. "Look around you. The dark elves, the corrupt priests, even your own husband. They all claim to be moral, yet they exploit and abuse without hesitation. True morality doesn't exist here."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I think of all the suffering I've endured, all justified by those who claimed moral superiority. "So what am I supposed to do? Just... embrace evil?"

Dremlor shakes his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Not exactly. To find your center, to truly understand yourself and this world, you may need to engage in acts that seem immoral by conventional standards."

I pull away slightly, confusion and fear warring within me. "But won't that make me just like them?"

"No," Dremlor says firmly. "Because unlike them, you'll be aware of the complexity. You'll be navigating it consciously, seeking understanding rather than blind self-interest."

I chew my lip, considering his words. "And this... this will bring me peace?"

Dremlor nods. "In time, yes. It's about gaining perspective, seeing beyond the simplistic notions of good and evil that have been forced upon you."

A thought strikes me, and I narrow my eyes at him. "Is that what you do? Is that why you're helping me?"

To my surprise, Dremlor laughs. It's a rich, deep sound that sends shivers down my spine. "Clever girl. You're right, in a way. I'm often seen as an evil demon, but the truth is far more complex."

"What do you mean?" I ask, intrigued despite myself.

Dremlor's expression grows serious. "I seek balance, Neela. I fight for the coexistence of good and evil. Without darkness, how can light have meaning? Without struggle, how can there be growth?"

I ponder his words, feeling as though I'm standing on the edge of a vast, unknown territory. "So by helping me embrace my darker side..."

"I'm helping you find true balance," Dremlor finishes. "And in doing so, perhaps we both learn something about the nature of existence."

I nestle deeper into Dremlor's embrace, savoring the unexpected comfort I find in his arms. The raw, primal energy that once defined him has softened, replaced by a tenderness I never thought possible from a demon.

"This is... nice," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dremlor's chest rumbles with a low chuckle. "Don't get used to it. I have a reputation to maintain."

I tilt my head up, meeting his fiery gaze. "Oh? And what reputation is that?"

"Fearsome. Terrifying. The stuff of nightmares," he says, but there's a playful glint in his eyes.

"Mm, very scary," I tease, snuggling closer. "I'm absolutely petrified."

His arms tighten around me, and I feel the tension in my body begin to melt away. For the first time in years, maybe ever, I feel truly safe. It's ironic that I find this security in the embrace of a being most would run from in terror.

"Dremlor?" I ask, fighting against the wave of drowsiness washing over me.

"Yes, Neela?"

"Thank you," I whisper, my eyes growing heavy. "For everything."

He doesn't respond with words, but I feel his lips press gently against the top of my head. It's such a small gesture, but it speaks volumes.

As I drift off to sleep, I realize that I've found more than just safety in Dremlor's arms. I've found solace, a respite from the constant fear and pain that has defined my life for so long. In this moment, wrapped in the warmth of his embrace, theworld outside ceases to exist. There's only us, this room, and the promise of a future I never dared to imagine.

My last conscious thought before sleep claims me is a surprising one: I think I'm falling in love with a demon.

16

NEELA

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