Page 44 of A Heart Disguised 1

Finally securing the necklace, Darius allowed his hands to rest on Robin’s shoulders, reluctant to break contact. The narrow alleyway seemed to shrink around them, the rest of the world fading away as tension crackled in the air between them.

“Thank you,” Robin whispered, his cheeks flushing a delicate pink under Darius’ intense gaze.

Darius took Robin’s delicate hand in his, savoring the warmth that radiated from the boy’s skin. With a gentle tug, heguided Robin down the alleyway, past the bustling noise of the market, and into an even smaller passage between two shops. It was a secluded spot, hidden from prying eyes, where the world seemed to hold its breath.

Turning to face Robin, Darius found himself captivated by the young man’s beauty. The soft light that filtered through the narrow opening above illuminated Robin’s face, casting a gentle glow on his features. His bright-green eyes, wide and questioning, reflected a world of emotions that mirrored the tumultuous feelings within Darius himself.

With a tenderness that surprised him, Darius pulled Robin into his arms. As he did so, he felt Robin’s sharp intake of breath, a soft gasp that betrayed both surprise and anticipation. The boy felt impossibly small and delicate against him, a precious treasure that Darius was eager to explore. Robin’s body was soft in all the right places, yielding to the firm embrace of the demon lord, yet Darius could feel the slight tremor running through Robin’s frame, a silent echo of his nervousness.

Darius noticed Robin’s hands fluttering uncertainly before tentatively settling on his chest, the touch featherlight and hesitant. The delicate softness of Robin’s form was a world apart from the hard, muscular bodies that Darius was accustomed to, and he found himself enchanted by the novelty of it.

As Darius lowered his head, he saw Robin’s eyes widen, pupils dilating with a mix of fear and desire. Robin’s lips parted slightly, quivering with anticipation. When Darius finally captured those trembling lips in a kiss that was both sweet and passionate, he felt Robin’s initial hesitation melt away.

There was an eagerness in the way Robin responded, a hunger that matched his own. Robin’s lips were soft and pliant, parting willingly under the insistent pressure of Darius’ tongue. Darius could feel the rapid beat of Robin’s heart, a staccato rhythm that echoed his own mounting desire. The taste of himwas intoxicating, a heady mix of innocence and a burgeoning desire that left Darius yearning for more.

Despite Robin’s lack of experience, he worked hard to match Darius’ fervor. There was an endearing awkwardness in the way he moved, a tentativeness that was quickly replaced by a boldness that made Darius’ blood run hot. The boy was a quick study, his natural instincts guiding him as they explored the depths of each other’s mouths.

The alleyway around them might as well have been leagues away from civilization, for all Darius cared. It was their own private world, a pocket dimension where only their shared breath and the intertwining of tongues existed.

When Darius finally pulled back, Robin stood before him, utterly dazed and breathless. His cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue, and his lips were swollen from the intensity of their kiss. To Darius, Robin was the epitome of beauty and enchantment, a vision that made his pulse race and his loins ache with need.

The thought of claiming Robin, of driving him to the heights of ecstasy until he reached the peak of his pleasure, was intoxicating. Darius imagined the sounds that Robin would make, the way his body would arch and writhe beneath him, the look of pure bliss that would grace his face when he surrendered completely to Darius’ touch.

Robin blinked slowly, shaking his head as if to clear the fog of desire that enveloped him. A mischievous glint sparkled in his eye as he caught his breath. “Well,” he said with feigned nonchalance that belied his disheveled state, “I suppose this means I owe you another coin for the fountain. That was certainly a wish come true.”

Darius threw his head back and laughed, the rich sound echoing off the stone walls that surrounded them. Robin’s witwas just as appealing as his beauty, a delightful combination that Darius found irresistible.

“Indeed? I do hope you took copious mental notes,” Darius teased, his fingers ghosting over Robin’s abused lips.

Robin nodded solemnly, though the corners of his mouth betrayed his mirth. “Oh yes, quite diligently. But I’m afraid my legs might have run off in protest. They seem to have abandoned me altogether.”

Darius’ eyes darkened with desire at the sight of Robin’s playful expression, but he forced himself to remain focused on the matter at hand. “Then it seems we have no choice but to return to the castle,” he said, offering his arm to Robin once more. “I can’t very well have you collapsing in the middle of the street, now can I?”

Darius leaned back in his chair, a glass of deep-crimson wine cradled in his hand, the liquid swirling like a vortex of the sweetest poison. The memory of that afternoon’s escapade played on an endless loop in his mind, each replay more intoxicating than the last. The laughter, the stolen kisses in the shadow of an alleyway, the way Robin’s green eyes had sparkled with mischief and something else—something that set Darius’ ancient heart ablaze with a fire he hadn’t felt in centuries.

As he indulged in his private reverie, a familiar presence brushed against his senses. It was like the whisper of a shadow, a sensation that was as much a part of him as his own horns. Before he could even turn toward the source, Caelum materialized from thin air, a shimmering portal of shadow closing behind him with a silent snap.

The young demon lord was the epitome of ethereal beauty. His long midnight-black hair cascaded down his back, each strand capturing the light and refracting it into a thousand dancing stars. His slender form seemed almost translucent, a delicate contrast to the darkness that clung to him like a lover’s embrace. His horns, smaller replicas of Darius’ own, curled back gracefully, and his silver eyes sparkled with the untold secrets of the cosmos. Darius never ceased to marvel at how Caelum’s presence seemed to soften the hard edges of any room he graced.

With a swiftness born of longing, Caelum closed the distance between them and threw himself into Darius’ open arms. “You’re horrible!” he exclaimed, voice muffled against Darius’ broad chest.

Darius chuckled, wrapping his arms around his brother’s slender frame. “I’m flattered you missed me so dearly.”

Caelum pulled back just enough to pout up at him. “You left me behind like an old tome on a dusty shelf! Aethoria is vibrant this time of year; you could’ve at least taken me with you. Do you have any idea how lonely I’ve been? I’ve been reduced to playing shadow puppets with myself!”

“My dear brother,” Darius began with a wry smile, “your studies at Shadowmere are far more important than gallivanting around Aethoria with me.” He raised an eyebrow. “And speaking of studies, did you give your escort team and Master Grimoire the slip again?”

Caelum huffed and crossed his arms. “They watch me like I’m some precious gem to be locked away. I needed air. Besides,” he added with a dismissive wave of his hand, “Master Grimoire is ancient. He naps more than he teaches and gets winded at the slightest exertion. Our journey here was a series of tedious pauses for his weary bones. I swear, if we had to rely on him in battle, the war would be over before he finished his morning tea!”

Darius couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. Master Grimoire was indeed a relic from a bygone era, his wisdom as vast as his need for frequent rest. “I’m sure Master Grimoire is doing his best, Caelum. But I understand your… restlessness. Perhaps we should invest in a magical wheelchair for him, hmm? One that can keep up with your boundless energy?”

Caelum chuckled at the image, his silver eyes dancing with amusement. However, the laughter faded quickly, replaced by a glint of curiosity that Darius knew all too well. His younger brother had clearly been waiting for the right moment to broach a certain subject, and it seemed that moment had arrived.

Caelum’s expression shifted to one of mischief. “Speaking of your trip to the city,” he said with a knowing look. “I saw you today with your bride-to-be—or should I say bridegroom? You do realize your intended is not a damsel but rather a young man? Or have your eyes finally succumbed to your advanced age?”

Darius’ smile widened. “Yes, I’m well aware,” he replied smoothly. “My eyes are as sharp as ever, thank you very much.”

Caelum rolled his eyes dramatically. “And yet your ‘bride’ has no idea that you know? Oh, what games you play, brother. I never took you for such a trickster.”

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