Page 32 of A Heart Disguised 1

In a matter of minutes, the last of the shadow warriors fell, dissipating into nothingness. Darius stood alone in the center of the arena, his breathing only slightly quickened despite the intense display of power and skill. The workout had done its job, clearing his mind and cooling the fire in his veins—at least for now.

As he dispelled the last traces of his magic, Darius allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. The exercise had reminded him of the raw power at his command, yet even as he reveled in his strength, his thoughts once again drifted to Robin. The delicatehuman had managed to capture his attention in a way no one had in centuries, stirring both his body and his curiosity.

Umbra, now back in his massive form, padded over to him, tail wagging as he sought praise and affection. Just as Darius reached down to pet his faithful companion, he heard a slow clap echoing through the hall. He turned to see Ignis leaning against the doorframe, a broad grin on his face.

“Impressive as always,” Ignis said, pushing off from the wall and sauntering over. “Your illusions and that black flame of yours never cease to amaze.”

Darius allowed himself a small smirk. “One must keep in practice, even in times of peace.”

With another thought, his battle attire shimmered and transformed back into his formal robes. “Shall we head to dinner?”

As they made their way through the castle, Umbra shifted forms, shrinking down into an adorable black puppy. Suddenly, the small creature darted away, its tiny paws pattering against the stone floor.

Darius’ eyes followed Umbra’s path, only to widen slightly as he saw the puppy bound toward a familiar figure approaching from the other end of the corridor. There was Robin, a vision in a pastel gown. Beside him trotted Russet, ever attentive, while Starling perched delicately on Robin’s shoulder.

Umbra first rushed up to Russet. The two dogs circled each other, sniffing enthusiastically. Russet’s tail wagged furiously as he greeted the smaller pup, and they engaged in a playful tumble that had Robin pausing in his walk, laughing delightedly at their antics.

After their brief roughhousing, Umbra turned his attention to Robin. The tiny hound yipped excitedly, running circles around the boy’s legs. Robin, caught off guard by the puppy’senthusiasm, began to twist and turn in place, trying to catch the energetic ball of fur.

“Oh, come here, you little rascal!” Robin cooed, bending down to try and scoop up Umbra. The puppy, however, had other ideas.

Umbra darted between Robin’s legs, causing the boy to spin around, his pastel gown swirling about him. Starling took flight, circling above the comical scene.

“Goodness gracious!” Robin exclaimed, giggling as he made another attempt to catch the playful pup. “You’re a quick one, aren’t you?”

In his enthusiasm to catch Umbra, Robin didn’t notice how tangled he was becoming in his own gown. With one final twist, he lost his balance, landing unceremoniously on his bottom with a soft “oof!”

The fall left Robin in a state of dishevelment that was both endearing and slightly scandalous. His gown was splayed out around him, one shoulder of the dress having slipped down to reveal a glimpse of his pale collarbone. His long hair, usually so perfectly arranged, was now a tangled mess, with strands sticking out at odd angles.

And there, in the middle of this charming chaos, sat Umbra. The puppy had finally decided to allow himself to be caught and was now contentedly nestled in Robin’s lap, looking up at him with adoring eyes.

Robin couldn’t help but laugh at the situation, his emerald eyes sparkling with mirth as he cuddled the puppy close. “Well, you certainly know how to make an entrance, don’t you?” he said, scratching behind Umbra’s ears.

From where he stood, Darius found himself utterly captivated by the scene before him. The sight of Robin, disheveled and laughing, with Umbra in his arms and Russet and Starling nearby, stirred something warm and unfamiliar inhis chest. The pastel hues of Robin’s gown seemed to make his emerald eyes sparkle even more brightly, his porcelain skin practically glowing in the light of the corridor. It was a moment of pure, unguarded joy, a glimpse into a world far removed from Darius’ usual realm of power and politics. Yet he found it undeniably appealing—a fleeting vision of a lighter, more carefree existence that he hadn’t realized he’d been yearning for.

As Darius gazed at Robin, a thought crossed his mind, unbidden but not unwelcome: Robin could look this youthful and beautiful for eternity if they were to complete the ultimate binding ritual.

The binding of souls was an ancient and powerful magic, typically reserved for demon lords of great power. It was a ceremony that went beyond mere marriage, intertwining two beings on a fundamental level. The ritual involved a complex series of incantations and the exchange of vital essences, culminating in the merging of auras. Once completed, the bound pair would share a deep, unbreakable connection, sensing each other’s emotions and even sharing thoughts if they so desired.

For a demon lord like Darius, the ritual would grant his partner a share of his immortality and power. If the partner was human, like Robin, it would halt their aging process, preserving them forever at the moment of binding. They would remain untouched by time, their beauty and vitality eternal.

However, the ritual was not without its risks. It was irreversible, binding the pair for all eternity. If one were to perish, the other would feel the loss as keenly as if half their soul had been torn away. It was a commitment not entered into lightly, even among the long-lived demon nobility.

As these thoughts raced through Darius’ mind, he found himself both thrilled and terrified by the possibility. The idea of binding Robin to him for eternity was intoxicating, but it also meant opening himself up to a level of vulnerability he had neverbefore considered. It was far too soon to be contemplating such things, he knew, and yet the image of Robin, eternally youthful and by his side, refused to leave his mind.

Darius shook his head slightly, trying to clear away these dangerous thoughts. He reminded himself that there were more pressing matters at hand, not least of which was the impending marriage ceremony. Still, as he watched Robin giggle and play with Umbra, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of possessiveness and longing. Whatever the future held, Darius was beginning to realize that his life would never be the same with Robin in it.

As Darius and Ignis approached, Robin’s eyes widened in recognition. A look of panic flashed across his face, and Darius had the distinct impression that the boy wanted to flee. Robin began to scramble to his feet, his movements urgent and clumsy.

However, Umbra, still nestled comfortably in Robin’s lap, refused to budge. “Oh, goodness,” Robin huffed, his face flushing a delightful shade of pink. He tried to push himself up, one arm cradling the puppy while the other pressed against the floor.

The corset of his gown, however, had other ideas. It constricted his movement, causing Robin to wince and groan. “Oof,” he puffed, falling back on his bottom. “This is… quite the challenge.”

Robin made another valiant attempt, his face scrunched in concentration. He managed to get to his knees before losing his balance, teetering precariously. “Oh no, oh no,” he muttered, wobbling before plopping back down, his gown billowing around him.

Darius watched this display with a mixture of amusement and concern. Noting the look of near panic in Robin’s eyes, he decided to intervene. With swift, graceful movements, he closed the distance between them.

“Allow me,” Darius said, his voice a low rumble. Without waiting for a response, he slipped his arms around Robin’s waist, lifting him effortlessly to his feet. The action brought Robin’s face level with Darius’ broad chest, the top of his head barely reaching the demon lord’s shoulders. Robin’s startled gasp was muffled against the fabric of Darius’ clothing.

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