#romantic devil

Tonight’s dress was particularly beautiful. The pale lilac skirt flowed to the ground in rivulets of fine silk, a seductive slit revealing a sliver of her left thigh. The scooped neckline tastefully revealed her décolletage and a necklace of amethysts complemented her purple skin. 

Ensemble complete, she was ready for tonight’s function: a fancy soirée at the country home of a Waterdhavian lord whose soul Raphael planned to ensnare. Ordinarily she would enjoy such an outing, even if the crowds and music could easily overwhelm her. The estates of nobles often had large, ornate gardens she could explore, stealing a few moments of solitude before being beckoned to return to the festivities by her escort.

However, she was not looking forward to going out tonight. In fact, she was almost dreading it.

There had been so many of these events of late…parties, balls, even a wedding. Almost every evening seemed to be taken up by a formal engagement. While she appreciated her status as a valued guest, and loved being on the arm of her beloved Raphael, she was tired. 

Fuchsia needed a quiet evening. Time to recharge, a reprieve from the endless socialising that came with her station. She closed her eyes, and fantasised about what she would rather be doing this evening: Curled up in the library, nestled in an armchair, warmed by a roaring fire and swept away by a good book…or perhaps spending some time in the greenhouse, tending to her beloved plants, her only company the gently blooming flowers and soft trickling sounds of the indoor fountains.

She opened her eyes, returning her gaze to the gilded mirror in front of her, reflecting a face painted for glamour, not comfort. Oh well. Another time, perhaps. She sighed, and was about to stand to leave, when she heard the bedroom door open, and the voice of her lover call out to her.

“My dear -”

Raphael paused. He was in his human form for tonight’s festivities, taking place as they did on the mortal plane. The cambion was dressed in equitable finery to his paramour, in a suit of onyx black brocade and crimson velvet, gold fastenings reflecting the warm candlelight of the room.

He looked at her approvingly. 

“Exquisite, as ever, my darling girl.”

She blushed, and rubbed her knee nervously, warm hands wrinkling the cool silk of her gown. She returned his compliment.

“Raphael! You look wonderful. Is that a new jacket?”

The devil approached, taking a seat by her side and kissing her reverently on the back of her hand. He replied to her question in assent.

“Indeed it is. Delivered this morning. The tailor did not disappoint. How fortunate that his fingertips remain un-scorched.” He flicked an invisible speck of dust from his sleeve. “Are you ready to depart, my love? I do believe Lord Lennox was expecting us half an hour hence, but I see no vice in us being fashionably late in our arrival.”

Fuchsia swallowed nervously, a tight knot of anxiety in her stomach. She really didn’t want to go, but she couldn’t disappoint Raphael. She replied, her nerves not entirely obscured.

“I-ah, yes, I think I’m just about ready.”

The devil raised an eyebrow, noting the hesitancy in her voice and the look of worry in her eyes. 

“My dear, are you quite well? You seem a little out of sorts.”

The tiefling sighed, resigned to the fact that she couldn’t hide her true feelings from the cambion.

“I am well my love, only…a little tired. We have had so many engagements lately, and there are just so many people to meet, so many conversations…I admit, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of another party tonight.” She cleared her throat, and adopted a more optimistic tone. “But I’m sure I’ll be fine with you by my side!”

Raphael frowned slightly, considering her words. Her heartbeat began to quicken, regretting being so forthcoming with her feelings. She hadn’t wanted to seem ungrateful, and now she worried she had upset her beloved by admitting to her anxiety.

To her relief, Raphael leaned towards her, stroking the side of her face tenderly, no trace of annoyance in his words or visage. He spoke softly. 

“I am sure the assembled gentry will be most disappointed to have to spend an evening without our illustrious presence.” 

Fuchsia cast her eyes down, the knot in her stomach re-tightening. But her lover was not finished.

“However…your company is a privilege, my love. You are a rare jewel, to be viewed at my discretion. Perhaps I am feeling disinclined to share your company with any others. Perhaps tonight, this jewel shall be for my eyes only. I wish to hold it in my hands, ponder its every shimmering facet, see only myself reflected in its dazzling light...and no-one else.”

Grasping the underlying meaning in his words, a small smile began to emerge on the tiefling’s face. She looked up to see Raphael regarding her with a smouldering gaze, his own smile leaning towards lascivious. He offered her his hand.

“To bed, then, my dear?”

She took it graciously, her small purple hand nestled in his large, warm-toned one. He planted a kiss between her horns.

“I have a new book for you, my love: A comprehensive guide to the flora of the High Forest. Marvellously written, accompanied by the most detailed illustrations. Sure to inspire any budding botanist.”

Fuchsia beamed with delight, her anxiety melting away. Raphael always seemed to know exactly what she needed. He grinned at her evident joy and continued.

“We shall have a lovely evening together…you with your book, me with a few contracts I wish to fine-tune…and when we tire of reading, I can think of a fine way to end the night.”

He pulled her from her stool into his arms, eliciting a gasp from his lover as his other hand found the slit in her dress and moved to caress her exposed thigh. The devil leaned in, hot breath tickling her ear as he whispered.