Lilith woke with a gasp, her body burning with need. The sheets clung to her damp skin as she sat up, wings unfurling with a snap. Her tail lashed behind her, betraying her agitation as fragments of her dreams lingered—Sera's fingers tracing patterns on her skin, Sera's lips pressed against her neck, Sera's body arching beneath her own.

  "Damn it," she muttered, pressing her palms against her eyes. Her inner fire blazed, mana coursing through her veins like liquid heat. This wasn't just arousal as she'd known it as Jacob—this was something more primal, more demanding.

  She glanced down at her body, at the blue skin that still seemed both foreign and familiar. The succubus wasn't just experiencing desire; it was designed to feed on it, to convert it into power. Her mana reserves were nearly overflowing despite not having done anything to replenish them.

  "I need to get this under control," she said to the empty room. "If this is how I react to just sleeping in the same building as an attractive woman, I'm going to have serious problems."

  Lilith slid from the bed and paced across the plush carpet, her tail swishing behind her. She needed to focus on something else, something practical.

  With a gesture, she opened her dimensional inventory and retrieved her armour—the set she'd worn daily in the game. The familiar pieces materialised in her hands: a black leather corset reinforced with demonic metal, thigh-high boots with wicked heels, armoured gauntlets that left her fingers free, and pauldrons shaped like bat wings. The ensemble left her midriff, upper thighs, and much of her chest exposed, the material strategically covering only what was absolutely necessary.

  Lilith held the armour up, examining it critically. "Well, at least I don't have to worry about modesty anymore," she said with a sardonic smile. "And it's not like anyone in the Wastelands will care."

  She donned the armour piece by piece, the leather and metal conforming perfectly to her body. Despite its revealing nature, it offered surprising protection—enchanted to resist physical and magical damage while allowing complete freedom of movement. It wasn't specialised for any particular combat style, but rather balanced to complement all her abilities.

  As she fastened the final buckle, Lilith caught her reflection in a mirror. The armour emphasised her demonic nature, making her look every inch the fearsome Demon Queen of legend. Perhaps that was for the best. Where she was going, intimidation would be an asset.

  But first, she had to deal with Sera.

  Lilith sighed, her wings folding against her back. "She can't come with me," she decided. "I'll be flying to the Wastelands, and even if I could carry her, I don't trust myself right now."

  The thought of Sera pressed against her during flight, arms wrapped around her waist, was enough to send another wave of heat through her body. No, that wouldn't do at all.

  Besides, she didn't want to take advantage of Sera's admiration. The half-demon woman clearly idolised her, saw her as the legendary queen returning to reclaim her throne. Using that reverence to satisfy her own desires would be wrong—like a celebrity exploiting a fan's devotion.

  "I need to convince her to stay behind," Lilith muttered, moving toward the door. "For both our sakes."

  With her mind made up, Lilith left her bedchamber and strode down the corridor toward the dining hall, where she expected to find Sera at breakfast. Her heels clicked against the marble floor, her posture straight and regal despite her inner turmoil.

  She would be firm but kind. She would explain that this journey was too dangerous, that Sera had already helped enough by providing information. She would promise to return once she'd assessed the situation in the Wastelands.

  And she would ignore the part of her that already ached at the thought of leaving Sera behind.

  * * *

  Lilith stepped into the corridor, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she made her way toward the dining hall. The Infernal Sanctum was quiet, the shadowy corridors illuminated only by the soft glow of enchanted crystals embedded in the walls. She expected to find Sera already at breakfast, but the dining hall stood empty, the long table bare.

  "She must still be asleep," Lilith murmured, glancing toward the guest chambers.

  With a flick of her wrist, Lilith summoned the shadow servants. They materialised from the darkness, their featureless forms bowing low before her.

  "Prepare breakfast for two," she commanded. "Something substantial. We have a long day ahead."

  The servants dissolved back into the shadows, and Lilith settled into her high-backed chair at the head of the table. Within minutes, the servants returned, laying out a feast of exotic fruits, freshly baked bread, and meats prepared with demonic spices that enhanced their flavour without being overtly magical. A carafe of a dark, aromatic beverage that resembled coffee completed the spread.

  Lilith drummed her fingers on the table, rehearsing what she would say to Sera. The words needed to be firm but not cruel. She had to make Sera understand without hurting her feelings.

  Nearly half an hour passed before Sera appeared in the doorway, dressed in the clothes she'd worn the previous day, though they appeared freshly cleaned and pressed—the shadow servants' work, no doubt.

  "Good morning, Lady Lilith," Sera said, her eyes widening at the sight of Lilith in her demonic armour. "You look... formidable."

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  Lilith gestured to the chair at her right. "Join me. We need to discuss today's plans."

  Sera took her seat, her movements cautious as if afraid of making a mistake in Lilith's presence. "The food smells wonderful."

  "Eat," Lilith encouraged, filling her own plate. "You'll need your strength."

  They ate in silence for several minutes, Lilith gathering her courage for what needed to be said. Finally, she set down her fork and looked directly at Sera.

  "I've been thinking about our journey to the Wastelands," she began. "I believe it would be best if I went alone."

  Sera's fork clattered against her plate. "Alone? But Lady Lilith, I can help you! I know the safest routes, the patrol schedules—"

  "I appreciate that, but my decision is made."

  Sera's face fell, her amber eyes filling with distress. "Have I offended you? If I've been too forward or presumptuous—"

  "No," Lilith interrupted, softening her tone. "You've done nothing wrong, Sera. This isn't about you."

  "Then why?" Sera asked, her voice small.

  Lilith sighed, her wings shifting restlessly behind her. "Sera, I'm a succubus. As a half-demon, you must understand what that means."

  Sera's cheeks darkened with a blush. "I... yes, of course."

  "If you stay with me, sooner or later, I won't be able to hold back," Lilith said bluntly. "My nature demands certain... satisfactions."

  The blush on Sera's cheeks deepened, spreading down her neck. "I wouldn't mind," she mumbled, not meeting Lilith's gaze.

  "No," Lilith said firmly. "I would mind. It would feel like I'm using your adoration to get what I want from you." She shook her head. "Besides, I'm not some mythical queen that you think I am. I don't even know what I'm going to do once I reach the Wastelands."

  "But—" Sera began.

  "No buts," Lilith cut her off. "I'll fly to the Wastelands alone. It's faster that way, and I need to assess the situation before involving anyone else."

  Sera's shoulders slumped, her head dropping in defeat. "I understand," she said softly.

  "Good," Lilith replied, ignoring the twinge of guilt she felt at Sera's crestfallen expression. "It will be better this way."

  They continued their meal in silence, the only sounds the occasional clink of silverware against plates. Lilith focused on her food, refusing to look at Sera's downcast face. She'd made the right decision, she told herself. For both their sakes.

  * * *

  Lilith dismissed the Infernal Sanctum with a wave of her hand, the opulent pocket dimension folding in on itself until it vanished completely. The morning air greeted them, cool and crisp, carrying the scent of pine and wildflowers. Overhead, the sky stretched clear and blue, perfect for flying.

  "Well," Lilith said, stretching her wings to their full span, "I should be going."

  Sera stood a few paces away, her expression carefully neutral though her eyes betrayed her disappointment. She nodded stiffly, adjusting the small pack slung over her shoulder.

  "Wait," Lilith said, reaching into the space beside her. Her fingers found the dimensional tear, and she concentrated on what she wanted. "Before I go, I have something for you."

  From her inventory, Lilith withdrew a scroll sealed with red wax bearing the imprint of a flame. The parchment felt warm to the touch, pulsing with contained energy.

  "This is a summoning scroll," Lilith explained, holding it out to Sera. "If you find yourself in danger, break the seal and tear it in half. It will summon a fire elemental that will protect you for about an hour."

  Sera accepted the scroll with reverent hands. "Thank you, Lady Lilith, but—"

  "But what?" Lilith asked, already knowing what was coming.

  "Please take me with you," Sera said, her voice stronger now. "I can help you navigate the border. I know the terrain, the dangers—"

  "We've been through this," Lilith cut her off. "The answer is still no. I'm not what you think I am, Sera. I'm not the legendary queen from your grandmother's stories. If you come with me, you'll only face disappointment."

  Sera stepped closer, her amber eyes flashing with determination. "I don't care. Maybe you're not exactly like the legends say, but I'm still willing to take that risk." She tucked the scroll carefully into her belt pouch. "I would be more disappointed if I didn't take this chance. Please, Lilith. Take me with you."

  Lilith's eyebrows rose at the dropped honorific. "Do you understand what it means if I take you with me? What will inevitably happen between us?"

  "I know," Sera replied without hesitation.

  "And that doesn't bother you? In the slightest?" Lilith pressed, studying Sera's face for any sign of uncertainty.

  "It doesn't," Sera said firmly.

  Lilith sighed, folding her arms across her chest. "You know, if I really was the queen you think I am, what you're doing now would be considered insubordination."

  Sera lifted her chin, standing her ground. "Then punish me after you take me with you."

  "Why?" Lilith asked, genuinely curious now. "Why are you so insistent on coming with me? What do you hope to gain?"

  Sera's expression softened. "All my life, I've been caught between two worlds—not human enough for one, not demon enough for the other. The stories of Nocturne were the only time I ever felt like I belonged somewhere." She took a deep breath. "Even if you're not exactly the queen from those stories, you're still the closest thing to hope I've ever found."

  Lilith stared at Sera for a long moment, weighing her words. Finally, she exhaled heavily. "Fine. You can come with me."

  Sera's face lit up with joy.

  "But," Lilith added quickly, raising a finger, "I want a promise from you. Promise me that you won't complain if things don't turn out the way you expected. If I'm not the queen you hoped for, if Nocturne can't be rebuilt, if everything falls apart—no complaints. Deal?"

  Sera nodded solemnly. "I promise. No complaints, no matter what happens."

  Lilith nodded with satisfaction, her wings settling against her back. "Alright then. If we're going to be travelling together, I should probably know more about you." She gestured toward the log beside the now-cold campfire. "Let's sit for a moment before we head out."

  Sera followed, her movements graceful despite her obvious excitement. Lilith watched her carefully, still uncertain if she'd made the right decision. The half-demon woman was clearly intelligent and resourceful—she'd survived decades in a world that hated her kind—but Lilith couldn't shake the feeling that she was setting Sera up for disappointment.

  They settled on the log, close enough for conversation but with enough space between them that Lilith could breathe without being overwhelmed by Sera's scent. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the forest floor.

  "So," Lilith began, "seventy-eight years old, but you look thirty. That's quite the discrepancy." She leaned back slightly, supporting herself with her hands on the log. "Tell me about yourself. Not just what you know about the Wastelands or patrol routes, but . Where did you come from? How did you end up helping non-humans escape persecution?"

  Sera looked down at her hands, turning them over as if examining the lines on her palms. "It's not a happy story," she warned, glancing up at Lilith.

  "Few stories worth telling are," Lilith replied with a small smile. "Besides, we have time. The Wastelands aren't going anywhere."

  Sera took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling with the motion. She poked at the cold ashes of last night's fire with a stick, stirring up a small cloud of grey dust.

  "I suppose I should start with my parents," she said finally. "My mother was human—a healer named Elena. My father was an incubus called Malakai." A sad smile touched her lips. "They actually loved each other, which I'm told is rare for such pairings."

  Lilith shifted on the log, giving Sera her full attention as the half-demon woman began her tale.