The Royal Bathhouse is offensively opulent.
Gold-trimmed fountains pour steaming water scented with exotic ash-blooms, decadently carved statues rise around the sunken pools like sentinels of seduction, and silk towels embroidered with the Demon Lord’s sigil line the marble benches.
Steam curls up toward a domed ceiling inlaid with obsidian mosaics depicting scenes no respectable temple would ever commission. And everything shimmers, either through magic or pure shininess.
Serenith sits on a stool in the corner, one perfect brow arched in judgment, wings tucked as tight to her back as she can manage in a room clearly not designed with modesty in mind.
Lucien lies in the largest pool, head nestled between Vile’s thighs as she massages his shoulders expertly and he groans in sheer bliss. The water swirls at his waist, shifting and bubbling, eliciting the occasional moan.
Vex pops up from between his legs, water cascading down her horns as she licks her lips.
"Better?" She pants.
Lucien rolls his eyes back. "You’re amazing. But with the memory wipe, I’m gonna need a lot more testing to be absolutely sure, though."
Vex nods excitedly. "I live to improve, my lord."
"And perfection takes practice, my devilish delight." Lucien nods knowingly. "Deep breath, darling."
Vex giggles and gulps a chestful of air before Lucien guides her back underwater with a gentle hand on top of her head.
Vile snickers. "You’re too kind, my lord."
"Honesty is its own kindness," Lucien replies, voice soft and syrupy. "And you are both dangerously talented."
The water stirs to a froth and his eyes twist as Vex’s mouth vigorously takes his manhood through several stages of carnival bliss. "Oh yes! So much... talent!"
Vile chuckles from behind. "Maybe she is getting better."
Serenith groans from the corner and mumbles something about mental restraint, just loud enough for Lucien to hear.
He takes a deep breath and snorts, then lifts Vex gently from the water and kisses her forehead.
Vex frowns. "D-Did I do something wrong?"
"Sweetheart, you did everything right. But I can’t fully enjoy myself if my holy muse is pouting in the corner like she wasn’t invited to the orgy."
Vex and Vile turn to Serenith and snarl, their crimson eyes glinting with malice.
"Girls!" Lucien snaps.
The twins yelp and bow their heads.
"Forgive us, Lord Lucidius." they both whimper.
"Give us a moment," Lucien says. "Alone."
They pout, then slink out of the room together, murmuring creative plans of seduction to earn his forgiveness, their wet footprints trailing across the marble like a crime scene.
Lucien turns to Serenith, beckoning her into the bath with a confident smirk. "Come on, darling. Join me."
"I’m here to observe," she replies. "Not indulge."
He scoffs. "Same thing in my book. You’re stuck with me. Might as well enjoy it."
"I might get corrupted," she mutters.
He laughs. "Oh, I guarantee it."
She narrows her eyes. "I’m stronger than you think."
"Then come enjoy a purely platonic soak with yours truly. Just a simple relaxing bath. Or is that too much to handle?"
She sniffs. "Of course I can handle that."
"Prove it."
She stands and, in one dramatic motion, drops her gown.
Lucien’s jaw hits the water.
Her body is nothing less than a celestial sculpture carved from the very concept of beauty. Divinely radiant, curves kissed by starlight, skin that shimmers with holy power. Every inch of her seems lit from within, like someone bottled a sunrise and gave it hips. Lucien clutches his chest like he’s been repeatedly stabbed by Cupid’s arrow.
"Holy Mother of God!"
She steps into the water, smirking as the bath begins to steam with holy energy, bubbling around her, glowing softly, and for a moment the whole pool looks less like a bath and more like a baptism Lucien is Definitely not qualified to attend.
Lucien begins sweating.
"You alright there, demon lord?"
"I... I am not alright. Not at all! This... this is torture!"
She giggles and he manages to pull himself together, slicks back his hair, and puts on The Smirk.
"I spoke nothing but the truth earlier." he croons. "You really are my muse, Serenith. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way before. Your beauty, your grace, your... everything." he says, gesturing to her length of her body.
"Ugh! Stop!" She blushes, sinking lower into the water while holy ripples radiate outward from her bare skin.
He turns serious, eyes smoldering. "I meant what I said. I want to do good. You inspire me to."
She rolls her eyes. "You just want me because you can’t have me."
"Exactly! And I’ve never met a woman I couldn’t have. Whatever it takes... I will have you." he says.
Lucien smiles softly, softening his expression, almost to the point of looking vulnerable. Almost.
"Even if I have to earn it." he mutters.
She gasps. Her halo sparks a flash of pink and her body glows as he slowly reaches out and gently takes her hand. Holy magic instantly sears through his skin. But he holds on regardless, jaw and butt fully clenched as he forces a smile through the pain and brings his mouth to her hand.
"Even... if... it hurts."
The instant his lips touch her knuckles, BOOM.
A burst of holy magic sends him flying backward, clearing the bath completely before he smacks into the bathhouse wall.
"Owww..." he groans, sliding down the wall like a wet noodle.
Serenith giggles. "You’ll have to hurt a lot to earn me."
He raises a trembling thumb. "Worth it."
She rises from the water, glowing with heavenly radiance and dripping with sensual poise. Lucien stares like a starstruck teen as she steps toward him, raises a finger, and heals him with a twirl of divine light.
He sits up grinning. "Thanks, sweetheart."
"Fine. You win." she says as she looks down at him, eyes soft. "I believe there’s good in you, Lucien Vale. Even if you hide it behind decadence and debauchery..."
Lucien blinks.
"You better not screw this up." she mutters,.glaring down at him.
He stands, heart thudding, placing a hand over his chest. "I swear it. Demon Lord’s honor."
Then comes the smirk. And Serenith’s heart melts.
She smiles softly, then instinctively leans in and kisses his cheek.
FWOOM~
Lucien slams against the wall again with a grunt.
Serenith gasps. "Oh, holy hell! Sorry, I forgot—!"
He slides down, twitching slightly, and heaves.
"Still... worth it."