This hadn’t been really how Nemesis planned on spending his evening right now- instead of staying in the comforts of the island, he and his consort were now on their way through a bastion of heavenly delight. One that honestly made the vaewolf sick to his stomach, but after his most…recent antics, he owed Celeste far more than a chance to attend a ball. Her forgiveness ran deep, but when she had heard of this little party, she was adamant in coming here. Nemesis would normally cave in to her demands, but upon hearing that the red headed devil would be there stroked his nerves the absolute wrong way but she had her ways of making him take her. And they worked, much to his dismay.

The cold bit around his exposed flesh as he escorted her along the path, his body draped with a cloak made with the down of sin-eaters birds- those horrid creatures were famed for their beautiful feathers. No weapons existed on his part- previous experience when attending these…awful things suggested that it would be frowned upon in taking them to a place that held the concept of peace and tranquility in high regard. It only served to make him feel more naked in a world he was unfamiliar with, but fortunately he lacked the paranoia that was once held.

When they reached the site, he saw the inhabitants and their appearance and thought of them as being a walking, talking, lie. They were the perfect picture of deception, of false hope and promise that many of the world’s denizens stupidly believed in. There was no salvation for any save for the strong, the meek would perish like a candle blow out by a hurricane. Slightly annoyed, he looked to his wife. “Pretty things they are…and such a pretty easy to break too.” At least she would seek out the excitement that the night would provide and though he didn’t wish to be here for various reasons, he wouldn’t take it away from her.

“It has been a while since we’d been on the mainland…”, he spoke in thought, more to himself than her.

It came in the mouth of a bird one evening when she was out in the garden. She untied the lacy ribbon on it and read the invitation. That night when she had Sergei in her arms gently rocking him she looked up at her husband and made the proposal. He wasn’t very happy with her and she could tell but they needed some time off of the island. She was hesitant on leaving the baby but knew that he would be well taken care of. If he wasn’t there was hell to be paid.

The cold did not bother the once elf who had called this mountain range home many, many centuries ago. Her pale pink hair was half pinned up and left cascading down her back with red gem throughout. Her dress was a dazzling dark red off-shoulder dress that hugged to her new curves. It glistened like a thousand gems in the light. She held onto his arm as he escorted her through the snow. Her eyes looked to the half-folk and she pondered. “They aren’t that far from what I once was.”

She looked up at the sky and smirked. “Gifted their race by those who ascended… Just like me. I suppose that their civilization is the closest to the Moon Elves. Don’t you remember the buildings from all that long ago? They were the same were they not? I’ve never had a reason to come to Zets’Ki but I know that it might be the origin point for where my people stayed before they reached where they would call home. This might be where the first Moon Elves were created.”

Like always she told more details about her race and what she had been as they went on with their lives. It mattered not if the redhead devil was here. She wanted to see this place because it held clues of their own. She pushed herself up on her toes and pressed her red lips to his cheek. “Fret not, I know you don’t want to be here but I thought now would be a good time to get away. I am sure that Angela will not be bothering us even if she is here.” She slid her hand down his arm and took his fingers in hers.

Once they got into the Cathedral she was taken back by the architecture of it. “I knew it was similar but this is amazing. The moon temple in the village was a smaller version of this.” Once she heard the music she put her arm back to his so he could walk with her again. They made their way into the mirrored ballroom and she got lost in the stars. Her breath left her lips but for several seconds she didn’t breathe back in. “This is… amazing.” The hair on her arms stood up just a bit as she looked around. The light was just enough so that you could see your spouse and those around but enough to keep the room enchanting.

Right now he’d rather be with Sergei back home, but the child would be watched over keenly by the wet nurse and staff. There was nothing to worry about as far as he was concern; if anything Nemesis was more concerned over himself here. Being a creature that was not viewed in a good light such as he, he felt extremely uncomfortable in these parts. The holy and radiant… let them drown in the foolish promises they delivered…

He was never a fan of angels and it was already seen through his attitude ever since coming here. At the very least, his wife was adorned for the occasion, something new for her to experience. It mildly helped with his mood of coming here. “Perhaps. I faintly recall viewing them when I found you and the massacre you left in your wake. But it is very well possible.”

Nemesis didn’t give it too much thought aside from addressing Celeste about it. He loathed these winged creatures, even if they were half breeds. Let them all perish…that would bring him some comfort in this world should that happen. He softly growled as she kissed him and expressed her feeling of them being out of Kurayo. Recent times had been stressful, for a lack of a better word, both in public view and in private matters. He wasn’t completely thrilled with being here, but he supposed that she was right that they needed a night to get away from the stressors of their lives. “Knowing my luck, fate wouldn’t be so kind to us.” His hand folded into hers as they went inside. His attitude changed for the better as he looked around the joint. It was well designed and from his wife’s speechlessness, it was captivating for hungry and curious minds. Hell, he was sure that at some point in their lives, she would want to add something like its design over to their manor somehow. It wouldn’t be too surprising to him.

“It is…”, he muttered back as he looked all over it before reaching the ballroom. It too was breathtaking and he led further into the room. “I wonder what else we can find. You spoke of clues, pray tell, what is your hungry mind searching for?” Her appetite could be at times, very gluttonous, even so much for himself to be able to take.

“Is this a trip for business, or pleasure?”

Celeste’s crimson eyes watched Nemesis for a long while. She knew he didn’t like it here. She knew that he would rather be home with their growing son. However, there was a part of her that just wanted it to be just them no matter her reasons for wanting to visit the city. “Maybe fate is taking a bit more of a turn for the better? It has been hectic as of late my dear… Perhaps it will finally calm down now that Sergei is born and things at the house have gotten a bit more… relaxed? I don’t know if that is the right word but it is better than it was.” She reached up and cupped his face gently while her thumb caressed his skin.

She felt a bit better with his hand over hers as they made their way into the cathedral. She knew that she could be gluttonous but lately she had been trying to contain it. Sergei needed her more than any knowledge in the world was valuable. Celeste was doing a good job controlling her nature but when Nemesis asked her she looked up at him just about as innocently as she could. “To be honest, both. I’ve kept myself at the house for Sergei’s sake and it seemed like a good excuse to tear you away from Kurayo.”

A rough sigh left her lips as she snuggled her head into his shoulder and walked more directly into the dancing floor. She took the time to catch the rhythm before leading him into a dance. “Things were rocky for a while between us even you know.” Her voice was soft her crimson eyes connected with his. “Our marriage’s dynamic relied heavily on Sera.” It was odd to say but she let the words flow from her lips. “I was the second wife. The other. No matter how important I was I have always respected that Sera was first.” She let him twirl her around. “Now I have to adjust to being the only one.”

Her hand connected with his again as she stayed close. “I am scared that I will not be enough for you. Sera filled you in a way that I never could and that was the reason why I was not angered by you. Disappointed? Completely but not in you. I want to be enough Nemesis but you have always taken what you want. No matter what that is and I know I cannot stop that.” Her eyes were still latched onto his. “It’s like learning how to make the marriage work all over again… Because the time you were with Sera is now vacant and we have to fill it. Sergei can’t fill it all. So what do we do Nemesis Volkov? I’m not someone who gives up nor am I unhappy.”

“Perhaps”, he replied, in a much calmer tone, “Perhaps you are right. The birth of our son as been a blessing, even with some soul selling done essentially. Still, I wouldn’t take any of that back.” As far as the house being more relaxed, he didn’t say anything as to break her mood. If anything, he had been avoiding the other problems and stuck close to the things he could have some control in. Business had been flourishing as ever and the hunts had been so savory as of late. Perhaps because as the season grew colder, more visitors from the mainland came.

Something was hiding in Celeste’s thoughts though; Nemesis could sense that something was amidst but she wouldn’t tell him completely. No, not yet. At times he damn well had to pry what was troubling her but tonight he was hesitant to do so. Why spoil the night for her?

But in time it all came out, slowly but surely as they danced. He let her take over their movement and was at first listening closely to her, but then as his wife continued onward, the vaewolf was taken back slightly. While her insecurities about her being different from Serafina were already known and were discussed, he didn’t know just how deep they ran once she became the only consort. His brief tryst hadn’t helped matters either- it only worsened them for her. He frowned deeply as he came to the realization that he hadn’t worried about how she had been affected by the twists and turns their family had taken in recent weeks. Nay, he had been only concerned about how he felt about such matters. His hand gripped more firmly around hers as he went into deep thought.

“It…wasn’t my intention to make you worry so much about this, Celeste. I was consumed by my own grief and anger that I never saw the pain you were caused by everything we’d endured.” He kept up their pacing and dipped her slightly, “Selfish I am, selfish I have been, you‘ve deserved much better than that. It isn’t a question of if you are enough for me; but rather if I’m even good enough to have you. You’ve done everything for me and yet I’ve betrayed your trust and love.” And it was all for nothing in the end. Nothing more was gained but he felt as though he lost even more now. Which was why he came clean to her to begin with even if he didn’t have to. He had inflicted her pain the very way he was dealt by the other female alpha.

“In name…she was my first wife, but in reality, you have truly been there for me. Not just physically, but in other manners too. We’ve had a connection for as long as I can remember and that is that is important. I believe that is enough for the two of us to break that curtain that has kept us apart in the manner you speak of.” His hand grasped at her face, gently caressed her head to her cheek. “I know it had never been just the two of us before, but I can’t lose you. Sera was a loss, yes, but losing you would surely kill me.”