The Heavenly Demon of Terror-Chapter 302: The Lustful Trap

Samuel's POV

Darkness swallowed us whole—thick, warm, and ancient. I braced myself for the expected. I thought we'd materialize in Queen Nerezza's grim citadel, somewhere atop her dead mountain throne laced with bones and silence. Instead, the stench of blood, stone, and dread was replaced with something far worse—

Lavender-scented sheets.

Soft pillows.

Roselle's goddamn bedroom.

I blinked. Once. Twice.

It was unmistakable. Crimson velvet drapes, ornate obsidian mirror, the soft hum of dark mana humming in the air like a lullaby. The kind of place built not for comfort, but for temptation—and war disguised in silk.

The worst part?

I was lying on her bed.

I sat up with a groan, rubbing the back of my head. "You've got to be kidding me..."

Roselle's voice purred from the shadows near the window. "Nope. Not kidding."

Of course she wasn't.

I let out a sigh and swung my legs off the bed, glaring at her as she strolled toward me in that slow, predatory walk of hers—hips swaying, power pulsing with every step.

Honestly, considering our history, I wouldn't have been surprised if I'd already screwed her again and just forgot in the haze of transition magic.

She gave me that smirk—the Roselle smirk—all poison and promise. "You look disappointed. I thought you'd be relieved we didn't end up in Nerezza's frozen tomb."

"Oh, I'm thrilled," I muttered. "Especially waking up in your bed, Roselle. Just what I needed after tearing the Right Wing of a Realm Queen apart."

She arched a brow. "You're welcome. I figured a little rest would do you good. And this bed has... fond memories, doesn't it?"

"Too many," I said. "Most of them involve blood, broken furniture, and your claws on my spine."

She laughed softly. "I do love the way you make me sound like a nightmare."

"You are a nightmare," I muttered, standing up. "And considering how good I am at attracting those, it makes sense."

She leaned against the nearby desk, crimson eyes watching me like a lion eying her prey. "Well, speaking of nightmares... how was Valeria?"

I froze mid-stretch. "You knew?"

Roselle smirked wider. "Darling, I always know. Titan Queen Valeria? Really, Samuel? I didn't think you had the... reach."

I didn't flinch. "She screamed my name loud enough to break stone. Can't say I'm surprised you heard it."

She gave a slow clap, sarcastic and sultry. "Bravo. Though you should know—she still pales in comparison."

I turned to her. "You mean your harem didn't get the job done again?"

Her expression hardened—just a little. "They're... adequate. Loyal. Beautiful. But satisfaction?" She stepped closer, close enough I could feel the heat off her. "That requires someone on my level. You, unfortunately, qualify."

"Lucky me."

She ran a finger down my chest. "You belong to no one. I belong to my throne. And yet here we are, orbiting each other like cursed stars."

I caught her hand. "So why the detour? Why this—now?"

She leaned in. "Because what's coming with Nerezza? It isn't just politics or war. It's something far more primal. She's unraveling the laws of this realm, preparing a ritual that could reset the balance of every world we've ever touched. And to walk into her court without being... centered?" She chuckled. "I wouldn't risk it."

I narrowed my eyes. "So this is your version of meditation?"

Roselle licked her lips. "Call it... alignment of wills."

"More like collision," I said dryly.

She stepped back, her eyes glowing faintly. "Don't pretend you don't crave it too. This chaos, this bond—we might hate each other, but no one else can burn like we do."

I exhaled slowly, the air between us thick with unspoken memory, tension, and a mutual understanding forged over three lives of blood and betrayal.

"...Fine," I said. "But after this? No more surprises."

She grinned like a devil granted a second chance. "No promises, Harbinger."

I smirked. "Didn't think so."

And just like that, the silence broke—and the storm began again. Not in swords or spells.

But in us.