Demoness 2 - Chapter 61 - Troubles and Secrets (Patreon)

Elania stirred, the warmth of Yolani’s body pressed against her side slowly drawing her muted attention. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the soft light from the city light stones filtering through the curtains.

Yolani’s arm draped across her, a comforting weight that anchored her to the present.

She turned her head, studying Yolani’s face.

The worries and stresses of their daily lives were absent, replaced by a tranquil beauty that made Elania’s heart ache. Memories of the previous night drifted through her mind, snapshots of vulnerability and passion.

The kiss had been electric, a spark that ignited a fire within them both. They had come together in a tangle of limbs and gasping breaths, exploring each other with a desperation born of an uncertain tomorrow.

Now, in the morning's quiet, Elania felt a tangle of emotions.

Affection for the woman beside her, the friend who had become so much more... But also uncertainty, a nagging worry that whispered in the back of her mind.

Elania sighed, careful not to disturb Yolani’s slumber. She knew they would need to talk.

Slipping out from under the covers, she moved with deliberate slowness to avoid waking her companion. A warm pillow went under a greedy arm as a replacement.

The cool air prickled Elania’s skin as she rose. She stretched, her muscles protesting the movement before they woke up.

As she reached for her clothes, her thoughts churned like a restless sea. It had all felt so right in the moment.

She pulled on her shirt, the fabric rasping against her skin. A flicker at the window hinted at the battle outside, still raging. Even if the soundproofing of the tower had isolated them for some time, that reminder was impossible to ignore.

Elania sighed, running a hand through her tousled hair. There was an entire army working tirelessly to end her. Had already hurt Yolani and done tremendous damage to everything.

And for what? Some stupid, bigoted righteousness?

Elania moved to the window, the stone floor cold beneath her bare feet.

She gazed out at the sprawling Magistry complex. The flat roofed administrative buildings were far below, and the outer wall of the district periodically flared with light as cannons belched their payloads out into the city.

The weight of their situation settled on her shoulders, a heavy mantle she couldn’t shake.

For a moment, she just wished that she knew what their actual goal was, but that passed quickly.

From experience, opening a dialogue with them was nearly pointless. And she was tired of the dogmatic drivel they spouted at the drop of a dime.

Demons bad—something, something good.

It was all very black and white to them. No bend at all.

Maybe they’d snap like a pencil.

Maybe she could do something to make that happen.

She glanced back at Yolani, still asleep in the tangled sheets. Her raven hair spilled across the pillow, a stark contrast to the pale fabric.

Elania’s heart clenched, a pang of longing for a future where they could explore their feelings without the constant danger looming over them.

A future where they could wake up together every morning without the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Where they could learn more about each other, in the simple joys of a shared life.

But that future seemed distant.

Elania sighed, her breath fogging the glass.

She knew they had to focus on the present, on the battles ahead. There would be time for dreams later if they survived.

She turned from the window, her resolve hardening.

When they survived.

They had work to do, a war to win. And she would fight with everything she had to make that distant future a reality.

Because if they didn’t, there wouldn’t be any mercy granted to them by the enemy, of that she was certain.

They had made this a war of annihilation.

A soft murmur drew Elania’s attention, pulling her gaze from the window.

Yolani stirred, her eyes remaining shut. Her brow furrowed slightly, and another noise escaped her lips; a gentle sigh that whispered through the quiet room.

Her arm moved, sliding across the decoy pillow as if searching for something.

Elania felt a tug at her heart, a pull that drew her back to the bed.

She crossed the room, her bare feet silent against the stone floor, and settled on the edge of the mattress. The sheets dipped beneath her weight, a subtle shift that brought her closer to Yolani’s sleeping form.

She reached out, her fingers gentle as they brushed a stray strand of hair from Yolani’s face. It was a tender gesture, a touch that spoke of affection.

Yolani’s skin was soft beneath her fingertips, warm with the heat of sleep. Elania let her hand linger for a moment.

Yolani’s eyelids fluttered, a single emerald orb peeking out from beneath dark lashes.

As awareness seeped in, both eyes flew open, widening in surprise at Elania’s proximity.

A rosy hue bloomed across Yolani’s cheeks, a vibrant contrast to her raven hair splayed across the pillow.

Embarrassment painted her features, a fleeting emotion that danced in her gaze.

With a gentle movement, Yolani reached up. Her fingers brushing against Elania’s, a touch that sent tingles skittering across her skin. She guided Elania’s hand to her face, pressing the palm against the warmth of her cheek.

Yolani’s eyes drifted shut, her lashes casting delicate shadows against her flushed skin. A soft sigh escaped her lips, a whisper of contentment that hung in the air between them.

“Good morning,” Yolani murmured, her voice still thick with the remnants of sleep.

Elania’s heart swelled, a wave of affection crashing over her. “Good morning.”

Elania slipped into the bed and they cuddled for a long time until she knew they had to talk. Time wasn’t going to stop for them, no matter how much she wished for it.

Elania bit her lip and then met Yolani’s gaze. “We should talk,” she said softly, “about last night.”

Yolani nodded, sitting up. Silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Elania reached out, interlacing their fingers. Yolani’s hand was warm, her skin soft against Elania’s own.

“We need to be careful,” Yolani whispered. “We can’t let anyone know our secret.”

Elania nodded, a flicker of apprehension in her eyes. The way Yolani worded that…

She decided to just cut straight to it.

“I noticed signs that same-sex couples were hidden here. Not even in the brothels or anywhere I saw.” She paused, her voice dropping. “I was afraid to talk to you about it or ask because... I was afraid how you would react.”

Yolani blinked, conflict playing across her features. She chose her words carefully. “It isn’t just considered wrong, it’s illegal. Immoral. Most people consider it worse than… abusing children.”

Elania contained her anger, forcing a smile. “Well, I’m already a lesser-demon, so they thought I was that bad already.” The smile faltered. “I don’t want to get you in trouble, though…”

Even if it seemed like she already had.

Yolani must have noticed the droop in her expression because she pulled her into a tight squeeze and didn’t let go. “The penalty is imprisonment, or death in Neftasu.”

Elania grunted and suppressed her anger. Hide your lesbians, bury your gays was in full force it seemed. Now they had to worry about being arrested on top of an invasion?

She didn’t think any of the Magisters or member of the Guard would dare. But that wouldn’t change the culture of the city. It was easier to think of ways to wipe out the invasion force, rather than fix a society’s perception of homosexuality…

The vulnerability in Yolani’s eyes made her heart break. She reached out and stroked Yolani’s hair, her touch gentle. “I don’t think those things apply anymore, considering the invasion. But there’s no reason we have to tell anyone either.”

A worrying thought struck her. “The cleaning staff might have already noticed we’re only sleeping in one bed.”

Yolani shook her head. “That isn’t even odd. Most people would sleep in the same bed if they were family. Actually, sleeping alone would be more strange.”

Elania’s brow furrowed. Sleeping in the same bed was fine, but two girls kissing was not? That didn’t really make sense to her.

But she trusted Yolani’s judgment.

A sly smile tugged at her lips. “Well, one good thing about this room is the soundproofing. We’ll need more like it wherever we go then, considering how loud you got last night.”

Yolani’s face flushed a deep crimson. She grabbed a pillow, pushing it toward Elania.

It was impossible not to giggle.