Hello, loves.

So, please hear me out, 'cause there are multiple things I would like to address as it truly has been a long time since I've updated and I feel like I owe you some kind of explanation:
1. THANK YOU to everyone for sticking to this story. I know the lack of updates has been disappointing and personally as a reader I would have been so let down - so again THANK YOU!
2. Sadly this doesn't mean I can promise steady updates similar to how I used to post. Nonetheless I will try to post at least every month.
You'd think with having to stay home there would be more time to write but frankly I'm working on getting a double bachelor in history and english lit. and
culture, so you can imagine that at the end of the day I'd rather not see ANY more text or sit in front of a laptop *questioning my life choices*
3. As to my time away...there is a legitimate if a bit pathetic excuse but as fellow readers I think you may sympathize;
I was reading other fanfics way back when I hit writers block, stumbled gracelessly into the Potterverse and well, 1 story led to another, then another and another and another and oh look crossovers *sweat drops* Suffice to say, it was more appealing than writing my own. Sorry?

Anyway, Merry Christmas my loves! 3 I truly hope you'll enjoy this petite present I have for you.

Chapter 36

By the time Luciana came upon the butler again it was well past 3pm and Sebastian was – her head tilted in contemplation. 'Hm~ how to explain?'

.

Quite frankly, Luce didn't know. It was just odd.

And so the ravenette's gaze went from the butler down the window he was standing in front of and back to the man in black. "Are you spying on them?" Forgive her incredulousness but watching Agni help Finny dust off trees was not exactly interesting - well, other than the fact that the trees were still intact. Now that was a miracle. Truly.

"It looks like everything is all right over there."

Luce hummed, 'Sure Sebastian, play it off as concern...'. It didn't matter to her because right now she was more interested in the demon himself. So any other conversation he wanted to have was doomed from the beginning. Her lips twitched upward. He still had his back turned to her and gaze settled firmly on the duo. Honestly, it was the perfect opportunity to pry for more info.

And what happened next was an excellent example for how easily a demon's concentration could be swayed by their mate.

Because when slender arms slowly wound around his middle and small feminine hands settled flat on his chest, whatever he had meant to say simply vanished. It was in those few seconds that his garnet eyes widened, dark brows rose and gaze focused entirely onto their reflection. A part of him couldn't believe she so willingly embraced him - HIM of all beings, one of the cruelest, most manipulative and sinister beings to exist - while another part whispered that she didn't know the true extent of his darkness yet. Never mind that he was well aware of her hidden motive.

"You seem tense." She murmured softly as her hands started a slow caress. And he saw no reason not to indulge in her little play. The young time traveler burrowed closer into his back. It did serve to amuse him. "Is there...anything I can help you with?"

The demon smirked. 'Anything?' What a truly dangerous offer to make a demon.

"Tell me~" She purred.

"And what would you like in return? Hm~ Luciana?" Her name rolled from his lips like it was the most attractive sin. One you simply must indulge in. And he could feel her quiver. A fanged grin gleamed in their reflection. Sebastian would never deny that he thoroughly enjoyed the effect he had on her. To see his mate respond to him so readily- subconsciously -it made his inner beast purr, delighted, made it want to push further, sink his talons into her and make her his.

Oh, it would be so simple to give in to him. Even while she knew he was only turning her attempt back on herself, she still had to wonder where Sebastian could lead this situation to. She herself could easily imagine some very indulgent results, so how far could he- 'No.', Luce didn't want to admit defeat, not yet. Instead she steeled herself, releasing a shaky breath. "Sadly," the ravenette paused to angle her lips closer to the bare skin on his nape and leaned her head on his shoulder, "my wants will have to wait.". Her fingers purposely trailed under his tailcoat and tugged at the buttons of his vest. That was more than enough indication of her wants. Her hand moved out from under his tailcoat, shying along his trousers while the other moved up his chest -"This –"- to where his heart would be. " – is all about you."

A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. Definitely not the reaction she was looking for. "Don't think I don't know what you are doing."

'Well,...' "Say the word and I'll move onto my next tactic." Her breath tickled his ear as she nuzzled up into the juncture of his neck.

He hummed. "I would rather watch you continue to fumble." He could literally feel her scowling at his back.

"Excuse you?" Her fingers dug into him in a way that would have been painful, had he been human. "No need to be an arse." Luce shoved away from him with as much dignity as she could manage. 'Bloody wanker!'

"Luce, do remember to take out the champagne glasses." He couldn't help but metaphorically drive a nail into the coffin.

She gave him an affronted look, wishing to slap him but knowing that it would definitely hurt her more than him. 'Stupid demon', so she grit her teeth and smiled, "Of course your majesty, as you please." The sarcasm thick in the air as she left the demon butler smirking at the way she puffed up like an annoyed kitten.

.

Onto phase 2 then.

As soon as Luce was far enough, she spoke, knowing that the demon would still be able to hear her. "Oh that's right-" , she didn't even try to keep the grin off her face. "I wonder what the little earl would do if he knew about the kittens you keep, Sebastian~" The time traveler didn't know it but she had just achieved what few others had; a look of true horror gracing the demon's face.

Luce yelped when the being in question was suddenly before her. 'Using demon powers is so unfair.' Still, she felt giddy ducking under the arm that intended to grab her and ran. She laughed. Goading the demon butler was definitely suicidal but so much more fun.

Contrary to the last time Sebastian chased after her, he wasn't playing. The demon didn't hold back and caught her before she had even run ten steps ahead. Luce fell back into a hard chest, letting out a breathy chuckle as his arm wound around her waist like an iron restraint. 'Yeah, he's definitely not taking any chances...' And all that because of kittens –how adorable.

"Now, Luciana, I suggest you think carefully." The demon tilted her head up to peer into her eyes with burning garnet. And if one were to later ask the young time traveler, she would say that there was a hint of desperation in those angered eyes. Alas, she was far more occupied with calming down her laughter. "What is it that you had just said?" Her lips twitched at his narrowed eyes. "Think carefully."

'Wow, he repeated himself...how unnecessary.' Inwardly, Luce rolled her eyes. It wasn't like she had selective hearing or some such and she also wasn't that cruel. He could keep his kittens. 'I mean they are cute as hell.' "S-should I bring the glasses straight to the dining room or to the kitchen?"

She did have another idea. 'And they do say three times the charm.'