Chapter 28 Queen's Gambit Accepted
Hiei did not like Mitage's castle, at all. Granted, he should have expected it to reside in the middle of a lake considering he was a water demon but it still bothered him. If he could not plant his feet into the ground, he avoided the area. He hated boats, he was always uneasy on them, and not even Kami could help the poor soul who attempted to force him onto one of those human flying machines. The idea of falling into an abyss with no way out, nothing for him to grasp or hold onto was unnerving.
"Calm yourself, Herven." Mîra's steady voice did little to sooth his anxiety. "There is bound to be an escape tunnel underneath, it's all a matter of finding it." She bent over and placed her palm on the ground in front of them.
"Cemen, Nen," she said quietly and for a moment, Hiei thought he felt the ground pulsate underneath him.
"Now then, let's go over this one more time," she said turning to him. She was wearing her usual hunting outfit, the forest green fabric crisp and clean. Her brown leather boots seemed to have a shine to them and he knew Víraserce was clean as a whistle, resting in the scabbard attached to a leather band around her hips. Her hair was pulled up, a small gold necklace with an emerald heart hanging from it, an anniversary gift. The matching earrings dangled from the first set of ear holes and an assortment of emeralds and gold studs decorated her long, slender ears. Resting in her hair was an intricate gold circlet, the lines of gold intertwining and creating golden leaves. Across her shoulder and on the other side of her hip was a brown satchel bag that held everything they needed and clasped at her throat was the hook for her green cloak.
Hiei wore his usual attire, he was not the one with a sense of fashion or what would be considered proper like his wife. To her, this was a meeting with the enemy king and she had to present herself as someone of equivalent status. To him, Mitage was the ass who won. For her, the game of chess was beginning. For him, he was pissed the demon had summoned his mate.
"If he throws us in chains, we can get out easily so he will more than likely try to incapacitate us before doing so. Be wary of the food and drink. If the drink is handed out separately, rather than poured, don't touch it. I have water on me. The food will be brought out separately, that is inevitable so if it so much as smells or looks funny don't touch it. I have antidotes on hand but there is so much I will be able to do…
"Once inside, we will have to assume our conversation is being monitored. There is not much I can do about that. My knowledge of illusion magic is limited and I never really had an aptitude for it anyway. We can communicate through Koku , if need be. Remember, don't bring her out unless you have to, the less they know about her the better. Also," she gave him a pointed stare, "Do not let them know you understand my language. We can use it as a tool against them."
Hiei knew all of this, he wasn't an idiot and they had been going over it all morning, but he let her assume control. Starting a fight now would not help either of them and Mîra understood politics better than he did anyway.
She sighed deeply and for a moment her eyes looked weary and tired. Hiei took his mate's cool hand gently and gave it a small, reassuring squeeze. She gave him a small, tender smile and then closed her eyes. He could practically see the iron barricades and the steely defenses rise within her mind, as her visage slowly grew stony and empty. When her eyes opened, her cool gaze was looking past him.
"Now, let's see what this filth wants, shall we? Nar," she commanded, her voice strong and crisp. A bright orange flame burst into her hand and she walked towards the edge of the lake. She swung her arm back and in an underhanded swing, released the ball of flame. It skipped across the water when what looked like a hand grabbed the flame and yanked it under water.
Hiei cast a glare up at his wife whose eyes were shining with arrogance, a small smirk on her face. Even he knew that was a rather insulting way to alert the demon King to their presence. He did not have a chance to ask her about it because the lake water began to bubble. Hiei stood still as the ground beneath him rumbled and stones began to appear that made a pathway to the castle.
Without hesitation, Mîra began to hop from one to another, occasionally skipping one or two stones. Hiei followed her exact footsteps. He could feel the mounting tension inside him rise with each step. Usually he did not have any sort of problem with threatening situations, he could easily convert his nerves into adrenaline, but this was a different situation. His life wasn't the only thing at stake.
The heavy doors were open, waiting for them, and even Hiei had to admit that Mitage had a good set up. The interior of the castle was brighter with openings for the sun, the halls covered in plants and water being channeled openly through the castle. Hiei was reminded more of a palace, perhaps one that was akin to Mîra's home in Alyatavar.
Mitage was waiting for them, standing casually with two curvy female water demons on each arm. Mitage himself wasn't of an immensely strong build, but he was smart and conniving. His manipulation of water was well known and he even had his own school where water demons could come and learn. Of course, they would also be drafted into serving him as payment but that was a detail that seemed to be left out.
His skin was a light green pigment, his hair dark blue and his eyes the darkest of black. From what he could tell, the ladies loved Mitage; he was handsome, powerful, and rich. From what Hiei could see from the abundance of female servants rather scantily clad, it was safe to say Mitage loved them too.
"Welcome to my home! I hope your journey went well?" Mitage's tenor voice said a little too loudly, as though he was trying to impress someone.
"The journey was fine," Mîra replied calmly. Hiei did not respond.
Mitage cupped his ear. "The journey was fine my…"
Hiei gave him a hard stare and clenched his fist. "My king," he said through gritted teeth.
Mitage turned his obsidian eyes onto Mîra. She stared back. "The journey was fine, Demon King."
Hiei''s eyes hardened as Mitage smiled brightly. "Now, now I am the demon king but I'm also your king. I prefer you to address me as 'Your Grace' or 'my King.'"
Mîra frowned. "The only king I will say that too is my father. Ask my husband, I never addressed him as my king, only that he was the demon one. I think you will find it difficult to change my opinion on the matter."
"I see." Mitage smiled eerily at her. "I think you will come to change your mind, elf. Come, follow me."
He turned and they silently followed. Hiei watched the water demon's back as they followed him through the maze of corridors. He glanced up at his wife who was glancing around casually. Hiei brought his attention back to the demon in front of him, trying to prepare himself for anything the water demon threw at him.
Mitage turned a corner and stopped in front of a pair of gold doors. The demon nodded to the women on his arms and they slinked off towards the door. With a wave, he signaled to them and they opened the doors to reveal bright, luxurious colors of every kind. Fabric hung decoratively from the ceiling, pillows were strewn everywhere and jewels were lying about as though they were toys. Of course, that splendor was nothing compared to the women inside. They all ranged in skin tone, height, and temperament but they were all stunningly beautiful.
"Like what you see? You may spend time with any of them, all you have to do is ask," Mitage said smiling to Hiei.
Hiei could feel his wife's hard stare on him. Fortunately for anyone other than his wife, who was more breathtaking and beautiful than any of the whores before him, his physical desires were practically non-existent.
"I have no desire to spend time with your dim-witted whores," he said coolly.
"Come now, Hiei. I am only trying to be hospitable. After all, there is no reason for there to be animosity between us. I bear you no ill will," Mitage said smoothly. Hiei believed him because he wasn't the one who was summoned, his mate was.
Mitage turned to Mîra. "Well perhaps you would like to spend some time with them, elf. You look strained from your journey and those clothes are certainly not becoming of your figure at all. Come, let my ladies give you a bath in jasmine, myrrh, and other fragrances and oils. Let them clothe you and weave water lilies from my garden into your lovely hair. They would match perfectly."
Hiei's fist clenched again. He summoned her because he wanted her. Mitage wanted his mate. He wanted to dress her up as one of his harem girls and keep her there. Hiei swallowed hard. Hiei could challenge him, claiming he was stealing the woman he had claimed as his mate but such duels occurred immediately after the agreement and this castle was embedded with water…
Mîra smirked at him. "I will not pass up a luxurious bath, however I will be wearing the clothes I brought. I will not, nor will I ever be one of your playthings. I have too much bite for you to handle."
Mitage eyed her lustily. "But you will smell like them."
Mîra's eyes glinted, her grin sly. "I was taught not to pass up good opportunities."
The water demon let out a laugh that more closely resembled a cackle. He clapped his hands and one of the harem women appeared. "Ezy, I presume the bath is prepared?"
"Yes, my King," the woman replied. She turned to Mîra. "I must ask you to leave your weapon here, we do not tolerate violence in this room."
"Of course," Mîra replied smoothly. She turned to Hiei as she unfastened Víraserce from her hip. She leaned down and placed a kiss on his cheek and whispered, "Don't worry." The she turned and followed the demoness inside.
Mitage turned to Hiei. "Shall I take you to the dining room or wouold you like to wait on your stunning elf?"
"I will wait," Hiei said curtly. Mitage smiled at him and as the harem woman led his wife to who knows where, Mitage led him to some large pillows with a small space in front. A few women crawled on him as soon as he sat down, purring and stroking him. Hiei sat down next to him and as women moved toward him, he snarled at them nastily. "Back off." The women paused and looked at Mitage before turning away.
"I don't know how you keep that elf under your thumb so well. She was quite the handful during the war," Mitage mused. He clapped his hands and music began to play. Women began to dance in front of them while some other women offered them fruit and wine. Hiei declined them both.
"My mate doesn't need to be controlled. She isn't a lowly animal," Hiei replied, giving the water demon a threatening glare.
"On the contrary, she does. She is a prisoner of war is she not? I had heard that while the elves did not have many riches to leave behind, if one could get to the tents there were a few treasures to behold. Alas, I was not able to get my hands on any of them even though I served under Yomi for a time. I had hoped to come across a female warrior and bring her back here but they were all too badly wounded or already dead." Mitage turned to him and said brightly, "But you were lucky, Hiei. You got the best prize of them all."
Hiei narrowed his eyes at the demon. "What do you want?"
Mitage raised an eyebrow at him. "Hiei, I already told you that I have no quarrel with you. I intend for us to go about things rather peacefully. I hear you are a good territorial lord, you wouldn't want to ruin that would you?"
Hiei was a fool for thinking that no longer being King was a blessing in disguise. Hiei desperately wanted to reach across and rip his throat out, it would be very easy, but that would destroy everything Yusuke had done to stabilize the Makai. He couldn't ruin that.
"What do you intend for my mate?" He asked coldly.
"Let's wait until she is finished bathing. I hate repeating myself," Mitage smiled coldly back, his eyes glinting dangerously. He then turned back towards the women and so Hiei sat and waited for his wife to emerge. He tried not to think about anything because that would only increase his worries and that was something he didn't need at the moment. Mîra wasn't stupid. She had a small dagger in her boot and in her bosom, not to mention her magic. He knew she had something up her sleeve, but what he didn't know.
After sometime, Mîra finally emerged. As much as he hated to think it, the mixture of fragrances made her smell delicious and her skin looked soft and sweet. She had changed into her fancier scarlet and gold dress, rubies hanging from her ears now and a golden dragon necklace inlaid with black diamonds and small rubies rested at the top of her attractive, curvy bosom. Her hair was in a simple braid and she wore the circlet that she had on before.
Had they not been on enemy territory, Hiei would have taken the moment to absorb the breathtaking scenery before him. He then would have treated his wife to the nice dinner she deserved and after a few glasses of wine he would be more than happy to become lost in her. No that wasn't right- lost with her, going beyond the sheer pleasure of her skin to something much deeper that he treasured.
But there were on enemy territory and Mitage was eyeing her with a light in his eye that Hiei did not like. Mîra knew this however as she sauntered over to Hiei, her pretty pink lips pulled into a sly smile, her cheeks rosy, and her eyes glinting with what could only be pride.
"Dear husband," she purred. She slid onto the pillow, sitting next to him so her back was to Mitage, her hand on his chest and the other behind his head. "Tell me, how do I look?" Hiei's eyes locked with hers and he almost missed the flash of a wink.
Past her, he could see Mitage's eyes on her and the disgusting and filthy desire rising in him. Hiei leaned in, inhaled her scent and scowled. Hiei's scent had been drowned out- how dare he! Hiei instantly clamped down on his mate's neck with his teeth, puncturing her skin. He felt her grasp on him tighten and she gasped in surprise. Hiei did not care. He could feel his black and green youki swirling from him into her, her blood tasting salty and sweet. He only let go when his scent had all but engulfed her own. He heard her gasp as though she had been holding her breath, but he paid her no heed.
Hiei eyed Mitage as he slowly ran his tongue over the wounds bubbling with silver. He relished the taste of his mate's blood and the subdued fury that came over the water demon's face.
"Fucking barbarian!" Mîra hissed in his ear. She would get over it. Mîra sat up and snatched his scarf off his neck, the embarrassment and anger burning in her eyes. She did not say anything as she wiped a small stream of blood from her bosom and pressed the scarf against her neck. He knew they would have words later, but he also knew he would win this one.
Hiei stood, grabbed his wife's arm, and jerked her up. He ignored her furious glare. This maybe a chess game but this was a demon chess game and there was only one thing demons universally understood; dominance.
"She belongs to me. If you want her, you will have to try and take her from me," he hissed, his youki flaring around him. "And if I die, I will be sure to take you down with me."
Mitage stared at him hard and then threw his head back, letting out a chilling laugh. "You are too serious, Hiei! But rest assured, I always get what I want. Now if you could be so kind as to calm yourself, you are scaring my women."
Hiei let go of his wife's arm and she clasped it with her other hand, blood on her neck pickling up from the lack of pressure. Hiei stared at the water demon, adrenaline and rage pumping through his veins. Who did this pathetic ass wipe think he was? He was standing in the presence of the demon who survived the Jagan implant at less than 50 years of age. He was the demon who had tamed the demonic flames from hell in the human world! He was Mukuro's second before he rose to King and he would not stand here and let neither he nor his mate be walked all over!
'Patience, Master.'
The girl's voice struck a chord in him and he could feel the adrenaline in him being sucked towards his arm, as though the dragon was absorbing it. Hiei exhaled deeply.
"There we go! Shall we eat now?" Mitage said too cheerfully. He stood and waltzed out of the room. Hiei fell in line next to his wife, a few paces behind the water demon. She was still holding her arm, the bloodied cloth covering it. Hiei looked up at her and frowned. She gave a hard, cold stare back as she removed her hand. Purple and black marks where his fingers were stood out blaringly like a neon sign in a red light district.
He touched it lightly and looked up at her softly, attempting to be apologetic. He hadn't intended to be so rough with her. Her eyes softened slightly but her mask went up again and she faced forward, lightly dabbing her neck. They walked in silence until they reached another set of doors. Mitage pushed them open to reveal the gardens.
Hiei couldn't help but look around in awe. There were small stone platforms resting on large pools of crystal clear blue water. In the water were white water lilies and lily pads to join them. There was a small waterfall on the right side, the water spilling out at a steady pace. Where there wasn't water or stone, colorful flowers of every kind inhabited. The air smelled fresh and the sun shone pleasantly down onto the garden.
"Your gardens are lovely," Mîra complimented as they followed Mitage to a table where food was waiting for them.
"Why thank you. This is my favorite place in the entire castle. It pleases me that you find them to be so attractive as well." Mîra gave him small smile as she sat down. Mitage waited for Hiei to sit down as well before continuing. "So tell me, how was your bath? Did you like it?"
Koku had reminded him to be patient but it was extremely difficult. Patience was never a strong suit of his. He hated waiting for anything. What he hated more than patience was being undermined. Even more so than being undermined, Hiei hated being weak and useless, which was exactly how he was feeling now as Mitage gave Mîra a saccharine smile.
Mîra smiled and Hiei noticed a glint in her eyes. "Oh it was enlightening, to say the least."
"Good! I hope you do not mind taking an early dinner. You arrived a little after mid-day so I assume this is appropriate."
Mîra nodded in response. Mitage clapped his hands and servants appeared with pitchers of water and wine. Hiei looked down at the plate in front of him, there was a large portion of meat with some side vegetables and bread. Hiei glanced over at his wife who was staring at Mitage, who had that creepy cheerful smile on his face.
"Please, go ahead and help yourselves," Mitage said, gesturing to the food.
"And be rude to our host?" Mîra replied sweetly.
Mitage's smile widened. "Considering how you threw fire at my water nymphs and your husband openly threatened me, I would say you are past worrying about being rude." Mîra's eyes narrowed at him and her visage grew hard. Mitage laughed, "Don't worry, the food is not poisoned. I will not take you so easily without breaking you first."
Mîra's fist was so tightly clenched, Hiei could see the whites of her knuckles. Hiei kept Koku's voice in the back of his mind, the only thing keeping him from pulling out his sword.
Mitage took a bite of the meat and sighed, "Oh this is delicious! There is no finer delicacy of the Makai, am I wrong?" he asked grinning to Hiei.
Mitage seemed to have a lot of patience and they still didn't know what Mitage wanted from Mîra. Hiei had several guesses but it would be better to hear them from Mitage himself. For now, he had to keep his temper in line. Kurama would be so proud.
Hiei took a bite of the meat and found it to be rather delicious, probably the best he had ever eaten. That was saying something considering it has taken his wife a full three months before she had found a meat in the Makai she enjoyed. To Hiei, who had not grown up in anything close to luxury, food was food. He supposed he had developed a small artistic taste for it after he became more acquainted with the human world as humans seemed to take pride in what they cooked. But he hadn't tasted anything close to what he would consider delicious until now. The taste was rich and flavorful, even without spices. Now that he was concentrating on it, the smell it gave off was familiar and enticing. With each bite Hiei felt fuller, not hunger wise but within his youki. That somehow it strengthened him like never before and everything else was mediocre.
"Delicious, isn't it?" Mitage's voice was sing-song happy. "You should try it too," he said to Mîra.
Hiei glanced at Mîra to see that she had taken a few bites of the vegetables but hadn't gone near the meat. Her lips were pulled into a tight line and she had a concentrated look on her face as though she was trying to hold something back. "I ate during my bath. I will have to pass." Her voice was controlled and she tried to say it civilly but Hiei could hear the tightness in her voice.
Mitage gave her a charming, but slightly sinister, grin. "Is that so? That is a shame."
No one said anything for the rest of the meal, and Hiei watched his wife carefully as she ate. She continued to avoid the meat but finished the rest of the plate and the wine. Hiei was perturbed, was the meat poisoned? What did she know that he didn't? Hiei disliked having a lack of answers and so he put them to the back of his mind, keeping his ears and eyes peeled instead.
When Mitage finished he servants took away the plates and replaced them with some sort of gelatin desert. Disgusting. Sweet snow would have been a better option. Then again, Mitage serving Hiei's favorite dish seemed like sacrilege. "So shall we get down to business?" He looked at Mîra as he spoke.
"I will listen to whatever foolish reason you have for dragging us out here," Mîra said, her voice hard.
Mitage wagged his finger. "How many times do I have to say it? I am growing tired of repeating myself… I have nothing against Hiei nor do I intend him any ill will. I summoned you because I am interested in you."
"Many men have been interested in me, it's not surprising. However, I am spoken for," Mîra smiled, taking a bite of her gelatin.
"You are, for now," Mitage drawled.
"I should warn you, that if you attempt to force me to become one of your whores my husband will attack you and this time you won't be so lucky," she stated.
Mitage stared at her with intrigue. "Silly elf, he is a fire demon surrounded by water on an island. He will not make it out alive."
"Silly demon, I will end you before you get the chance." She flashed a bright smile at him, her eye daring him to move against them.
Mitage laughed and said, "You will be so much fun to break! I cannot wait to see you devoid of your spirit, your hope, your dreams. The look of utter helplessness that will grace your perfect features as you beg me to take you in, the pitiful look on your face as you explain that only I can give you what you need."
What did he just say? Break his wife? Hiei almost laughed. His wife was an iron wall of will and pride. Nothing could break her. Mîra did not find his words to be as foolish or amusing, however.
"I will never be one of your whores. And if I do break, you will never see it, you will never hear it, you won't even know about it. You are a lowly piece of scum that I can easily break in two," she said. Her voice was quiet but strong. It was plain that she was an opponent that was not to be underestimated.
Mitage let out a hollow laugh as he rubbed his throat. He stood and stared at them lazily. "I am in a very good mood so before I dismiss you to your rooms I will tell you how you will come to me. I will destroy everything that you hold dear in four moves, two of which I have already completed."
Mîra rose, her calm visage gone and replaced with a simmering fury. "If you so much as even thinking about hurting my husband or our family, I will find you and I will make you wish you were dead," she said so coldly had Hiei been prone to it, he would have shivered.
Mitage smiled at her. "People? People mean nothing to you, elf. I know this because you and I are similar. Love is not a need, it is a want. Why do you think I keep so many women here? No, no you are much more materialistic than that."
Hiei's mate visibly stiffened but said nothing. Internally, he frowned. Why didn't she refute him, tell him that those she held dear were what she needed? She was that sort of person; at least he had always figured her to be in that sort of mindset. But she did not speak. Instead, he could feel the magic cackling around her. Most demons wouldn't be able to sense it. He supposed that due to his constant proximity with her his senses had adjusted to them. Mitage would not know what hit him until he was potentially dead.
"Would you like me to explain further, your Highness?" He mocked. "One, I am King." He paused, and Hiei could see his word sink into his wife. "Two," he continued, "I have taken your strength and power."
"Oh? Exactly how did that work out?" She asked proudly, her arms crossed.
"I can call my guards to take you to my chambers right here, right now and there isn't a thing you could do about it. That is, if you don't care about thrusting the demon realm into civil war," Mitage said smiling.
Hiei's eyed widened but quickly hardened as rage shot through him. "Bastard," he growled. Mitage ignored him.
"I am a patient demon, elf. I will wait for you to break and come crawling to me because I will be able to offer you what no one else can."
"I am perfectly fine where I am, Demon King," she snapped.
Mitage smiled. "Tell me, elf, when was the last time you had bathed yourself in oils and perfumes like that. You seem to appreciate the," his gaze wandered to her necklace as he paused, "shining, glittering, and expensive things in life. It comes with the big power ego."
Mîra breathed deeply and it was evident she was using all her effort, all her political training to not pull out her sword right there and then. The air was thick and Hiei decided that was enough. "We are leaving. Now."
"Not until first light tomorrow." Mitage clapped and servants appeared. "They will show you too your rooms."
Mîra raised her head proudly, turned on her heel, and left the room, a servant running after her. Hiei stared threateningly at the water demon for he turned to follow his wife. He didn't think. Thinking would cause rage and rage would cause irrational judgment. Normally he could afford to be irrational, but not with his wife on the line. Losing himself was one thing. Losing her was another.
He was only a few paces behind his wife and she waited for him to enter the room before closing the door, locking it, and proceeding to throw up into the nearest empty wash basin. He stared at her hunched figure as she breathed heavily and threw up again. Wordlessly he reached over to move her braid out of the way but her hand snapped out, pushing him away.
"Don't touch me," she said hoarsely before throwing up again.
Hiei blinked, confused. Was she poisoned? Shit, she had been poisoned! He found the satchel on the bed and began pulling out all sorts of potions, blue, silver, red, green. None of them were labeled.
"I'm not poisoned, you fool," he heard her try to snap. He turned his attention back to his wife as she took a nearby towel and wiped her mouth. She poured herself a glass of water and swished it around and spat into the bowl a few times before exhaling deeply. Her back was to him and she pushed against the table.
Hiei moved towards her but her arm flashed out again, her palm up. "Don't," she said darkly. Hiei stopped where he was and waited. Her arm fell against her like deadweight and she drank more water.
What was bothering her so much? Was it Mitage's words? They were ridiculous and inconsequential. The demon had threatened them and Hiei really wanted to rip out his throat and cut that stupid smile off his face but Hiei knew he was all words. This was a demon who had recently come into the spotlight. Before, he was unheard of. Hiei had nothing to worry about. He knew that his wife was slightly materialistic but Mitage was wrong. She meant everything to Hiei and was sure she felt the same about him. She had to, right?
Hiei tossed aside his doubts and he caught her arm as she tried to push him away. Her head turned to him furiously her eyes staring at him with something he didn't recognize. He didn't say anything but he held her gaze waiting.
She snatched her arm out of his grip and took a step back, away from him. "You enjoyed it didn't you, wanted more of it?" she said quietly, her tone flat.
"What are you talking about?" He asked slowly.
"Dinner."
"Of all the things that happened and you are asking me about what we ate?" He said frustrated. What the hell was going on with this woman?
She eyed him for a moment and then sighed, staring at him with a mixture of envy and sorrow. "Oh, Hiei, how ignorance is bliss. I did not eat it and I never will."
Hiei stared at her for a moment and racked his memory, searching for the scent and taste. Then his eyes widened. He had recognized the smell of the meat because he had smelled it before, a long time ago, in Mukuro's personal chambers, when she actually ate. The first time he had been there when he watched her eat, she offered him some. He declined, because he knew what she was eating. She only ate one kind of meat.
Human.
Oh, Kami what had he done?
Mîra smiled wryly and moved past him. He turned to her sharply and tried to formulate words but all he could do was stare as she drank half of the red potion. He tore his gaze from her and sat down on the window sill, staring out at the lake.
Hiei had never eaten human. He knew demons feasted on them but he didn't care about what he ate, as long as he didn't go hungry it didn't matter. Mukuro had once commented that he was too young to understand and maybe he was, but they seemed like more trouble than it was worth. He knew demons who had killed each other over a small bite off the flesh.
He thought back to fullness inside of him. Maybe that was why demons could survive without it. Their flesh invigorated them, made them stronger and more powerful. When he was King he allowed human trafficking for criminals to keep the demon population sated but he never partook in the activities.
He didn't tell Yusuke about it either.
How could he? Even though the spawn of Raizen was alive because of his demon blood, he still had reiki. He was still human. Then there was Kuwabara and Kurama… the fox had decided of his own utter free will that he would rather be human than demon. That there was something humans possessed that demons inherently lacked. Hiei took out the stones from underneath his cloak. He stared at his sisters tear and wondered if she had similar thoughts, that if she too felt that she lacked something that Kuwabara had. That this something was worth more than anything. Damnit, he was trying so hard to do… what? The right thing? What the hell was the "right thing?" He was a demon damnit!
Hiei turned his head as Mîra sat down next to his feet on the ledge and leaned against the stone. She had shed her dress and was wearing her tan corset and white bloomers. The jewelry was removed and her loose hair was wavy from the braid. Her eyes slid over to him and she extended her hand to him, the red potion in her palm.
"It will cleanse your pallet and sooth your stomach," she said quietly.
He took it from her and finished it off. He licked his lips and stared at her.
"I am a demon. I enjoy the taste of your blood." He paused. "And my kin are human. I will not dishonor them."
His wife regarded him silently for a moment. Then she turned her back to him slightly and gently swept the hair on her back over her shoulder. "I need help."
Hiei knew that she was asking him to undo the ties on the corset but he snorted, "Don't we all?" There was a small pause before he heard her speak.
"I am materialistic. You don't see it, you can't or you don't want to. But I am," her voice was barely above a whisper.
"You are nothing like he described," Hiei snapped.
She turned and stared at him somberly, "Power for myself and my kingdom is what matters the most to me. Don't forget that."
Hiei did not respond immediately, thinking to himself instead. When he was first forced to work with Yusuke, he was talking to Kurama about how he wouldn't be able to trust him. Kurama had mentioned that it is in trying times where people's true colors emerge. Kurama had seen Yusuke for the man he was, but Hiei had yet to. Just as he had yet to see all of Mîra and the kind of person she was.
He had seen her in many situations with or without pressure, but this was the first time he had seen her in a situation where they were truly threatened. It wasn't just her physical body that was in jeopardy but also the things that made her who she was.
He leaned forward, circled his arms around her waist, and kissed the back of his mate's neck. He closed his eyes and lightly nuzzled the area with his nose, inhaling the mixture of lavender and his musky scent. "You are mine," he said softly. "That will never change."
She glanced back at him, worry in her eyes. He grasped her tightly and his eyes fell on the marks on her arm. He gently pulled it towards him and he lightly kissed the bruises.
"Mitage is a fool. You are strong, Vesse. Do not waste your worries on this idiot. Next time, we will get him," he said growled.
Her worried visage did not lighten. Hiei frowned, but then something hit him. He never liked it when someone flaunted their authority in front of him. This was why Hiei liked being his own master, there was no one to tell him what to do. Even Mukuro could not force him to do something if he didn't want too, back when he was working for her. If someone did try and lord over him, he made sure to find a way to stick their words up their ass, where it belonged. He always had authority issues and the situation with Mitage was no different.
He smirked at his lovely mate and stood so that he could look down on her. Before she could say anything, her face was in his grasp and his lips pressed against hers heatedly.
Mîra broke the kiss and gave him a silent glare. "I hardly think is the time. Besides, I don't think I can withstand another vampyric bite," she snorted.
"I disagree."
She frowned at him. "Hiei, I think your desires can wait another day. Besides, with all the water and mirrors in this place Mitage at least has access to everything we are saying."
Hiei's snide smirk grew. She opened her mouth to objet but her visage froze midway. Slowly her lips pulled into a sly smirk and her eyes glinted excitedly. "I knew there was a reason why I kept you around."
"Don't be stupid woman. Between the oaf, Boton's chattering, Kurama being a wise ass, if it weren't for me you would have gone crazy by now."
She laughed prettily and grinned at him. "Don't I know it!" Then, a little louder she said, "You hear that Mitage? I'm going to make love to my husband all night long. I hope you get a good listen in while you can because this is something you will never have!"
On cue, Hiei proceeded to do just that. It was a rather pleasant satisfaction, knowing that Mitage was fuming over the fact. There was chance that Mitage could attack them right there and then but Hiei didn't give a damn. Mîrvana was his wife, his mate, the one person he held closest to him other than his sister. If he was going to go down while mating with his wife and sticking it to the ass in charge, well that was a two for one special.
When he finished, he kissed the warm skin over her pounding heart before turning to his mate's eyes. She stared at him, her eyes tender and her fingers playing with his hair. "You and I," she murmured. He kissed her briefly before whispering the words back. She sighed happily and he reluctantly slid off of her, but he held her tightly. There was no way he was going to let her go.
When Hiei awoke, it was to Mîra sliding into the bed. He blinked, trying to focus his vision.
"Vesse," he mumbled, his mind foggy, "What are you doing?"
"Snuggling with you. But we should get up soon, dawn is approaching and I don't want to stay here any longer than we have to." Her voice sounded giddy, like she had just successfully completed a difficult potion and was beaming with pride.
"Fucker," he mumbled.
She laughed brightly again. "You are adorable in the morning, you know that?" Hiei tried to glare at her but he was sure he was unsuccessful. That and she was grinning at him madly. It was hard to glare at that gorgeous grin, especially when he was only half coherent.
His wife gave him a kiss and pranced out of the bed. Begrudgingly Hiei pulled himself out the bed and got dressed. By the time they made it down to the main gate, he was wide awake and alert. The castle guards opened the gate and when Hiei stepped out of the threshold he exhaled deeply. He frowned, however when he noticed the stepping stones were not above water.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm too tired to draw up the stepping stones. You'll manage won't you?" Mitage drawled from behind them.
They turned to face him and Hiei smirked and cast a glance up at his wife, whose visage carried a similar expression.
"Something keep you up all night?" Hiei taunted. Mitage scowled at him. Hah, they had wiped that annoying smile right off the bastards face.
"Have a nice swim," he snarled. He turned on his heel to leave when Hiei heard his wife laugh haughtily.
"Oh, please," she said rolling her eyes. In a flash, Víraserce was out of her scabbard and Mîra thrust her into the ground yelling sharply, "Cemen!"
The ground began to shake and Hiei's snide smile grew as large platforms of rock rumbled to the surface. The color drained from Mitage's face as he tried to maintain composure. Mîra swung her claymore over her shoulder and walked up to him. She leaned in close and said,
"Bring it."
What could Hiei say? His crazy wife never failed to make a fabulous entrance or exit.
Sorry for the long delay! Life has been busy in addition to me figuring out how to wrap up this section. I've put a lot of thought into it because it really sets up the dynamic between Mîra and Hiei for the rest of the fic, in who they are as individuals and how they regard the other. Anyway, I hope you all like it and the direction I'm going in! I can't wait to hear what you think (hint hint review!)