Princess of Hell

The warm water of the leisure wing's bathing chamber had been exactly what we needed after our intimate encounter. As Aria and I made our way back through the palace corridors toward the transport gate, she couldn't seem to stop talking about the experience.

"Even the bath is something else here," Aria said, shaking her head in amazement. "I mean, Lily, you literally have a real waterfall in there. An actual waterfall! With perfectly heated water that somehow knows exactly the right temperature for each person using it."

I glanced around the ornate hallway, taking in the crystalline formations and flowing magma channels that provided both light and warmth throughout the palace. "I suppose it might be a bit luxurious," I admitted, though even as I said it, I realized that was probably an understatement.

"A bit?" Aria stopped walking entirely, turning to face me with an expression of mock offence. "Oh, forgive me, Your Highness. I forgot that when one lives so far above the masses, a magical waterfall that reads your mind is merely 'a bit' luxurious. How silly of me to be impressed by such modest accommodations."

Her playfully mocking tone made me laugh despite myself. "Stop it, I get it."

"Do you, though?" She resumed walking, but I could see the amused smile playing at her lips. "Because I'm starting to think you don't fully appreciate what you have here."

I sighed, considering her words. "I just don't feel like I should brag about what's not really mine, you know?"

"Not yours?" Aria's voice pitched higher with disbelief. "Lily, you're a princess! This entire palace is yours. If anything, you should be ashamed for underselling this place so much. I've seen noble houses that would kill for a single room like the one we just bathed in."

"In my defence," I muttered, "my own quarters are more modest. And before today, I never really ventured into the more… pleasurable parts of the palace."

Aria gave me a look that was equal parts exasperated and fond. "Well, you should have. You're a succubus, after all."

I grinned at her, unable to resist the opening she'd given me. "Oh well, I might have forgotten that little detail."

The joke earned me a playful swat on the arm, though Aria's laughter told me she appreciated the reference to my past.

As we approached the transport gate chamber, Anastasia appeared as if she'd been waiting for us. Her crimson skin seemed to glow with satisfaction, and there was something different about the way she carried herself now—more confident, perhaps, or simply more content.

"Princess," she said, offering a respectful bow that somehow managed to convey both formality and genuine affection. "I hope your visit was… enjoyable."

"It was stimulating in many ways," I replied, noting the subtle shift in her expression at my words. "Thank you for everything, Anastasia."

"It was my absolute pleasure to serve," she said, and I could hear the sincerity in her voice. "I wish you both a safe journey back to the Academy. And Princess…" She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Please visit more often. The palace feels more alive when you're here."

Her words carried a weight that went beyond simple politeness, and I found myself nodding. "I will. I promise."

Anastasia's smile was radiant as she stepped back to allow us access to the transport gate. The massive arch hummed with power, its hellish runes glowing with steady crimson energy as it prepared for our departure.

"Ready?" I asked Aria as we approached the swirling portal.

"More than ready," she replied, though I could see her casting one last appreciative look around the chamber. "Though I have to say, leaving this place gets harder every time."

We stepped through the gate together, the familiar sensation of dimensional travel washing over us as we were transported back to Igneus.

As we emerged from Ardorkeep's transport plaza, I stretched and considered my options for the evening. "I'm going to head back to the dorm," I told Aria. "Are you coming with me?"

"No way," she said immediately, her eyes bright with mischief. "I'm going straight to Isabella to brag about everything we just experienced. She's going to be so jealous that she missed out on seeing the leisure wing in action."

I shook my head, amused by her enthusiasm. "Suit yourself."

"Oh, I absolutely will," Aria grinned. "See you later, Princess. Try not to let all that luxury go to your head."

With that parting shot, she headed off toward Isabella's residence, practically bouncing with excitement.

* * *

Three days had passed since our visit to the palace, and the time had finally come to meet Aria's mother. I found myself genuinely curious about what kind of person she was—the woman who had raised my vibrant, enthusiastic friend.

Aria never really talked about her mother, which in itself was telling. From the few offhand remarks I'd heard over the months, it seemed Aria didn't particularly enjoy her mother's company, though she still respected her and acknowledged what she'd been taught. There was always something guarded in Aria's expression whenever the topic came up, a subtle shift that made me wonder what their relationship was really like.

We'd just finished Professor Zellaris's Occultism class, where she'd spent the hour lecturing about the finer points of contractual loopholes with mortals.

"Alright," Aria said as we gathered our things, her usual buoyant energy slightly subdued. "Before we go, I need to warn you both—don't be disappointed if this isn't what you're expecting."

Isabella raised an eyebrow as she slipped her notes into her spatial ring. "What do you mean?"

"My mother is…" Aria paused, seeming to choose her words carefully. "She's not the friendly type. She's going to try to use our friendship for some kind of gain, Isabella. I can guarantee it. She doesn't do anything without calculating the potential benefits."

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Isabella's expression didn't change, but I caught the slight tightening around her eyes. "I see. Should I hide my wings, then?"

"That would definitely be better," Aria nodded, then looked between us both. "And if you could glamour your hair, that would be even safer."

I frowned, running a hand through my white locks. "Why? What's wrong with our hair?"

"My mother is extremely perceptive," Aria explained, her voice taking on a more serious tone than I was used to hearing from her. "Hair colour among succubi can be very telling. She'd only need to see Isabella's silver hair or yours to start suspecting one of you might be a pureblood. And trust me, you don't want her attention if she thinks there's something valuable to be gained."

The way she said it sent a small chill down my spine. I exchanged a glance with Isabella, who sighed softly.

"Very well," Isabella said, her wings already beginning to fade from view as she activated her glamour. "What colours would you suggest?"

"Something common," Aria replied. "Brown, maybe auburn. Nothing that stands out."

I watched as Isabella's elegant silver hair shifted to a warm chestnut brown, the change so seamless it was almost disturbing. Following her lead, I concentrated on my own glamour, feeling the familiar tingle as my distinctive white hair transformed into a more mundane dark brown.

"Better?" I asked, running my fingers through the now-unfamiliar strands.

Aria nodded approvingly. "Much. She'll still try to figure out who you really are—she can't help herself—but at least you won't be advertising your bloodlines."

"This is starting to sound less like meeting a parent and more like infiltrating enemy territory," I muttered.

"You're not wrong," Aria said with a humourless laugh. "But don't worry, I'll handle her. Just… try not to let anything she says get under your skin, okay? She's very good at finding pressure points."

Isabella straightened her shoulders, her noble bearing intact despite the disguise. "I've dealt with manipulative nobility before. I think I can manage one boutique owner."

"Famous last words," Aria muttered under her breath, but she was already moving toward the door. "Come on, let's get this over with. Her shop is in the main district."

As we walked through Ardorkeep's busy streets, I found myself studying Aria's profile. The closer we got to our destination, the more tense she became, though she tried to hide it behind her usual cheerful chatter. Whatever her relationship with her mother was like, it clearly wasn't the warm, supportive dynamic I'd been fortunate enough to discover with my own parents.

The boutique came into view—an elegant storefront with dark windows and sophisticated signage that suggested expensive tastes and exclusive clientele.

"Ready?" Aria asked, though she seemed to be asking herself as much as us.

I nodded, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead.

* * *

Aria took a deep breath that seemed to steel her entire body, then pushed open the boutique's heavy glass door. A soft chime announced our arrival as we stepped inside.

The interior was more sophisticated than I'd expected—rich fabrics displayed on elegant mannequins, soft lighting that made everything appear luxurious without being gaudy. The scent of expensive perfume and fine leather hung in the air, creating an atmosphere of refined taste and considerable wealth.

"Mother," Aria called out, her voice carrying just the right note of dutiful affection, though I caught the slight tension underneath.

A woman emerged from behind a curtained doorway at the back of the shop, and I immediately understood why Aria had been so cautious. She was striking in the way that predators were beautiful—elegant and perfectly composed, with midnight black hair that caught purple highlights in the boutique's lighting. Her violet eyes swept over Aria with what might have been maternal warmth, but there was something calculating in her gaze that made my skin prickle with unease.

Those same eyes landed on Isabella and me as we entered behind Aria, and I felt as though I were being assessed, catalogued, and filed away for future reference all in the span of a heartbeat.

"Aria, darling," the woman said, moving forward to embrace her daughter. The gesture looked natural enough, but I noticed how her gaze continued to study Isabella and me over Aria's shoulder. "How lovely to see you. And you've brought friends."

"Yes," Aria replied as they separated, her cheerful mask sliding perfectly into place. "These are my Academy friends—Isabella and Lily."

"How wonderful," the woman said, turning her attention to us with a smile that was all politeness and sharp interest. "I'm Sombra Nova, Aria's mother. It's so rare that she brings anyone by the shop."

Isabella inclined her head with practised nobility. "A pleasure to meet you, Mrs Nova. You have a beautiful establishment."

"Thank you, dear. And please, call me Sombra." Her eyes lingered on Isabella's face, and I could practically see her mind working, trying to place something about Isabella's bearing or speech patterns. "Tell me, what are you studying at the Academy?"

"The usual curriculum," Isabella replied smoothly. "Magicraft, alchemy, the standard courses for young succubi."

"Of course. And your families—are they here in Ardorkeep as well?"

I tensed slightly, but Isabella's expression didn't shift. "My family has holdings throughout the First Circle. We travel frequently for business."

"How interesting. What sort of business, if you don't mind my asking?"

Aria stepped in smoothly. "Mother, you know how boring Academy talk can be. Isabella's family deals in… what was it again? Import and export?"

"Something like that," Isabella agreed with just the right note of vague disinterest.

Sombra's attention shifted to me, and I felt those violet eyes cataloguing every detail of my appearance despite the glamour. "And you, Lily? Are you from a merchant family as well?"

"My family keeps to themselves mostly," I said, trying to match Isabella's casual tone. "Nothing as exciting as interlayer trade."

"Modest," Sombra observed with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "How refreshing. So many young succubi these days are eager to boast about their connections." She moved gracefully between the clothing displays, her fingers trailing over silk and velvet. "I do hope you're both taking care of my Aria at the Academy. She can be quite… enthusiastic about her friendships."

"We look out for each other," I replied carefully.

"Excellent. It's so important to have reliable allies, don't you think? Especially in an environment as competitive as the Academy." Sombra's tone was light, conversational, but there was something underneath it that felt like a test. "I imagine you girls must come from quite accomplished families to attend such a prestigious institution."

"The Academy accepts students from various backgrounds," Isabella said with just a hint of frost in her voice.

"Of course, of course. Though family connections certainly don't hurt, do they?" Sombra laughed, the sound musical but somehow hollow. "Not that there's anything wrong with that—we all use the advantages we're born with."

Aria's smile was becoming more strained by the moment. "Mother, you're making my friends uncomfortable with all these questions."

"Nonsense, darling. I'm simply being a good hostess." Sombra's eyes glittered with amusement. "It's not often I get to meet the young ladies who've captured my daughter's loyalty so completely."

"Besides," Sombra continued, "I'm sure they understand a mother's curiosity about her daughter's companions. After all, friendships can be very influential during one's formative years."

I was beginning to understand why Aria had been so nervous. Every word out of Sombra's mouth seemed designed to extract information while simultaneously evaluating our potential usefulness.

Aria finally seemed to reach the end of her patience. "Mother, what did you actually need? You rarely write unless there's something specific you want."

Sombra laughed, a sound like silver bells with just a hint of mockery. "You jest, darling. Can't a mother simply miss her daughter's company?" She moved to straighten an already perfect display of scarves. "I simply have a lot on my mind lately, and I thought perhaps we could discuss a few matters that might interest you."

The way Sombra's violet eyes lingered on each of us with calculating interest made my skin crawl. Whatever she wanted from Aria, I had the feeling that Isabella and I had just become part of her equation.