The demon continued to soothe Devyn until he had calmed down; the human then pulled away and dried his eyes. "I guess I am still getting used to being taken care of," Devyn said in apology for his sudden emotional burst of tears.

"That's okay. Take all the time you need. I'll be right here."

Devyn's heart swelled at Denzyl's words. Devyn nodded in response before saying, "Thank you," with a small smile.

"You have to promise me one thing, though," Denzyl said, his tone turning serious and catching Devyn's attention. The human waited patiently as the demon continued, "Don't ever feel that way again."

Devyn pursed his lips and swallowed before slowly nodding. "I promise."

"Good," Denzyl smiled softly at the beautiful man sitting in front of him. "It was my decision to leave and my decision to follow you to Daedoeshi just as it is my decision to go with Kilo to Hades."

Devyn's head snapped up at the demon's last words. "You're going to Hades to rescue Castyr?" The human's eyes widened as he inquired of the demon. He had not known of Denzyl's plans to join the rescue mission. Devyn's eyes moistened as he gazed at the demon tenderly. It was not Denzyl's responsibility to rescue Castyr, and Devyn knew the crimson-haired man was doing it for his sake.

Denzyl knew Castyr's importance to Devyn and wanted to protect the star who was held as precious by many. Even though the demon had just met Kilo and Castyr, Denzyl was willing to venture into Hades to rescue the captured star. The demon let out a small sound of surprise as soft lips suddenly touched his. Denzyl let out a small smile as he saw Devyn pull away bashfully and look toward the roof that lied beneath them.

This time it was Devyn who released a yelp of surprise as Denzyl pulled the human close to him and entrapped his lips in a deep kiss. The human closed his eyes as the two's lips crashed against each other. Devyn was panting by the time Denzyl pulled away, and his face was flushed with a deep red. "Did you honestly think I'd let you get away with just a peck?" Denzyl asked in a low tone as he cradled Devyn's neck.

Denzyl's deep voice sent tingles down Devyn's spine as the human looked up into those stormy grey eyes. A smile covered the human's face as Devyn went in for another kiss in response to the demon's words. Denzyl was happy to oblige and returned the kiss quite passionately. A moan escaped Devyn's lips as Denzyl deepened the kiss and tasted the human's mouth with his tongue.

The demon and human kept their foreheads pressed together as the two's lips parted and they gasped for air. Denzyl placed a small peck on the tip of Devyn's nose before standing to his feet and offering his hand. "We should head inside; it's getting cold," the demon explained as Devyn took his hand. The human stood to his feet and nodded in agreement. Even though the days and evenings were warm, the night's peak could grow quite cool.

The penthouse was dark by the time Denzyl and Devyn made their way inside. Rae and Ilios had retired for the night, and Kilo and Miren had returned to their rooms to rest. The redhead had gone to bed earlier than the others as she was returning to Borum in the morning.

The two's fingers were intertwined as the demon led the human down the dark hallway. Denzyl wrapped his arms around Devyn as soon as they entered their room and sweetly placed a kiss behind the human's ear. Devyn could not help but smile as he felt the demon's strong arms hold him. Denzyl carefully shut the door with his foot as he and Devyn slowly walked to the bed.

The human let out a sigh as he sank into the soft mattress and was instantly pulled into Denzyl's arms. The demon planted a small kiss on Devyn's forehead as the two settled down for the night.

"Good night," Devyn voiced sleepily as he snuggled into the man holding him.

"Night, Devyn," Denzyl returned as the two fell into a peaceful sleep.

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Castyr's eyes snapped open to find himself looking into a pair of honey-golden eyes. "Are you okay?" The man asked as he stared down at the star with worry. His voice was deep and soothing, and his hair was a silver-blue. Castyr rose to a sitting position when he recognized the man to be the one he had healed upon his arrival in Hades.

"You woke up faster than I thought you would," the star commented on the man's physical status as he observed the man's healing wounds. Castyr first saw the man covered in blood and unconscious on the floor of their cell when Aklys had escorted him into Hades, but he now had color in his cheeks, even if it was only slightly, indicating he was in much better condition. The star still had not the slightest idea why the man had been beaten so badly, but he noticed that the demon general seemed to be concerned for the man's wellbeing. So, Castyr had decided to care for the man and had spent several hours healing the extensive wounds that covered the man's body.

Castyr's eyes widened as he realized the man was checking on him as if the star was his duckling. You are very mothering. The star thought to himself as he observed the man's condition. His body was healing nicely; the swelling in his eye was nearly completely gone, revealing big, almond-shaped eyes.

"U-u-uh uh," the man stuttered as the star reached out and lifted his shirt to check his wounds. Castyr nodded his head as he saw the wounds were mostly healed.

His naturally muscular arms really show through his sleeveless shirt.

"Who are you?" The man asked with big eyes when Castyr had completed assessing his state of healing.

"Oh. I'm Castyr of Ithyos," the star introduced himself politely.

"Orion," the man returned the greeting before looking down at his mostly-healed body. "How-how?" Orion inquired about the star's healing capabilities. "Are you an angel? You don't smell like one."

Castyr looked out of the cell to make sure no one was in hearing range before turning back to face the man. "I'm a star," Castyr said quietly with a small grin as he revealed his identity.

Orion's eyes widened at Castyr's answer. "What are you doing here? You need to get out. The blood sun is coming soon."

"Blood sun?" Castyr crinkled his brows in confusion. What is a blood sun?

Before Orion had the chance to reply, the door stationed at the beginning of the stairs that led down into the corridor lined with cells opened. Castyr looked toward the entrance to see Aklys enter followed by two demons. Orion immediately stood to his feet and placed the star behind him. Castyr was keen to gently pull the man backward a few steps so the chain around his neck would not choke him.

Aklys' face filled with relief as he saw Orion standing. The demon general shot the star a short expression of gratitude as Orion addressed him. "Aklys, I thought we talked about this. I am not trading my freedom for the star."

Aklys remained silent to Orion's words and nodded his head toward Castyr, signaling his guards to apprehend the star. The two demons opened the cell upon the general's command and walked toward the two prisoners. One grappled with Orion while the second restrained the star. Castyr was careful to not struggle with the demon as he remembered his deal with Aklys, and he did not want to get Orion into trouble.

"Don't hurt him!" The star growled at the guard who was struggling with the angel. "It's okay, Orion. It's probably just going to be a talk with the king. I'll be back before you know it," Castyr assured Orion in an attempt to calm the angel, so he would not get hurt more.

The angel was fuming as he glared at Aklys as if the demon had betrayed him. "If the star gets hurt, you will never see me again," Orion warned the demon general in a low voice.

Aklys swallowed dryly as the angel threatened him. Castyr's eyes grew wide as he looked back and forth between the demon and angel. Damn. Is the demon general being dominated by an angel? I mean, I guess I can see it. Orion is very strong and has a dominating presence even though he is not the tallest angel in the universe.

The demon general stared down his angel silently for a moment before commanding, "Bring him," to his subordinates. The two guards stood behind Castyr as the star fell in line behind their commander. Castyr gave Orion an assuring smile as he followed Aklys out of the hold. The demon general led the star through many long corridors and up several, elaborate stairs until the small party came upon a long hallway.

Aklys' fists clenched as the four neared the two, big iron doors. The demon general bowed his head as the party was announced and ushered inside. Castyr gawked at the size of the throne room. Rough, stone walls came up to make a peek at the climax of the hall just above the massive throne. Barrels of red fire lit the floor while troughs of flames were carved into the walls, forming several rings of fire that lined the entire expanse of the hall.

Aklys kept his head bowed, but Castyr was too curious to adhere to Hades' rules and customs. The gawking star was too busy taking in the vast size of the throne that he did not realize he was staring straight at the king of Hades. A low snarl resonated throughout the hall, warning the star to bow his head, which Castyr did immediately when he realized where he was staring.

"Aklys," the king growled in greeting. The king's snarl was accompanied by the heavy sound of the doors being shut.

"Sire," Aklys greeted with his head bowed.

"It seems you do cherish that pathetic angel. Is this the star?" The king inquired of the prisoner standing just behind the demon general.

"Yes, my liege. This is Star Castyr of Ithyos," Aklys replied as he stepped to the side to give the king a view of the silver-haired star.

A knot formed in Castyr's throat as he was introduced to the king. Castyr fought the urge to lift his head and stare the king straight in the eye with strong defiance as he did not want Aklys to suffer for his act of rebellion.

"Good. Very good," the king complimented the demon general. "You even brought him to me sooner than expected; however..." the last word was spat out with disdain, "you should have been swifter. That angel got another one out while you were gone. I lost another to that pathetic angel. It makes me wonder if he deserves to live."

The king's words made Aklys look up in horror, earning him a loud snarl. The demon general quickly lowered his head as he pleaded, "Sire, please, we had a deal."

"Yes, we did, but last time I checked, I am the king of Hades. And I just can't stand that angel."

Castyr's heart rate sped as he realized that Aklys had done everything to protect Orion. It was all to save his love.

The star's eyes widened as he saw Aklys' response to the king's threat to eliminate Orion. The demon general, one of the most feared demons in the universe, fell to his knees. Wow...he must really love Orion. I have never seen anyone fight so hard for their love...except Kilo. The star instantly filled with respect for Aklys. It is not easy to fall to your knees in front of the soldiers you have trained and who look up to you.

"General!" One of the young demons behind Castyr warned his commanding officer quietly. He clearly did not want his general to go through hardship just to save an angel.

Aklys ignored the young demon's warning and addressed his king. "Please have mercy. I have done as you asked."

"Yes, you have." The king pondered as he brought his hand to his chin in thought. "Let's make another deal."

Ooooh. I really hate this man. Castyr's eyes narrowed at the king's response. First, you make a deal, and then you break it and force him to do more?!! How evil can someone be?!

"There is one angel who I cannot stand more than your pathetic actaeon. Bring him to me, and I shall spare the actaeon," the king concluded.

"Of course. Just say the name." Aklys' voice filled with hope as he sought anything that would save his love.

"The one who stole the tower from me. The one called Ilios."