Sixteen gently lifted his love's chin to meet their eyes. "I know you trust Jasper, but I... I'm still wavering. I don't trust that he won't try and brand you again. Please, I'd like your permission to brand you, simply just to protect you. I wouldn't treat you as property." 

"I wouldn't really mind if you did." Knox responded, snaking his arms over his shoulders. He turned his head slightly to bring his lips closer to his boyfriend's. "I like the way it feels to belong to someone, to be the toy of a greater being."

He smirked, "You haven't changed a bit. Aside from the fact you've gotten so thin." He ran his hands up Knox's sides. "Even through your clothes, I can feel your ribs. Have you been that depressed?"

"No, that's not it. I just get very... numb. The days just go into each other and I hadn't realized that I hadn't eaten in awhile. Even when they started to allow me at the dinner table, the food didn't look appetizing to me. It was like I was staring at nothing."

"What do you mean once you were allowed at the table?" He asked.

"Patients in the criminal ward aren't allowed to eat with the others. I was there when they first brought me here. After my death, I was unstable for awhile. I did some regrettable things. Needless to say, you're not the only one with sins to bear anymore. I don't want to talk about that right now, though. I just want to enjoy having you again. I want you to take advantage of me, the way you used to."

"It's certainly been awhile, but I definitely still have it in me." Sixteen gently pulled his partner's gloves off. He held his hands as delicate as a flower, intertwining their fingers.

Hesitantly, Knox pulled away. "Wait. There's something I should warn you of, first. My psychical form is stuck looking the way it did when I died. The wound that killed me, I still have it. It's... Not a sight for the faint of heart."

"That doesn't bother me, my dear." Sixteen grasped his hands again, pulling their chests against each other. "I've seen far worst, trust me. After your death, Carmella was surprisingly generous enough to allow me time with your body before she disposed of it. I've already had time to accept the damage she gave you. You're beautiful to me regardless."

The smell of lavender and vanilla swirled in the air. For a demon, Sixteen had always been so graceful and beautiful; Everything from the scent of flowers he emitted to the petals that always seemed to dance around him. His brought his lips down to his love's. Their eyes slipped shut as they both tumbled into bliss. 

Sixteen wrapped his hand around the back of Knox's neck, up into his hair. Within a flash of a second, they were suddenly on the bed. White rose petals now trailed from where they once stood to the sheets they laid in. They fell along the comforter like snow. Knox found his breath quickened for the first time in a long time. His numb soul had finally found a spark of emotion.

They only bothered to break their lips apart to remove their clothes. Other than that, they were stuck to each other like flies on honey. Knox was still hesitant to let his shirt come off. His chest was covered in lash marks from a whip that he could never remove. The bullet wound on his heart was smaller, nothing like the big hole that Marci had in her stomach. Regardless, he still dawned it with shame.

"You know, you're not the only one who's sustained some damage." Sixteen spoke as he removed his shirt. There was a noticeable set of scars across his stomach that looked like an animal had clawed him. 

Knox traced his fingers over them, feeling how thick the scar tissue was. "What happened?" 

"Tesla found me far before Jasper had. He tried to convince me to join them. When I wouldn't, Lumi attacked me to prove a point. I didn't want to fight, so I simply left. At that point, I thought I had nothing left to fight for. I was wrong. I still have you, my sweet little bat breath." He tilted his head in, sucking on the vampire's neck softly.

"I almost forgot about the weird nicknames you gave me." He laughed, turning into a moan. 

Sixteen smiled as he moved towards the other side of his neck, "You mean like voodoo doll, baby claws, sweet fangs, devil chops, honey bat..."

"You know I don't actually turn into a bat." 

"You're still my little bat. Deal with it." He teased him. Sixteen intertwined their fingers, pinning down both of his hands in the process. He looked down at his submissive, smiling, "You're so damn beautiful. I'm going to make you feel good, Baby."

His presence was alluring to anyone he passed. Much like Jasper, he could lure anyone he wanted into his trap just by simply existing. It was never that way with Knox, though. He'd never manipulate him into anything. Their love was genuine, pure. That was the reason why he would protect Knox with his life from here on out. His top priority, the reason he will continue to draw breath, is the fire haired vampire beneath him.

The love of a demon was powerful. It didn't take long for Knox to be moaning like a whore. They became too consumed in the moment to care much about what anyone else heard. It wouldn't be the first time screams of lust filled these halls anyways. Everyone was distracted by the celebration. Besides, it's not like it bothered them. 

Most his screams were lustful, but one did ring out from pain. When Sixteen's branding was burned into the back of his neck, it felt like hot iron on his skin. It may have been a sign of their commitment, but it didn't change the fact that it burned like Hell. Knox fought to catch his breath. Looking up at his demon, seeing the way he glowed with such a Heavenly aura, it was hard to believe he wasn't an angel. 

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Hours later, the night had come to a close. Everyone had retired to their rooms, save a restless warden and concerned crow. Jasper stood in front of one of the window paneled doors leading out to the ballroom balcony. Two ravens flew in front of the moon together. They fluttered around as if they were dancing. Somewhere else in the manor, Covey was most likely watching his children play in the night sky.

Beau leaned against the piano as he observed his old friend. His plans were proceeded smoothly, yet he seemed like he could care less. Jasper disregarded his personal struggles once he sensed someone else approaching. He changed his demeanor back to that of a leader instead of a sulking romantic.

"You owe me some answers." Ricky said as he walked into the empty ballroom.

"Yes," He responded, "I do. I've decided I'm done dancing around the topic from fear of who may hear. If anyone comes to know of my plans that shouldn't, so be it. I'll try to make it simple. Apollo's mother had an affair with King Salome Le Doux, resulting in his birth. In truth, Lumi was actually the first born of Beleth. Because of that, he was as evil as his father. He was using mind control on Apollo, Covey, and Thursday to keep them in line. Once Lumi was killed, the spell was lifted. They could see clearly and they wanted to support my cause. 

Covey had already stayed from the path his brother had set him on. He just wasn't brave enough to leave like Croc had done. However, instead, he dedicated his life to learning a form of magic that reversed Lumi's abilities. He has the power to unfreeze Hell and he's agreed to do it. Apollo is the only living heir to the throne. I will rebuild the majority of Hell and he will become the new ruler. 

Nearly anyone that was once apart of the kingdom's royal staff is now dead. Covey and Thursday will become the new leaders of the army's legions. They could use your help, if you're interested in taking your position back. It's your choice, of course. If you don't, it wouldn't bother me much. I have bigger things to worry about. I just thought I'd be generous enough to offer.

Apollo will become a strong ruler. He will be feared, in a healthy way. However, the kingdom will need someone loving to nurture them in times of need. A generous, kind soul that can calm them while the king tends to the viciousness of the worlds."

"You want someone like Vepar, you mean. A royal of the people." He responded.

"Someone like Vepar." He murmured, "Yes... Exactly like Vepar. He wasn't ready to die, Ricky. You of all people should know that. His mother was a whore, his father a fool, and his sister, a fucking bitch. He, though, was a beautiful soul that would do anything for his people. That is why he's agreed to allow us to resurrect him."

"That's... possible?" 

"For me, it is." Jasper answered.

"Then why haven't you brought Chris and Angelo back? And Vinny? And my daughters? If you could-"

"They don't want to come back!" Beau interrupted. He wasn't one to raise his voice. The fact that he did shocked both men. He continued, "Don't you see? Even if we need the dead, they do not need us. After all that Chris has done, he deserves to rest in peace with his love. Vepar, though, he has nothing in the afterlife. He has everything to gain in coming back. He'll get a purpose again."

"Yes, a purpose... In order to resurrect a demon, you must give them a new body to inhabit. That body has to be of equal power to the demon you're resurrecting as well. That has posed a great problem for us because Vepar, though he didn't show it, was incredibly powerful. The reason we found Sixteen was because we identified him as a compatible vessel. However, I couldn't do that to Knox. Despite what you may think, I'm not heartless and I do care deeply for everyone in this manor. 

Sixteen was generous enough to provide us with names of two demons who will be compatible. It won't be long until Vepar returns to us and Hell returns to the state it was in before Carmella took the throne. As sad as I am that Chris will never get to see his dream realized, I'm much happier he is at peace. I suggest you and your wife start to accept that fact finally. Everyone else has."

"What gives you the right to speak about Chris that way? You can't expect me to get over his death easily! Him and I knew each other before we were even turned. We grew up in an orphanage together. We fought in wars together, he helped me raise my children. He was my best friend. Sorry if it's taken me awhile to accept he's gone. As for your offer, I'll think about it." Ricky turned around, storming out. He pulled shut the door behind him.

"Why didn't you tell him about the Valley?" Beau asked.

"It wasn't of his concern. The destruction of the Valley wouldn't affect his life at all." 

"That's not true," He replied, "There is a slight risk that it could kill Croc and Kuza. He wouldn't be too happy if they die."

"I'm almost certain it won't kill them. It's very likely it will put them in a great deal of pain, though. If great agony is what it takes to gain freedom, then so be it. Shae isn't the only one that's a slave to the Valley. They all are, whether they realize it or not. I owe it to all of them for all they've done." 

"You've changed, Jasper. Your tone is so much softer, and your heart is bleeding once again. What's brought this about?" 

He paused as he thought. Jasper avoided answering the question because he was scared to admit the truth. "I didn't get a chance to dance with you tonight." He offered out his hand, "Would you do me the honor?"

"There's no music playing." He stated obviously. Beau was of course concerned with the way he changed the subject but he wouldn't press. 

"We don't need it." Jasper said.

Beau looked into his eyes and saw a different man. He wasn't so full of hatred. Maybe having Deacon in his head had softened him. Something told him that wasn't it, though. This change was rather recent. Does love really need a reason? Beau took his hand, allowing him to lead him in a silent dance. 

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Sixteen's mark:

I went a little different with this one than I had with Croc and Jasper's. I also finally got around to making Shae's: