Chapter 820 - Ditched
Prince Ravin of the First Circle of Hell?
The Archdemon of Gluttony
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Apollyon had told him false information about remaining in the Autumn Courts after six days.
Ravin knew it was a lie but he still believed him… or was he just preoccupied with looking into Queen Morgan's secret right away the moment Xerxes told him that Apolloyn left them to fend for themselves in the Council Meeting without his power and authority?
Seeing her familiar face bothered him because he swore that he had seen it before—especially the apple red hair she possessed and those golden eyes that reflected his.
Didn't she claim that she was the owner of the blue feather necklace she had worn at their first meeting outside the portcullis?
The Vampire King was actually here with their mate, enjoying their alone time, while the bastard left him there without notice.
The injustice he felt made his hands tighten on the reins while he gritted his teeth in frustration.
The brown stallion sensed his darkening mood and slowed down, agitated, so he exhaled all his grievances about the selfish King's betrayal in one go.
It wasn't good for an Archdemon to spook the horse.
He didn't fly around the Autumn Courts in his demonic wings even if that might make him considerably faster because the Fairfolk might consider him as an enemy.
Because of the upcoming Great War, everyone here couldn't trust an Archdemon, proclaiming he was an ally of the Autumn Queen as it was, so he decided not to show who he was without the glamour.
Never mind that.
He will think about that mystery later.
First, he had to tell the Archdemon of Sloth about the past memory he picked up the first time he acquired the blue feather from Rere and then, he would ask for his opinion.
His brother was really smart if he wanted to be seen as such.
It was possible that Queen Morgan was the female who was involved with the Archangel… Uriel.
He suddenly recalled that cherub's name after thinking about it for weeks the minute he saw Queen Morgan's true appearance for the first time.
Ravin travelled to the estate as the first snow began to fall.
The Vineyard Estate was well-known for the production of ice wine wherein the grapes used to produce them must be frozen to the vine.
The sugars and other dissolved solids inside these grapes will not freeze except for water so the winemakers could develop concentrated, very sweet grape juices, mixing them with sweet blood for the Vampiric Fae's delectation.
Ravin didn't bother asking the Queen where the fresh blood they mixed came from since he already anticipated the Queen telling him that it was a secret.
Most grapes here were mostly harvested during Autumn but these ice wine grapes were harvested during the middle of winter until they went stiff.
Out of curiosity about the land his mate had inherited, Ravin had struck a conversation with Queen Morgan about it so that he could also gather more information about the Autumn Queen but, he found out other information as well.
He had never drunk wine and tasting it never interested him but at that moment, Ravin had pretended he was engrossed in the discussion with the Autumn Queen as he witnessed the ever-changing colours of burnt gold that reflected his eyes.
For some reason, everything about the lady intrigued him but not in terms of attraction.
He still had an Archdemon Mate he desired to steal, but the Autumn Queen's existence just triggered this unexplainable suspicion that had risen from dormancy.
Ravin tried not to let his scrutiny of her every move show in his countenance.
Even if their brightly coloured autumn leaves of vibrant, yellows, oranges and reds to brown had begun to fall to the earth, the vineyards circling the Hazelnut Manor was very much alive and the trunks, canes and the grapefruits of the vine remained.
He didn't expect that the Winter Season was perfect for the Estate's needs.
Nature always had a way to sustain the creatures' necessities in the Material Realm.
The winemakers were also diligent in protecting the vines from the harsh weather, covering the base with earth and straw.
In the distance, Ravin could barely see the Hazelnut Manor as trellised grapevines surrounded the Estate like a security fence.
It was a sign of wealth and privilege to the Faeries who lived there.
After Queen Morgan surrendered her ownership of the Estate and proclaimed Apollyon and Luna's position as Autumn Monarchs, she gave it to them as their early inheritance.
These Vampire Monarchs seemed to have a history of putting themselves in the right place at the right time.
Despite the demon invasion in the Vampire Realm, Apollyon and Luna were still surrounded by wealth, luxury and the comfort of material security.
The coming harvest will also assure the Autumn Fair folk's continued prosperity in the Estate and all the tenants will have wine and fruit for their bread during the winter.
The Manor House stood as proud as a winter lily in full bloom at the top of the mountains with such a timeless grace as the mossy forest floor embraced the ground floors with its loving arms.
There was a century-old mountain oak at the right side and small cosy cottages were built near it to protect the Faerie's homes.
The walls were made of grey and brown where the ancient stone had the power to reflect the sunlight.
As he sat forward, pick up the reins and brought his calves closer to the horse's flank, Ravin urged the stallion to gallop into the meadow faster and it kept going until he passed through the fog.
Ravin caught sight of the tall glass doors of the balconies growing from the walls of the Manor which was adorned with a patina of beautiful ocean bluish-green hues, giving a wonderful view of the horizon but then a lovely woman dressed in a soft lavender sitting on the balcony drew his gaze.