Shreds of clothing littered the floor, the room steeped in decadent chaos—a tableau of temptation and surrender.
Tenra glanced down at Venelana and Grayfia, both collapsed in his arms, breathless and spent. A sigh escaped him. He'd failed to resist. He'd given in.
But with temptation this overwhelming, this intoxicating, what man alive could have held out? No, the fault wasn't his. It was the world's fault for offering such forbidden fruit.
Tenra had never been the type to wallow in regret. What was done was done. Better to focus on what came next than waste time on guilt.
"Grayfia, Venelana. I'll avenge you. I promise."
They'd given themselves to him as payment, and Tenra wasn't the kind to take and run. Now that he and the God of the Bible were destined to clash, there was nothing left to hesitate over.
It was kill or be killed.
Venelana's lips curled into a delighted smile, her voice soft and sweet. "I'm so happy, Tenra. You've finally agreed."
She rewarded him with a kiss that burned with longing and gratitude—a hero's tomb built in the arms of gentle beauty. Tenra surrendered again, lost in her embrace, their bodies and souls entwined in feverish abandon.
Venelana was Rias's mirror in every way but hair, her figure just as lush and flawless. Rias had youth and raw energy; Venelana's allure was aged like fine wine, rich and impossibly soft. Tenra knew the difference intimately—he'd tasted both.
Mother and daughter, each perfect in their own right. But inside, Rias was still a little green. Venelana's seasoned passion was a poison that could unravel any man. In her arms, Tenra found pleasure beyond anything he'd ever known.
And this feast wasn't just Venelana. Grayfia was here too.
He'd always coveted Grayfia—the beautiful, powerful, icy maid. Before, propriety forced him to bury those desires. Now, she lay beside Venelana, letting him claim what he'd only dared dream of.
What stunned Tenra most was discovering Grayfia's untouched purity.
"Grayfia… What about Millicas?"
He thought of the child said to be Grayfia and Sirzechs's. If Grayfia was still pure, then what was the truth?
Grayfia's eyes flashed with disdain. "He's not my child."
She offered nothing more, and Tenra didn't press. He'd already gained more than he'd ever hoped.
He brushed Grayfia's cheek. "Grayfia, I'll avenge you. But from now on, everything about you belongs to me."
Grayfia met his gaze, her voice cool and detached. "I've already given you my body."
Unlike Venelana's fiery passion, Grayfia remained aloof even as Tenra claimed her. It was as if the entire encounter was nothing but a transaction—a deal struck in the dark.
He'd found satisfaction, yes, but not enough. He wanted more from her. Much more.
Tenra's smile turned wicked. He tilted Grayfia's chin up. "My maid, you must not have heard me clearly. I want everything—your body and your heart."
Grayfia's reply was instant and icy. "That's impossible."
Her heart belonged to Sirzechs.
Tenra's eyes narrowed. "I thought so. But I don't want my woman thinking of anyone else—especially a man who's already dead."
"Tenra Kamiyo!" Grayfia's voice trembled with fury, her presence radiating cold, lethal intent.
He pressed on, undeterred. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Grayfia, you're still locked in the past, aren't you? You sold your body for revenge, but you won't sell your soul. Why not go all the way?"
"Give me everything—body, heart, soul. Then I'll fight for your revenge without holding back."
"You know it's true. Only I can avenge you. Only I am your hope."
Tenra was nothing if not domineering. To have only her body and not her heart would never satisfy him.
Grayfia's icy mask began to crack, pain and conflict twisting her features. Even Venelana, watching, couldn't help but speak up. "Tenra… Grayfia…"
But Tenra cut her off. "Venelana, do you want to see Grayfia trapped in her hatred forever? Even if I kill the God of the Bible, she won't find redemption like this."
Venelana fell silent. She knew Tenra was right. Grayfia had lived too long in sorrow and rage. Even revenge wouldn't heal her unless she let go of the past.
No one understood Grayfia's pain better than Venelana. No one wanted her to find peace more. Maybe Tenra's brutal honesty was exactly what she needed.
Tenra leaned close, voice low and dangerous. "Grayfia, I will force you. I'll take your body, your heart, your everything."
"If you can't pay even this price, you don't deserve revenge. Is your resolve so weak? If Sirzechs could see you now, he'd be heartbroken."
"He must be furious—his soul devoured, his body stolen, and you powerless to avenge him. You can't do anything. Now hope stands before you, and you still hesitate to pay the cost."
"Tell me, Grayfia—aren't you being selfish?"
Tenra's words were ruthless, even cruel, but Grayfia's eyes were clouded by hatred and grief. He was speaking directly to the wound she'd never let heal.
Sure enough—
"Shut up!" Grayfia gasped, her breath ragged, pain and guilt threatening to shatter her.
She was weak—unable to avenge Sirzechs.
She was selfish—unwilling to pay the price even when hope was in reach.
There was nothing left to hesitate about. For Sirzechs, she would do anything. If she could avenge him, any sin could be forgiven.
Grayfia's voice was steady, her eyes cold and resolute. "Tenra Kamiyo, if you kill the God of the Bible, everything about me is yours. My body, my soul, my everything."
The last of her doubt vanished, replaced by icy determination.
Her body was only the down payment. Her heart was the true reward.
For revenge, she would sacrifice everything.
Tenra smiled, radiant and fierce. "Then it's a deal."
A tragic, admirable woman. He sealed her lips with his, and claimed her completely.
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