All Chapters of The Demon's Mate: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

As Esteria and the group made their way to the dining hall, the atmosphere was light, filled with the lingering satisfaction of their morning training. They were almost at the entrance when a sudden, eerie ripple disturbed the air around them. The group halted, senses immediately on high alert.In the blink of an eye, three water demons materialized before them. Their normally fluid, calm expressions were contorted with worry, their watery forms shimmering with anxiety. Before anyone could react, the demons' eyes locked onto Esteria, their concern deepening.Without hesitation, El-Kharis stepped in front of her, pulling her protectively behind him. His eyes narrowed, and his tone was sharp as he demanded, "What brings you here?"The lead water demon, a figure with shimmering, almost translucent skin and eyes that looked like whirlpools, bowed respectfully before speaking. "My Lord, the Water Council has summoned you... and your mate," he said, his gaze flickering briefly to Esteria. T

**In the Depths of Darkness**Esteria's consciousness drifted in a world of cold shadows, the icy tendrils of darkness tightening their grip around her soul. She could feel it, the malevolent force trying to consume her entirely, to drag her into an abyss from which there would be no return. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her strength ebbing away with each passing moment as the darkness clawed at her, relentless in its pursuit of her very essence.The void around her seemed alive, writhing with sinister intent. It whispered to her, voices that were neither human nor demon, echoing her deepest fears and regrets. *You are nothing...* they hissed. *You are weak... You will fail...*But Esteria wasn't one to give in easily. She fought back with every ounce of willpower she could muster, pushing against the suffocating force that sought to consume her. Her hands, once strong and capable, now felt as though they were submerged in quicksand, struggling to find purchase in the darkness. She

Esteria sat up slowly, the lingering heaviness in her limbs making her wince. But she was determined, knowing that the darkness within her needed to be understood, controlled—if she was ever to feel like herself again.Lilith watched her with those sharp, crimson eyes, a hint of both amusement and pride playing across her features. Esteria could sense the power radiating from Lilith, a dangerous yet captivating aura that made her both want to trust and fear her at the same time. Lilith's smile widened as she observed Esteria's resolve."You're stronger than you realize, Esteria," Lilith remarked, her voice silky yet firm. "But strength alone won't help you master the darkness. You must learn to dance with it, to make it your own without letting it consume you."Esteria swallowed hard. "How do we start?"Lilith stood and gestured for Esteria to follow her. They left the chamber, and Esteria was surprised by how stable she felt on her feet, the weakness from before slowly ebbing away. T

Esteria awoke with the first rays of dawn spilling through the thin curtains of her room, feeling the weight of the previous day's events resting heavily on her. The darkness she had mastered with Lilith's guidance was both a blessing and a burden, a power she could not afford to ignore. But today, her thoughts were elsewhere—on completing her training and finally returning home. The longing to leave this place and resume her lessons with El-Kharis had grown stronger, but it wasn't just the lessons she missed. The thought of El-Kharis brought an unexpected warmth to her chest, something more than mere anticipation for training.She sat up, glancing around her room. The maids were absent, but a gown had been neatly placed on the stand beside her bed. For once, she decided to dress herself, without the help of the maids who were always so precise and swift. The task proved more cumbersome than she had expected; the delicate fabric and intricate laces tested her patience. It took her lon

The night air was thick with a palpable tension, the stillness of the room punctuated only by the soft sounds of their breathing as Esteria rested against El-Kharis's chest. His cool, steady heartbeat was a soothing rhythm beneath her ear, and his fingers lazily combed through her dark hair, each gentle stroke lulling her into a sense of calm she hadn't realized she craved. Despite the intimacy of the moment, a nagging unease gnawed at the edges of her consciousness, a whisper from the past that she couldn't quite shake."How was your training today?" El-Kharis asked, his voice a deep murmur that rumbled through his chest, vibrating against her cheek."It was... challenging," Esteria replied, her voice quiet, almost detached. Her mind was elsewhere, adrift in memories she had long tried to bury. "But I managed."He hummed in response, a sound of approval, but said nothing more. The silence that followed was comfortable, yet heavy, as if both were lost in their own thoughts, reluctant