Rennik led her to a waiting carriage, which was pulled by two black horses. Alinea climbed in, feeling apprehensive as Rennik settled in beside her. The carriage jolted forward, and they were soon on their way. As they rode through the town, Alinea couldn't help but notice the stares they were getting from the other demons and humans. It was clear that Rennik was a powerful figure in this world, and that she was now a part of his entourage.
Alinea's heart raced with uncertainty as she followed Rennik into the busy town within his territory. Her clothes were a testament to the trials she had faced before Rennik's arrival, ragged and dirt-stained. In this new role, she felt exposed and vulnerable in her current attire. Rennik had promised her clothing befitting her role, and she couldn't help but wonder what that would entail.
As they walked through the bustling streets, Alinea couldn't help but notice the array of demons, each with their own unique appearances and abilities. Creatures of all shapes and sizes milled about completing their various tasks.
Finally, they arrived at a shop unlike any Alinea had seen before. The entrance was flanked by exquisitely woven silk threads that shimmered in the dappled light. Delicate arches and soft drapes gave the impression that the store was suspended between two realms. Two child sized demons with features resembling moths, quietly swept away leaves from the stone path. They looked stunned and curious as Rennik approached, one quickly fluttered inside, leaving behind a trail of glimmering dust. Moments later, an ethereally beautiful spider demon emerged from the entrance to greet them. The demon was tall, and willowy. Her limbs were long and graceful, and she held herself with poise and confidence. Her skin was pale white and her hair was long and silky with a slight curl. Her eyes were the color of onyx, multifaceted, and reflected the dappled light of the shop, they gleaming with curiosity as she took in Rennik with Alinea trailing just behind.
Rennik's voice was smooth as satin as he greeted the spider demon. "Ah, Aria, I trust your wares have only grown more enchanting since my last visit?"
The spider demon, Aria, inclined her head gracefully. "Indeed, Lord Rennik."Her voice was like a spring breeze woven through silken strands. Aria's gaze shifted to Alinea. The demon said nothing but Alinea couldn't deny the wave of self-consciousness that washed over her under the quiet analyzing stare.
Rennik introduced Alinea with something like a touch of pride laced in his voice. "Allow me to introduce you to my new pet, Alinea."
Unsure of how demon customs worked, Alinea bowed her head slightly to Aria. "It's nice to meet you. Your shop is lovely." The demon continued to regard Alinea like an insect.
"My pet, requires a suitable wardrobe. Of all the Arachni, Aria, your silk is by far the most stunning. I could think of no-one better to suit my needs." Aria's attention was brought back to Rennik.
"Of course, Lord Rennik." A faint smile graced her lips as if enchanted by his voice. "Please follow me."
The interior of Aria's shop was a vision of opulence and exotic charm. Rich, flowing silks adorned the walls and cascaded from the ceiling, creating a labyrinth of colors and textures that seemed to sway gently in the ambient light. The boutique was an enchanting blend of elegance and mystique, an otherworldly oasis in the bustling demon town.
The silks that hung from the walls were like a tapestry of dreams, ranging from deep, velvety blacks to shimmering moonlit whites, and every shade in between. They draped and billowed in such a way that they seemed to dance with an unseen breeze, creating an illusion of movement within the shop. It was a sensory wonderland, with the silks whispering secrets of far-off lands to those who dared to listen.
Aria's presence added an otherworldly charm to her boutique, making it a place of intrigue and allure for those who sought unique and enchanting attire within the demon town. She moved with an uncanny grace, her limbs flowing like the silken threads she so often worked with. Her hands were dexterous and nimble, capable of weaving the most delicate of fabrics. Despite her frail appearance, there was an air of power and knowledge that emanated from her, as though she held the secrets of the world within her silken threads.
The elegant spider demon moved with an air of grace as she circled around Alinea, her delicate fingers lightly tracing the edges of the ragged clothing that clung to Alinea's form. Her disappointment was palpable, and it weighed heavily on Alinea's trembling shoulders.
With a tone that held no room for argument, Aria finally spoke, her voice a melodic whisper that carried an air of authority. "I cannot work with you in such a state," she declared, her eyes never leaving Alinea's.
Rennik, understanding the spider demon's meaning, stepped forward. His command was clear and unwavering. "Undress."
Alinea's eyes went wide, her gaze darting between Rennik and Aria wildly. It was the first direct order she had received since agreeing to become Rennik's pet, and the weight of it pressed upon her. She bit her lower lip, a mixture of embarrassment and trepidation filling her.
The atmosphere in the boutique became even heavier, thick with tension. The space felt smaller, more confined, as Alinea's fingers hesitated on the edge of her worn clothing. She could hear her own heartbeat, a rapid staccato that seemed to drown out all other sounds. Alinea's eyes pleaded with Rennik, silently begging him to reconsider, to spare her this humiliating ordeal. The fear that coursed through her veins was almost suffocating..
Rennik's expression remained unreadable, and it was impossible to discern his thoughts. He watched her patiently, waiting for her to comply with his directive. When she hesitated for what felt like an eternity, his voice came as a sultry whisper, laced with an underlying threat that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
"Pet," he murmured softly, his breath caressing her ear as he leaned in closer, "do as I said, or I'll have to do it for you."
His words hung in the air, heavy with implication, and the intimate tone of his voice sent a flush of heat to her cheeks. She realized that there was no escaping this moment of submission, no matter how reluctant she felt.This is for Seth, she reminded herself. Swallowing her pride, Alinea slowly, hesitantly, began to undress, her gaze downcast as she exposed herself in the presence of both Rennik and the elegant spider demon, Aria.
With a deep breath and trembling hands, Alinea reluctantly continued to undress, peeling away her clothes until she stood before them in nothing but her underwear. The spider demon, Aria, made a disapproving sound, clearly indicating her dissatisfaction with Alinea's incomplete compliance.
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Rennik's warning look didn't go unnoticed, and Alinea knew she had no choice but to obey. She cast her gaze downward in a mixture of embarrassment and resignation and, with quivering hands, removed the last of her garments, leaving her entirely exposed to both demons in the elegant boutique.
Aria wasted no time. With the meticulousness of a skilled artisan, she began taking detailed measurements of Alinea's body, her deft hands gliding over every curve and angle, every subtle contour. Every measurement was noted with precision, ensuring that the garments she would create would fit Alinea flawlessly. The spider demon's attention to detail was almost unsettling, and it made Alinea acutely aware of her vulnerability in this situation.
Aria gazes over Alinea's naked form once more before deciding she has all she needs to create the garments Rennik desires. With a snap of her fingers, Aria calls over her moth-like attendants. "Yes, Miss Aria." The little demons chirped in unison, appearing side-by-side within less than a breath.
"Sylph, these," Aria gestured to Alinea's discarded clothing with an air of contempt, "Have them burned. Milly, you'll assist me."
"Burn the rags. Weave the silk." The attendants chirped again in unison confirming their understanding of their orders.
"If you will wait, I shall return with something suitable to your tastes." She said, excusing herself to the back of the shop and leaving Alinea momentarily alone with Rennik. Her eyes met his for a moment. Seeing something like hunger burning in his crimson eyes, she quickly placed her attention back on the floor and hugged her arms tight to herself, futilely trying to cover her exposed body. Rennik lifts her chin with a gentleness that surprises her, his gaze capturing her once more. "You have nothing to be ashamed of." He whispers. Any minute now she was sure she might burst into flames.
Suddenly Rennik's massive wings unfurled and enveloped Alinea, cocooning her within their protective embrace. Alinea's heart raced with fear, embarrassment, vulnerability as she found herself pressed against Rennik's powerful form, her bare skin in contact with the warm velvety softness of his wings, which felt like a feathered robe against her body.
The bell over the shop door rang as another customer entered. Though he had forced her to undress in front of himself and Aria, he had been quick to shield her naked body from sight of this other demon. Alinea's heart pounded in her ears, the sound made more deafening by Rennik's own steady heartbeat. "Lord Rennik?" The demon spoke in a voice like shoveled gravel that further rattled Alinea's nerves. Alinea tensed as heavy, clomping footsteps approached. "I heard an interesting rumor on my way here that you'd taken human pet."
"Ael, my personal matters are not your concern." Rennik said cooly.
"Mean nothing by it. Only that had I known you were finally seeking another pet, it would have been my honor to procure one in your name. Perhaps you'll consider my talents for your next acquisition?"
Rennik's arms tightened subtly around Alinea. "I have no need or desire for your broken dolls." Rennik retorted, his tone cold as ice and hard as steel.
"Yes! Of Course!" The other demon laughed, a terrible, rattling, gravelly cacophony that shook Alinea to the bone. "It's certainly more fun to break them yourself. Your last, I heard, was a work of art."
At Ael's implication a sudden jolt of terror coursed through Alinea, she trembled in Rennik's embrace wanting to pull away but trapped in his powerful arms and shrouded by his massive wings, she felt like she was suffocating. Rennik's anger radiated off him in waves and the air became heavy, pressing down on her with a terrible weight. Her heart beat frantically against her ribs, her mind raced, she needed to escape. She needed to run. She had to get out, get away from this creature. Alinea squirmed in Rennik's arms feeling desperate for escape but her struggle against his demonic strength was futile.
"You dare speak of her?" Rennik's voice was an explosion of barely masked furry, echoing with an otherworldly resonance that shook her to her very core. She shoved against Rennik's grasp which only tightened, holding her still like a vice grip. She wanted to scream but she couldn't breath.
"I- My Lord, I meant no disrespect." The ground shook as the other demon stumbled back. "P- Please, forgive me!"
"Your words are worthless," Rennik roared. "If you value your life, you'll leave my sight at once."
"Yes! Yes, of course! Thank you! Thank you, Lord Rennik!" Ael wailed as he hastily retreated from the shop.
As the bell of the shop door chimed, the overwhelming fear that had gripped Alinea began to recede. Slowly Rennik's grasp on her loosened but he didn't release her. Within the cocoon of his wings he held her gently, stroking her hair soothingly as she sobbed against his chest, overwhelmed in the aftermath of the terror that had gripped her moments ago. "I'm sorry." He whispered, gently raking his fingers through her hair. "I'm sorry, I put you through that."
Alinea looked up at him, wiping her tear stained eyes with her fists. "Y- you?" She took a shaky breath. "You made that happen?" Rennik nods, allowing his grasp on her to loosen a little more. "That was terrible." She choked out, her voice caught somewhere between another sob and an incredulous laugh.
"It wasn't my intention for you to experience that ability." He said, his crimson eyes cast down. "I forgot myself when Ael... overstepped." Rennik shook his head and let out a deep breath.
Alinea chewed her lip, she wanted to understand but clearly it was a sore subject for Rennik. "Y-you can let go of me now." She said.
As if trying to lighten the heavy mood that possesses them, he glanced down at her with a halfhearted smirk. "You sure?" He said.
A fire spread over Alinea's cheeks remembering the vulnerable position that prompted Rennik to cover her with his wings. "This is fine then." she said sullenly.
A whisper of fluttering silk signaled the return of Aria Aria gracefully stepped into the room, her delicate fingers cradling a garment of shimmering silk. The design was subtle yet alluring, a testament to Aria’s unrivaled craftsmanship. The garment was a slip dress of the finest spider silk, dyed a deep, sultry shade of burgundy that seemed to change and flow as it caught the light. The neckline was daringly low, the straps were thin and delicate, and the dress clung lovingly to every curve, hinting at the body beneath without revealing too much. It flowed down in a cascading manner, reaching mid-thigh, but on one side, a slit exposed a hint of Alinea's leg.
Alinea gulped, imagining herself in it. It was simultaneously more revealing than she was used to yet undeniably beautiful, capturing both the elegance and the sensuous intent behind its design.
"I expect this will be to your liking, Lord Rennik," Aria said, holding out the dress for him to inspect. Her gaze was unwavering, filled with professional pride.
Rennik's gaze ran over the garment, and his lips curled in appreciation. The protective cocoon of Rennik’s wings retracted, releasing Alinea and leaving her exposed once again. She took a tentative step toward the dress, her hand shaking slightly as she took it from Aria. The silk felt cool and smooth against her skin, and she took a deep breath, steeling herself.
Alinea carefully slipped into the dress. It fit her like a glove, hugging her in all the right places and feeling like a second skin. As the luxurious fabric settled on her form, she took a deep breath before meeting Rennik’s gaze.
Rennik's eyes roamed over Alinea, drinking in her transformed appearance with an intensity that made her feel simultaneously powerful and vulnerable. The room was silent but for the soft rustling of fabric and the rapid beating of Alinea's heart. "Stunning," he whispered, his voice a husky murmur that sent a shiver of delight down her spine.
Alinea tore her gaze from his, a blush coloring her cheeks. The power of his single word overwhelmed her. Aria cleared her throat gently, reclaiming the attention of the room. "I trust the dress is satisfactory?"
"It's perfect," Rennik declared.
Aria gave a modest nod. "I'll have more garments completed and delivered to your estate by this evening, my Lord."
Rennik inclined his head, "Your work never ceases to impress, Aria.”
“I am happy to please.” Aria said. “If you will, please excuse me. Silk does not weave itself.” With that the spider demon retreated to the back of her boutique.