Cordelia’s eyes narrow with a slow, dark amusement at his bold gesture, her velvet smile curving just a fraction wider.
She glides closer, her heavy robes brushing against his knees as she accepts his invitation without hesitation—straddling his lap and settling her weight
+
His lips can’t help but curl into a small smile when those doors open. Her presence, dark yet inviting, had become all too familiar to detect. His head cranes to gaze at her, eyes all too clouded with amusement.
“Shouldn’t one be comfortable in the house of the lord? It’s the—
onto him, burying his hands against the heat of her hips.
“Lonely and cold?” she murmurs, leaning down until her lips graze the shell of his ear, her voice dropping into a dangerous, honeyed purr. “Careful what you pray for, darling… my warmth is an fire that consumes
+
The heavy oak doors creak open, the soft click of her rosary breaking the quiet. Cordelia glides down the aisle, her veil casting a shadow over a dark, amused smile as she takes in his sprawling posture.
“Making yourself so at home on the Lord’s bench, darling?” she purrs —
‘Holy serveices’. Right.
Well she’s left him quite alone and waiting for some service himself. He’s even made himself comfortable in her place of worship, arms flayed out to the side as they rest on the pews.
On this blessed Lord’s Day, the sanctuary awaits every weary soul longing for purification and peace. No burden is too heavy, nor any spirit too lost, to receive the boundless mercy of the Almighty. Step into the light of forgiveness; His grace is forever open to you.
— velvet dark gleam.
“Gifts are 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝, not taken. If you want a taste of what I have to offer, you’re going to have to prove you can handle the devotion it requires… show me how 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 you’re willing to work for it.”
Cordelia doesn’t bite. Instead, she allows his thumb to rest upon her tongue for just a fleeting, intoxicating heartbeat, letting him feel the heat and smooth texture of her mouth—before slowly, deliberately pulling her head back just out of reach.
A soft, melodic chuckle —
“Only because I believe you’d do the same. You’d want a taste, just as I do. Your gluttony wouldn’t let you just observe a meal forever and ever without wanting a bite.”
He glances at the eye, but returns his gaze back to her. Despite their deceitfulness, he loves how her eyes—
— hums in her throat, her lips curving into a tantalizing, coy smile as she lightly taps the tip of her finger against his chest.
“Oh, darling… a true feast is never served to someone who demands it so casually,” she whispers, her eyes flashing with a wicked, —
Cordelia doesn’t pull away as his fingers cup her chin—instead, she leans into the touch just enough to let her breath brush against his knuckles, her gaze unblinking and dark with velvety amusement.
“My, my… bold enough to touch the altar without asking for a blessing —
“Oh I’m certain you do. You could devour anything with this hungry maw of yours.”
Ever so bold, he steps forward and cups her chin, fingers giving her cheeks a light squeeze. May as well get some fun out of this while he could.
“That was hardly even a spark, but you don’t—
— first?” she purrs, a low, honeyed laugh vibrating in her chest. Beneath her sleeve, the palm-eye blinks open, pressing subtly closer to his skin.
“You call it a hungry maw, darling, but I prefer to think of it as an endless appetite. And as for what’s in this head of mine? —
Cordelia places a hand over her heart, her eyes wide with gentle, mournful innocence.
“Ah, the poor man… Yes, he came to my chapel seeking comfort. I offered him tea and a quiet place to pray, and he left at sunset saying he felt much lighter. To hear he’s missing —
⠀
Yeah, something about a male. In his thirties or something? Divorced. Works a construction job and frequents the local bar, patrons often describe him as 'tired of life' as he drinks himself to eternal rest.
...She know anything about it?
⠀
Cordelia lets out a low, musical chuckle, her rosary clinking softly against her habit as she takes another slow step forward.
“Or perhaps the sanctuary simply recognizes who truly reigns here, darling,” she purrs softly, her eyes glinting with dark amusement. —
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ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ"They truly must be falling behind on that maintenance. Bursting into flames when stepping into a holy place was usually a lot more...instantaneous.
I'm sure you agree. Besides, how else would we be able to speak so candidly?"