The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 55.2

Derrick’s hands gently wrapped around his wife’s back, stroking her rather roughly. Judith blinked and realized that he was trying to console the girl. This thought made it funny: the awkward touches indicated that this was the first time. Eventually, his hands moved up and touched his neck.

And then Judith noticed that he had put jewelry on her. Pulling back, she asked:

– What is this?

Around her neck she now wore the ruby ​​necklace she had worn during the consecration ceremony.

– For what?

The thin decoration was quite awkward. And Judith didn’t understand why her husband put it on. While the Duchess was trying to remove the necklace, Derrick stopped her:

“I put my magical power into it.”

The man tapped the stone several times, after which it flashed with bright light.

“I will always know if something happens to you.” And if this happens while I’m not around, the necklace will serve as a shield.

After listening to the explanation, Judith even felt that the decoration no longer seemed as uncomfortable or heavy as before. She should never lose such a precious gift. Judith touched the shining ruby ​​and raised her head:

-Have your powers returned?

“To some extent,” Derrick smiled, leaning towards the girl again. – Don’t you feel it?

His eyes became even brighter than the red ruby ​​on his neck.

It was the most beautiful color she had ever seen in her life. He looked like a blazing fire or a distant burning Sun. The atmosphere around the couple also changed instantly – there was an unusual energy in the air. Judith, being a human, could not say what exactly Derrick was doing, but she understood that his words about returning strength were true. At this moment, the Duchess felt relieved.

Having lost his magic, Derrick could not do anything to oppose Hannibal, but now the demon was able to respond. However, this was still not enough, because the husband had already mentioned it: now the devil has become stronger than before.

And if Hannibal destroys him now, then Derrick will simply disappear from the world. Judith’s heart sank just at the thought of it, and her body became numb, as if it had been covered in ice.

– Never forget about this and leave as soon as you feel danger. He can get to you, not me.

-What are you talking about?

“I’m talking about Hannibal,” Derrick frowned and ruffled his hair. “He’s a demon and knows that we become stronger by absorbing energy.”

The Duchess herself understood this: the devil could indeed take away from Derrick the main source of his restoration. After all, if he got into the body of his late husband, he, of course, would take advantage of Judith, the closest person. And Hannibal will certainly try to get her if he finds out about their deal.

Judith suddenly imagined hostile red eyes in the darkness, causing her body to tremble again. They say demons love to intimidate others, making them scream in pain and despair. And the Duchess simply couldn’t think that all devils were like Derrick, because he actually didn’t behave as horribly as he did. He always tried to protect her from problems and dangers: he healed her with magic, and now he gave her a necklace with power.

– I understand.

Usually, Judith simply sold unwanted jewelry, because she was not a connoisseur or collector. But she will never lose this necklace. Full of possessiveness, the Duchess grabbed the ruby.