The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 140: Immortal weapon

Chapter 140: Immortal weapon

He hadn’t intended to chastise the entire court so harshly, but it was necessary. Too many still clung to the illusion that they were untouchable simply because the Lord of Shadows stood among them.

They needed the truth to be remarked.

"You place too much faith in my power," Kai said, his voice lower now, not scolding, but solemn. "You believe I can win this war because of what I am. But listen well..."

He stepped down from the dais, his presence consuming the space with raw gravity.

"I will not be able to protect you for the rest of my life."

The hall was quiet. A single breath dared not rise.

"You all know what I am," he continued, eyes sweeping over them like a final warning. "One day, I will ascend. I won’t die, but I will leave this world behind. I’ll no longer walk among you. No longer bleed beside you in war. No longer stand between you and death."

His words struck like thunder.

"Don’t live with the illusion that I’ll always be here to shield you from everything."

On the throne, Ren’s heart twisted violently in her chest. She had known, somewhere deep inside, that this truth would one day be spoken aloud. All immortals, like her husband, were destined to ascend. Whether to the underworld or some elevated corner of the heavens or another world, she didn’t know exactly.

But she knew this: her time with him was fleeting. And though she was grateful to be mortal, to live a life that wouldn’t stretch into eons, she suddenly found herself wishing for just a little more time. Just a little longer, before he vanished from her arms and into the beyond.

"Your Highness... why are you saying this now?" Elder Dean stepped forward, his voice tight with concern. His expression was stricken, almost frantic, like a father watching a storm descend on his children.

Kai met his eyes with calm resolve. "Because you all must remember to let this land thrive even after I’m gone. When I’m no longer here to guard it."

He let the words settle before continuing.

"Elaika forgot that. She surrendered to her hunger, to her twisted desire for power. I wasn’t born yesterday to be fooled. That mistake cost her everything. I don’t want that for Thegara."

The old wolf bowed his head slowly, sorrow glinting in his eyes. Without another word, he stepped back, disappearing into the line of elders.

Then, like a spark catching dry grass, a new voice echoed in the hall.

A red serpent shifter moved forward from his place. His armor shimmered like blood-soaked scales under the light, but it was his face that captured Ren’s attention. He had striking, snow-white hair framing sharp, youthful features, but there was an aged stillness in his eyes. Ren sensed he’d lived lifetimes beneath that unaging skin.

His crimson gaze slid to her, deliberate and assessing.

"Are we talking about... an Heir, Your Grace?"

Ren’s heart skipped a beat. ’That’s why he looked at me.’

The weight of the question crashed into her like a wave, and in her mind, she screamed. This wasn’t about war anymore. It was about bloodlines. Legacy. The permanence of a fading shadow king. She hated to think they wanted to replace her husband.

Kai didn’t hesitate.

"Yes."

Ren’s spine locked in place, chill running up and down. Yes?!

Why now? Why here?

Kai’s voice echoed like a bell tolling before a storm. "All of you have longed to hear this before I rode into war before you feared I might vanish or that my father would summon me back. So let me end your doubts here and now."

His eyes swept the hall. Calm and carried Controlled. But steel lay beneath his words, a sharp steel that cut her heart.

"My child will inherit this throne. The child your Luna Queen will bear. So I hope all the clans can stop whispering behind closed doors, stop fretting about my bloodline."

A low rustle moved through the elders. Brief glances were exchanged, tacit approval passing silently between them. The King’s heir. A symbol of strength to come. None questioned it. Of course, his child would be powerful.

But Ren’s blood turned molten beneath her skin. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, the weight of his revelation slamming into her like a blade between the ribs.

Why now?

What was he doing? Trying to frighten them... or her?

Her voice threaded through their bond like a breathless cry:

Why did you talk about ascending? Are you going to leave me?

Kai turned slightly. Just enough to glance at her. His expression softened. The faintest flicker of emotion passed through his eyes.

’No,’ his voice echoed into her mind, deep and solemn. ’I’m not leaving you, my love.’

’You’ve heard about ascension, but mine... mine is different. I am not like Azrael.’

He hesitated. And then the truth dropped like a stone into her soul.

’I can be killed, wife.’

’If I lose this mortal form... my true self will be taken—from me—by my father... or by the heavens.’

Ren froze. The throne. The poison. The war. None of it mattered in that second.

What could possibly destroy his mortal form?

And why was he only telling her now?

Her thoughts stammered, panic rising.

’How?’

The word barely whispered in her mind, fragile as a candle’s flame.

’Immortal weapons can kill any half-demon. And half of me is human, remember that.’

Ren felt her mind spiral into stillness, a cold, echoing void where fear settled like ice in her bones.

Acelieth... a Fae vampire.

Lutherieth... a half-demon with ties to the underworld.

If either possessed an immortal weapon...

She clenched her hands at her sides, forcing herself not to collapse beneath the dread twisting inside her.

And yet, Kai stood firm and steady. His voice gashed through the fog as he resumed his address, speaking of building a legacy, of summoning the Tower of Historians to record this age, to teach future generations the names of saints and monsters alike. A chronicle for the children, so they would remember.

But Ren didn’t want to remember. Not tonight.

When the hall emptied and the heavy doors sealed behind them they returned to their chambers. She turned to him, wrapped her arms tightly around his frame, and buried herself against the solace of his chest.

"Promise me," she whispered, her voice trembling, "promise me you won’t leave me alone."

Kai exhaled and held her close. "I promise," he murmured. "There is no immortal weapon in this world, not anymore. Only my father has one, you saw it in his hand. My uncle’s weapon was taken by the gods themselves. So no worries, my fierce little light."

Ren let out a shallow, shaky breath, half relief, half lingering ache, but she didn’t loosen her hold.

Her voice, this time, was low and molten against his skin. "Husband... the historians can wait."

He froze. His body tensed under her touch as her meaning sank in.

"I want to be with you tonight."

Damn.

Every nerve in Kai’s body surged to life. His naughty Queen didn’t need to say it twice. He would worship her body until dawn until shadows were nothing but silk beneath their bodies.

Before they left Thegara, he’d make sure she remembered that he was hers, and she was his.

Forever.

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