The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 144: This is a warning*.

Kai chuckled, low and amused. "Partly true. But I couldn’t kill a Saint like Azrael, even if I tried. No one can. And he did not cast me out. He always wanted me to cause chaos in the world. Only the gods have that kind of power to kill a saint. Az never wanted to be a Reaper. He was determined to ascend. So... your mother and I gave him a little nudge. Helped him slip out of the underworld. We lied that we had killed him with a godly weapon that we’ve found."

He smirked. "He insists he’s not a Reaper, but as far as I know... he still is. Just one who now works for the heavens and his job is a bit different. I feel he is here to take someone, why? I don’t know."

Ren giggled softly. "So he hates that title?"

"Oh, absolutely." Kai licked his lower lip, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "And here we are, gossiping like old souls."

She raised a brow. "Don’t change the subject. When King Xakiel and my mother brought you to the Fae realm... did you ever fall for anyone there?"

Kai gasped theatrically. "My wife is jealous!"

"Hmm, maybe," she replied, unapologetically.

He grinned. "No, I didn’t fall for anyone. But you really shouldn’t complain about the number of mistresses I used to have."

Ren narrowed her eyes. "Are they still living there? Or are you visiting them?" She bit the inside of her lip.

Kai laughed, genuinely amused. "If you mean alive... hmm, that I have no clue about what you mean, I must say they are alive. Some are married."

Ren turned away from him, crossing her arms. "And what if you see the unmarried ones again?"

Kai blinked. Speechless. This was the direction the conversation had gone? He’d been ready for grief, for tears over his trauma. But instead, his wife was... jealous.

"I’m all yours," he said at last, hand sliding to her waist. It was the only truth that mattered now.

"You better be," she mumbled, eyes already drifting shut.

The next morning, Ren opened her eyes to the majestic chamber, still heavy with sleep. She hadn’t even realized her husband had brought them back to the castle.

His arm was draped across her chest, holding her as if he feared she might vanish.

She reached for his hand, about to slip out of bed, when he tugged her closer, pulling her into the warmth of his body.

"Stay a bit longer," he murmured, voice gravelly with sleep.

"We should get ready," she whispered, even as her limbs betrayed her and melted into him.

"I’ll say when we’re ready to go, wife."

Ren didn’t move, letting the moments until, finally, he loosened his hold. They rose and dressed, though not without reluctant glances.

As they stepped into the corridor, Kai laced his fingers through hers, gripping tighter than usual, possessive, unyielding. She blinked, surprised.

"Are you mad at me?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"No," he said. "I just like how possessive you are."

Ren bit her lower lip, an innocent motion, but it made Kai snap. Without warning, he pulled her into a shadowed alcove behind the heavy tapestries, pressing her back against the stone.

His mouth crashed onto hers, wild and claiming.

She moaned into the kiss, lifting one leg instinctively to press against his thigh, her body answering him without thought.

Kai pulled away just enough to look down at her, breathless. "We should go back to our room, eh?"

Ren flushed, nodding quickly. The heat racing through her veins was almost unbearable. She didn’t want anyone catching even a trace of her arousal.

In the blink of an eye, they were back in their chambers. They sat on the couch. Kai spun her around, pushing her skirt up as their mouths collided in a bruising kiss. His hands gripped her thighs, spreading her wide.

"I can’t get enough of you, wife."

His lips trailed down her neck, hungry and not merciful. Ren stopped him, making him sit, and climbed onto his lap, her breath hitching as she ground against him. "You’re hard," she whispered, her voice husky.

Kai groaned, his hands clutching her hips. Her heated core pressed directly against his length, straining beneath the fabric.

"Damn right, I am."

With deft fingers, she undid his pants, releasing the flushed, swollen length of him. Saints of hell, he was already throbbing for her. She began to move, slowly straddling him, so gently, so deliberately, he thought he might lose his mind.

"Argh, wife... What are you doing to me?"

"Shh..." Ren silenced him with her lips and rocked her hips, deeper, faster. His hands dug into her skin, unable to hold back. He came undone with a raw shudder, spilling into her as his body convulsed with pleasure.

As the waves of release faded, he slumped forward, burying his face against her bodice.

"I wanted to use my mouth," he murmured, half-laughing, half-regretful.

"I know," she said softly, brushing his hair back. His tamed beast now rested quietly beneath her, spent and satisfied.

He reached for the sheet and gently wiped her first, his touch tender.

"My scent is on you... and yours is on mine," he murmured, voice low and possessive. "Every god in the heavens knows, I’ll lose control if someone dares lay a finger on you."

Ren cupped his face, grounding him. "Please... relax. I can handle human royals. Just promise me, don’t kill anyone."

Kai didn’t respond right away. The storm in his chest hadn’t passed. Could he truly leash this primal instinct when she was involved? He wasn’t sure.

After they cleaned themselves, the couple joined the others for breakfast. Kai’s demeanor shifted, commanding, sharp. He issued his final orders with clarity and steel in his voice. Thegara would be vulnerable in his absence, and he would not allow that weakness to invite bloodshed.

"All shifters are to eliminate any bandits who trespass," he declared. "Guard the shipment ports without flaw. Pirates or smugglers are to be arrested on sight. If they resist, cut them down."

His eyes darkened as he added, "No one’s greed for gold is worth another grave in our land."

Later~

In the courtyard, Gloria was bidding farewell to her family, who had arrived unexpectedly early that morning.

"I asked Gamma Rail to watch over you," her mother, Mamma Hannah, said, her voice filled with concern. Her brown eyes shimmering with tears.

Gloria tucked a lock of her mother’s black hair behind her ear. "I can watch over myself, Mother."

Hannah shook her head. "Just in case." She shot a brief, disapproving glance at her husband. "We still think you shouldn’t go. The Queen didn’t force you."

Gloria let out an exasperated snort. "Mother, please! I need to attend to her. Stop worrying."

Rail, appearing from behind, caught her eye, and Gloria’s lips curled into a reluctant pout.

"I need to go," she murmured, trying to avoid facing him.

Mamma Hannah, however, wasn’t having it. She grabbed Rail’s hand firmly. "Please, keep your word and protect her."

Rail nodded, his face stoic as he walked back toward the carriage. Inside, a storm raged. He hated how Zaira had put Gloria in this position, and the way Gloria avoided him like he was a disease gnawing at him. That kiss still lingered in his thoughts, impossible to shake off. He wanted her.

Across the courtyard, Ren observed the interaction quietly, whispering to Kai as her gaze flicked briefly to Rail.

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