The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 191: Having fun in the market.

Chapter 191: Having fun in the market.

Kai stepped through the portal and into their chambers. Ren, his sweet wife, lay asleep, her breath soft and even. He hated that he hadn’t been there to witness her flight with Sunkiath. Worse still was the heaviness of her sorrow, it clung to the air, undeniable now that he was near. She didn’t want the King to die.

"Sorry, love," he whispered.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before slipping away to wash the blood from his skin and change his clothes. When he returned, he didn’t sleep. He sat beside her, watching the rise and fall of her chest, memorizing her every detail as if afraid she might vanish. The thought of Luther replacing her with Nimoieth gnawed at him, a slow and vicious torment.

Morning came quietly. When Ren’s eyes fluttered open, she found him there, his eyes closed now in restless repose. She leaned over and kissed his lips, soft, warm, a promise and a question all at once. When did he return?

"Mmm... my delicious wife," Kai murmured with a sleepy grin.

Ren giggled. "You’re awake!"

He opened his eyes fully, their golden warmth softening. "I am."

"You didn’t sleep last night?"

He ran his fingers gently along her bare shoulder, a tender motion laced with unspoken worry and love.

"I couldn’t. Too many thoughts kept me restless."

Ren sat upright, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Then talk to me. I’m here."

He shook his head with a half-smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "No, love. Not today. There’s nothing worth dragging into the morning. Let’s get ready. We’ve got a full day ahead... and I’m taking you to the bazaar."

That, at least, brought a spark to her eyes. She quickly followed him from the bed, curiosity already tugging at her imagination.

Together, they summoned Arkilla and Rail to join them, but just as they began walking down the corridor, a figure appeared at the far end.

It was Gloria. Her arms were folded, her posture regal, nothing like a maiden, but unmistakably annoyed.

"And where are you going, my Queen..." she called, her voice laced with mild accusation, "...without your maiden?"

Ren smiled, but not for the reason Gloria might have assumed. It wasn’t that she didn’t want her to come, it was a concern. If Luther had caught wind that someone had stolen his precious immortal weapon, he would stop at nothing to find her. Keeping Gloria hidden was an act of protection, not rejection.

"You’re not my maiden anymore," Ren said softly, though her tone was fond.

Gloria bowed slightly toward Kaisun, her tone playfully formal. "I am at His Highness’s service... until I receive an official title."

Kai chuckled, already aware of her ploy. Gloria was bored, and restless, and would use any excuse to sneak out of the palace.

"Fine," he said. "But you stay close to Rail and Arkilla. You don’t go more than a step away. Deal?"

Gloria instantly nodded, slipping between Rail and Arkilla as though that had been her plan all along. "I’m fine," she said, her voice light but determined.

Rail, who had been all stone and silent, finally cracked a hint of a smile. "At least she can act like the old Gloria for one day," he muttered, glancing sideways at her.

Gloria caught the remark but offered no comeback. She kept quiet until they were all seated in the carriage.

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut, and Arkilla finally broke it with a raised brow. "What’s going on with you two?"

"Nothing," Rail said flatly. "Just someone deciding to reject my feelings in the name of protecting me. As if I need protection."

He didn’t care that everyone in the carriage could hear him, after all, they all knew. They just pretended not to.

Kai rolled his eyes and shook his head. Kids!

Gloria’s cheeks flushed crimson. How could he speak so boldly in front of the others? And what could she even say in return?

"That’s not fair," she said, her voice barely steady. "You’re only seeing your side. I’ve been dealing with so many changes, struggling just to find balance."

"Enough. Both of you," Ren said, her voice calm but firm. The silence that followed was instant.

She looked between them, her tone softening with empathy. "You love each other. That’s obvious. And I doubt anything or anyone can stop that. Gloria, you’re going to be Queen. You’ll need someone you can trust completely, and Rail is that person. I don’t know how deep your feelings go but don’t make the mistake of pushing him away because you’re scared. You’ll regret it."

Ren wasn’t scolding them. Her words came from experience, not judgment. In the North, royalty might make an effort to tear her apart when she would appear at her weakest. She knew all too well how cruel power could be. And who better to stand beside Gloria than the man who already loved her fiercely?

Gloria lowered her head, ashamed. She had no rebuttal, and no strength left to argue. But Rail... Rail was quietly grateful that their Luna Queen had stepped in.

"Alright," Kai said, glancing between them. "Now, someone tells me, why are you two so determined to run from each other?"

"One reason is Zaira," Arkilla chimed in without hesitation. "The other... is their difference in species."

She said it plainly because there was no way either of them would.

"Killa, don’t," Gloria hissed, nudging her in protest.

But Arkilla wouldn’t back down. She knew too well how dangerous silence and stubborn pride could be. "If you keep this up, both of you will be lost. Kamin wanted you together. You’re dishonoring that with every step you take away from each other."

Kai leaned forward, voice tightening with authority. "My wife and I are different species too. That never stopped us. Even if you’re not ready for marriage, you can love each other freely. There’s no shame in that. Just stop torturing yourselves and bothering us."

Then his expression hardened. "As for Zaira, I’ll deal with her. I won’t let her become another Elaika, destroying lives out of greed and jealousy. I’ve already lost too many people to that kind of madness."

Gloria straightened and nodded solemnly. "Yes, Your Grace," she said, her voice calm, obedient, but thoughtful.

No one dared challenge the Alpha King. And in that silence, a few hearts quietly shifted.

Later, in the heart of the market, Ren and Kai strolled hand in hand, weaving between colorful stalls and laughing vendors. The scent of spices, roasted meats, and fresh-baked bread mingled in the air like a song.

Ren came to a sudden stop in front of a small, charming bakery. Warm steam curled from the windows.

"Those breads smell so good," she murmured, eyes gleaming. "They’re making me hungry."

Kai didn’t hesitate. He took her hand and pulled her inside. Moments later, they emerged with warm, golden loaves in hand, sharing bites as they continued to wander.

From their quiet vantage point, they watched people flock from one stall to another, laughter rising like birdsong.

"There’s going to be a summer festival tomorrow," Ren said, her voice laced with wonder. "You can feel it. Everyone’s so happy."

"Then we should come," Kai replied with a grin.

But Ren shook her head. "Nope. We can’t. We’ll be greeting the visiting royals, remember?"

Kai snorted, mildly annoyed. "Right. Kings and Queens, how exciting," he muttered with mock enthusiasm.

Just then, Arkilla appeared with a knowing smile tugging at her lips.

"Where are they?" Kai asked, scanning the crowds.

"She’ll be safe with him," Arkilla said simply. Her eyes softened. "They were too shy to even hold hands in front of us, so I gave them a reason to slip away."

~*~

On the other side of the bazaar, Rail grabbed Gloria’s hand. Testing to see if she would smack his hand away. But she did not and welcomed him, squeezing his hand.

"I’m sorry. I don’t want to be ignorant. I’m just scared. People simply kill each other here." Gloria bit her lower lip.

Rail stopped her, turning to face her, he cupped her small face between his palms.

"You will have me right next to you. I don’t even let them touch a single strand of your hair. But if you walk away from me and make yourself lonely, they will pounce on you."

Gloria met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I’m scared," she whispered.

"That means you’re sane," Rail replied gently. "The Alpha King used to tell me, that fear means you’re alive enough to challenge yourself."

He looked at her, really looked at her, and something inside him cracked open. Her soft, innocent face, the trembling in her lips, the blush on her cheeks... it was too much. He couldn’t hold back the tide rising in him.

Before he knew it, he was kissing her.

His lips found hers with aching need, not rushed, not demanding, but full of longing, full of everything he’d held back. There was no guilt, no shame. Only the sweet taste of her, and the peace he felt in that stolen moment.

When he pulled back, he pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the narrow space between them. His voice came low, ragged, but sure.

"My heart can’t take this life without you, Gloria. If I have to fight the world to keep you, I will. I just want to wake up next to you, watch you all day, and breathe the air you breathe."

Gloria could hear her heart pounding like war drums in her chest. A rush of heat swept down her spine, sweet, dizzying, and unfamiliar. Every sensation was new. She had never imagined this... never dared to think he could love her. After what happened to Kamin, she thought he might hate her forever.

But now, he was here. And he had kissed her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

She leaned on him, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her face into his broad, solid chest. His warmth, his strength, it felt like home.

"Will you stay by my side... until the very end?" she asked softly.

"I promise," Rail said without hesitation. "Not even the Lord of Death will pull me from you."

Gloria nestled deeper into his chest, a small smile playing at her lips until someone nearby shouted:

"Hey! Get a room or a guest house, don’t block the market!"

She froze, mortified. Her cheeks turned scarlet as she realized what they’d just done. Right there, in the middle of the bazaar, for everyone to see. And she hadn’t even tried to stop him or herself.

~*~

In a shadowed corner of the bustling market, where sunlight dared not reach, a figure stood watching.

His voice rumbled low from his chest. "That’s the girl I saw."

Beside him, another set of eyes gleamed, a sharp, eerie green. "Good. Don’t disappoint me again. I brought you back from death for this one purpose."

"Yes, Your Grace. I won’t fail this time."

With that, they melted into the darkness, vanishing like ghosts, leaving only the weight of unseen eyes behind.

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