The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 204: Are you truly alright?

Chapter 204: Are you truly alright?

Back in Reneira’s chamber, the King sat at her bedside, gently holding her hand. How could she be this selfless? Giving her life to save him? He couldn’t believe it.

"Wake up, daughter," he murmured, his voice thick with concern. "You’re stronger than this."

Across the room, the magician finished preparing a shimmering remedy in a delicate vial.

"She will wake after consuming this," he remarked with quiet confidence.

The King motioned to the royal healers.

"Test it. I want no risks, make sure he’s added no poison or enchantment."

The healers examined the potion carefully with a silver bar, then nodded.

"Nothing unusual, Your Majesty."

Satisfied, the King returned to Ren’s side and gently helped her sip the concoction. Moments later, color began to return to her pale cheeks.

Aunt Everin, standing nearby, let out a deep, shaky breath of relief. While she was engaged in an argument with Rebedina, her daughters were facing death.

"My dear, what happened to you?" she whispered.

Ren’s eyelashes fluttered as she slowly regained consciousness, her vision adjusting to the warm candlelight and the worried faces surrounding her bed. She pushed herself upright, the motion slow and stiff.

"Where is my husband?" she asked, her voice hoarse but determined.

The King averted his gaze, closing his eyes for a brief moment. His lips tightened before he answered.

"He’s fine," he said gently. "You shouldn’t worry about him."

But Ren’s fingers pressed to her aching temple, trying to piece together the memories that hovered at the edge of her mind. Then it returned to her, the flash of divine light, the distant view of the Gods’ Territory portal as she looked down from the back of Sunkiath.

"That place..." she whispered. "The Gods’ Territory. How can I get there?"

The King scowled, "You cannot!"

The magician stepped closer to the bed, his expression calm but kind.

"You cannot go there, Princess Reneira. Only a Saint can summon that gate. Even though Azrael was nearly broken by the effort, he needs time to heal. He is not an elite saint yet."

Ren’s brow lifted as she studied the stranger.

"Who are you?"

"I am Sigaros. An alchemist magician," he answered with a respectful nod.

She looked at him with quiet surprise. A wizard, helping them? Her gaze slowly turned toward the King, her voice sharpening with accusation.

"You all knew this would happen, didn’t you? Luther was too strong, too dangerous... so you decided to let the gods destroy him. Am I right?"

The King met her gaze, heavy with guilt, and gave a solemn nod.

"Yes. We couldn’t take the risk. Do you remember what happened to Nimoieth, before King Alvone could send her to the gods’ territory for the penalty?"

Ren’s breath caught. Of course, she remembered. That witch had drawn the blood of a thousand sorcerers and sacrificed them to escape divine punishment.

"The sorcerers gave their lives to stop her death," she said quietly, the imagination of it cutting deep.

Sigaros interjected gently, correcting her with a steady voice.

"No. They weren’t heroes or martyrs, Princess. They were her slaves. She drained their magic and slaughtered them all to resist death. Her mortal body burned, and her power withered to almost nothing. Vassals don’t save cruel masters at death’s door, they flee. But she compelled them."

Ren’s fingers clenched into a trembling fist.

"Then why did my husband stay in that ring formation?"

"Because someone had to hold Luther there," Sigaros explained, his tone softening. "Until the gods answered the Saint’s call."

Suddenly, Agara appeared in the doorway, his face pale and his breath shallow. Blood stained the edge of his mouth. Ren shot from the bed and rushed to his side.

"What happened to you?" she cried, catching his arm.

"The vampire lord used Fae poison on me," he replied weakly, trying to steady himself. "I’m fine, don’t worry. I just had the antidote. It will take time for me to recover." He broke off with a cough, more blood darkening his lips.

"No, you are not fine," she snapped. "We should go back to Thegara. You need healing."

She turned toward the King, her voice strong despite the grief weighing on her chest.

"I can’t leave Gloria here. Our armies are holding the lines, and with my husband gone, they need leadership. My uncle and Beta Coran are the only ones who can command the Alphas."

The pain was still fresh, Kai’s absence cut like a blade, but she couldn’t let it stop her. She had to carry on what he had started. And then, she will find a way to bring him back.

The King nodded solemnly.

"Very well. You may go." He glanced at her with an air of finality. "But Gloria must stay behind. I will train her myself. We’re heading north, and I will protect her."

...

Aunt Eve came out of the chamber only to see a panicked Gloria and her friends.

"Is she fine?"

Gloria was trembling with distress. Aunt Eve held her hand, "She is, that was a deadly sudden shock. You can go inside and talk to her."

~*~

The next day, the human armies began their march to the North. Before departing, the King came to bid farewell, this time with his daughter at his side. But first, he allowed Gloria a moment alone with Ren.

In the quiet of the morning, Ren gently braided Gloria’s long hair, her fingers moving with care and familiarity. Gloria looked striking in her dark brown leather armor, more warrior than a girl now.

"This will be your longest journey with Sunkiath," Ren said softly. "You’ve trained a few times, but it’s not enough. Out there, you’ll need to be wise. Take care of yourself, Gloria. I can’t lose you too."

She pulled Gloria into a warm, protective embrace, holding her tightly.

"Are you truly alright?" Gloria asked, her voice hushed. "I know you... You’ll try to find a way to bring our king back."

She knew Ren too well. Behind that composed expression was a gathering storm, silent, fierce, and full of untold plans.

"You shouldn’t focus on me now. Gloria, watch your back, and don’t trust any of the noblemen who approach you. You are beautiful and unmarried."

Ren twisted the subject.

Gloria dropped her hands to her sides, "I’m going to miss you. This is unfair, we found each other and everything changed in a bad way."

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