The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 205: Leaving Jaigara.

Chapter 205: Leaving Jaigara.

A few hours before...

"Where is Elaika, Captain Dron?"

Arkilla asked grimly as she rushed close, panting. She couldn’t believe that he let her go.

"She headed north."

"How could you let her go?"

Arkilla yanked him by the shoulder and ran to the forest, tracking Elaika’s footsteps. After a few hours, she found her in a cave. She was sleeping when Killa’s shadow loomed over her.

Eliaka opened her eyes, "What are you doing here?"

Killa didn’t answer that, instead, pounced on her chest, her unsheathed dagger grazing Elaika’s skin.

"You stay away from Gloria, or wherever you go, I will find you. I’ll kill everyone you love, I’ll destroy everything you cherish. Don’t try my patience."

Elaika didn’t struggle. She lay still and spoke softly, "I saw how humans live. Their children are no different from ours. Without knowing what I was, they treated me kindly in the market... they shared their sweets and food with me. I don’t hate them anymore. But I hate that they’re afraid of us. Gloria, she would be a nice Queen if she survived that greedy, vicious court I saw. I hope she brings peace between our people."

Arkilla pulled the dagger away and rose to her feet. "I hate you for killing the fathers of our children," she said coldly. "But I let you live... so you can fight for those fathers now, to protect their children. You saw how bloodthirsty the vampires are."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned sharply and walked out of the cave, only to find Rail standing at the entrance.

"You’re here," he remarked.

"Hm, you too." Arkilla nudged him with her elbow, her tone a little lighter.

"I was going to kill her," Rail admitted, his voice low.

Arkilla chuckled. "You heard us?"

Rail nodded and fell into step beside her. His expression remained grim, jaw tight with lingering rage.

"Zaira was there to kill Gloria. I heard it clearly," he said, voice low but furious.

"I know. And that witch, Phoria..." Arkilla’s voice trailed with contempt. "What are you going to do about her?"

Rail’s eyes burned as he spoke, more to himself than to her. "I’ll find her and end her. She’s a menace to the woman I love."

Arkilla halted mid-step, her brows knitting in surprise. "You’re not heading north?"

Rail shook his head. "No. We lost His Majesty because he didn’t want Nimoieth to return to this world, to take Luna’s body. I’ll make sure his sacrifice isn’t wasted. You know he was like a true father to me. And as his godson, it’s my duty to finish what he started. I’ll kill Phoria and anyone who tries to bring Nimoieth back."

Arkilla stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. "You’re a brother to me, this is dangerous," she whispered.

"Take care of our Luna," He demanded. "She’ll do her best to bring His Majesty back."

"Rest assured," She replied.

"Do you trust Sigaros?" she asked, voice tight with worry.

"No," Rail admitted. "But he’s my only chance to trap Phoria. We’ll eliminate that menace together. The King of Alvonia and Gloria both promised him peace and a new treaty for the sorcerers."

They exchanged a final glance, a silent promise, and then bid farewell. Rail mounted his horse and rode off down the dirt road. He hated long journeys on horseback, but he would have to get used to it now.

From behind a nearby tree, Elaika stepped out. Arkilla turned with a sigh. "You’re a noisy bitch, you know that?"

"Arkilla... I’m sorry for everything. Can she really bring His Highness back?" Elaika asked quietly.

Arkilla’s lips tightened into a bitter pout. "If we win this war, yes. But imagine Thegara without our Alpha. We’ll never see the color of peace again."

She didn’t wait for Elaika’s response. With swift strides, she disappeared into the woods, returning to the castle.

~*~

Presently...

Gloria gripped Ren’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. They didn’t need to exchange words, both knew exactly what was coming. One would go to protect Thegara. The other would go to learn how to become stronger.

Gloria pulled Ren into a tight embrace. "Take care of yourself."

The lump in her throat made her voice thick and trembling.

After Ren left the room, the King approached her and asked for a walk. Together, they headed to the garden, where Luther had once appeared. The ground where the Saint’s ring had formed was now scorched and barren as if even the earth remembered.

"Promise me something," the King said at last.

"I need to hear it first," Ren answered. She owed him no promises. If her husband was truly gone, it was because of the King’s choices.

"Don’t trade your life away," he said quietly. "I don’t want to lose my daughter. Kai did what he did to protect you. Nimoieth wants your body, and he wouldn’t let that happen."

Ren clenched her fingers into the fabric of her trousers. Since the moment she’d awakened, she hadn’t taken off her armor. Her war had started long ago. She refused to wrap herself in silk and lavish gowns now, not until she brought Kai back. Only then would she dress like a lady, and only for him.

"Do you remember what he said when we left Thegara after our marriage?" Ren asked, her voice quiet, touched by memory.

"Tell me," the King was eager to know.

"That he would never fall in love with a human," she said with a faint, sad smile. "He planned to take my virginity and then kill me, so he could offer my soul to his father in exchange for freedom. But in the end, he was the one who fell in love first.

"All I wanted was to survive... to have a place in his world. I wanted his home. But he became my home."

She drew in a deep breath.

"He taught me how to become a better version of myself. He gave me back the confidence all of you had taken from me. He gave me the truth of who I am. He gave me his trust, his heart..."

She lifted her hand. "He gave me this ring. And the crown on my head. He saw me as a queen. And a queen protects her king. I won’t give up on him. And I won’t give my body to some haunting witch. I belong to myself and then him. That’s what he taught me, by letting me choose for myself."

The King stood still, startled. When did his little daughter grow so much?

"I’m sorry for what Araben and her mother did to you," he said at last, his eyes soft and filled with regret.

But it was too late.

"Then fight to live your life," Ren whispered. "And be a good father. You don’t need to die a king."

The King smiled softly. "I want to die a lover. You’re seeking yours, and I’m seeking mine. I’ve had a long, ageless life... isn’t that enough?"

Ren couldn’t scold him. Her eyes stung with tears, and her heart churned with emotions too tangled to name. All she could do was wrap her arms around him, burying herself in his embrace as silent tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Burn those vampires to the ground," she murmured, "and take care of Gloria for me. If I lose her too... I might lose my mind."

He gently tapped her back, resting his chin atop her head. "I promise," he whispered.

As she pulled away, he kissed her forehead and added, "Your aunt will rule the Ruby Throne in our absence. Can I count on you to watch over things from a distance?"

Ren gave a bitter smile. "Yes. House Kalia won’t forgive us for what happened." She hesitated. "Are you sure you’re not taking Dankin to the North?"

King Benkin chuckled. "The kid would piss himself if he saw a vampire."

"He’s strangely quiet," Ren muttered, just as a guard approached them.

"My King, we’re ready to move."

...

Ren stood next to Aunt Eve watching Gloria mount on Sunkiath’s back and wave her hand for her. She brushed her tears off. Farewell never suited her liking. Especially this kind of farewell that Gloria had to go in the middle of a wild war to prove herself.

Sunkiath flapped his wings, causing a wind that made everyone keep their distance far.

As the Dragon was in the sky, the troops of soldiers left the gates. Many of these soldiers were still young, not trained enough to face a fast blood-sucker vampire. Three years could never be enough to train an army and bring it to the kind of strength that would resist against vampires. Ren prayed that the poison she made would work properly to slow down vampires.

"Sigaros told me that Luther killed one of the shifters and had stolen the poison from him."

Aunt Eve flinched, terror drew blood from her face, "Do they have an antidote?"

Ren shook her head, "The Devil’s heart stem poison has no antidote. And as for silver and shifter’s blood, that one scares me. This woman, Phoria, might find a way to mutate vampires to the level that no poison can kill them."

Her eyes were sad when she stared at the troops and trailed off, "Aunt Eve, what happens if vampires find a way to walk in the sunlight?"

Aunt Eve swallowed with fear crawling under her skin, "Then we are all doomed."

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