The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 221: Becoming a father is extraordinary.

Chapter 221: Becoming a father is extraordinary.

The goblin huddled on the cold stone floor, looked up, and immediately dropped to his knees. "My Queen... you came again."

Ren knelt slightly, leveling her gaze with his. "Thanks to your help, we were able to save your people on Acre Island."

The goblin’s eyes widened, glowing with a glimmer of hope. "You did? That’s... that’s so kind of you. Without your help, they would all be slaves now."

"And as I promised," she said gently, "I’m here to reward you."

The goblin gasped, stunned. He had never truly believed she would keep her word.

"My Queen... I’ve hurt your people. Do I truly deserve this?" the goblin whispered, guilt heavy in his voice.

Ren’s expression softened, though her voice remained steady. "I spoke with the shifter whose hand you severed. She told me you had the chance to strike her neck... but you didn’t. She may never forgive you, but after hearing your story, she’s chosen to give you a second chance to live."

The goblin couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. They streamed down his cheeks, his small shoulders trembling with emotion.

"I’ve found a place for you," Ren continued. "There’s an orphanage in the goblin quarter. They need someone who understands the children, someone who’s lived through hardship. Now, rise. Calisa will take you to the city. But promise me... live as a good person."

The goblin rose, his body trembling, and without hesitation, he bit into his own palm. Blood welled up, and he held it out solemnly.

"I swear on my blood," he said, voice shaking, "I will repay your mercy."

"Calisa," Ren said gently but firmly, "give him coins and a set of clean clothes. Let him begin anew."

Later, Calisa escorted the goblin to the orphanage. As they reached the door, the goblin paused, his ears twitching at the sound of children laughing inside. Then, suddenly, the door flew open with a creak.

"Good gods..." he murmured, his heart pounding.

Standing in the doorway was a small goblin boy, no older than eight, frozen mid-step. The joy on his face flickered into disbelief as tears welled up in his eyes.

"Father? You’re alive?"

The goblin rushed forward and swept his son into his arms. "My little boy... you’re alive!"

"Yes!" the child said between sobs. "A shifter general saved me from the vampires."

The goblin held his son tighter, overwhelmed. Then he turned to Calisa, his voice cracking, "I... I don’t know how to thank you."

Calisa offered a soft smile. "As she said... just be a good person."

He left them to their reunion and returned to the sky, shifting mid-step. But before he could take off, a familiar shadow darted in front of him, wings wide.

"You scared me," he huffed.

Ogain chuckled, hovering above him with ease. "You’re easy to hunt, little bird!"

Calisa rolled his eyes. This brat of a griffin! He had taught him how to fly, and now he had the audacity to mock him? A hawk was a predator, what a disgrace to be teased by this so-called sacred beast.

"Little bird, huh?" he muttered, narrowing his eyes. "We’ll see who’s faster, beast!"

~*~

After the meeting and her visit to the dungeons, Ren returned to her chamber and found Agara waiting. His hands were scratched and bleeding, the skin torn by thorns. She rushed to him without a word, gently pressing her palms over his wounds, channeling her healing power.

"You’ve hurt yourself," she said, concerned.

"I crossed paths with a snow tiger," Agara replied with a breathless chuckle. "The flower grows in their territory. That beast shoved me into the thorns, but I was lucky. Beneath them, I found the snowflower."

Ren exhaled in relief. "I’m glad you made it back alive."

As the healing light faded from her fingertips, her gaze drifted to the strange herb on the table. The snowflower was like nothing she had ever seen, its petals translucent, yet glowing faintly with a blue, ethereal shimmer. It looked as though it held a piece of the northern sky within it.

"We should give it to him raw," Agara advised, picking up the delicate bloom and handing it to her.

Ren didn’t hesitate. She moved to Kai’s bedside, opened his mouth, and fed him each petal with careful urgency, watching as his throat worked to swallow the miracle she’d prayed for.

Hours passed. She never left his side. But eventually, sleep claimed her and her head bowed where she sat, still holding his hand.

Kai’s eyes opened slowly, the dim light of the chamber catching the gold in his irises. The first thing he saw was Ren, her fingers wrapped tightly around his as if letting go would make him vanish.

Kai sat upright, his body stiff and brittle. How long had he been bedridden that he now felt like a twig trying to bend?

As he stirred, Ren jolted awake, their eyes locking in stunned silence. For a heartbeat, she thought it might be a dream. But when he reached out and kissed her knuckles, her breath hitched and tears bubbled in her eyes.

She threw her arms around him and clung tightly. "I thought I lost you... and Shadow."

Kai embraced her, holding her firm despite his weakness. The dragon tattoo on his skin stirred, slithering back to life as if awakened by their bond.

"Shadow is just resting," he murmured, burying his face in her collarbone and inhaling deeply. "And I’m fine."

He exhaled a low, rumbling sigh. "Mmm... I missed my delicious little wife so much."

The heat of his voice vibrated through his chest, making Ren ache to kiss him, hard and deep. But he was still fragile... and probably starving.

He pulled back and his eyes fell on her belly, "I feel lives in your belly." His palm rested on her slightly bulged belly.

"Yes, we are going to have twins!" her throat was filled with a lump.

Kai bent and kissed her belly, "So we must end the war faster and welcome our babies."

He was happy, to be soon a father. He had lived so long. He had seen others becoming fathers. Was he jealous? Hell, yes. But he was scared. Scared of his father taking his kids away with him to make them weapons of the Underworld.

But what he felt now was extraordinary.

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