The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 34: Virgin

Chapter 34: Virgin

He cleared his throat, but his voice still came out rougher than intended. "Let’s see how strong those delicate hands of yours really are. Punch me. We’ll start with a warm-up."

Ren cocked her head as he lifted his leather-gloved hands. "Punch these."

"Alright. If you insist."

Her childhood had been a battlefield of its own and as a teenager it sucked. Her siblings had been relentless, turning her into their personal punching bag. She had spent years evading their blows, sneaking into infirmaries instead of training grounds. But now? Now she had no choice.

Adjusting her stance, she raised her fists near her jaw.

Kai nodded, approving. "Not bad. But in battle, hesitation gets you killed. Don’t overthink it, just hit me."

She struck his palm, hard. He grinned. "Did you just kiss me?"

Ren scowled. "A kiss can be deadlier. Don’t you know?" She threw another punch.

"Faster. Harder, wife."

She kept going, ignoring the burn in her arms, the ache settling into her bones. But after minutes of relentless strikes, her breath grew ragged, and her shoulders screamed for relief.

"Enough."

Kai pulled off his gloves and took her hands, his fingers skimming over her reddened knuckles. A muscle ticked in his jaw. Too delicate. Without a word, he strode to a nearby table, retrieving a pair of hand wraps. Returning to her, he extended them. "Give me your hand."

She hesitated, then complied with his order. As he wrapped the fabric around her fingers, his voice softened. "Women here don’t use these anymore. Only children do. But you’ll need them."

Ren suddenly pulled away, agitation flaring in her chest. "No. I don’t want them. If I’m going to shed this frail skin, then don’t coddle me." Her voice was sharp and stubborn. "I need to grow stronger. And I will."

Kai chuckled, amused. "Alright, alright. No need to get mad."

"Then don’t go easy on me," she snapped. "Fight me. Correct my form, but don’t hold back."

Something shifted in his gaze. Admiration, perhaps. Or something far more dangerous. "Then attack me, wife."

Ren didn’t hesitate, wrapped the cloth, and tossed it away. She lunged, striking fast. But he was faster. He dodged effortlessly, moving like liquid, and in one swift motion, he caught her wrist, twisting her arm behind her, a sharp tug, and she spun, her back colliding with his bare chest, his arms caging her in. crashing her back against his skin. Oh, shit, he held her tight, heat and need ravaged her body.

His breath ghosted against her ear. "We should really even the playing field. Maybe you should take your shirt off too." Ren’s blood boiled. Not giving him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered, she stomped hard on his foot, twisting free with a quick pivot.

Kai let out a surprised laugh. "Well done." He flexed his toes, then smirked. "Now, attack again. But if you drop your guard..." His voice turned sultry, teasing. "I’ll kiss you."

"I won’t," she snapped.

Two grueling hours passed before he finally relented. Grasping her hands, he exhaled, his gaze darkening. "You’re stubborn as hell. Look at your knuckles." He shook his head. "Strength isn’t about breaking yourself. There are ways to avoid damage, you know little wife!"

Ren pulled her hands back, avoiding his eyes. "I’ll get used to it."

Kai pinched the bridge of his nose. "How about a natural bath?"

She frowned. "What?"

"A hot spring," he clarified. "Don’t tell me you’ve never been in one."

Ren shrugged. "I haven’t."

Kai exhaled dramatically. "Wife, you have led an unbelievably dull life."

She couldn’t argue with that. Her stepmother had ensured she behaved like a proper lady. The few times she had tried sneaking out, she had been caught, and punished.

"Are we going now?"

Before he could answer, Beta Coran appeared at the doorway. "Your Highness, a moment. You need to see this."

Kai sighed, glancing at Ren. "Take a bath. I’ll take you there later. If I’m not back for lunch, find me in the forge. Siamon will take you there."

Then he was gone, his broad back disappearing beneath the folds of his black shirt.

Gloria arrived shortly after, gathering Ren’s dress. As they walked outside, she asked, "How was training?"

"Awkward," Ren admitted. "It’s been years since I trained. My joints are stiff, aching like hell."

"Good confession," Gloria teased as she collected her Lady’s dress from the locker room.

Ren rolled her eyes. Sauntering out and turning a corner, they ran straight into Elaika and her two followers. Fresh from their own training, the three exuded the same air of superiority as always.

Elaika smirked. "What do I gain from hearing you confess your weakness, princess?"

Ren stiffened. No. She wouldn’t let this woman walk over her. Not anymore.

Elaika stepped closer, lowering her voice to a taunting whisper. "He’s mine. You’re just a temporary political pawn, here today, gone tomorrow."

Then, with an almost animalistic motion, she sniffed her. Like a damn dog.

A wave of panic surged through Ren, but she clenched her aching fists. The females here were rough and wicked. She couldn’t afford to show deficiency. Not now. Not ever.

A slow smirk pulled at her lips. "I don’t know what’s more pathetic, Elaika. Your delusions or the fact that you’re so desperate, you have to resort to intimidation."

Elaika’s eyes narrowed. The game had just begun. Humans had no right to claim a spot in this realm. They had killed many shifters.

Ren’s nails dug into her palms as she forced herself to stay rooted. The other females’ smirk was a blade, pointed and precise, seeking to carve into the deepest recesses of her insecurities.

She continued, "At least I don’t seek men’s attention. I’m a free woman, bound only to my standards."

Elaika’s eyes flashed with something dark, amusement, challenge, or perhaps barely contained wrath. She leaned in, voice low and sickly sweet. "That’s why you refuse to give him your body? You’ll die a virgin, Witch."

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