The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 35: Traumatized

Chapter 35: Traumatized

The words struck like a whip, slicing through Ren’s defenses. Her breath hitched, her pulse hammering against her ribs. How did she know? Had Kaisun spoken of it? Or worse, had he found solace in this woman’s arms? The thought was venom, curling through her mind like poison, unraveling the fragile unintentional trust she had placed in him. She barely knew him. Every piece of him remained locked away in a chest to which she had no key, and yet she had thrown herself into this marriage blindly.

"Who said I won’t?" Ren countered, her voice edged with defiance. "I am his to take, little puppy."

She hadn’t meant to play this game, hadn’t wanted to engage in this wretched tug-of-war, but Elaika had crossed a line.

The woman’s smirk only widened, unbothered. "He has to marry me if he doesn’t want to lose his power, silly human. The clans agreed to assist him in the war only if he weds me, beds me, and makes babies with me."

Ren’s body went rigid. The words settled in her chest like stones, dragging her into a suffocating abyss. Her husband had canceled that treaty, or at least, he had claimed to. But the certainty in Elaika’s voice made doubt claw its way into her heart. Was he lying to her? Had he merely told her what she wanted to hear?

She forced a smile, bright and cutting. "Then I won’t stop him. If he wants you, he can have you."

Elaika’s expression faltered, just for a breath, before twisting into something vicious. "I’ll make you drop that fucking innocent mask, princess. I’m sure you are here for ulterior motives!"

"You are delusional!" Ren smirked and turned sharply on her heel before she betrayed the raw hurt bleeding inside her.

The walls of the palace blurred around her as she strode forward, her mind storming with thoughts she wished she could silence. If Kaisun had deceived her, she had no choice but to accept it. Their marriage was built on shifting sand, and she had been foolish to believe it could be anything else. But more than that, if the treaty allowed him to take multiple wives, what could she do? This wasn’t Alvonia. This was Thegara, a world she barely understood.

Her pulse quickened, panic coating her thoughts. The war. The people’s trust. If the clans turned on him, he would lose everything. And despite her growing doubt, that was a future she could not accept.

She reached her chambers in a daze, barely aware of Gloria’s concerned gaze as she stepped into the bath. The warm water licked at her skin, but it did nothing to soothe the turmoil inside her.

"Milady," Gloria spoke hesitantly, wringing her hands. "She’s provoking you to leave His Highness. Don’t believe her. The elders decide based on what is good for Thegara, not her."

Ren exhaled sharply. "The elders will turn on me the moment they see my power. They don’t want a stranger, a human, to take the throne as a Luna."

She had to be prepared. Elaika wouldn’t dictate her fate. If the elders wanted her gone, they would have to fight for it by verifying herself.

Her fingers traced the necklace resting against her collarbone, a piece she had never removed. Fae runes. She still didn’t fully understand the power poured into the delicate metal, but she needed to. Her uncle had known something. He had put this on her for a reason and it was so calming.

After lunch, Gloria entered with a small wooden box and placed it on the table. "His Highness asked Healer Rigo to prepare an ointment for your hands."

Ren stilled. A flicker of warmth bloomed in her chest, despite the chaos in her mind. He cared. Maybe not in the way she longed for, but this gesture, small as it was, proved he wasn’t entirely indifferent. She reached for their bond, pressing into his mind. ’Husband, thank you for the ointment. Have you eaten lunch?’

Silence.

Her heart squeezed. She frowned, glancing at Gloria. "Have you seen His Majesty?"

"No, my lady, but I heard he left with Beta Coran, Gamma Rail, and Axe. It seems they went to inspect unrest near the borders."

Ren’s breath caught. Why didn’t he tell me? The attacks, the demons, they knew about her. Did they reach Thegara? If they couldn’t reach her, they would go after him. And the worst part? He wasn’t answering. A cold shiver ran down her spine. ’I don’t know where you are but stay alive. For me.’

She stood abruptly, ignoring the ointment, a strange concern possessed her heart. "Where is Siamon?"

"He’s in the garden."

Gloria rushed after her as she strode through the corridors. "Milady, what’s wrong?"

"He might be in danger."

The spiral staircase blurred beneath her hurried steps. Footsteps echoed behind her, another voice cutting in. "Who is in danger?"

Ren turned, finding a woman falling into step beside her. "We met at dinner," she added quickly. "Do you not remember?" Ren barely acknowledged her. Her mind was locked on one thought, she had to find Siamon. Now.

"I’m Arkilla. Your assigned guard."

"Let’s talk about it later. I have to hurry now."

The moment she stepped into the garden, her eyes locked on him. Siamon stood with a redheaded man, one who bore a striking resemblance to Gloria. They were deep in conversation, but Ren had no patience for waiting.

"Siamon!" Her voice was intense, urgent. "I can’t hear anything from His Highness."

Siamon turned, his expression instantly hardening at the distress in her voice. He studied her, and something unreadable flickered in his gaze.

Ren felt her pulse thrumming beneath her skin. "He left without telling me. There’s unrest at the borders. I need to know what’s happening."

Siamon held her gaze for a long moment before sighing. He dismissed the others. A small, knowing smile touched his lips. "My lady, you truly care for him."

Ren clenched her jaw. "Tell me where he is, please!"

"They’ve gone to settle an uprising. That is all." Ren scowled. Because of me? Panic twined in her chest, but she forced herself to breathe. If Kaisun had gone to fight, then she must be ready. No matter what it took, she wouldn’t lose him. She would learn to control this power and evolve it to keep this land safe. First from herself and then from the moths that she would drag here like a candlelight. Those damn demons.

"Are you traumatized by those demons in the woods?" He guessed.

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