The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 47: A Serpent

Chapter 47: A Serpent

Ren carefully placed the satchel inside her drawer, she had collected enough coins for her purpose, a small smile touching her lips. After acting so impulsively toward her husband, slamming the door in his face, she had managed to sleep for two hours only. But the moment she woke, regret and guilt coiled tight around her heart. So she summoned Arkilla.

Her husband had been honest about his feelings from the beginning. And he wasn’t human, how could she expect him to understand the weight behind her unspoken words? If she was to teach him how to love, she had to be logical. Less impulsive. She made a deal with him and must keep her word.

Arkilla arrived swiftly, her wide grin gleaming with mischief. "My lady, are we truly going to the market?"

Ren nodded. "Yes. I must visit the Beard Faun’s shop. Calisa told me he makes high-quality liquor. We’re going to buy some."

The Omega guard leaned in, her breath warm against Ren’s ear from behind. "Are you making another cologne for His Highness?"

Ren pursed her lips, feigning indifference. "Maybe."

Arkilla’s laughter was light and teasing, but Ren shut it down with a firm palm against her chest, pushing her back as she grabbed her cloak from the table. "Where’s Gloria? I asked her to bring Rail."

Arkilla folded her arms. "You have me. We don’t need him."

Ren snorted. "We do. You’re not carrying everything, are you?"

Arkilla hesitated, then bobbed her head. "You are so thoughtful. We need extra hands."

Minutes later, Ren mounted Viva’s saddle while Rail helped Gloria up behind her. The maiden clutched Ren’s waist like a lifeline, her fingers trembling.

"Are you sure we won’t fall?" Gloria’s voice quivered.

Ren patted her arm reassuringly. "I’m sure. Just hold tight. This is important."

Gloria exhaled shakily, though it did nothing to settle the fear crawling beneath her skin. "We could have taken a carriage," she suggested weakly.

Ren shook her head. "No. That would draw too much attention. No one saw my face clearly last time, the cloak’s hood covered most of it. This way, we blend in."

Gloria narrowed her eyes. "Is that why you borrowed my dress?"

"What’s wrong with it? I like simple dresses." Ren clicked her tongue and nudged Viva forward. The sudden movement jolted Gloria, who let out a soft yelp.

"Oh, my goodness. I’ll die this afternoon," she grumbled.

"No, you won’t."

An hour later, they reached the bustling market. Rail took Viva’s reins, leading their horses toward the stable as Ren and the others stepped onto the cobbled streets.

"Wait here for me."

They stood near a bakery, the air thick with the scent of freshly baked bread and honeyed pastries. Ren peered inside, spotting an imp woman engaged in conversation with a customer.

"It’s busier in the afternoon," she noted.

Arkilla, ever alert, scanned the crowd warily. "And more dangerous. Pickpockets thrive at these hours."

She suddenly grabbed Ren’s arm and pulled her aside as two Minotaurs lumbered past, their sheer bulk casting shadows over them.

’Don’t stare at them,’ Arkilla warned in a low voice in her mind.

Ren kept her head down, resisting the urge to glance back. The Minotaurs despised being gawked at. Even if she wanted to, those hulking figures with their bull-like heads were impossible to ignore, she wouldn’t risk it. Her heart already pounded enough.

"Where’s Calisa?" she asked, eager to finish their errand before dusk.

"I’m here!"

Calisa waved from across the street, waiting for a group of baby goblins to scamper past before hurrying over. "Sorry, I made you wait!"

"They weren’t waiting for you, little bird." Rail approached, pointing to himself. "They were waiting for me because I’m her favorite."

Calisa scoffed, placing a hand over his heart mockingly. "A dimwit? Do you even know what I did with what she taught me in the lab?"

Ren arched a brow, intrigued despite herself. "What did you do?"

Calisa grinned wickedly. "I, Calisa, created a poisonous cologne and sprayed it on my bullies’ feathers. They’re all itching and losing feathers now."

Silence. Then a collective sigh.

Ren pinched the bridge of her nose. "I taught you to use it for good! You could have befriended them."

Calisa shrugged, utterly unrepentant. "I didn’t kill them. They’ll just be walking instead of flying for a while."

Rail took an unconscious step back, wariness flickering in his eyes.

Ren shook her head. "Just take me to the Beard Faun’s shop."

Calisa spun on his heel, casting a smug glance at Rail. "I’m going to be her favorite person. Step back while you still can."

Rail scoffed. "A wolf never retreats."

"Enough, you two." Arkilla’s sharp tone cut through their bickering, her gaze sweeping the crowd. "She’s in a hurry."

They moved through the narrow streets, the air thick with the mingling scents of spices, roasted meat, and damp stone. But before they reached the shop, Ren’s steps faltered.

A massive black serpent slithered down the side of a building, its scaled body shifting and twisting until it took human form. Dressed in dark leather, his presence oozed quiet menace.

Ren swallowed hard, her muscles locking in place. Then he turned.

Piercing green eyes met hers, elliptical pupils flickering with something unreadable. Ren ripped her gaze away, a shudder running down her spine.

A serpent. Gods above. If there was any creature that could claw its way into her nightmares, it was that. Her pulse pounded like war drums.

"Here!" Calisa announced, stopping in front of a small shop.

Ren forced herself to focus. The buildings here were made of stone, softened by ivy and cascading purple flowers. For a moment, she marveled at their beauty. She had never expected this place, these people, to hold such tenderness.

How foolish she had been to judge so quickly.

Rail opened the door, stepping aside as they entered. The Beard Faun, freshly cleaned and clothed, awaited them, his expression unreadable.

"Welcome to my humble shop, Luna Reneira."

"Thank you, Beard Faun." Her gaze swept the space, searching. "I assume you’re out of beer?"

He chuckled. "No, no. I never keep it here. Too many drunkards breaking my barrels."

With that, he gestured toward a door behind him. "Please, follow me."

Arkilla turned to Rail. "You go with them. I’ll watch over here."

Rail bared his teeth. "You’re annoying, Killa. I’m not your pet."

She smirked. "Oh, aren’t you?"

He growled under his breath but didn’t argue further.

Yet Arkilla’s gaze remained fixed on the door, unease settling in her gut. Something wasn’t right. And that serpent... She had seen the way he looked at her Lady. And she didn’t like it one damn bit.

~*~

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Thank you all,

Winter~

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