The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 77: His very breath.

Chapter 77: His very breath.

Kai’s knuckles gently brushed over Ren’s arm, his touch featherlight yet burning against her skin, cursing every damn thorn for injuring her. "They hurt you, yet you saved them. Had it been me, I’d have whisked you away and set that cursed garden ablaze," he murmured, his gaze roaming her body, meticulously inspecting her injuries as he waited for Gloria to finish preparing the bath.

Ren frowned slightly, a gentle crease forming between her brows, yet his soft touch left trails of heat that chased her pulse into a chaotic rhythm. "Must you always be so brutal?" Her voice was soft, breathless under his touch.

A careless shrug lifted Kai’s shoulders, but his eyes blazed fiercely. "The thought of revenge has crossed my mind repeatedly since I saw you hurt."

She opened her mouth to retort, but Gloria emerged nervously from the bathroom, stealing worried glances at her Queen. Everything had spiraled into chaos the moment Kai left and returned to see they couldn’t watch over her despite his constant instructions.

"Here’s the ointment. Please use it," Gloria said quietly, placing the small jar on a nearby table.

"Thank you, Gloria. You may leave." Ren dismissed her swiftly before Kai’s simmering temper had a chance to explode upon her poor maiden. He blamed everyone for letting Ren step through the shadow portal into the perilous garden.

Kai scooped Ren effortlessly into his arms, igniting her cheeks in scarlet heat. "Husband, I can walk!"

"Oh, can you, my wife?" he teased, smirking as he carried her to the steaming bath. She eyed his clothes, stained with dark splashes.

"You’re hurt too," she whispered softly.

"Just scratches," he assured, though his jaw tightened. "It’s yours that torments me, reminding me of my failures, urging me to burn that damned place to the ground."

Ren snorted lightly, despite herself. "Leave those creatures be. Their actions freed the power trapped within me. I’ll heal quickly."

Kai exhaled deeply, nodding reluctantly, feeling relief at the warmth now returning to her hands that were as cold as snow before this incident. Carefully, he placed her down, reaching gently to remove her gown when she flinched, stepping back and hastily shielding her chest.

"What are you doing?" she asked, cheeks blooming brighter.

His gaze darkened possessively, a raw intensity dancing within his eyes. "I have a thousand wicked ideas swirling in my mind, love," he breathed, stepping closer until his chin rested upon her collarbone, pinning her delicately between his body and the wall. "You act shy, but I’ve memorized every inch of your body, every perfect curve and tantalizing edge. Shall I describe them to remind you?"

Ren’s breath hitched, her heart pounding furiously. She closed her eyes, knowing it was her turn to turn the tables and seduce him, yet she was drowning in his closeness, utterly losing herself. "Then...will you bathe with me?"

Her voice was scarcely above a whisper, the bold question tumbling recklessly past her lips, stunning them both. She wanted to retract it, yet part of her, a reckless, daring part, burned with anticipation. And she wanted to evaluate the question but involuntarily uttered it.

Kai froze, eyes wide, and his heartbeat deafening in his ears. The shy, radiant blush staining her skin made his blood ignite like wildfire. Even Shadow growled impatiently within him: ’Say yes, fool!’

Regaining his senses, he wrapped her tightly in his embrace, his lips brushing softly against her ear shell. "Of course, I’ll bathe with you, love."

Ren shivered deliciously, stunned by the tender endearment, her body coiling with aching desire, pooling sharply at her core. It was the second time he called her love. An involuntary moan escaped her, soft and alluring... "Ahh..." It was too late to take it back.

"Damn, Ren," he groaned, pulling back slightly to reveal the undeniable proof of his arousal, heat rushing into his veins like molten metal. "See what your mere sound does to me?"

Her eyes drifted downward, entranced, heat pooling in her belly at the sight of his obvious desire. "Do you...wish to take me now?" Her voice trembled with equal parts innocence and heated curiosity.

Kai gritted his teeth, forcing restraint into every muscle. "You’re injured. I must wait. Besides, there are important things I need to tell you first."

Ren nodded shyly, unable to peel her eyes from him as they slowly undressed each other, clothing falling like forgotten petals to the floor. Stepping into the steaming water, Kai handled her gently, his touch reverent, every movement a caress that ignited trails of sensation across her sensitive skin.

"Does it hurt?" he murmured, voice thick with tenderness.

"No," she whispered breathlessly, shaking her head.

"Are you sore?" She asked. His gaze softened further, searching her eyes.

"You already know the answer," he admitted quietly, averting his gaze momentarily. His pain had resonated through their bond... shared intimately, silently.

Kai cupped her face tenderly. His thumb brushed the soft curve of her cheek. "I felt your suffering clearly. Please don’t hide it from me."

Tears shimmered in Ren’s eyes. "I’m sorry..."

"It’s not your fault," he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers, warmth and reassurance radiating from him.

Determined, she reached for the soap powder. "Let me care for you now."

Kai stood still, savoring her hesitant touch as her fingers glided over his chest. He groaned lightly, eyes darkening with barely controlled passion. "Shadow’s thirst for you is fierce, yet even he knows to wait and quench my arousal."

Turning him gently, she washed his strong back, tracing each powerful muscle, her touch lingering, explorative yet reverent. "Why can’t we simply be like normal couples?" Her voice shook, heavy with longing.

His shoulders tensed slightly. "Because my father cursed Shadow. If I were ever to truly claim the woman I loved, she would burn."

Ren’s hand stilled. His father was cruel. If he loved his mother, why would he curse the son? Shock pierced her heart like ice. "I thought the treaty bound you?"

He chuckled bitterly, turning to face her, pressing her softly against his chest, skin meeting skin in an intoxicating embrace, making them both moan, their breath mingled. "The treaty was doomed the moment I saw you. I marked you intentionally, drawing you to me, selfishly wanting you to be mine, despite the danger."

Her breath caught painfully. "You...wanted me?"

His eyes glowed softly, earnest and vulnerable. "Desperately. Yet, I vowed never to fall in love, never to risk your life."

She swallowed, emotion clogging her throat. "Then why... why change?"

Kai drew her closer still, heartbeats tangling, his voice a low, profound whisper against her ear when her breasts pressed on his, "Because you, Reneira, are my fated mate. You’ve become my very breath."

~*~

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