The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride-Chapter 6: Blood

She pressed her back against the rough bark of the tree, her breath shallow and uneven. The forest seemed alive with malice, its shadows twisting unnaturally under the pale glow of the moon. Ren clenched her trembling hands, fighting the urge to peek around the tree. Don't be scared, he had told her. But how could she? Every fiber of her being screamed to ensure he was still standing. Could he truly handle that monstrous giant?

Her chest heaved, her heart hammering so fiercely it felt as if it might tear through her ribs. They wanted her. The truth weighed heavily on her, a painful guilt. He was out there, putting his life on the line for her sake.

A sudden crash shattered the suffocating quiet. The ground quaked beneath her feet as a massive tree split apart and fell, sending a cloud of splinters into the air. Kai moved like a shadow, evading the demon's brutal swings with otherworldly agility. The beast snarled in frustration, its blood-red sword gleaming ominously in the moonlight, each swing carving through the air with a high-pitched whistle.

It lunged again, its glowing eyes fixed on Ren's hiding place as if it could sense her fear. Kai intercepted its path with a feral growl, driving his blade against the demon's armored body. Sparks flew, illuminating the ghastly grin on the creature's face. The ground beneath them seemed to ripple with their clash, the forest itself recoiling at the ferocity of their battle.

Ren bit down on her lip to stifle a gasp, her knees threatening to buckle. The terror in her chest coiled tighter as the realization sank in; this wasn't just a fight. It was a hunt and she was the prey.

Ren's gaze darted to Siamon, the old shifter, his posture taut with vigilance. He was braced for a threat she couldn't perceive, but his sharp eyes pierced through the darkness with ease. Black fur rippled across his skin like an ominous tide. His hands contorted, reshaping unnaturally, as long, curved black nails extended from his fingertips. Within mere seconds, his transformation was complete, his monstrous form standing ready.

The air around her thickened, heavy, and foreboding. The eerie stillness pressed against her chest, and prickling goosebumps rose across her skin. Breathing became a laborious task as a suffocating dread seeped into her bones.

Then, without warning, a thin, icy hand clamped over her mouth and yanked her into the shadows. Panic surged through her veins as she thrashed against the grip, but her struggles were in vain. The arm around her tightened, trapping her in its unyielding hold.

She prayed silently that Siamon would notice, and her heart leaped when he turned toward her. His silhouette in the dim light was terrifying, a predator poised to strike, but she didn't care. Something was taking her away, and he was her only hope.

With an animalistic growl, Siamon leaped through the air, landing mere inches from her captor. His massive claws slashed downward, tearing through flesh with a sickening sound. Blood sprayed across her face, warm and sticky, and she flinched as pain lanced through her ear. She realized his strike had come dangerously close, his razor-sharp nails slightly grazing her skin as he fought to free her.

"Run!" the male's voice cut through her paralyzing fear like a blade.

The command jolted her senses back to life. She forced her eyes open and bolted into the forest, her heart pounding in her ears. But as she stumbled forward, her gaze locked on the gruesome sight ahead—a headless body sprawled across the forest floor.

Her breath hitched. It was the beast that had seized her moments ago. A goblin. Its sickly green skin glistened under the pale light, and its yellow eyes stared lifelessly into the void, still wide with the hunger that had driven it. A jagged blade lay beside its limp hand, stained with dark blood. The sight of the weapon made her pulse race harder, a visceral reminder of how close she had been to death.

These creatures weren't supposed to be here. Goblins served the witches of the southern continent, those feared conjurers from beyond the Doom Sea. How could they have crossed that treacherous expanse and reached Alvonia? The thought sent icy tendrils of dread crawling down her spine.

Ren stumbled through the thick mud, her breath ragged and shallow. Her skirt snagged on a tangle of sharp, thorny bushes, the fabric tearing with a harsh rip and leaving her tangled and vulnerable. She tugged desperately, her hands trembling as she tried to free herself.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed in her path. Her heart lurched as another goblin emerged from the darkness, its eyes glinting with malevolence. Yellowed fangs gleamed in the faint light, and bared in a predatory grin that sent a jolt of terror straight through her chest.

"Stay away from me!" she shouted, her voice trembling with both fear and defiance. Her words only seemed to amuse the creature, a hint of a smirk curling at the corner of its grotesque mouth.

Desperate, she snatched up a crooked branch from the ground, holding it in front of her like a makeshift weapon. Her hands shook uncontrollably, betraying her terror and lack of strength. Around her, the once-quiet forest erupted with wild growls and shrieks, a cacophony of chaos that filled the air like the chilling wail of death. She recognized it—the sound her uncle had warned her about so many times.

The goblin lunged forward, its claws flashing in the dim light. With a single swipe, it splintered the branch in her hands, the shards scattering uselessly to the ground. Her heart stopped as it reached for her, its gnarled hand closing in—but then it froze, halting mid-motion as if struck by an unseen force and blood gushed out of its mouth.

Ren's shaking shoulders tensed as the goblin's lifeless body fell off the ground. It was him, Kaisun. Her husband had just saved her.

Relief and terror collided within her as her knees buckled beneath her. Her wide eyes dropped to his hands, now black as ink, the smooth, hairless surface gleaming ominously in the faint light. His nails, razor-sharp and deadly, looked as though they could cleave a man in two without hesitation.

Her gaze traveled upward, and her breath hitched. His face was a vision of raw power and fury. Dark veins bulged beneath his skin, pulsating with an otherworldly energy. His eyes burned with an unholy fire, flames flickering in their depths, casting an aura so menacing it made the air around him feel heavier.

He was enraged. He was terrifying. So this was the man she had married; this was something far more dangerous than what she had heard.

Ren tried to collect herself, but the fear had already consumed her. She crumpled to her knees, trembling like a frightened kitten. The air around her was thick and suffocating, but it wasn't just the heat pressing down on her—it was the overwhelming dread clouding her mind, making it impossible to think.

When Kai approached, she instinctively scooted back, refusing to let him touch her. Her chest heaved as she stared at him, eyes wide with fear.

Kai's brows drew together, a flicker of pain crossing his face. She was scared of him. Without a word, he looked away, his jaw tightening as he reached down and ripped the torn fabric of her skirt, tossing it aside with a sharp motion.

"Want it or not, I have to carry you," he growled, his voice low and commanding.

Her breath caught as his fangs glinted in the dim light, sharp and white. Her heart skipped a beat, her body frozen as his deadly presence loomed over her.

This was too much. Everything was unraveling too quickly—her newfound magic, the sudden arranged marriage, and now this. A demon had come for her, flanked by a troop of goblins, calling her a witch. The weight of it all pressed down on her, stifling and relentless.

The world spun around her, her vision blurring as a searing heat churned in her stomach. She snapped Kai's hand away, staggering as nausea overtook her. Turning aside, she retched, her body betraying the turmoil within.

"Stay away," she muttered, her voice eerily calm despite her trembling frame. Shame clawed at her. It was humiliating to let her husband see her like this—frail, vulnerable, utterly wretched. Her face grew pale, her throat parched, every breath a struggle. The pain was unbearable, gnawing at her resolve.

"It's fine," Kai murmured, his voice steady and soothing. Gently, he began to rub her back, his touch firm yet careful. When she dared to glance at him, his face startled her. The fury that had consumed him moments ago was gone, replaced by an expression of serene calm, like the still surface of a quiet sea.

"Can you walk?" he asked, his tone warm but unwavering, his steady presence anchoring her in the storm of her thoughts.

She cleaned her mouth with her sleeve but the scent of blood was hanging heavily around her. She must not react like this. It wasn't her first time seeing blood but those creatures were rare.

She nodded and stood up though after taking one step, it was Kai's arm that held her steady and safe from another fall.

She wiped her mouth with her sleeve, but the metallic scent of blood lingered heavily in the air, clinging to her senses. She bit down on her lip, willing herself to stay composed. This wasn't her first time seeing blood, but those creatures were unlike anything she had encountered before.

Nodding to herself, she forced her legs to move and stood, her body trembling with the effort. She managed a single step before her balance faltered. Kai's arm shot out, strong and steady, catching her before she could fall again.

"Ouch!" she winced, pain shooting up her ankle.

Kai glanced down, his sharp eyes taking in the slight swelling. "You've twisted your ankle," he said matter-of-factly. His tone softened as he added, "Let's get to the horse that saved Siamon."

Her brow furrowed in disbelief. A horse saved the old male? The thought seemed absurd, but she didn't have the strength to question it aloud.

Without waiting for her consent, Kai scooped her up into his arms with ease, carrying her as though she weighed nothing. His movements were fluid and confident—he walked through the darkness as though it were broad daylight, his every step purposeful.

When they reached the carriage, her breath caught in her throat. Her hand flew to her mouth in shock. Siamon lay near the carriage, a deep wound carved into his chest, blood pooling around him. The sight was horrifying enough, but then her gaze snapped to something else.

"Viva!" she gasped, the word tumbling out as her heart clenched at the chaos before her.

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Tears filled her eyes. She had sworn not to cry, but seeing her beautiful mare standing so gracefully made her do just that.

The mare was as black as the night itself, a ghost in the darkness and an angel in the light of day.

"Viva!"

Ren stretched out her arms to the horse, and the mare nuzzled her head, a soft, comforting gesture.

"Do you know this mare? She killed the goblin that attacked me from behind," Siamon said, his eyes wide with surprise.

"She is my horse. I raised and trained her."

For the first time, Ren saw her husband smile. Oh, gods above! Why? Why was he so gorgeous like this? His smile was dangerous, a weapon in itself.

As the fog of wonder cleared from her mind, she found her voice and asked, "You're healing, aren't you?"

Siamon nodded, his expression softening. "I'm fine, milady! We heal quickly. I apologize for scaring you earlier."

Ren shook her head. "It's fine." However, that was her first time seeing a shifter transform into his beast, and it almost pulled her soul out of her body. It was terrifying, but those goblins and the demon... they were even more mortifying.

The demon... What had happened to it? She looked around nervously. Those red eyes had devoured her soul the moment she met them.

"Don't panic. Those demons can die with Valerian steel and turn to ash," Kai reassured her.

She was bewildered to find herself still conscious. She must be on the verge of fainting after everything she had been through, but strangely, she was getting used to it all very quickly. How?

His sword?! That was why he carried a sword. She looked at the corpses scattered across the forest floor. Her stomach churned again. There was so much blood and body parts spread everywhere, even on her own body. This wasn't a wedding gown at all.

"Your horse will take us to the village. Siamon has to go and warn your uncle." Kai said as he helped her onto the horse. It seemed Viva had escaped from the stable's watchman, as it still had its bridle on.

"Okay."

Before they could move, a gang of giant wolves ran toward them, howled, and shifted their bodies. Ren closed her eyes at the sight of the naked males, her mind cursing as she fought the urge to look. Was she going to see this all the time? Oh, no! Her cheeks burned hot.

Kai chuckled to see her shyness. That was cute.

"Your Highness, please forgive us. We had to take down a troop of goblins in the village. We couldn't even smell them."

It was the male she had seen before entering the sanctuary. He had seemed arrogant at the time, but now his expression was humble and anxious.

"I know. They concealed their scent. Is the village safe now?"

"Yes, you can take the lady there for a couple of hours. We will clear the path."

Kai mounted the horse, and Ren bit the inside of her lower lip. She thought wolves wouldn't ride horses, though the thought lingered in her mind when he pressed her back against his groin. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she held her breath. He was so close, and strangely, Viva didn't protest. Her mare never allowed anyone else to ride it, but clearly, it liked her husband.