Demon Prince's Forsaken Bride

''Your Highness, you let a woman reach your bed and feel bothered when I reach out for a man's hand? Isn't it only fair for me to find myself another man…''

Those words never found their end as the man captured her lips in a fierce kiss.

Azrael completely let go of his hold on the horse. With one hand, he held her chin while with the other, he wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her up, twisting her around so she faced him.

When he pulled her up, her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, her hands finding the support of his neck.

The kiss was almost punishing. He bit her lips so hard that it made her tremble. Tears welled up in her eyes but in the next moment, he held her firmly, repositioning the back of her head before sucking her bottom lips as his tongue licked the parts he bit, soothing and comforting her.

Her small struggles faded into nothingness as he held her so close and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. Their lips parted slightly and the man kissed the corner of her lips, trailing sloppy kisses on the trail of her cheeks, ''Stop crying like that,'' he whispered, kissing her tears away.

Her eyes fluttered open.

''Don't talk about other men. You are my woman. Never forget that,'' he cupped her face and dove into her lips again, kissing her passionately till she was breathless, ''Oh how I missed you,'' he mumbled.

Lareina looked up at the man who was suddenly so soft to her, both by words and actions. It took her to the night of their wedding. He had been deployed for war that night itself but he had been gentle and kind to her in whatever little time they had together.

Azrael looked into her teary eyes and then leaned in to kiss the corner of her eyes again.

He was not controlling the horse but the horse seemed to be right under his control as it galloped with steady movements, still nuzzling her closer to him with every movement.

''Such a heartless little thing,'' Azrael muttered as he bit her bottom lips.

She winced, pressing her fists to his chest.

''Never once did you think of me during these years, did you? Why did you never write back to me?" As he whispered against her lips, he licked the spot he just bit.

She thought she misheard him because of the wind, ''Write….?"

He sat straight, his stature immediately overpowering hers even though they were seated, ''Never once did you respond to my letters.''

Her mind buzzed, ''What letters?" She responded to his words with a question of her own but her voice was drowned by an earth-shattering roar.

Azrael's gaze sharpened, his body tensing like a predator ready to strike. The horse, sensing the danger, whinnied and reared back, almost throwing them off. Lareina instinctively tightened her hold around Azrael, her heart pounding.

"Hold on to me," he ordered, his voice a low growl as his eyes scanned the horizon.

From the shadowy forest ahead, monstrous shapes emerged—twisted, hulking beasts with glowing red eyes and jagged horns. A thick demonic scent lingered in the air. Their snarls reverberated through the forests, and Lareina's breath hitched. These creatures seemed more feral than the demonic hounds she had seen.

Azrael leaped from the horse in one swift motion, landing gracefully on the ground. With a flick of his hand, a blade forged from black flames materialized, its edges shimmering with frost.

"Stay there," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Don't…'' Don't go… Before Lareina could protest and hold him close, the first beast lunged.

Azrael pushed her far away from it with a force that firmly sent her to a little distance before he met the beast mid-air, his blade slicing cleanly through its thick hide. The creature howled as it disintegrated into ash, but two more took its place. Azrael's movements were lethal and efficient as he struck them down one by one.

But then, one of the smaller beasts broke away, charging straight toward Lareina. Suspicious liquid dripped from its fangs and a thick demonic stench took over the spot where she was standing. She stumbled back, her legs trembling as the creature's glowing eyes locked onto hers.

The beast lunged.

"Azrael! Ahhh!"

Instinctively, Lareina raised her hands to shield herself, and in that moment, something deep within her stirred.

A shot of pain erupted in her body as a sudden burst of light erupted from her palms, blinding the creature. It let out a deafening shriek as the light engulfed it, and then it was gone—disintegrated like the others.

Lareina froze, staring at her trembling hands. The light was gone as quickly as it had appeared, leaving only the faintest warmth in her palms. She barely had time to process what had happened before Azrael was at her side, his expression a mixture of fury and concern.

Lareina could still feel the numbing pain inside her body. She held onto his arm instinctively, "I—I don't know what it was," she stammered, her voice shaking. "It just… happened… I…''

Azrael's gaze flickered between her and the spot where the creature had vanished. His grip on her arm loosened, but his expression darkened.

"You're trembling," he said, his voice softer as he pulled her into his arms.

His embrace felt cold but perhaps it was the proximity that warmed her body. Suddenly, she felt something on her palm. When she looked up, the sky had darkened completely as raindrops fell on them.

Azrael looked up and cursed under his breath before he covered her head with his cloak. The horse they had rode here was nowhere in sight after the chaos.

''Come with me,'' Azrael said, holding her close to him, ''I will take you out of here.''

Lareina bit her bottom lips but did not protest as she followed him. The heavy pouring was blocking her vision and her steps were a little unsteady. 

They had only walked to a little distance when the man halted in his tracks and grunted.