Predatory Marriage

Chapter 31 – Thrill of the Kill (2)

She wanted to draw nearer, but the blood soaked streets made her stop.

Her knees turned jelly, and the metallic scent of blood wafted in her nose, overwhelming her as it came in all four directions.

Ishakan moved swiftly and gracefully, so much so they had trouble keeping up with him. He came up behind one of the knights, the one that was chasing after Leah, and broke his neck rather quickly before slashing at another who was nearby.

He quickly ducked, avoiding the knight coming up from behind, and grabbed his arm, flipping him over, and pinning him down. Suddenly a loud shrill was heard as a bone cracked, and then he moved on the other.

Blood dripped from his fingers, but before a drop could even hit the floor, he’d already struck dead another knight, splattering even more blood. One by one the knights went down, until they’d all been wiped out, annihilated by their supposed prey. They were outmatched by the King of Kurkans.

And by the glint in Ishakan’s golden eyes, he was clearly enjoying the thrill of the kill.

Leah watched it all, a hand over her mouth as she tried to muffle the gasp of amazement. It spread an exhilarating thrill through her body. Kurkans were said to have possessed physical abilities greater than that of a normal person, but she didn’t expect they’d be this strong.

The king barely even broke a sweat, his breathing remaining even despite the number of men he had been fighting against him. Not a scratch was made on his body, but he was bathed in the blood of the knights Byun Gyongbaek brought with him.

Suddenly, Leah had thought about the knights of Estia. Because they had been living in peace for so long, they hadn’t bothered to polish up either skills or weapons. They could never hope to go up against the might of the Kurkans.

Should war break out, she would possibly be forced on her knees, begging Byun Gyongbaek for their lives. And should that happen, Estia would be at Byun’s mercy.

As realization dawned upon her, Leah shook out of her thoughts as the grim atmosphere washed over her.

Estia’s last hope lies with the peace treaty. They should quickly seal it with the Kurkans without further delay.

***

Tonight seemed much longer than the previous ones.

Blain stood beneath the night sky, taking in a deep breath of the chilly air as he looked up to the darkened skies. With the moon lighting its usual silver hue, it painted the sky with a faint light, reminding him of someone.

Despite knowing they had roughly the same color, he couldn’t help but feel her hair held a uniqueness only to him. It didn’t matter how hard he tried to find it in something else, he could never achieve it.

His eyes remained glued to the moon, watching it until clouds rolled by and covering its light. He dropped his gaze, slowly lifting the cup of wine to his eye level as he watched the dark liquid swish and swirl, before bringing it up to his lips and downed it in one gulp until not even a single drop was left.

Seeing he finished it, Blain set it aside

“Blain.” He heard a soft voice call out from behind him, and he turned to look.

“Mother,” he acknowledged. But whereas her expression was soft and smiling, full of love for her only son by blood, Blain’s face was nothing but devoid of emotion. He only blinked at her, not even offering a smile in return.

Such a cold reaction, but Cerdina did not mind.

“Have you finished?” she asked him, and he only thrust the empty glass towards her. Cerdina stared at the empty goblet, and fixed her shawl, pulling it over her shoulders, before speaking once more.

“We’ll catch a cold out here, let’s come inside,” She told him, but Blain did not move. He only remained in his spot, leaning over the rails, as he continued to stare at her. Soon the clouds left the moon, finally revealing its light once more.

The light reflected Blain’s silvery locks, creating a wonderful shine.

Silver hair, the mark of one meant for the throne. So extraordinary it was, it sparkled beneath the moonlight. Looking admiringly at her son, Cerdina held his stare with a soft smile.

As if sensing where she was looking at, Blain ran his hand through his hair.

“What happens when the peace treaty is amended?” He asked, holding her warm gaze with a cold and calculating look. “Will Byun Gyongbaek and Leah’s marriage happen then?”

Cerdina only gave a knowing smile, stepping towards him steadily, and cupped his cheek gently, “When you become king,” she started, the wind carrying her voice. “When that happens, then everything you want, everything in this kingdom will be yours, Your Highness.”

Blain gave her a brief smile, in his nervousness, he moved his arm, effectively knocking off the empty glass, which crashed into shattered pieces when it hit the rocky terrain. Cerdina watched as the pieces scattered all over, before moving her gaze back to him.

“Mine?” he asks, “Not Byun Gyongbaek’s?” He could feel the rage bubbling up inside him, but Cerdina had expected this.

Her smile was still present, ever so soft and pleasant to the eyes. Her red lips remained as it had been when she first entered Blain’s place.

“Oh my lovely son,” She cooed at him, smiling like she was an angel, but Blain kept his glare at her, full of hatred and contempt. Cerdina only gave him a bright smile.

“Worry not about anything, I shall take care of everything.”