Faulty Wings

Chapter 1

hello from the other sideeeee (yes i know this is a dead meme but thought it was appropriate given my absence). your dear author just finished her anatomy midterm and had this sudden motivation to start writing again! (also could be cause she re-watched maleficent 2 days ago >:))

As always, reader discretion is advised so please take note of the tags and I will try to give advanced warning if anything gory comes up. For the time being, it will be the rating "Teen and Up" until a certain chapter.

P.S. I would like to clarify I had originally posted 3-4 chapters of this fanfic last year but I decided to take them down on AO3 to have a fresher start as I wanted to do some major editing in terms of flow and add in some details I had forgotten. So, for some of you, some scenes might be a bit familiar but with some new twists, either way I hope you enjoy the story

Like always please feel free to leave votes/comments as I always enjoy reading what people have to say <3

Wen Kexing was not happy.

He was irritated beyond end due to the humans from Ulstead trying to kidnap Moorfolk. Honestly, he really did try and control his bloodlust but it had been the third encounter in less than a month and the dark fae was at his limits.

The winged creature had been watching from the shadows for a while as the pitiful humans had been trying - and failing - to gather a mushroom creature. Only when the wind began to howl in their ears, chills creeping up their pale necks, did the men halt their actions and turn around.

Catching their attention, Wen Kexing slowly emerged from the darkness and began to circle the humans, already reaching for their useless weapons. When they finally spotted him, one man instantly separated from the group, hoping to avoid an encounter with the dark fae. He allowed to let one go, perhaps the human would go back home and think twice before coming back to his lands. And perhaps if luck were on his side, it would send a message to Ulstead.

Both humans were quivering as they tried to stand their ground, their eyes darting everywhere trying to find him; human pride refusing to allow them to run or cower. Every sound caused the men to twist and turn, their eyesight failing in the night.

"You are a devil, I hope you rot in hell!" one of them snarled into the open space, hoping to taunt the dark fae.

Silent as death, Wen Kexing drifted up behind him. The fool didn't even know he was there until the dark fae brought his mouth close to his ear and whispered, "I'm worse than him."

The man didn't even get a chance to scream when he ripped out his throat.

As he watched the guard's companion run off, he counted to ten. Because he wanted to hunt, had enjoyed the thrill of the chase between predator and prey. It had always been that way since his parents died, leaving him alone in this cold and cruel world.

He walked, leaving no sound behind, no more than shadow and mist. When he found the man huddling behind a tree, the man turned around and his bladder loosened at the sight of blood and the wicked, wicked smile.

Wen Kexing let him scream all he wanted.

~

Five long, blissful years have passed since the fall of King Zhao and somehow Wen Kexing was still hated after all this time. Even though he lifted the curse on the former prince - who was now his cherished lover - the detail was mysteriously forgotten.

Now, the dark fae was back to being regarded as the dangerous villain of every children's story.

Wu Xi and Jing Beiyuan were given Zhou Zishu's former palace to run together ever since Ah-Xu decided to return back to the Moors with him. Initially, the two fairies declined the offer but after promises that they would visit (and a ludicrous amount of fussing on their part), the fairies soon settled into enjoying their royal lives. Many of the civilians talked highly of how well they led and were fair and just rulers; welcoming the change.

In the Moors, all the Moorfolk regarded Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu as pretty much mates. They both knew the mating mark would come in time, and instead of worrying over it, they grew to just enjoy every moment spent together.

Though, there was always a dark thought that crept up their spines.

Prince Jin.

They knew that the prince was still out there, most likely plotting his revenge, and hoped that he would have the sense to stay away for a long while.

Because if he dared, it would be a close call as to who would be the one of the two to kill the man.

When Wen Kexing had finished cleaning off the human blood from his skin and clothes - because Ah-Xu didn't allow him to come to bed when he smelled like that - he crawled into the warm embrace of his mate, allowing his wings to curl a cocoon around them. One oh too familiar look from Zhou Zishu's eyes told the dark fae that they would discuss this in the morning, and for that he was grateful.

Just as the sun was making its way into the early morning sky, both of them sitting down to enjoy the sunrise, a high-pitched raven's voice fell on their ears.

A black raven began to land on the tree they were currently sitting a few ways from, cawing and flapping its wings in alarm.

Wen Kexing sighed, Ah-Xiang's voice already ruining the moment. Zhou Zishu couldn't help but let a small smile form on his lips, eyes crinkling up in controlled laughter.

"Don't you dare Ah-Xu. I'd like to see how you handle this noise every day."

The raven halted its cawing to stand still with its wings wrapped around its body suddenly, head turned away in displeasure. Sassy little bird.

With a wave of his fingers, he allowed Ah-Xiang to maintain her physical form, deciding to see what all the fuss was about.

When Ah-Xiang came around, wearing her usual purple and black attire, she was frowning at the two in front of her.

"Master, how could you treat me so cruelly after all these years?" She whined, puppy dog eyes evident on her expression.

"Are you going to keep standing there and whining or will you finally tell me what was so worth it this early in the morning to disturb me?" Wen Kexing cocked an eyebrow at the young female.

"Oh fine! You should be grateful that I was in the right place at the right time. But, I just overheard this announcement today in Ulstead. Apparently...You and Zhou Zishu are invited to the Scorpion King's castle."

"What is the cause for this summons." Wen Kexing asked, already knowing that this was some sort of trap. First the kidnapping of Moorfolk and now this.

"Apparently, it's on the excuse of maintaining good diplomatic relations. If I had to guess, the King must have been aware of your...presence at the border. So, Master, what is your decision? Are we to go or not?"