The guard, Frederick, stood in bewilderment, his eyes fixed on the unusual scene before him. There, on the ground, sat the formidable King Zephyr, holding a meager human girl who appeared no older than five. It was a sight that defied every expectation Frederick had of his stoic and seemingly emotionless ruler. The softness in Zephyr's gaze as he regarded the child was a revelation, a stark contrast to the usual mask of indifference or anger worn by the king.
King Zephyr found himself in a dilemma, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. How was he going to break the news to his brothers, the other leaders of the supernatural realm, that this tiny human held the unprecedented title of being his mate? Even amid the chaos of his thoughts, one thing became increasingly clear—Zephyr couldn't simply forget about her or leave her behind.
Frederick, still standing at a respectful distance, heard Zephyr's voice cut through the moment. "Frederick," the king addressed his guard, "are there any human settlements nearby?"
The guard, shaken from his astonishment, quickly responded, "Yes, my lord. The nearest village is at least 2 kilometers from here. The child wouldn't have been able to come this far into the jungle by herself."
"Go and inform the soldiers to scour the perimeter for anyone—human or otherwise—and search for the nearest homes," Zephyr commanded. Frederick nodded and replied, "Yes, my lord. I'll be right back."
As Frederick departed to relay the orders, Zephyr muttered under his breath, "It would be nice if you wouldn't."
Upon his return, Frederick expected anything but what he saw. The girl, now awake, was attempting to punch and slap, her small hands flailing at the king. Though her efforts were futile against his towering stature, Zephyr seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the unexpected encounter. It was a sight so rare that Frederick couldn't help but question his own eyes. The notorious Demon King Zephyr was smiling—widely.
The king's amusement ceased when he sensed Frederick's presence. Abruptly standing up, he surprised the girl, whom he gently pulled by the shoulders to her feet. The child, bewildered by the sudden change, found herself facing the enigmatic ruler of the supernatural realm, her brown eyes meeting his with a mix of curiosity and wariness.
YOU ARE READING
Veiled Bonds
FantasyIn a world where supernaturals exposed themselves, revealing an array of fantasy creatures, a complex hierarchy emerged among the rare races-shifters, fae, dragons, and formidable demons. Magic pulsed through their veins, power heightened in purer b...
