Bound by Fate

6

The mysterious woman, her eyes wide with fear, kneeled before Zhong Kui, her hands raised in a gesture of surrender. "Mercy, Your Imperial Majesty," she begged, her voice trembling. "I did not mean to defy you."

Zhong Kui's expression remained unyielding, his dark energy still swirling around him. "You have meddled in affairs that are beyond your understanding," he growled, his voice dripping with malevolence. "You will pay the price for your foolishness."

As he raised his hand to deliver the final blow, Yue, who had been watching from the shadows, darted forward, her tiny body intercepting Zhong Kui's attack. The Demon Emperor's energy struck the little cat with incredible force, sending her flying across the clearing...

As Zhong Kui's gaze fell upon Yueling's unconscious form, a sudden gleam appeared in his eye. He strode over to her, his dark energy dissipating, replaced by an air of calculation.

"Ah, perfect," he murmured to himself. "She has the look of the ancient royal bloodline. My son, the Crown Prince, needs a consort with her qualities. She will be ideal."

The mysterious woman, still cowering on the ground, looked up in horror as Zhong Kui summoned his guards. "Take her to the palace," he commanded. "Prepare her for the Crown Prince's arrival. We will have the wedding ceremony immediately."

As the guards lifted Yueling's limp form, the mysterious woman found her voice. "No, Your Majesty! You can't! She's not meant for your son!"

Zhong Kui's expression turned glacial. "Silence, woman. You are in no position to question my decisions. Take her away!"

In the dark, foreboding palace of the Demon Realm, Yueling was being prepared for her unwanted wedding. Maids with horns and scales bustled around her, dressing her in a elaborate black wedding gown, adorned with dark gems that seemed to absorb the faint light.

Yueling's mind was foggy, her memories of the events leading up to this moment hazy. She tried to struggle, but her body felt heavy, as if weighed down by an unseen force.

One of the maids, with eyes that glowed like embers, leaned in close. "Don't bother trying to escape, Princess," she whispered. "The Demon Emperor's magic is too strong. You will make a fine bride for the Crown Prince."

As the maids finished their work, a figure emerged from the shadows. The Crown Prince, Xie Feng, gazed at Yueling with an unreadable expression, his eyes burning with an inner intensity.

"So, you are the one chosen for me," he said, his voice low and husky. "I must say, you are more beautiful than I expected."

Yueling's heart raced as Xie Feng approached her, his movements eerily graceful. She knew she had to think fast, or risk being trapped in this dark realm forever...

Yueling's voice was barely above a whisper, her words slurred by the lingering effects of Zhong Kui's dark magic. "Don't...don't touch me," she murmured, trying to raise a hand to ward off Xie Feng, but her arm felt like lead, refusing to budge.

Xie Feng's expression remained unreadable, but a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes. "Why not?" he asked, his voice low and husky. "You are to be my bride, after all."

Yueling's mind struggled to clear the fog, her thoughts racing with desperation. She knew she couldn't let Xie Feng touch her, or all would be lost. With a surge of adrenaline, she forced her body to move, her hand weakly pushing against his chest.

Xie Feng's eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he leaned closer, his breath whispering against her ear. "You are mine now, Yueling," he whispered. "Resistance is futile."

Just as his lips were about to claim hers, a sudden commotion erupted outside the chamber, the sound of shattering glass and snarling demons echoing through the halls...

Xie Feng's eyes gleamed with a knowing light as he swept Yueling into his arms, carrying her to a small, hidden chamber deep within the palace. He placed her gently on a soft, velvet couch, his movements swift and precise.

"Stay here, Yueling," he whispered, his voice urgent. "I will handle whatever is coming. You will be safe."

Before she could respond, Xie Feng turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving Yueling alone and bewildered. The sounds of snarling demons and shattering glass grew louder, echoing through the halls as Xie Feng went to face whatever threat had breached the palace.

Yueling's mind reeled, trying to make sense of Xie Feng's sudden actions. Why had he hidden her away? And what was he fighting against?

As she struggled to sit up, her heavy limbs protesting, Yueling heard the sound of Xie Feng's sword slicing through the air, followed by a chorus of demonic roars. Her heart racing, she knew she had to find a way out of the palace, and fast...