How I Married KING Of HELL

The Unyielding Shadow

Chapter 44

The morning sun barely chased away the lingering chill from the previous night's encounter. Emily moved through the camp, her mind restless, her steps heavy. The weight of the King of Hell's presence still clung to her like a second skin, an oppressive force that no amount of light could dispel.

Cassius had left earlier to oversee the camp's defenses, but Emily couldn't shake the feeling that no wall or barrier would be enough to protect them from what was coming. She had faced many threats before—mortal enemies, betrayals, battles fought with steel and flame—but this was different. This was a battle she was fighting from within, and it terrified her.

Aelios, her son, was still resting peacefully in the tent. His small face looked calm, unburdened by the turmoil that weighed so heavily on her. Emily paused outside the tent, watching him from afar. He was her reason for everything—for fighting, for surviving. But now, with the darkness closing in, she wasn't sure if she was strong enough to protect him from the shadow that had marked her.

"Emily."

A voice broke through her thoughts, soft yet firm. She turned to see Mira, her long-time friend and healer, standing behind her. Mira's eyes were filled with concern, her brow furrowed as though she had sensed Emily's growing unease.

"You're troubled," Mira said, stepping closer. "Something happened last night, didn't it?"

Emily swallowed hard, unsure how to explain the depth of what had transpired. How could she tell Mira that the King of Hell had appeared before her, claiming that she was destined to be his queen? That a dark connection had been forged, and she wasn't sure how to break free from it?

But Mira was persistent, her gaze unwavering. "Whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone."

Emily let out a shaky breath. "He came for me, Mira. The King of Hell. He... he said I'm bound to him. That our fates are intertwined."

Mira's eyes widened, and she reached out, grabbing Emily's arm. "The King of Hell? But how? Why?"

"I don't know," Emily whispered, her voice trembling. "But I felt it. There's a pull—something dark and ancient. I can't explain it, but it's there. And I don't know how to fight it."

Mira's expression softened with sympathy, but there was a glimmer of determination in her eyes. "We'll find a way. There has to be something that can break this bond."

Emily shook her head. "I'm not so sure. The connection... it feels too strong. Like it's a part of me."

Mira frowned, her grip tightening slightly on Emily's arm. "Even so, you've fought impossible battles before, Emily. You can fight this, too."

"I'm scared," Emily admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "Scared that I won't be able to resist. That I'll give in."

Mira's eyes softened, but her voice remained steady. "You're stronger than you think. We'll face this together."

Emily wanted to believe her. She wanted to trust that they could find a way to sever the bond, to break free from the shadow that had claimed her. But deep down, the fear still gnawed at her heart.

Before she could respond, a sudden commotion near the edge of the camp drew their attention. Shouts rang out, and a group of soldiers rushed past them, their faces pale with fear.

"What's going on?" Emily asked, her pulse quickening.

One of the soldiers stopped, breathless. "There's something in the forest. A shadow—something unnatural."

Emily's heart skipped a beat. The King of Hell. He was here again, watching her, waiting.

Without a second thought, she turned and sprinted toward the edge of the camp, her mind racing. Cassius was already there, sword drawn, his eyes scanning the darkened treeline.

"What is it?" Emily asked breathlessly as she reached his side.

Cassius shook his head, his grip tight on his weapon. "We don't know. But it feels wrong. Like the air itself is thick with darkness."

Emily's heart pounded in her chest. She knew what it was. The King of Hell hadn't come alone this time. He had brought the darkness with him—a force that was growing stronger with every passing moment.

The soldiers stood tense, their weapons drawn, as they waited for whatever was lurking in the shadows to reveal itself. The air grew colder, and an unnatural stillness settled over the forest.

And then, from the depths of the trees, a figure emerged.

It wasn't the King of Hell this time, but something far more terrifying. A creature, tall and cloaked in shadow, its eyes glowing with a sickly, unnatural light. It moved slowly, its presence suffocating the air around it, like a manifestation of the darkness itself.

The soldiers shifted nervously, but Cassius held his ground, his sword steady. "What are you?" he called out, his voice firm.

The creature didn't respond. It only moved closer, its eyes locked onto Emily. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine, her body reacting to the dark energy radiating from the creature. She knew it wasn't here to fight. It was here to deliver a message—a message from the King of Hell.

"You cannot hide," the creature's voice rasped, low and haunting. "The bond between you and my master cannot be broken. You are bound to him, Emily. And soon, you will accept your place by his side."

Emily's breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to deny it, to reject the creature's words, but the truth was undeniable. The bond was real, and the darkness was closing in.

Cassius stepped forward, his sword raised. "She belongs to no one. Leave now, or you'll face the consequences."

The creature let out a low, eerie laugh. "You cannot fight the inevitable. The darkness will consume her, just as it has consumed countless others before her."

Emily's hands trembled as the creature's words sank in. She could feel the pull again, stronger this time, like invisible chains tightening around her soul. The King of Hell's voice echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the power he held over her.

But she couldn't give in. Not yet. Not while Aelios was still counting on her.

With a surge of determination, Emily stepped forward, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her heart. "I won't let him take me. I won't give in to the darkness."

The creature tilted its head, as though amused by her defiance. "We shall see."

And with that, it vanished into the shadows, leaving Emily standing at the edge of the camp, her heart racing and her resolve shaking.

Cassius turned to her, his expression grim. "We need to figure out how to stop this. Before it's too late."

Emily nodded, but deep down, she wasn't sure if there was a way to stop it. The darkness was growing stronger, and with each passing day, the pull of the King of Hell became harder to resist.

But for now, she would fight. For Aelios. For Cassius. For herself.

Even if the darkness was destined to consume her, she would fight it with every breath she had left.