Chapter 23: Chapter Twenty Three
Lost in thought Damien gazed at the sky. He now had a mate and sired a child. Conflicting emotions erupted, happiness triumphed through his beast. But his emotions swirled with thoughts of the future. There were so many ways this change could go right or very wrong.
The demon Lord was not a family man nor was he an emotional man. Rina did not hide what she felt, her love for their pup was evident. Yet Damien felt he was at a disadvantage, he never knew what a father's love should look like. All he received was cold sparring lessons and orders to make him into a strong demon.
A scent reached Damien before he saw him walk beyond the tree line. He turned towards his younger brother. Tristen unsheathed his sword and walked across the field towards Damien.
The demon Lord simply faced him but made no move to take his weapon out or change his stance. Tristen's lips pulled back into a snarl, his brothers reaction showed he didn't view him as a threat. He just stood there and waited for him to come closer.
"Finally, have you alone." Tristen sped across the field closing the distance between them in a few seconds.
A swift downward strike was dodged. Damien leaped back when Tristen lifted his sword for another strike.
"She was supposed to be mine!" Tristen yelled as he swiped in for another attack.
Green aura engulfed Damien's left hand. The moment Tristen closed in, he flicked his hand before him. Green energy whip smacked against the sword sending his younger brother tumbling down. Damien approached at an even pace. His gold irises settled on Tristen before they narrowed.
"Is that why the pungent smell of sex and alcohol polluted your scent every night you came home in your drunken stupor?" Damien stared him down as the cold but calm words registered.
Tristen pushed off the ground and lunged. "Shut up!" he slammed his blade forward but Damien easily dodged the sloppy attack.
"You have no idea what you're talking about, how hard it was for me." Tristen continued to swing his sword.
"Yes, I'm sure fucking yourself to oblivion helped improve your feeling for my mate."
Red tinged Tristen's eyes as he growled and leaped after Damien. His swinging motions became erratic, there was no logic to his strikes. Rage had consumed him, Tristen lost all sense of preservation as soon as Damian called Rina his mate.
"Enough, I tire of your selfish ways." Damien leaped back and unsheathed his sword.
"Selfish?! Look what you did to Rina!" Tristen lunged forward.
Their blades clashed, the sound of metal screeching against the other pierced their sensitive ears. Tristen pressed forward but Damien did not falter. He wasn't the Lord of the West for nothing.
"Yet, somehow you found yourself in a whores wanton hole every night with a clear mind. Your beast did not cloud your judgement yet you think to tell me of my wrong doing's." his words ended in a growl.
Damien pressed his blade against Tristen's pushing him back then swung his sword in a horizontal strike. The blow sent Tristen rocketing across the field until his body slammed into a tree. A wheezing gasp left him as he crumbled to the ground. He coughed on all fours trying to regain his breath.
"Bastard," he turned his head and spit blood to the side then pulled himself to his feet.
"I think you have it wrong dear brother, by definition you're the one that was born out of wedlock." It was a low blow but Damien did not care. His brother's attack would be considered treason in his territory.
"You mother-" a green energy whip curled around his sword and snatched from his grip.
Tristen flexed his claws and charged towards Damien unarmed. He let out a growl and stretched his clawed hand forward. The demon Lord sheathed his sword before Tristen closed the distance and leaped to meet him mid air. Tristen's eyes widened, Damian knocked Tristen's hand to the side and thrust his knee up. A resounding crack echoed as his ribcage pressed inwards from the blow.
The attack sent Tristen spiraling backwards, his back slammed into the ground. His older brother landed before him, his eyes narrowed as he pressed his boot onto Tristen's chest. The slightest pressure sent Tristen into a wailing howl.
"Do not presume to think you can attack and not face the consequences. The blood we share has saved you today, but there will not be a second chance."
With that said Damien put the slightest amount of pressure against his chest again before pulling back. His howls echoed through the forest.
-O-
"Dad!" it took a moment to realize he was being called.
Nathaniel ran towards him and grabbed his hand. "I've been looking for you."
"I wasn't gone long, is something wrong?" Nathaniel's nose scrunched up as he took a few sniffs but didn't say anything. The scent of his brother was on his person.
"I want to go to the river bank and see where it takes me but mom said it's not safe. So maybe you can take me instead." he blinked his hazel eyes at his father.
'Already trying to manipulate us.' his beast laughed. 'Smart pup.'
"Come, let us speak with your mother."
"But-" Damien was already walking towards the village. Nathaniel pouted but quickly followed.
His little legs caught up to his father's long strides.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"When did you and mom marry and why were you gone for so long?"
Damien glanced down at his son as they walked down the dirt path. Although the question was uncomfortable it showed his son lacked any knowledge of demon practices. What was expected in their society. Demon's did not marry, they mated. It solidified his decision to bring Rina and Nathaniel to his home. Their protection was priority but he also wanted his son to know his people, to know what he was and what his birth meant for the ruling of his territory.
"Demon's do not marry, we mate. It is a commitment that binds a couple for life. It is not as fickle as a marriage that is valid by a piece of paper."
Nathaniel's steps slowed down, his brows furrowed as he took in the information. Then his little head tilted up. "But mom is human."
"It does not matter, if one is of demon heritage they are able to perform a mating bond."
"Oh, okay… what's a mating bond?"
Damien's pace faltered, he kept a steady gaze ahead and answered.
"That is something you shall find out when you are older."
"But I'm old enough now."
Nathaniel ran up to him and held his hand. The light tug halted Damien's advance.
"You have barely entered the world a year, I think not."
They continued the rest of the way in silence, holding hands.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone