Chapter Twenty One

"You must understand what needs to be done. You come from a royal family surely you know the expectations of an heir and Lady."

Rina could do nothing else but nod.

"This is also for your safety and Nathaniel's, our world functions much differently than yours. Many will be threatened by your position at my side. No one will dare cross me but I cannot predict what some might try when they hear my mate is human."

Rina wasn't sure how to feel about what Damien just said. To be threatened simply because of your heritage was frightening. Concern for her son's safety increased, worst case scenario's kept popping up in her head. She forced herself to focus on the current conversation and forget about the rest, for now.

"If…I…agree to come to your home, it has to be on my terms."

Rina's gaze trailed to the edge of the field. Michael and Sarah were heading to the village with Nathaniel.

Damien felt his beast growl possessively. "Name them."

Rina's attention snapped back to him, then she shook her head. "No, this is too sudden I have to think about it. There's just so much to do, to say."

"Fine, let me know when you're ready."

Both decided to walk back to the village together, when Rina suddenly stopped. Damien also stopped and stared curiously at Rina trying to understand what was happening.

"How did you know we were here?"

Damien repressed a sigh then answered her question.

"It was purely coincidence, I followed the trail of the demon that would eventually have made its way to my territory."

His beast snorted before clawing at its cage. Damien's eyes narrowed.

"Oh…"

He didn't even know why he was so willing to explain himself. Today Damien spoke more than he ever did in a week. He never needed to explain his reasons to anyone. His word was law, there was no one brave enough to question him. But he knew he would meet resistance from his mate should he express himself in the usual manner.

Damien resumed his walk, Rina jogged down the dirt path catching up to his pace. The rest of the walk was shrouded in thoughts of the future. Neither chose to make a point and converse.

As soon as they stepped into the village boundary a gray blur sped towards them clashing against Rina's arm, Damien's eyes widened expecting to see blood. But her arm was actively wrapped in a protective seal, enforced by her holy powers. Creating a shield that prevented the short blade from piercing her.

The few villager's that were out and about stared at the trio in silence. They were used to visitors but none that would attack each other.

"Nice try Nathaniel but you didn't catch me."

"I know mom." he pouted.

Damien wondered why he couldn't sense Nathaniel coming towards them but then again he was his pup. He would most definitely be powerful with his combination of demon and holy powers. But why would he dare attack his mother?

"Pup explain your actions now." Damien demanded forcefully, he did not show any emotions but inside he was boiling in anger.

Even though Nathaniel was their pup he felt threatened that he would attack Rina. He had to control his beast from teaching the pup a lesson for trying to attack his mother. But he wanted to wait first and hear what Nathaniel had to say.

"Damien we do this all the time, it prepares me for a surprise attack and it trains Nathaniel to mask his scent, and presence. He covers his scent, presence and power with his demonic energy, and layers it over with his holy powers purifying any evidence that he was even there." Rina explained.

"You did well sweetie, I did not notice you until the last few seconds it looks like you're getting better!" Rina praised him and planted a kiss on Nathaniel's forehead. Pulling away she dapped his little nose with her index finger and giggled.

"Thank you mom."

Damien was amazed that his pup…their pup at such a young age knew how to handle himself. He was not allowed to touch a katana until he reached the age of ten human years excluding his pups additional powers. Memories of his past flashed through his mind as he watched Rina give Nathaniel a gentle caress.

-Flash Back-

Silver hair brushed past his small shoulders as he glided through the fields enjoying the chase. As he moved towards his prey, he quietly jumped over the tall blades of grass and swiped his little hands above only to catch air.

Damien growled in frustration, it quickly died down when his prey landed on the tip of his perfect little nose. Crossing his beautiful gold eyes to look at the snow white butterfly a soft laughter rang through the field, his little elfin ear tweaked slightly catching his attention. The butterfly flew away as soon as he moved, he spotted his mother before yelling.

"Mother!" young Damien ran across the field. She caught and picked him up, swinging him around before she hugged him.

"Damien what are you doing here? You're not supposed to go beyond the palace walls, you could have been attacked."

Pouting, Damien thought over his mothers words; he quickly apologized before changing the subject.

"Where is father? He's usually never gone this long?" little Damien asked looking up towards his mother's beautiful eyes.

"Damien your father is the Lord of the West, he has great responsibilities and one day you will become the Lord as well, a fine Lord indeed." his mother giggled and tapped her pups nose with her index finger.

A small tug on his pants snapped Damien out of his thoughts. Looking down he saw Nathaniel trying to gain his attention.

"Why do we need to come with you?"

Nathaniel asked his head tilted curiously to the side. Rina explained their situation to Nathaniel while Damien was in a daze of a flashback. He kneeled down to face his pup.

"You both need to come to my home. I am a Lord, you are my heir and your mother is my mate. You have to be introduced to the demon society." Damien replied.

"Mom does that make you the Queen and me the prince?"

"Yes-I guess so." Rina replied slowly glancing at Damien to see if she said anything wrong.

Damien stood and faced the edge of the forest. "Come let us go to the village," Damien advised.