65-66
Jahi PoV
Watching as Anput's scarlet blood dripped onto Leone's blue lips, I dragged in a shaky breath, wondering if this would be enough…
After a few more moments, Leone sputtered to life, coughing out some blood before sitting up, her breathing haggard.
"W-What… hap-happened?"
She stared at me, before her crimson eyes went wide.
Reaching forwards hesitantly, I cupped her cheek gently, my vision blurring slightly.
"Y-You're okay…"
Feeling something wet travel down my cheek, I let out a confused grunt, reaching towards it, wiping away…
"H-Huh..?"
I…
Was crying?
Sniffling, I felt another tear drip from my eyes, and Leone reached up, clasping my hand.
"I… am, J-Jahi…"
Giving me a shaky smile, she turned towards Kat, who was breathing relatively evenly.
"S-So… is she…"
Anput nodded, resting her hand on my knee, giving me a small smile.
Blinking a few times, I stamped down on my emotions, clearing my head.
Taking a deep breath, I nodded to the two women before saying "Let's go…"
Leone staggered to her feet, Anput quickly moving to her side and supporting her.
The two glanced at one another in surprise, before chuckling.
i𝗻𝖓r𝘦𝘢𝐝.c𝗼𝑚
However, my focus wasn't on them and their moment; instead, it was on…
"Kat…"
Muttering her name, I reached to lift her up, before stopping.
Was I…
Worthy of touching her..?
After all, it's my fault that she's..!
Biting my cheek again, the pain cleared my mind, and I growled in frustration.
I can go through that later; for now, we need to make our way home, or find somewhere safe to rest up…
Gently sliding my hands under her soft, yet battered body, I lifted Kat into my arms, flinching slightly as I watched her groan in pain.
Carefully laying her head against my chest, I stared down at the face of my unconscious wife, gritting my teeth as my heart clenched hard.
It hurt more seeing her like this than all the various cuts, scrapes, bruises, and tears around my body…
"Come on…"
My voice was hoarse and low, and my other two wives simply nodded, walking behind me as I lead us outside.
The entire time my eyes were on her face; I was unable to tear them away from her pale features…
I desperately pleaded to whoever would listen to let her be safe; to let her wake up and smile at me like she always did.
But at the same time, I was worried.
When she woke up, would she still stare at me with that gentle love that made her amber eyes feel so warm?
Or would they be filled with disappointment and distrust?
I swore constantly to her that I would never let her get hurt; that I would protect her from everything this world could even try to throw at her.
And yet, this is the third time I looking down at her unconscious form, unknowing of her current condition.
I failed her when we were children when she got kidnapped.
I failed her just a few days ago, when she collapsed from mana depletion.
I failed her again today by allowing her to be in harms way…
I just…
Keep failing to protect her; to keep the woman I've proclaimed over and over again as my wife safe.
And it's only been two years…
In two years, there have been two instances now where her life has been in danger, and both times I'm simply standing on the sidelines, hoping, praying, pleading for her to be safe.
Only to watch as someone else saves her for me.
Will she wake up and still love me?
Will she still stare at me with those same eyes, those eyes that let me know she loves me, that let me know she trusts me?
After I've betrayed her trust on three separate occasions?
Gritting my teeth hard, I felt something crack in my jaw, but I ignored it.
I need to get stronger…
Strong enough to protect her…
Strong enough to protect Anput…
Strong enough to protect Leone…
Because if I can't even protect them…
If I can't do that much…
Why should I even DARE to lay claim to them?
To say all those grandiose things, proclaiming my desire for a large family when I can't even KEEP THEM SAFE!?
.
..
…
Did…
Did I deserve them?
…
..
.
That one question hurt more than a million cuts.
My heart felt like someone was clenching on it, their hand covered in jagged glass that dug deep into me.
Do I deserve to have their trust?
Their love?
Do I deserve any of it?
When I can't even guarantee their safety?
Should I even..?
Growling softly, I stared down at Kat's face, everything washing away for a moment as I lost myself to her now peaceful features…
How her nostrils flared gently as she breathed in and out.
How her lips curled down in displeasure from the heat.
How she buried her face into my chest despite that.
For a moment I forgot everything as I stared at her.
She was mine.
No one elses; she belonged to me.
And yet, that moment passed by just as quickly as it occurred; I tore my gaze from her features as guilt flooded my system.
Leading our battered group through the quiet city, we exited the small cavern with ease, only to listen as the earth rumbled.
Turning, we watched the entrance collapse, before a wall of rock and debris blocked the way back into the city.
Now, there was no evidence of the city; that wall molded itself into the rest of Zhu'Rong Caverns, creating a sheer rock face.
Remaining quiet, I walked towards the exit, ignoring all the adventurers and eventually civilians that stared our way, treading the cobbled path with heavy steps.
Not once did I glance down at Kat as we walked.
I was afraid that if I did, the only thing I'd see was a pair of angry, disapproving amber eyes, blaming me for the pain and agony she had felt as Lord Pele almost choked the life from her.
Anput and Leone walked silently behind me, and their gazes on my back only made me feel worse.
~~~
Kat PoV
Agony flooded my body, making me groan as my eyes fluttered open.
My head ached, my ribs felt cracked, my arm and leg muscles felt torn, and my neck and cheek stung.
Blinking a few times, I glanced around the room, wondering where I was, before recognizing the familiar bed of our cottage.
Sleeping in a chair beside me was Leone, while Anput walked in a few moments later, holding a small tray.
Leone was bruised, her left cheek a deep blue while various cuts and scrapes marred her pale skin.
As for Anput, her body was a patchwork of cuts, the normally energetic Jackalkin shuffling around as she sighed, her ears drooping.
However, when she saw me trying to sit up she let out a surprised yelp, waking Leone up.
""Kat!""
The two women launched themselves towards me, making me groan as they wrapped their arms around me.
Hearing the pained groan I let out made the two women back away gingerly, staring at me with worry.
"Are you okay?!"
"Here, let me reapply..!"
Leone leaned forwards, placing her hand on my brow, while Anput took the small bowl from the tray, dipping her fingers into a thick paste and reaching towards me.
Chuckling, albeit painfully, under their administrations, I allowed the two to care for me for a moment, before furrowing my brow.
"W-Where… is Jahi..?"
Leone froze, while Anput flinched slightly before finishing her application.
"She's…"
"Well, she…"
Staring at one another, they gulped before looking away.
"Where?"
? I tried to get out of bed, panic rushing through my system as they avoided the question, only to be pushed into the soft mattress.
"Outside; she's outside, resting. Come on, let me place some more salve…"
Anput smiled gently at me, before unwinding the bandages on my body.
Slumping back into the various pillows, I allowed her to apply the salve, trying to sense if Jahi was nearby.
However, while I could normally get a sense of whether or not she was near, it felt like she was blocking my side of our bond…
Nothing was coming through; her location, her emotions, her love…
Nothing.
Biting my lip, I swallowed done some bile that rose, flinching slightly.
"S-Sorry..!"
Hearing Anput's worried voice, I smiled gently at her as I shook my head, saying "No, it wasn't you… Anyways, why salve?"
Leone sighed, nursing her left cheek as she said "None of us have much mana, and we rushed straight back here, so no potions. I'll be fine in a few hours, then I can heal the rest of us… sorry…"
Placing my hand over hers, I smiled at her as I said "You have nothing to apologize for…"
Biting her lip, Leone nodded, before getting up.
"I'll… go make us something to eat."
Watching as she walked out, I then turned to Anput as she muttered "You've been out for a few hours… The entire time, Leone was by your side, refusing to rest herself. And Jahi…"
Gritting her teeth, Anput took a shaky breath before staring at me, giving me a weak smile.
"Well, just rest; out of all of us, you took the most damage… Don't move; wait for Leone."
Finishing her application of salve, she bandaged my wounds before getting up, sighing before nodding to me.
After she left I sunk further into the bed, the silence growing to be deafening.
My heart ached more than my body, and I wanted nothing more than to go find Jahi.
So before we start…
Well, we hit 1 MILLION views earlier today…
I'll admit, once I saw us get to 900k, I was constantly checking the stats of the novel, watching that number slowly rise…
And we hit it!
Thank you all so much; I know I seem to say that often lol but really, thank you all SO much!
—
I remained in bed for another hour or so, laying back into the soft blankets and pillows and closing my eyes.
Focusing intently on our bond, I tried desperately to feel something from her…
Or even to push my own feelings towards her; longing, love, worry, sadness…
I hoped that she would come rushing in, wrapping her broad arms around my body and pulling me close, telling me everything was alright, that I was safe now…
And yet…
Opening an eye, I stared at the door for a moment, my heart clenching as it remained shut.
Sighing, I buried my face deeper into the pillow, hoping to fall into the clutches of sleep.
Drifting in between awareness and unconsciousness, I eventually heard someone open the door, making me shoot up.
Staring at the door with a smile, I was waiting to see that large blue frame shuffle in, only to sigh and slump my shoulders as Leone peeked in.
Seeing me awake, she smiled gently before pushing the door open further, making her way inside.
Noticing that her cheek was no longer bruised, I smiled at her as she made her way over, sitting beside me on the bed.
"Are you feeling better?"
Her voice was low and filled with worry, her lips pursed as she looked me over.
Chuckling, I nodded, before saying "As good as I could feel with… these…"
Gesturing at the wounds on my neck and cheek, I smiled at her, placing a hand on hers when she flinched.
"It's not your fault, Leone. Besides, you saved me there at the end; it could have been much, much worse."
She gulped, her crimson eyes flaring for a moment.
They were dark and lifeless, and I felt her hand tremble for a moment, only to smile at me a few seconds later.
"Alright; lie back down, and close your eyes. I can't promise a complete recovery right away, but you should be able to move…"
Nodding, I rubbed the back of her pale hand with my thumb, enjoying the way she flinched slightly.
Laying back into the bed, I closed my eyes, chuckling as I felt her hands lie over my heart and stomach.
Her hands started out cool, before slowly warming up.
Reaching an incredibly hot temperature, I flinched slightly under her hands, prompting the Vampire to say "Sorry… just bear with it for a few more moments…"
I nodded, gritting my teeth as that heat spread through my body, her mana wrapping around bones and muscles and quickening their healing.
It took around a minute or so for the wounds on my body to heal, and it was, besides the heat, much more bearable than my speedy recovery during the fight.
The heat wrapped around them, slowly allowing the muscle fibers and bones to knit themselves together, making my body slightly itchy, but not painful like before.
Panting somewhat, Leone removed her hands and leaned back, her face paler than normal.
Sitting back up, I marveled at how my body went from 'bruised and battered' to just 'achy', making me grin.
However, when I saw Leone's swaying figure I took her shoulders to steady her, the Vampire blinking at me in mild confusion.
"Come on; let's get you washed up…"
Groaning as I got to my feet, I helped Leone up and walked her over to bathroom, ignoring her embarrassment as I stripped her.
I also chose to ignore the other thing that grew in embarrassment, sitting her down beside a shower.
"Sorry, but I don't think I'm up for that~"
Chuckling, I started teasing the girl in my arms, enjoying the way she blushed and shivered under my hands as I tried my hardest to distract myself from my worry.
~~~
Jahi PoV
Sighing, I lay on the roof of the cottage, staring up at the orange and violet sky of dusk.
Watching the clouds drift across the sky above, I tried to ignore the various feelings Kat sent my way.
Was she sending them while she was still unconscious?
Or maybe she knew how to manipulate her emotions; after all, she wears that insufferable mask day in and day out in public.
However, my heart knew for a fact that those emotions she was feeling were real; she did love me, she did worry for me.
I should be happy at that; she doesn't hate me, she doesn't abhor me.
And yet, that opened a whole new nest of bad thoughts.
Was I worthy of her love; her worry?
Would she continue to love me in a years time; in a decade?
My mind flitted back to my earlier thoughts…
Did I deserve her?
Did I deserve them?
They believed so wholeheartedly in me, and loved me so much…
But was I able to protect them?
Could I give them the love they deserve?
After all, they are all high quality women.
Anput and Leone have status, beauty, smarts, loyalty…
As for Kat…
She had done so much for me; accepted so much of me.
But would she be able to continue accepting me?
Or would she grow tired and turn away, finding someone who equally reciprocated her love and devotion?
However, that thought made me growl, rage flooding my veins.
No.
I won't let her.
Even if she wants to go-
Sitting up, I balled my fist and slammed it into my knee, using the pain to push those thoughts aside.
That would only tarnish her beauty; I loved and admired her because she did as she pleased, running about freely.
Caging her would only turn that beauty into something haggard and hateful.
Sighing, I stared intently at my balled fist, pursing my lips as I tried desperately to center my thoughts.
However, Kat's emotions only grew in frequency, going from excited to happy to worried to lonely…
She was bouncing around like a child, and thinking that made me smile to myself.
Recalling our times together from a year ago, I sighed again as I laid back down, closing my eyes.
Losing myself to reminiscing about our time together, I let my worries and troubles fade away, to be dealt with later.
Enjoying the breeze and warmth of dusk, I laid on the roof for a long time, my mind slowly blanking as I drifted away.
However, my eyes shot open as I felt someone above me, my hand shooting forwards towards them.
They clenched my wrist, and I shivered as ethereal blue eyes met my own, completely devoid of emotion.
"K-Kat…"
Crouching above me was the woman of my worries, her features neutral as she stared down at me, those pale blue eyes making me shiver.
She remained silent, however I felt her hand clench my wrist, grinding the bones together.
Wincing, I tried to pull my hand away from her, only to widen my eyes in surprise as she yanked me to my feet.
Shoving me off the roof, I grunted as I rolled across the ground before scrambling to my feet.
"What the hell-!"
I watched as Kat stepped off the roof, landing silently across from me.
𝚒𝓷𝙣𝒓𝑒𝒶ｄ.𝘤𝗼𝙢
Her eyes were a cold void, and as she stepped forwards I shivered.
Holding her hand out, she summoned a dagger of pure ice, vapor rolling off the long, jagged blade.
"Kat… what are you doing..?"
Taking steps back, I shivered again as she tilted her head, remaining silent.
Her feet glided across the dirt, barely making any sound as she made her way over to me.
The all to familiar maid dress billowed in the growing breeze, only to-
Kat's figure blurred, and she disappeared from sight.
Focusing intently on my surroundings, I narrowly dodged a swift thrust, a thin cut appearing on my arm.
A chill seeped into the wound, and I jumped away from the silent Dogkin, watching as she lifted the blade to her lips.
Licking the thin crimson line off the jagged blade, she stood still, staring intently at me with those lifeless eyes.
"Kat, what are you-!"
Vanishing again, I let out a grunt as something heavy slammed into me from behind, pushing me to the ground.
Straddling my waist, Kat stared down at me, before a giant grin split her face.
Shuddering, I watched as she leaned down, her dagger sinking into the ground beside me.
Looming over me, she whispered "You won't ever escape me, Jahi~"
Pressing her nose against mine, her grin widened, her blue eyes flared, and the chill radiating from her blade increased.
However, I could only blink a few times before chuckling.
Her blatant desire and possessiveness would have been worrying if I was a normal person, but…
Feeling all my previous worries fade from my heart, I matched her grin, reaching up and grabbing her soft cheeks in my hands.
"Nor will you, Katherine Asmodia~"
Grinning at one another, I felt our bond grow and fluctuate, our love for one another flaring and mixing together as we-
No, I stopped holding back my emotions, letting them wash over her through our soul bond.
She belonged to me; physically, mentally, emotionally…
She was mine…
I was hers…
Kat slammed her lips against mine, greedily devouring them as she kissed me, releasing her dagger and grabbing my cheeks.
Welcoming her tongue, I held her close to me, feeling incredibly idiotic.
Pulling away to breath, I chuckled as I said "This… is what, the third time I've been an idiot?"
My wife just grinned at me, her pale blue eyes frozen over with love as she nodded.
"Yes, you have~ Thinking you could escape ME~? I don't think so~!"
Feeling her tail wagging, I laughed, only to moan as she instantly took my lips again.
Seems like I need to make it up to my puppy, huh~?