Chapter 35 – What's a Deer to a Goblin?
POV Shyara
Outside the waterfall just after Damian enters the dungeon.
"So it's over? Just like that? Get me all hot and bothered and not deliver? What a tease."
I stepped out from the trees, stretching. I'd been trailing Damian all night. Saying I was hiding would be generous. I wasn't. He was just too caught up in his sex shenanigans to notice me. Not that I cared. He couldn't stop me if he wanted to.
His methods were… interesting, I'll give him that. Sloppy, depraved, but effective. And I can't say I disagreed with the results. Kai was too tentative for this world. Too rational. Too shackled by human values that don't mean shit here. He was starting to see the potential of his power, but still limited by the ghost of who he'd been.
I sighed. Baby steps.
Having Kai's memories is a bitch sometimes. I know exactly why he fights his urges so hard, how many years he's spent keeping his most primal instincts caged. And now? We're undoing it all in weeks.
My heart ached. I wanted to be his other half, but literally becoming his other half is exhausting. I don't want every thought, every craving, every flicker of guilt or hesitation. I don't want my soul bleeding into his, either. The deeper the bond, the more of me seeps into him.
"Not good," I muttered. "There are things he doesn't need to know. Not now. Maybe never. He should just spread his seed and live like a king. Nah… too small. He'll be a god before long."
"Oh? And what god do you speak of?"
The voice tickled my ear, silken and unwelcome.
"Pay it no mind," I answered without looking. "Just talking to myself."
The deer woman. The one Damian had just fought.
"Well, I can't ignore it. This is sacred ground for my people. And I won't have goblin filth sullying it."
"I haven't been a goblin for some time," I said, staring into the waterfall, trying to pierce beyond it. "But I suppose it's in the bloodline."
"Is that so… either way—"
"Look, I'm not interested." I cut her off, stepping into the river. "I'm following the man who went inside. Keep your honored-ground speeches for someone who gives a fuck."
"How vulgar," she said sweetly, though anger laced her tone. "Perhaps I should end you here."
Guess I struck a nerve.
"Good luck with that." I glanced back at her over my shoulder.
"Luck? You're weaker than that Damian creature. He was no match for me. What chance would you have, trash?"
My anger flared, but I reeled it back in with a click of my tongue. Another gift from Kai—his temper, riding shotgun with mine.
"Drop the act," I sighed.
Her brows arched. "Act?"
"Yeah. The high-and-mighty princess thing. It's a mask."
"Oh?" Her entire demeanor shifted instantly, posture loosening, smile tilting. "What gave me away? I've put a lot of work into being the perfect little princess. How'd a low-level nothing like you see through it?"
"Because your acting sucks. And because I spend most of my time doing the same."
"You suggesting we're alike? Me and some third-rate monster?"
"Guess you're third-rate yourself. At least I'm no wannabe."
Her eyes hardened. "Stupid bitch. I'll kill you. But first I'll beat you within an inch of your life and make you watch while I take that man of yours. Yes… perfect. He was drooling over me already. I'll take your precious Damian right in front of you."
I scoffed.
"What?" she snapped, face twisting.
"Damian means nothing to me."
Her blink was slow. "That makes no sense. Then why follow him?"
"I'm not explaining shit. Just know he has little value to me. Zero emotional attachment."
She studied me, then smoothed her face back to the same blank void she wore when fighting Damian. "I see…"
So that's it? This bitch only wants to fight if it hurts me? The fuck?
"You're that type, huh?" I said.
"It's as you guessed. If there's nothing between you, presenting his head holds no meaning."
Rude. And what?
"I didn't say his attachment to me was zero." I smirked.
That rattled her. Good.
"You're suggesting he'd choose you over me?" she asked, striking a pose with her words.
"I'm suggesting he'd stick his dick in anything with a womb." I shrugged. "Sure, you're probably the prettiest target so far. But don't kid yourself—you're not special. He's just horny."
"Oh, I'd say I'm special," she purred. "Considering he undertook a suicide mission just for the chance to mate with me once."
Gotcha.
"So this is a trial," I said, grin spreading. "Good to know. You're testing him."
Her mask cracked again. She didn't even realize it, but she'd given me too much. She wasn't built for this game. She was a brute in princess' clothing, and I could see the warrior bleeding through her every gesture.
Fine. That meant Damian was safe. Kai's body was durable. Damian used it better than Kai did. He'd live. Which meant Kai would live. I could breathe.
I should go back to Yuki. Report. But… I didn't want to. Standing here, I felt settled. Like I was closer to him. The hum of his thoughts clearer.
Wait.
I could hear him.
Kai?
My heart soared—then dropped. What if it was Damian?
I focused, listening. Quiet, faint, but him.
Tears burned my cheeks.
"What the? Why are you crying, backwater filth?" Serenya sneered.
I didn't answer. My heart was pounding, my soul screaming. I called out to him through the link. Once. Twice. No reply. My chest sank.
Then—
"Don't be so dramatic."
His voice.
"Kai!?"
"All my life," he quipped.
That was him. Jackassery and all.
I smiled so hard it hurt. Hopeless. That's what I was. Hopelessly his.
"If you're still joking, then you're okay. Just… tell me it's worth it?"
"We'll see," he laughed. "Just don't let that idiot wreck my body. I've got plans for it."
"Mm, okay… love you." I whispered. But the link cut before the last part carried. Maybe that was for the best.
I turned to the deer girl, who was still ranting, tantrum breaking her facade apart.
"What's so fucking funny?" she shouted.
"Funny? Nah. Just thinking about the future." I smirked. "Now tell me—how do I enter this trial? Someone's waiting for me on the other side."
She tilted her head, baffled. Definitely not built for this.
Kai was still there. Damian wasn't permanent. I'd bring him back. Me—not Yuki, not Nyla. Me. Finally, I'd prove my worth.
I moved to the entrance Damian had gone through.
"Well? I don't have all day. How do I start the trial?"
She turned away with a sigh. "Like I'd tell you. Figure it out. Or fight me for it."
Brat.
Hang tight, Kai. I'm coming.