Ten miles ch 18

A/N: Warning for a trigger/violence

***17-20 are all chapters released in one day so careful when reading!***

The bad guy will get a little forceful with our hero, but fret not! He won't succeed. I like to warn in case this is an issue for people.

Chapter 18

Everyone had a darker selfish side to them whether they were mortal or Immortal. All he needed was to push her, and she would succumb. Everyone did. Once he tied her to him through a child, he would announce himself to the world. With her at his side, no one could rise against him. Neither would she likely kill her own offspring.

One way to keep a woman from leaving was to tie her to you through children, the demon lord surmised. Feng Jiu would singlehandedly bring back the demon race. Everything she chose would put her at odds with her intended mate. How would Dijun bare to look her in the eye when she carried another man's child? If this mate bond was a sure thing, then Dijun would not harm her, either. Nor would he be able to tolerate her, either. What would be the winning choice, the demon lord wondered. He needed only one son. After that, who could save her then?

Feng Jiu starred up at the demon as a strange red flow of energy left her forehead, "What is that?"

"Removing some pesky memories. Don't worry," he told her. She was almost as agreeable as a child who trusts their parent.

"I do not have worries do I?" she asked confused.

"These were painful memories. There is no need to hurt anymore, right? Why remember what hurts when it can easily go away?"

Pliant as she was, he laid beside her and began his daily chant, "Do you want to ruin the world with that bond? Then there is the risk to all for living things if he fails to resist you. You almost died last time. I have the c/ore, Feng Jiu. So long as it exists, you cannot be together. You won't pleasefall, he will, and they will all blame him as they crumble under our rule. You will have the world at your feet, children that love you, a husband that protects you and won't leave you with a little price to pay. You came on your own, you are not a slave, and you did it for him as well as the others. That is ok, and it is still better than being forced to love someone, isn't it?"

"Who feels what?" What-or who- was this man talking about. "I don't understand your words."

"Good girl," he Demon Lord cooed. "It means I have unburdened you. Can't you feel our bond? Why would I hurt you?"

She frowned, the bond was real and she did feel it. The way he put it though, she thought, sounds like he is speaking of another. Wasn't she meant to love the other person she was bonded to? Then why do I feel so empty? "Are we bonded?"

"I am waiting for you to welcome me into you," he said seductively. This last time, he thought, really put her at a disadvantage. Though he was smart, he was not clever with his words, he thought as he stared down at her. She was very astute and will try to find a reason, but my words will only make sense to what she feels.

"O-oh," she said shyly.

He began to touch her fingers and palm, and various places to stir her lust. "Do you feel it? I want you to."

"Um," she again said shyly, yet with more hesitation. Something felt off and her body even responded vigorously to his touches. They were less than casual but were not illicit. "I feel strange about it."

"It's ok if you don't know what to do. I'm supposed to teach you. It feels good, I promise."

She didn't like those words and felt instantly jealous. "You know how so well. What do you need me for then?"

He tried not to laugh at her tone. "You are unhappy I have bedded others?" What a mockery these Gods did not enjoy the flesh. "Surely you will benefit."

Her body really did ache for relief, but she continued to frown. Seeing her expression, he decided to show her subtly. His hand roamed near her breast without touching it. "When I touch near you here, don't you want me to touch you?

There was still a nagging part of her mind that insisted on her reaching for his hand. Feng Jiu ignored the demon starring at her and rubbed her head. What am I looking for again? Something important...

OH! Like a bright blazing light, the gate opened. Phew, she thought. It was growing more difficult to find herself back here. He didn't need to erase her mind, but the links to get here. Wow, I am in serious danger, she thought as her heart rate spiked.

How is this any different? She thought. ZHI YAN! Why can't I reach him? had the shadow dissipated? She felt it inwardly like a thorn in her side. She should be able to reach him as long as the shadow was still intact.

She would rather sacrifice herself if it meant keeping the peace in the world. For Dijun, she would do that. He was so important in the scheme of things. Demons did not belong here, yet like roaches managed to survive all filth and procreate. The pull between mates could make them go crazy-especially in this situation. If I fail, she thought, I know what I need to do. His earlier words, however, broke her heart.

I've only ever loved the one man, she thought. My life has been so short, but full of so much loneliness and pain. Her threads were broken even before her birth. That isolation crushed her in so many ways. They had to get here for the plan to work, but if it failed would this be her reality?

Resisting him grew harder and harder per day. Hiding this part of her mind wouldn't last much longer if even by days end. Her body began to respond to her nemesis nearness, and where she would have cried or fought before, she didn't now. She yearned to be close to this thing. Her mind kept reeling, but her body was no longer her own. "Please," she whimpered as he neared.

"I could take you..." she heard his voice above her. Like an ardent teenager, she thought. Can't wait...He'd been giving her something, but she wasn't sure what it was. Her breasts had been hurting, her lower region ached, and her muscles were all sore.

"I hurt," she mumbled.

"Because you have not been relieved. Are you willing? It is more fun when you are willing. Everyone has left you, Feng Jiu. Just accept me as your lover. I can give you everything."

Is this guy for real? Like seriously this is his line? Feng Jiu's mind barked against her body. His fingers were on her dress opening the top. Cool air hit her skin and she felt the goose flesh and tiny hairs on her head rise. There was a prickling sensation in her chest, and then she saw two children.

One little girl with red hair and a little demon boy. The girl scared the other children away, even their demonic powers not able to withstand the burning heat of her bird's wraith. She'd reached out a hand to him.

Is this them? The shadow stirred!

Warmth flooded her then, and she saw the images in quick order. He is lost, a feminine voice said. It was sad, and it felt so alone, Feng Jiu almost teared. Warring powers had nothing on two sets of memories.

It is blood you taste, the same blood he used on me. Feng Jiu, a voice whispered. I need more!

Is it you? She asked the voice. Had the shadow finally risen? Do you remember him?

I remember my other half, it said. He calls to you, but I need more. Forgivemeforgivemeforgiveme, it rang.

Someone is calling? Who calls? Feng Jiu didn't remember. Need more of what?

Have you forgotten what you came for? The voice said clearer. Do you even know what you are? I need blood. I want it.

I am tired, Feng Jiu said. The voice seemed like it was warring with two sets of thoughts also. Just like her body and mind were. Perhaps the shadow had leaked into her being? If it had, this meant the merging would soon happen. Someone's hand was over her heartbeat. She looked up at the man but didn't feel anything other than her body respond. Her brow furrowed, this doesn't seem right. He kept talking, however.

"I feel her now. We will make so many younglings for you to care for and love. I cannot fully trust you. I have no doubts you'd be a good mother to them, even if they are half mine. You're not her, but you were a means to an end. Serve me well, and your life will not endure any more suffering. Give me my wife, and all will be well with you."

"Serve? Give?"

She wanted to cry, but she remained passive. Maybe he wouldn't do this to her if she wasn't moving. Unfortunately, she felt his hands on the skin between her breasts. Her mind was against it, but to her horror, her body responded positively to him. Her hand reached for his drawing it closer to where it needed to be touched. This shadow was forcing its way up then. The need for blood growing stronger as the two presences fought for control. If I give in, I lose. Feng Jiu fought with everything she had. No! This is my body and my soul. If I am going to fade, it will be on my own terms!

God help me, she heard her mind reeling.

"Ah, you are ready. So needy." His voice was surprised as his hand moved over her breast and squeezed it. "It's enough that she is in you, though you are a beauty in your own right. You may come to like me in the end if you linger," he whispered.

When he rolled on top of her, every mental alarm went off. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP! Don't let this happen! She didn't know how, but she knew it was not right. Somehow this man did not...fit her. Blackness threatened to consume her, but her heart yearned for something...else.

Keep calm Feng Jiu, Zhe Yan warned. He could feel the fear behind her presence and sought to comfort her. It was the other presence that surprised him.

Keep calm? Are you mad? I can't hold on. He is going to force me!

"I got through!" he exclaimed to the others. Several heads turned toward Zhi Yan.

She felt a sharp pain in her chest and looked up at the demon who stopped moving to regard her. Feng Jiu forced her eyes to close, and then reopen and stared up at him wearily. "I don't want you in this way." The need pushed the shadow to fight for control. It fought and sliced inside her mind like it held a metaphysical knife to her.

Blood began to pour from her nose, and her tears bled red.

Who are you? Feng Jiu noticed this voice was male.

Who am I? Zhi Yan cocked his head slightly.

He wants to ... Are you close? Someone helllllllllllllp!

Throbbing pain sliced through her head and Feng Jiu wailed. Her scream reverberated off the walls. Something told her if she forfeited now, she was lost. Any man who would do this to someone was...

Evil.

It is because of your ancestors, not you. He will see you as one and the same, not an individual. He responded, just focus on my voice. We are already here.

Focus on this bad thing she was to endure? Whoever you are, however you can hear me, please help me!

The demon's eyes narrowed in concentration, "Perhaps you don't but your body does, little bird." He leaned down over her and his warm breath heated her neck, "Your nipples are hard, your body is ready and wet, and most importantly, you are ovulating. It is about time, I wondered how much blood it would take to stir you, my wife."

Her vision blurred and almost became double as the agony grew.

His cold wet breath fanned her ear, "Do you want more blood? Blood for pleasure then."

He grabbed at Feng Jiu. He enjoyed the terror in her eyes as he said, "I'd rather enjoy her shadow in your eyes, than looking at you. Set her free and you won't need to endure," He said viciously after her rebuttal, "when we make children. Either will suffice, however. You won't be able to help how your body feels and responds to mine. You will come to like it. Crave it even."

"Motivation to not linger, check." The urge to vomit was so strong that she nearly wavered. Seeing her finally show such fear, he smiled happily. He laughed but did not retaliate to her surprise, but she felt his hands holding her wrist. Sadly, she was very aware she was not strong enough to fling him off of her. if they were here, why had they not come in?

Are there really such corrupt Immortals? Feng Jiu hadn't personally met many demons. Members of the ghost tribe seemed pretty dark, but this guy...

What a cruel play, she thought thinking over the entire situation. Her clan had been decimated by this man. All because his wife found a true mate she couldn't help but connect with. She was just a trophy he lost.

"Maybe she really didn't want you."

"In my bed, she responded as a lover would. We were lovers before we married. Why do you think my father picked her? Who was she to argue taking a lover outside her clan? When we were found out she was dubbed a traitor. How could I hate my father's motives if it got me what I wanted?"

"Did you do this to her, too?"

His face darkened, "It is the way of demons. We don't love, we conquer, and we take. Do you think taken brides are not adored? My father arranged for us to meet. He gave her the herbs, and for several weeks she stayed. When she began to respond, I had no idea why but was happy. We made off like I was her true mate. But I gave her my blood whenever I could. We copulated often and were eventually caught. Then, my father had us meet publically and arranged marriage. They could not talk their way out of it, but I had coveted her most. She was brave and had saved me."

"You're sick to treat a savior like this! Its force! You seduced her, and she had no idea what you'd done. Or your father," Feng Jiu's eyes widened in surprise, and she felt a sharp agony as he gripped her chin.

He pushed her arms down hard, "look where that has you. Look where it got her."

"She was finally happy and you stole it!" She hoped that the shadow heard her words. The pain would take over soon, this is all she had. "It's a choice! You just corrupted that gift by listening to people who were trying to make you something you were not. You took advantage of her. They used you to get to her power!"

"Oh really now? Why would I argue about my father's methods?" He was on top of her now, his heavy weight making it hard to breathe. He began to unfasten her clothes not caring about her bleeding nose. "Stubborn till the end, are we?"

"You corrupt everything you touch! She wasn't a demon and she couldn't know your ways. Did you even give her a chance when you knew? No!"

"I don't need love or pity."

There was love and there was an obsession. Maybe this woman had loved him, but it was a fake love. Even if he liked her for helping him, even if his father used methods on her, he still chose to bleed and use his blood magic on her. He didn't see it because he needed affirmation from his father. So he'd befriended her, continued to drug her, and used blood magic to tie her deeper in her own despair. No wonder she didn't want to rise to the surface. He had addicted them both in one swoop!

She realized then that they would all come too late.

As the eruption of fear fell over Feng Jiu, the weather took a dive. Outside, the clouds burst as if from nowhere and darkened the once blue skies. Lightning lashed and licked at the air as it pierced the sky. Her emotional state seemed to fill the air now. I have loved someone before, but he is gone from me. Just like the wind that picked up, it seemed like everything had suddenly stilled.

"Seems like the time is ripe for a fight," the Demon Lord laughed. If her powers were any indication, Dijun had come. He forced his way and sat between her legs as she glared at him. When he made a cut at the base of his throat, the blood began to pour forth and the darkness inside came to the front.

Fight, or die. Even if they came, she was broken now. Used. Defiled in blood and spirit.

Unable to withstand what was going to happen, Feng Jiu let it the fire inside engulf every fiber of her being effectively throwing him far across the wall and into a rock.

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Mo Yuan, Zi Lan, and Zhi Yan starred across the peak at Crown prince Ye Hua and his wife Bai Qian. The sudden change in weather had them all lifting into the air at once.

Bai Qian said, "I am not sure how long that trick of binding my brother will work." Is Feng Jiu really this powerful. It was as if the air refected emotion and terror.

Ye Hua remained cool and passive, "I am worried about Dong Hua more than her father." Both of them wore matching silver attire. It was rare to see the Prince out of any black attire.

Zhi Yan said, "her mind is clouded-like he's taken her memories. She will not know us."

Mo Yuan squinted in the weather as he looked over at Zhi Yan. There was a powerful negative energy spiking in this area. "What is happening?"

Zhi Yan was trying to reach her, but all he could feel was terror and fire. Then it hit him, "he is trying to force her!"

The Gods all took their places forming a circle over the peak. Zi Lan waited below until they breached the seal. Their magic was something to behold. Just when Zi Lan was about to enter, another God entered the breaking point.

"Dammit," Mo Yuan muttered.

Zhi Yan looked at him, "he must have felt it too." He looked down at Zi Lan who already knew what to do. They had already planned on this, so they were going to follow it to the end.

Bai Qian looked solemn, but that look was replaced with one only a warrior would wear. Out of the men, she understood Feng Jiu's position the most as a woman. They wanted to break the seal, but before they could conjure enough power, the entire top of the mountain peak exploded.

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