A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: NON-CON LEMON, SADISM, OOC, LANGUAGE

Chapter 23: To Rend, To Slaughter, To Devour

Sera sat by the chair nervously. After her encounter with Heat at the town, they had brought her back to the palace, dressed in an elegant robe.

Her eyes watered and tears flowed down her cheeks.

Her breathing became labored and ragged as she released uneven amounts of air from her mouth. Her hands were on the fabric of her robes, twisting and turning it roughly that it hurt her hands…bruising them.

She had not spoken to Heat yet…But she knew that she would…soon.

But that wasn't her main concern at the moment. Her main concern was her husband. What had they done to him? Was he alright…?

"Oh God…Cielo…!"

It had been her fault. If only she didn't give the impression that she had been melancholy, he wouldn't have taken her to Arkanadara…

And if he didn't, none of this would've happened.

It was just like that time…

She was being a burden again. Letting out a frustrated cry, her hands attached themselves on her hair, tearing the silky ebony strands painfully from the scalp.

"Sera…" a voice said, rousing her from her pitiable sobbing.

She slowly stood and there, met her former husband, "Heat…"

"…" Heat couldn't speak. He had thought that perhaps it had been an illusion; an illusion by some detestable witch that dared deceive him…

But now, as he stood within his chambers…with her in it…he knew that she was indeed real. She had not changed much; her innocent beauty was still present although her hair had grown…It was now in one length, reaching her jaw.

She was with child; it was that blatant.

He cursed right there though…

Who was the father of her child…?

'Raikiri…' Heat thought in sheer anger.

But all things aside, he was entranced by her ethereal visage…

With his arm outstretched, he walked over to her, desperate to feel her skin in his hand…He may really see her…but…a part of him, the ever skeptic, raged that he should feel her…

His breath got caught in his throat as his fingers made contact with her cheek; it was still smooth to the feel.

His other hand grasped her arm and made her look at him; their eyes were locked and their gazes intensified.

"S-sera…" he finally said, choking out her name.

Now that she was here…There was only one question to ask.

"Why?"

Why indeed? Sera closed her eyes and sighed; he was asking her why…What was she to say?

"Heat…" she sighed, breathing out his name.

Heat groaned as he heard his name pass through her lips, rolling out of those full lips of hers like velvet…How he fantasized that he could hear her subtle and soothing voice.

How many a night that he wished that he would awaken from his nightmarish existence…his nightmarish existence without her…

Yes. He was a wretch.

But he was even more of a wretch without her…He had become a shell of his former self as he would awaken in the middle of the night, during the ungodly hours to find her side of the bed still empty…

He knew that it was a foolish thing to do or to think, but there never was a night in his life since her disappearance that he did not silently pray that it had all been a dream and that she had not left him.

Ever since she left, he had made a vow to himself that he would never love again…He was glad that he didn't fall back on that vow…

How he had prayed to the gods to bring her back to him…

And now, his wishes had been fulfilled.

With a smile that frightened even Sera, he enveloped her in his arms firmly; his arms encircling her protectively, possessively as if he were afraid that she might vanish once more into thin air like she did so those many months ago…

"Why Sera…? Why…?" he asked desperately, his fingers digging into her smooth skin as his love for her was now adulterated with something ominous…his anger.

Why did she leave him?

How dare she leave him?!

How dare she make him feel the way he felt?

How dare she make him go through such agony?!

He pulled away from her and grasped both of her arms tightly, his red eyes penetrating hers in a chaotic fashion.

"Tell me why…!"

She winced and struggled against him, "Heat…! You're hurting me!" she cried out.

Heat held her still, never wavering his force, "Tell me why…!!"

Sera glared at him defiantly, no longer scared of what he might do. He wanted to know why? She'd tell him why.

"Because of you!!" she yelled.

"…What…?" Heat asked in disbelief.

"I asked you…if you loved me…But you had said that you didn't." she sighed as she paused and then continued, "I'm nothing to you! I'm worthless…! I couldn't live like that…! I can't live like that!!" she yelled over and over.

She struggled again but he held her firmly, "Sera…"

She continued to glare at him, "Where is Cielo!?" she barked, "What have you done with him!?"

Heat couldn't believe that she would dare utter another man's name in his presence…He brought his hand down and aimed to slap her for her foolish boldness but was surprised to see that she had deflected his hand and backed away from him, "I'm not the same Sera you knew Heat…!"

Heat frowned within but he would never show her that…

He began to walk towards her, "Aren't you now…?"

She glared at him, "Where is my husband…?"

Heat growled and stomped over to her, taking her by her arms again and slamming her on the wall behind her, "I am your husband Sera." he told her with a tone of finality.

Sera whimpered lightly from the blow at her back but she composed herself instantaneously and continued to glower at him, her lips set upon a defiant pout, "My marriage with you ended the moment I walked out of here."

Heat's red eyes widened and there, struck her. She said nothing and glared. A moment later, she yelled, "Hurt me Heat…! Hurt me…! That's all you would ever do…!!" she finished, crying.

Heat's countenance immediately softened, "I…I wouldn't hurt you Sera…I…I love you…!"

Sera growled, "You don't love anyone but yourself!! Let me go! I want to see my husband! Cielo!! Cielo!!" she screamed, struggling against him, twisting her body left and right, in hopes of holding him off.

Heat was losing his patience…fast. She had become defiant. She had become disobedient…He had to bring her back in line.

Without another word, he backhanded her, hard.

She fell on her knees and there clutched her belly in agony. But she said nothing, merely panting.

"You're mine Sera. Did you forget that?" he asked in a low and angry tone.

She growled from where she sat and looked at him with sheer anger in her silver eyes. Heat was shocked…He had never seen her with those eyes…

Those eyes…were brave.

'And stupid.' he reasoned within.

"I'm not yours…" she said through shaking breath; shaking with fury, her voice low and raspy, "I'm no one's! And if…if there was any man to whom I would give myself to…it would be Cielo!!" she finished with a strong and proud yell.

Livid, Heat knelt down and grabbed her by her hair. She yelped and her hands flew to his, clawing at his hand.

Heat yanked her to her feet and dragged her across the room. There, as he backed her towards the wall again, he slammed her against it, hard. She growled but said nothing. There, again, seeing her helpless…it brought familiar feelings within him…

His red eyes glinted with lust.

She stiffened as she saw him. Again, she felt frightened.

But she composed herself, 'No…! I must not…give in!'

"Unhand me!!" she screamed.

Heat went for her neck and lightly squeezed, "No…I'll never let go of you ever again…" he said gently, his lust-filled eyes boring into her silver angry yet frightened eyes before scanning her entire body. She made a face of disgust as she recognized his lustful facial expression. Then, she began to struggle for air as he continued to constrict her.

Seeing her open her mouth in an attempt to suck in oxygen at her inflamed lungs, Heat saw his opportunity and there sealed their lips in a bruising kiss.

Sera's eyes widened as he kissed her savagely, his teeth biting her lips without reserve, his wild and vicious tongue suffocating her as it lashed out within her wet cavern roughly.

She screamed within his mouth but he refused to let her go, his hand still on her neck. Her hands came up to claw his face but he easily pried them from his face and pinned them above her head and he continued to kiss her hungrily…

Ah…

How many lonely nights had he dreamed of having her in his arms this way…? Too many to count.

Her sweet lips felt so ripe and warm against his own that he couldn't stifle a moan and let it leave his lips, traveling over to hers…

A few moments later, he released her bruised lips and neck and there let his lips now abuse her swan-like neck.

He suckled the bruised skin achingly, his tongue licking it before biting it hungrily. She squealed, "Heat…!! Stop!"

He growled against her; she was still resisting him!

'Not for long…'

No…

She merely forgot all about him…But he would make sure that she would remember his touches…his kisses…

She would know of him and only him once more, her thoughts of Raikiri long forgotten…Yes, she would…

His hands freed hers as she fell limp against him. It was happening…! Heat's hands then traveled to the knot of her robe and there slowly undid it.

Sera's mind panicked! She shouldn't let this happen to her! Not anymore!

'Cielo…!!' she mentally screamed as Heat's hand slipped within the robe, fondling her enlarged breasts greedily.

Not containing her anger anymore as their eyes met, she slapped him as hard as she could and lowly spoke, "Don't…touch me…! I…I hate you!"

She…hated him?!

That wasn't possible! That couldn't be true!

Heat glared at her and again grabbed her by the hair and pushed her on the bed that they once shared. She laid on her back and there found Heat straddling her legs.

Heat frowned; he wouldn't be able to touch her now that she was…on the verge of giving birth…

'With the bastard's child!!' he screamed mentally, livid that she had actually given herself and her body to the rebel scum!

Well, he was just going to remedy that, won't he?

His hand immediately flew to her neck, pressing her against the bed further as he saw that she prepared to struggle against him once more while his legs shut hers together in a vice-like grip.

He squeezed at her neck as he saw her pesky hands go up, attempting to claw at his face.

He was angry…

Heat narrowed his eyes into slits as he saw utter hatred and disgust for him in her eyes. And so, he squeezed tighter. She began to choke and now her hands clawed the hand that once held her gently…protecting her but now imprisoned her neck, threatening to take away the life that he had once vowed to protect.

She scratched him but he didn't feel a thing. He was numb. He was blind, deaf and dumb to her cries and her silent pleadings.

Pleadings?

No; she wasn't pleading…! Even at the verge of death within his arms, she refused to submit to him.

Heat growled, "You're mine…Admit it…!"

With the little air that she had been able to smuggle within her lungs, she yelled at him as loud as she could, "I'm not yours!!"

He gritted his teeth and there took out a sharp object within his robes. Her eyes widened and then settled back into a glare as she beheld the pointed dagger.

Heat cackled and released her neck. Sera coughed as she sucked in the air rapidly, relieving her inflamed lungs, her hands caressing the bruised neck soothingly.

No sooner that she did that that she suddenly found Heat's hand on her chin, gripping it tightly.

"You've gotten yourself impregnated by that scum, have you?" he asked in a low tone.

Sera's eyes widened but said nothing. Heat knew nothing. He did not know that it was not Cielo's but his…

Heat settled the dagger against her skin and there slowly did away with the rest of her robe, revealing the whole of her before his hungry eyes. He was disgusted as he saw her engorged belly…

It was Raikiri's child that slumbered within…

"Disgusting…" he trailed off, setting the dagger against the skin of her stomach.

Panic began to set in within Sera's body as she registered a cold feeling against her stomach, realizing it to be the dagger. Her heart quickened its pace as she considered her former husband's cruelty.

He could kill her and the child within her in a heartbeat. He would kill her and her child within a heartbeat…Without hesitation or reluctance.

Frankly, she couldn't care any less what happened to her…just as long as he spared the child.

"Heat…" she spoke, her voice quivering, "Please don't…" she begged.

Heat laughed, "So, you've decided to beg, have you?" he scowled, "Pitiful…"

Sera stiffened as she realized that the dagger began to travel upwards against her skin, stopping just below her breasts.

She squealed as she felt a painful prick on her skin and there, it continued onward, the dagger being dragged downwards.

"Please don't!!!" she screamed as loud as she could.

Heat laughed again as he saw the blood ooze from the small wound that he had made on her pearly-white smooth skin.

He stopped and there held the dagger against her face instead, making her press herself against the bed further.

He grinned evilly as he saw the fright within her silver eyes, her bravery moments prior all but gone…vanished…dissipated.

"Did you know that in the days of old…when pregnant women were captured…soldiers placed bets as to what the child's gender was?" He paused as he laughed, "Do you know how they did it…? How they would find out…?" he asked silkily, evilly, as his eyes penetrated hers, the glint of murder swimming with his red pools.

She shook her head slowly as she continued to shake beneath him, her eyes filled with nothing but fright.

His grin widened as he bore his teeth, "They used to…cut the women open…and there, tear the skin here," he said as he touched her belly, "and pull it open wide apart, so that the child within may be revealed."

Sera made a disgusted face, "You're…despicable…!"

He was unfazed by her comment and pointed the dagger at her face once more, "Would you care to find out Sera…?"

She could feel cold-sweat forming by her spine and she shook her head, "Please…don't hurt my child Heat…" she begged, her eyes brimming with tears.

Heat's heart wanted to soften at the sight of her but…as he remembered that it had been Raikiri's child and not his, his blood only boiled. She loved this child…He could see it in her eyes…

How could she?

How could she had spawned an offspring with that scum…?

Knowing her love for the child only made him angrier.

"I am despicable…am I Sera…?" he asked with a low seething tone, "I could say the same thing about you…Letting that filthy rat sow his seed within your womb…"

Sera glared at him, all thoughts of danger vanishing from her mind, "Don't you dare speak of Cielo that way! He had been a good husband to me! He was something you could never be!!" she screamed angrily.

Heat's chest heaved up and down as he pondered over her words and there, backhanded her again, "How dare you compare me to such a wretch!?" he thundered, livid.

"You are the wretch!!" she screamed, "And…and…"

Heat had had enough of her senseless words. It was time to remind her who her master was.

He set the dagger against her again and there enlarged the wound on her chest. She screamed; there wasn't an ounce of doubt in her mind now…

He was going to kill her and kill the child that was his in her womb.

"S-stop!!"

He didn't listen. No; he didn't want to…

"This child isn't Cielo's…!" she screamed as he continued to hurt her.

He suddenly stopped. Then, after a moment of silence, she felt herself being pulled by the neck on a sitting position, her silver eyes met with his red angry ones, "You're filthy Sera…You would even use that pretext to stop me…How low of you…Your Highness…" he whispered mockingly.

Sera's heart broke as she heard his words…

There was a part of her…that still loved Heat…

He was the very first man that she had ever loved. She had placed her heart and her life within his strong hands in the hopes that he would love her…protect her…and cherish her.

But he did none of those things…And instead, he crushed her…He had crushed her hopes and dreams…

That was why she had fled the castle…She couldn't bear to live the way she did then. How could she? How could she continue to hope and pray that the man she loved would return and reciprocate her feelings when he clearly stated to her what she meant to him?

And now…as she sat there on the bed where they once shared their passion, her heart…her heart that had began to mend from its shattered state…shattered by him, had shattered once more as she heard his cruel and vile words.

He had broken her heart all over again.

Without another word, he pushed her roughly on the bed and there discarded his robes. Once he was done, he grabbed her by her hips and spread her legs wide apart. She yelped, "Stop!"

Once again, he listened not.

He lifted her hips and there positioned himself in front of her as he knelt in front of her core. Sera felt highly uncomfortable as her head and torso were still on the bed while her hips and legs had been thrust upwards, towards his direction.

But she had no time to further ponder over it as he quickly entered her, his arms still around her waist, pulling her closer and tighter against him.

Heat let out a breath of fulfillment as he buried himself deep within her tight cavern. She screamed as he thrust within her violently. Her whole body ached, not just from her position but due to his inconsiderate action.

He cackled as he saw the suffering in her face, "What's the matter?! Don't you remember our times together?!"

Sera shut her eyes as tight as she could.

'Heat…How…How could you…?' she thought helplessly as he continued to abuse her, not considering her feelings in the least.

Heat panted as he pummeled her even harder, his breath quickening as he did. His eyes never left her face and there, he felt nothing but the sweet calling of success as she continued to cry beneath him.

Sera could only think of her happy moments with Cielo, temporarily leaving her body as Heat continued to hurt her…physically and emotionally.

She saw nothing but Cielo's innocent grins…his boyish smiles…She felt nothing but his gentle arms around her when he would carry her securely, leaping from tree to tree…She tasted nothing but his innocent, chaste but passionate kisses…

She could smell nothing but his smell of fresh rain…and the fragrance of the forest…She could hear nothing but his soothing and gentle voice when he would soothe her and put her to bed…When he would whisper things into her ears…

Yes…that was all that she knew…

She saw not of Heat's evil grins, his mocking smiles. She felt not of Heat's hard and savage thrusts or his painful strikes. She tasted not his filthy and sloppy kisses.

She smelled not his putrid stench of blood, death and decay…She heard not his malicious cackle or his condescending laughs…

No…

In her secret garden…there were only Cielo and she as they waited for the arrival of their child…

Heat thrust into her violently as he saw that she wasn't there with him. He growled and grabbed her hair…But it was no good.

There was no response…

Too late…

He had already arrived at nirvana. He grunted and spilled his seed within her. He pulled out of her and saw that she remained on the bed, unmoving, unflinching. Feeling his anger return tenfold, he made for her again and there, grabbed her by the hair before tossing her on the ground, "You listen to me! Understand?!" he yelled as he regarded her broken form on the floor.

Sera was roughly pulled from her ecstatic reverie and found herself within this harsh reality once more. She clutched her belly painfully as she met the cold floor as she hit her stomach.

She cried out.

Heat began to panic…She had hit her stomach on the floor. He wanted to help her…He knelt down and attempted to touch her but stopped midway.

'This is her punishment for allying herself with filthy scum!' his inner demon raged.

And so, he left her there…on the floor.

Sera cried now, her tears flowing out of her eyes freely as a sharp pain surged through her entire body. Her body bent forward, curling herself up in a ball. Her hands hugged her belly and there…she felt an ominous warmth within her and out as well. Her eyes widened and she trembled openly. Her hand traveled downwards, her body still throbbing with pain.

There, in her sacred area, flowed her blood.

She began to panic, "Cielo…!! Cielo…!!" she screamed.

Heat's eyes widened as he saw blood flow out of her.

He gritted his teeth in confusion of what to do. Would he help her? Would he allow her to wallow in her own suffering?

"Damn…" he trailed off.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gale rode his horse towards Serph's. The battle had been concluded. It had been won, needless to say.

Everyone had been killed and those who had escaped were currently being pursued.

"I will be heading back to the castle Gale." Serph spoke nonchalantly, bored.

Gale nodded, "Alright My King. I shall oversee all here."

Serph nodded and rode off, followed by the Imperial Guards.

Gale turned back to the bloody hills…It was littered with cadavers. He wrinkled his nose in disgust.

'You could return to Arkanadara if you wished it…' a voice within him stated tauntingly.

Gale frowned; indeed he could.

'The question is…if you want to.' the voice laughed.

'…'

'That's right…You don't want to…! I wonder why…'

Gale had had enough. He willed the voice to disappear and disappear it did. He shook his head; he had more important issues to address at the moment. His issues with his wife could wait.

'She'd be there anyway, regardless of when I choose to return.' he told himself.

But still, he wondered…How was Jenna doing…? After they had heard the news…she hadn't been herself.

Of course; who would be if one heard that same ghastly premonition?

He sighed; he couldn't look at her at the moment…

'I don't think I ever can anymore…'

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Jenna cried as hard as she could, burying her face in her hands. She hadn't been completely truthful to Argilla…

There was a vital piece that she had conveniently left out in their conversation…Why she did that? Simple; she wanted to save herself the embarrassment. This was the most humiliating thing yet to happen to her…

'Gale…' she thought sadly as she continued to wail, 'I'm sorry…'

"I'm sorry…!" she sobbed, "I'm sorry that I cannot be the wife that you want me to be…" she trailed off, her hand clutching her heart as the throbbing pain stung her chest repeatedly, refusing to relinquish its evil command of the aforesaid organ.

She could remember it as clear as day…

It was the day before the assault…It had happened only yesterday.

Flashback

The old woman sighed. Gale and Jenna held their hands tightly together.

Gale touched his forehead with his free hand, "Well, what about my wife?"

Jenna blinked, "Am I ill? Or are there more herbs I should ingest for a higher chance of successful conception?"

The woman sighed and took Jenna's hands from her husband's, her gray old eyes gazing at Gale's and then over to Jenna and slowly spoke, "I'm sorry Your Highness…But it would seem that Your Highness is barren…"

Jenna immediately snatched her hands from the old woman's and stood up abruptly, knocking the chair down unintentionally, "W-what are you saying!?"

Gale's heart stopped; barren…?

What did that mean…? What did that entail…?

The woman bowed apologetically, "I am deeply sorry Your Highness…My Lord…But, it is the reason for the failed conception…"

Jenna's lips quivered, "I…I…It cannot be…" she said with a trembling voice.

Gale looked at the woman, "You may go now. Thank you."

The woman bowed and left.

Jenna looked at Gale with eyes brimming with tears, "Gale…" She felt so alone at that moment…She felt so cold…She just wanted to feel his arms around her…He didn't have to whisper anything into her ear.

Just knowing that he was there…

It was enough…

But it wasn't to be…

Gale looked at her nonchalantly. He remained rooted at his spot and without further words, he began to walk away from her.

Jenna now let her tears cascade down her face as she watched him leave.

"Gale…!" she called out to him but he didn't listen and just continued to walk until he reached the doors and there, left altogether.

"Gale!" she yelled in desperation.

There, she stared at the door helplessly, waiting for him to return…But he didn't. And so, she collapsed on the floor…

"Gale…I'm sorry…"

End Flashback

That was why Jenna had slept alone and had woken up alone…She didn't use to need anyone before…Her bed had always been warm enough with her alone in it…But now…as she fell for Gale, she realized that she did need him…

She realized that her bed was cold without him in it…

And now, because of what had happened…

She doubted that he would ever return to her…

'Gale…Gale…!' she thought desperately as she continued to cry.

'Please come back…'

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Argilla hastily walked along the halls…She had heard news…Her husband was to return!

She waited there…and there…he came into view!

She smiled and walked over to him, "Your Grace…!" she said, with a gladdened sigh as she threw herself at him.

Serph received her with open arms and there held her tightly…

Argilla clung to him desperately. She knew how despicable he was…how bloodthirsty. She remembered Roland after all. But as he had told her that he was to leave for battle the day before…she couldn't help but feel saddened. He may be repulsive, but she still loved him. She did not wish for him to die…

That was why she prayed to the gods for his safe return…

And now, he was home. She was glad.

"Come Argilla." he whispered to her from behind his mask, "Let us find a private place to converse…"

She nodded and there, let him lead her away. Once they had reached their private chambers, she came to wherever he sat and there, took off his cold silver mask, revealing to her, her handsome husband, grinning from ear to ear.

She raised an eyebrow, "You're happy." she deadpanned.

"I am." he openly admitted.

"Why?" she asked skeptically.

He chuckled, "Why wouldn't I be? I've effectively eliminated the Resistance…I've my heir coming along soon…and I have you…My loving wife…" he trailed off, his silver eyes piercing hers.

Argilla blushed and quickly set his mask on the table, "How…was the battle?"

Serph sighed, "It was tiresome. Those bastards; they had not just soldiers in their midst but women and children as well." he said with firm resolve.

Argilla froze; women and children?

Was she to assume…?

No; she shouldn't assume. She should ask him. She should never abandon the notion that there will always be some good in every man.

"So, it must have been tiresome to rally the women and children from the battlefield as the battle progressed, huh?"

Serph looked at her as if she grew two heads and there, after a moment of silence, he laughed out loud, "What are you saying Argilla? Are you this naïve?" he asked mockingly.

"…"

Serph looked at her and saw that her displeased face was answer enough. He sighed and leaned back on the chair with an easy look on his face, "It was a battle Argilla. I am not bound to such laws. It was my priority that the enemy be destroyed, regardless of the conditions."

Argilla stiffened, "You…you killed them…" she said in utter revulsion and disbelief.

Serph shrugged his shoulders, "And why shouldn't I? They had turned against the crown willingly. It is just mere retribution…But really, they were just the casualties of war. No more, no less."

He looked at her with hard and steely eyes, "They were traitors to the crown and hence must be dealt with."

"But they were people!!" she yelled angrily, "They were your people!"

Serph frowned and stood, grabbing her by her arms, "No. They were nothing but filth; nothing but filth that should have been disposed of a long time ago."

She struggled against him, "You monster…!"

He chuckled and embraced her tightly, nullifying her struggles. And knowing her, she stopped her futile struggles within a few moments.

"Good girl…" he cooed against her ear.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Heat continued to stand there before her as she continued to bleed profusely on the cold stoned floor.

His face contorted that into a face of pure disgust as he continued to look at her, his earlier feelings of remorse and worry all but forgotten.

Nonchalantly, ignoring her groans of pain and her cries of anguish, he donned on his robes once more and walked away.

Sera felt as if she were bring ripped apart as the pain within her body refused to leave her, only intensifying within each passing moment.

She saw Heat beginning to leave and she let out a shriek of desperation, "It's…yours!!!" she screamed.

And there, as she uttered her words, the pain suddenly increased tenfold and there, her head began to spin; her vision began to fade…

She fell within the waiting arms of bitter unconsciousness.

Heat stopped as he heard her words. He turned back to her and there looked at her pitiable state. His hair began to stand on one end as he saw her…lying there like a cadaver…That was, if she wasn't already.

His heart suddenly felt heavy.

"Sera…!" he choked. He then turned and left with much haste. He needed to save her!

He returned a few moments later with a group of physicians. They all made haste and inspected the body.

"My Lord, I think you had better come see this for yourself…" said a woman to him boldly.

Without any spoken word, he walked forward to see what it was that he should inspect. He drew his head back with lightning speed as he was met…

With the body of an infant.

It had died as it had been forcefully expelled from the mother's body…It was covered in blood…Its small eyes were drawn shut and a frozen look of anguish was etched onto its face…

His heart stopped as he gazed regretfully at the child…

It had been a boy…It would have been a son.

'But he was Raikiri's! There's no shame in it…' his inner demon justified.

And so, to soothe his already guilty conscience, he sneered at it, "Dispose of it…"

He turned his back at them and crossed his arms in defiance, still thinking about Cielo and Sera.

"My Lord," said the other female physician, "the young lady is still alive."

Heat's eyes widened and he turned back around, his eyes burning holes into the physician's face, "Are you certain?"

She nodded.

Heat resisted the strong urge to let out a breath of relief and so, kept his cold and calm countenance. There was no room for weakness in him. No weakness.

"Have her cleaned up." he ordered.

He began to walk away again, leaving the females to tend to Sera and the dead infant when he suddenly stopped.

He remembered Sera's last words…

"It's…yours!!!"

He then got a nagging voice in his head…Could it be? No. Of course not. There was no chance in hell that it could be…But…it was still worth a shot. There was no harm in it.

Making up his mind, he walked over to the physician handling the dead infant, "Show me the child once more."

She nodded and showed him the now cleaned up and washed body, and there, had all of the color from his face drained.

He couldn't breathe as his heart stopped as a seemingly overwhelming power of the gods or of some higher divinity had suddenly grabbed hold of his heart, constricting it tightly…

His blood ran cold and his hair stood on one end. His body began to shake and tremble as his red eyes continued to gaze upon the cadaver of the infant.

There, on top of the infant's head, were small strands of red hair.

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The sun had long set and Jenna continued to wait within the castle's main hall. But so far, her husband had yet to arrive.

She had been feeling a lot better and a lot more optimistic the previous hours…She had received word that the king had returned. Her sister was no doubt with him.

And so, she began to hope that perhaps Gale would return soon as well…When he was here, she and he could converse more.

They could converse about the battles and even decide upon the steps that they needed to do if they were to take another woman's child and raise it as their own.

Jenna smiled; it wouldn't be that bad…She would be just as a caring mother…even if the child had not been from her herself…

And seeing that Gale wanted to have a family, she was sure that he would come to see her point and consider her proposal.

Yes. She had no doubt about that.

But…as the hours grew ever late and with her husband still not in sight, the small seeds of worry and anxiety that had imbedded themselves within her veins began to grow and flourish, invading the rest of her body…

"Gale…Please come home…"

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Cielo cursed as he tested the shackles on his wrists and on his ankles. No one had touched him…yet.

He scowled.

Heat probably wanted to deal with him personally.

'Doesn't matter. I'd definitely kill him this time.'

He then smirked at that; getting out of this cell wasn't a problem…Not really. Those Arkanadaran buffoons had forgotten about the Sanadan abilities of stealth and trickery.

All that he worried for at the moment were his wife and his child.

'I am coming for you Sera…Just hold on.'

He had just been waiting for the sun to set…And then, when everyone was asleep, that was the time that he would make his move.

It had been a few hours since his arrest…He sighed; he could only wonder as to where Sera was. He racked his brain for the information.

'Heat loves her…He wouldn't harm her. And I hadn't heard of anyone else being thrown in here…so, she couldn't be here. No. She has got to be…There.' he thought; his eyes narrowing.

He had remembered where he had first found her.

He still recalled where it was…He had no doubt that the chambers that she was currently occupying was near that place.

And so, knowing what it was he was to do, he laid in wait.

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Jenna awoke to find herself in her chambers, on a warm bed. She fluttered her eyes open groggily and looked around.

"You've fallen asleep at the hall."

She stiffened as she heard the voice. She turned her head to the left and there saw her husband gazing out the window.

Her smile immediately returned and she hopped out of the bed and ran to him, embracing him from behind, "Gale…" she said, sighing, "I've missed you…"

"Aa…" was all he said.

Jenna frowned at his lack of enthusiasm to see her. But still, she must persevere.

"How are you feeling milord…?" she asked.

He gently pried her hands from his waist and turned around; looking at her, "I should be the one asking you that Jenna." he stated nonchalantly, his green eyes staring at her unfeelingly.

She could tell…he didn't mean it. And at that realization, her heart suffered a painful prick. But still, she did not let it show.

"I am fine milord…as well as could be expected." she said with a small smile.

He blinked, "You fell asleep there." he repeated, "Why?"

She blushed, "I had been awaiting your return milord…"

He shrugged his shoulders and closed his eyes, "Aa…"

Jenna released a quivering breath but still smiled, "You were the one who brought me here…?" she asked in an uncertain manner.

Gale nodded, "Yes."

She was glad.

"I wouldn't want you to be molested out there." he deadpanned coldly, "It would bring me more humiliation." he said icily, almost bitterly.

Jenna cast her head down; more humiliation…?

She laughed within bitterly. Of course he was humiliated. He was married to a woman who was barren; a woman who would never be able to conceive.

What use did he have for her then?

It had been a priority for them, as men, to pass on their legacy onto their sons…and their sons onto their own sons…But now, seeing that Jenna would never bear him a child, that possibility was nonexistent.

It would never come to pass.

And so, he began to ask himself, why did he remain with her?

Surely, there would be other maidens who would suit his needs better…

Jenna bit her lip; for the fist time in her life, she didn't know what to say. No spiteful remark or a soul-stirring comment left her lips. She was completely stupefied.

Hearing his insulting words…made her forget the proposal she was to bring to him. Why bother? He was obviously displeased with her. He wasn't in the state of mind to pay attention to her, much less her whims and desires…

Gale then walked away from her, "I am weary, wife. I believe that I will retire…"

And with that, he made for the bed, leaving her standing there, cold and alone. He had never used that word with her before…He had never, not even once, had called her "wife". He had always addressed her by her name…

And now that he didn't, it felt as though he no longer valued her…

"Gale…" she sighed, her silver eyes brimming with tears.

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Sera opened her eyes and made to get up but was stopped when a hand came to her shoulder, "Calm down Sera…Lie back down."

It was Heat.

She immediately stiffened and there swatted his hands away. She then remembered the events that led to her collapse and there had her heart skip a beat.

Her eyes and hands immediately flew to her stomach. She let out a cry, "Where's my baby?!" she cried out in hysterics.

Heat looked at her sadly and just embraced her; tightly.

She struggled against him, hitting him, pounding on his chest with her small fists as she cried in utter anguish, "Where is it…?" she finally asked, in utter desperation as she continued to cry.

Heat held her tighter, shushing her quietly. It had been his fault…She had been right…But he didn't believe her.

And now, he had to mourn the death of a son…

Sera continued to hit him…but as the moments progressed and her anger diminished, replaced instead by the fact that her child had died…

She didn't need to ask Heat…

She knew…

She felt it.

The bond that she had with her child had been severed.

And so, feeling only the grief and anguish of losing her child, she clung to Heat desperately…silently asking him not to let her go.

And he didn't.

Eventually, Sera's cries had lessened down to sobs…and then eventually had died down to hiccups. Realizing once more that she was in the arms of her child's murderer, she immediately drew herself away from him and slapped him as hard as she could, her tears cascading down her cheeks carelessly, "You've killed our child…" she spat venomously.

"I did." he openly admitted. There wasn't a point to justify it or to obfuscate things either. He wasn't a coward. He had made a terrible error and thus must suffer its repercussions.

Her slap had stung his cheek; but it was her words that had dealt an almost fatal blow to his soul. He had killed their son. In a fit of jealous rage, he had committed the most despicable act of all…

His child had done nothing…and yet, Heat had seen him as an accomplice to his mother's supposed crime…

His son…his most precious son…

He had not even had the chance to breathe the breath of life; to have oxygen fill his lungs for the very first time…He had not been given the chance to grow…and to learn from his parents…He hadn't been given the opportunity to fall in love…to raise a family of his own…

No.

All of those things had been taken from him even before he had been born…

It had been taken from him by his very own father.

Never before had Heat seen a father outlive a son…and now, he knew what it was like…His soul felt empty…

"Get away from me Heat." she spoke coldly, "I do not wish to lay eyes upon you."

For the first time, Heat did as she asked and there, without further words, left the room.

Sera watched him go from the corner of her eyes and there, when she had been certain that she was alone, she once more broke down in tears…

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