Chapter 182: Chapter : 182 : Wizard and Witches!

Vorrak’s boots struck the stone floor with heavy, furious purpose as he turned left down the corridor.

His shoulders were tight, fists clenched so hard his claws scraped faintly against his palms. The air around him felt hot—like his anger alone could scorch the walls.

Esyra followed a step behind, her hands folded nervously in front of her. She hesitated, then hurried to keep pace.

The silence didn’t last long.

“Why are you following me?” Vorrak suddenly barked, spinning halfway toward her. His voice thundered down the corridor.

Esyra flinched hard, shoulders jerking up as if struck. Her eyes widened, then dropped to the floor. “M-My room is this way too,” She said softly. “You… you know that.”

Vorrak stared at her for a second, teeth grinding. Then he turned away with a low, animal growl rumbling from his chest. “Tch.”

He continued walking.

Esyra exhaled shakily and followed again, this time keeping just a bit more distance. For a while, only the echo of their steps filled the hall.

“You’re still angry?” She said gently after a moment.

“Of course I’m angry!” Vorrak snapped without looking back. “He revealed himself to a human. A human! Why is he so reckless!”

“I know,” Esyra said quickly. “I know why it feels wrong.”

“Feels wrong?” Vorrak stopped abruptly and turned fully toward her. “It is wrong! Humans butchered our kind. Burned our cities. Slaughtered children. And now he thinks one prophecy-born brat changes that?”

Esyra shrank slightly under the force of his words, but she didn’t step back. Instead, she clasped her hands tighter.

“He’s not reckless without reason,” She said, voice trembling but steady. “He never has been.”

Vorrak let out a sharp laugh. “You’re defending him now?”

“I’m trying to calm you down,” She replied softly.

“I don’t need calming!”

“I think you do,” Esyra whispered.

That earned her a glare sharp enough to cut steel. She swallowed but held his gaze, cheeks faintly pink.

“You shout because you care,” She continued. “You always have.”

Vorrak scoffed and turned away again, resuming his march. “Don’t pretend you know me.”

“I do,” She said quietly, walking beside him now instead of behind. “You check the patrol routes yourself. You stand watch longer than anyone. You yell at the team… but you’re always the first one in front when danger comes.”

He didn’t answer.

“You hate humans,” She went on. “I know that. You hate because you remember.”

Vorrak’s jaw tightened.

“They took everything from us,” He growled. “Why should we ever trust one?”

Esyra glanced up at him, her eyes shining faintly in the dim light. “Because sometimes… trusting one doesn’t mean forgiving all.”

He stopped again, breathing hard through his nose.

“You sound like him,” Vorrak muttered.

She smiled faintly. “Maybe that’s why he listens to me sometimes.”

Vorrak snorted. “He listens to you because you look like you’d cry if he didn’t.”

Esyra flushed deeply. “I-I would not!”

That made him pause. He looked at her—really looked. At the way she fidgeted with her fingers.

At how she stood too close despite clearly being nervous. At how she hadn’t once left his side.

“…Why are you still here?” He asked, quieter now. “You could’ve gone ahead.”

Esyra hesitated. Then she spoke, barely louder than a whisper. “Because you’re upset.”

His brow furrowed. “So?”

“So I didn’t want you to be alone.”

The words hung between them.

Vorrak looked away first. “Idiot.”

Esyra smiled softly at the insult.

They walked again, slower now.

“You think he’s right?” Vorrak asked after a while. “About the Child of Prophecy?”

“I think…” Esyra chose her words carefully. “I think he sees something we don’t yet.”

“And if that thing turns against us?”

Vorrak’s voice was rough—not angry this time. Afraid.

Esyra noticed. She always did.

“Then we’ll face it together,” She said. “Like we always have.”

He glanced at her sharply. “You speak like you’re certain you’ll still be standing.”

She nodded. “I will be.”

“Even if it means fighting that human?”

She swallowed. “If it protects you… yes.”

That made him stop again.

“What did you say?” He demanded.

Esyra froze, realizing too late what she’d admitted. Her face burned crimson. “I-I mean—! The team! To protect the team!”

Vorrak stared at her suspiciously. “You’re terrible at lying.”

She ducked her head. “S-Sorry.”

They reached another intersection—his hallway branching right, hers left.

Vorrak slowed.

“So this is it,” He muttered.

Esyra nodded, then hesitated. “Vor?”

“What.”

She took a breath, heart pounding. “Please… don’t let your anger burn you out. We need you.”

He looked at her again, expression unreadable.

“…You’re too kind for this place,” He said gruffly.

Her eyes widened. “Y-You think so?”

“Tch. Don’t get ideas,” He added quickly. “That’s not a compliment.”

She smiled anyway.

As she turned toward her corridor, she paused and looked back. “Goodnight, Vor.”

He grunted. “Night.”

She walked away, steps light despite herself.

Vorrak watched her go for a long moment.

Then he growled quietly, rubbing a hand over his face.

“…Damn it.”

He turned toward his own hall, anger still burning—but now tangled with something unfamiliar he didn’t know how to name.

—

Aiden sat on the bed, back against the headboard, arms relaxed at his sides. He barely had time to breathe before the door opened and everyone poured in like they were summoned by instinct alone.

Lysandra came first, composed but clearly curious. Nyxion followed with her usual smooth confidence. Venya and Selvara lingered near the edge, while Thristle strolled in like she already owned the place. Arisha hovered close to Lysandra, shy but attentive. Vegia and Aethoniel stayed slightly back, alert and thoughtful. Zerra practically bounced in. Xylendra and Valeforia stepped in last, quiet, eyes lowered.

Before Aiden could even speak—

Luna climbed straight onto his lap.

No warning. No hesitation. She straddled him facing forward, arms looping around his neck like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Master,” Luna said happily, tail flicking. “You called.”

Aiden laughed softly and rested a hand on her back, rubbing slow and familiar. “Yeah. Sit down, all of you.”

That was taken very loosely.

Nyxion sat close enough that her shoulder pressed into his arm. Thristle dropped beside his leg, one arm casually draped over his thigh. Zerra squeezed in near his other side, practically leaning on him. Venya sat near his feet but reached out to hold onto his knee.

Selvara hesitated, then sat closer when Aiden tugged her gently by the wrist. Lysandra took the edge of the bed but leaned in. Arisha sat beside her, hands folded, eyes flicking between Aiden and Luna.

Vegia crossed her arms but didn’t move away. Aethoniel sat quietly, wings tucked, listening. Xylendra and Valeforia stayed near the end—close, but tense.

Luna nuzzled his chest. “So? What do you want, Master?”

“Yeah,” Thristle added with a grin. “You don’t gather all your wives just to chat. Something fun?”

Aiden smirked, fingers still moving slowly along Luna’s back. “I’m joining Albinos School of Wizard and Witchcraft.”

Silence.

Then—

“What?” Zerra blinked.

Luna’s ears perked. “Really?”

Thristle’s eyes lit up. “Sounds awesome.”

Nyxion chuckled. “Figures. You’d end up somewhere like that.”

“And,” Aiden continued casually, “I want you all with me.”

That did it.

Luna tightened instantly, hugging him harder. “Yes. Yes. I go with Master.”

Thristle laughed and leaned closer. “My King, that’s not even a question.”

Nyxion rested her head against his shoulder. “Of course, Heartlord.”

Zerra grinned wide. “I’m in. Anywhere you go.”

Venya nodded quickly. “Venya will go too. Thank you… for taking us.” Planting a kiss on his cheek.

They clung closer, overlapping arms, shoulders, tails. Aiden felt like a human pillow and honestly didn’t mind.

Lysandra cleared her throat softly. “Non-humans aren’t liked by the humans.”

Arisha nodded quickly.

Vegia frowned slightly. “Humans there aren’t… welcoming.”

Aethoniel spoke calmly. “Especially not to those connected to demons.”

Aiden shrugged. “I know.”

Lysandra searched his face. “You’re sure?”

He met her eyes. “Yeah.”

She held his gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Then I’ll go.”

Arisha bowed her head slightly. “If Sir goes… I will follow.”

Vegia sighed. “You’re reckless.” Then paused. “But you’re also our husband. I won’t refuse.”

Aethoniel gave a small nod. “I trust your judgment.”

Aiden smiled. Then his gaze shifted—to the three who hadn’t reacted the same.

Xylendra’s hands were clenched tightly in her lap. Valeforia’s trembled faintly. Selvara, now closer, looked conflicted.

Aiden reached out and gently pulled them in, closer to his chest, closer to the group.

“Talk to me,” He said quietly.

Selvara swallowed. “Demons can only attend as slaves. I want to be seen as your wive.”

Xylendra’s voice shook. “Teachers… students… they will hate us.”

Valeforia whispered, “If they see us…”

Luna growled low without even thinking. “I bite them.”

Aiden snorted. Then his voice went calm. Steady.

“You’re not going as slaves.”

All three looked up.

“Mom already said she can arrange things,” he continued. “My title. My connections. The Queen herself.”

Valeforia blinked. “We… wouldn’t be—?”

“You’ll go as my wives,” Aiden said simply.

Xylendra’s eyes widened. “But the marks—”

“They don’t define you,” he cut in. “They don’t get to.”

Selvara hesitated. “And if someone insults us?”

Aiden smiled—but it wasn’t playful this time. “Then they eat my fist.”

Luna practically melted, clinging tighter. “Master is so cool.”

Thristle laughed. “Oh, I like that rule.”

Nyxion hummed approvingly. “Anyone touches them, they’re dead.”

Vegia sighed. “You’re going to start a war.”

“Probably,” Aiden said. “Worth it.”

Xylendra’s voice was barely there. “You… promise?”

Aiden rested his forehead briefly against Luna’s, then looked back at them. “I promise.”

Valeforia sniffed, then leaned in. Selvara exhaled slowly, tension easing.

Lysandra smiled softly. “You really don’t back down.”

Aiden smirked. “Never did.”

Aiden let out a slow breath, the room warm with closeness, arms and shoulders pressed in from every side.

He shifted slightly, one hand still resting on Luna’s back, thumb tracing small circles like it always did when he wanted her calm.

Luna looked up at him, eyes bright. “Master?”

He smiled down at her. “C’mere.”

She didn’t need to be told twice. Luna leaned in, nose brushing his, tail swishing behind her.

Aiden cupped her cheek and kissed her gently—slow, familiar, full of quiet affection rather than hunger.

Luna melted instantly, a soft sound slipping from her as she pressed closer, arms tightening around his neck.

“Master…” She murmured happily when he pulled back, forehead resting against hers.

Nyxion chuckled low. “You always start with her.”

“She’s on my lap,” Aiden replied easily.

Nyxion leaned in next, eyes half-lidded, confident as ever. “Then don’t keep the rest of us waiting.”

Aiden turned and kissed her—soft but lingering. Nyxion’s hand slid to his shoulder, squeezing once before she pulled back with a satisfied smile. “Heartlord,” She murmured, clearly pleased.

Thristle scooted closer immediately, chin lifting. “My King?”

He laughed quietly and kissed her next. Thristle’s grin turned smug when it ended. “See? Worth waiting.”

Zerra bounced forward, barely containing herself. “Me next.”

Aiden obliged, brushing a kiss to her lips. Zerra beamed like she’d just won something important and hugged his arm tight.

Venya hesitated only a second before leaning up from where she sat, shy but hopeful. Aiden met her halfway, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. She froze, then relaxed, cheeks warming as she whispered, “Thank you.”

Lysandra watched calmly, but when Aiden turned to her, her composure softened. He kissed her carefully, respectful, deep with meaning. When they parted, she looked away for a moment, ears faintly pink.

Arisha nearly panicked when it was her turn. “S-Sir—!”

Aiden kissed her lightly, barely more than a brush. Arisha’s eyes widened, then she bowed her head quickly, face burning. “…Thank you.”

Aethoniel accepted hers quietly, serene, wings rustling faintly. “I cherish you,” She said softly.

Then Aiden’s gaze shifted—to the two who hadn’t moved.

Selvara sat rigid, hands folded tight in her lap, eyes darting anywhere but him. Vegia stood stiffly near the side of the bed, arms crossed, clearly debating with herself.

Aiden reached out and gently took Selvara’s hand. “Selva.”

She flinched. “Y-Yes?”

“Look at me.”

Slowly, she did. Her eyes were nervous, hopeful, terrified all at once.

Aiden leaned in and kissed her gently. It was slow. Careful. When he pulled back, Selvara was frozen, lips parted, eyes wide.

“I—” she stammered, cheeks burning. “I didn’t— I mean—”

“It’s okay,” He said softly.

Vegia cleared her throat loudly. “You done?”

Aiden looked at her, amused. “You jealous?”

“No,” Vegia snapped instantly. Then quieter, “…Maybe.”

Aiden stood just enough to reach her, tilting her chin up with two fingers. “Vegia.”

She stiffened. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

He kissed her—gentle but firm. Vegia froze completely, then exhaled sharply when it ended, turning away with a scowl that did nothing to hide the blush spreading across her face.

“Idiot,” She muttered.

Aiden chuckled.

Xylendra and Valeforia had been watching silently, hands clenched. Aiden opened his arms. “You two.”

They hesitated—then moved together. Aiden kissed Xylendra first, slow and reassuring. Then Valeforia, whose breath hitched softly before she relaxed against him.

“It’s okay,” He murmured to them both. “You’re safe.”

They leaned in closer, relief clear.

Luna hugged him again from his lap, beaming. “Master kisses everyone.”

“Yeah,” Zerra laughed. “Fair Hero.”

Aiden sighed, surrounded, arms full, heart fuller than he’d ever admit out loud.

—

END OF Chapter : 182 : WIZARD AND WITCHES!

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