Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 121: Scene CXXI

"! I... Husband, I am also-"

"You already apologised after doing it. Once is enough." — Meeting her troubled expression, the man interrupted, apprehensive of it as his beloved wife’s visage should never look like that.

"It was a violent impulse I regret, husband... a cut was left... and red... it is still visible on your edges..." — Her guilt continued nonetheless. Making her avoid the man right after laying sight on the bitten lip. Although demonstrating her regret while her dainty hand posed on that of his placed over her stomach, stroking it as her brown eyes felt the drops amass again in her lids.

The man observed, undisturbed by the touch but moved by the sight. Glancing then at the group finishing the needed preparations to depart once more.

"I cannot say I dislike this kind of ferocity, woman... Just like your scratches... I can make a blind eye."

"... You should not..."

"... Let’s forget this. Your regret I dislike."

"... I understand..." — Finally turning to meet his scowl that wished an end to their ponderous ambience, Ewelina agreed. Lifting the hand that wished to stroke the man’s jaw and show as pure affection as the kindness only she could find inside Aslak’s ferocious amber. — "Thank you, kind husband... I also dislike such sensation..."

"Grrmm... as fated lungs... we share the distress, Fatædi. Smile now. It’s in the past."

"... Alright." — A sweet muzzle was given by the tough man that only turned tender with his wife. And she welcomed it. Pleased by the innocent and feline affection... yet concealing uneasiness, for it was the past that followed her soul until this day that took her to this place. For her past could not be fulfilled by what could bring her spirit true happiness.

’To smile now... it is easier this time when the man by my side is like this... My wish to leave the past behind only enhances now, my loved man.’ — She thought, enjoying his caresses. To then exhale with honest relief. — "... My spouse is a reliable man."

"... Woman, don’t say things that tempt me. You feel softer the more you talk. It’s troublesome."

"Haha. Exaggerated you are. This is pure appreciation, not temptation, devious man." — Entertained, she said, leaning to support her back completely on the man that would not retrieve his hand from around her even as the horse slowly paced to join the other beasts. — "Husband only seeks excuses to touch this wife."

"That’s right." — Fixated to her ear, he smirked to Ewelina’s correct awareness, resisting the need to lick her ear and biting it instead with a seductive growl. — "And wife becomes fierce finding excuses to fight me."

"... I do not fight you."

"You go against me."

"Barbaric man. Would you prefer your wife to be submissive? I doubt such is the case."

"... True. Your frown is fun to provoke."

"!? How malicious."

The teasing he enjoyed was allowed by the woman, who continued to have lifted corners at his retorts.

The conflict he had amassed at her escape was now nowhere to be found within Aslak’s being, and the current ambience had him tamed into enjoying this innocent closeness the couple were to keep until days later permitted a deeper one.

"Yes, Fatædi..." — Glad, he lastly said. Straightening to look forward and making sure she continued to lean on him, Aslak prevented her intention to also sit properly before taking with both hands the reigns of the wild Litilmenni.

"I’ll be obedient now since we’ll join the others."

"... An obedient spouse? That is odd." — Giggling at his sayings, she was lightly pushed by the man to meet his satisfied smirk. Ending the comfortable couple’s private conversation as they went to the front of the group, meeting the savages and guards so the wild journey could resume.

Nonetheless, the eyes that had lurked from the dark bordering the plain path would soon attack the pack of the Archduke.

Dismissing the peaceful start of the day to continue as tense.

"... Your Grace."

"Ou... I sensed it." — Looking back at the already aware men, Aslak took out the axe he kept on his back. Signalling the others with the silent gesture, the battle would break out any moment now.

Ewelina quietly stared, nervous about what and not to do in this situation. Hesitating to ask for the man behind her was focused on a beast that had yet to fully appear.

Nonetheless...

"Stay fixed to my side." — Aslak reminded the woman, holding her again with a stronger grasp.

"Y-yes... uh... where is Nu?"

"Kir will take care of the kid... If she needs help."

"... Alright."

His serious demeanour let her know that Nu truly was not the one in danger, more so after she peeked back at the child riding a few meters behind her, energetically and joyfully nodding to Kir’s warning to then meet her gaze and wave overly happy when danger haunted them.

Cracking sounds smoothly commenced to resound in the air that was devoid of mist when the weather usually carried it in its every morning, and the crawl of the creatures made them finally visible to everyone’s eye.

Long claws and a large tail just as dark as the place they hid in turned bluish as the light fell on the thick fur that once reaching the beast’s head ceased to exist, letting the sight of black charcoal skin surrounding the exposed bones of a crane which’s fangs came out similar to human ribs, only more sharp, only more deathly... Appear before the eyes of the men.

"Tsk. Morose skulls... their brain should be near."

"... w-what?"

"A skull, it is men! Break each until the brain appears!! We take these down, and those other roaming won’t dare attack in a while!!" — Ignoring the bewilderment of his wife, Aslak roared while his eyes never left his prey that; while his voice resounded in the silence, it allowed more creatures to come forward, rushing into a fight against the savage Jazhara’s Tail Guard.

Many clashes and feral screams, laughter, hisses and beastly groans were rumbling in Ewelina’s ears while she tried to follow a skillful spouse. Consistently confusing her senses as everyone around her moved fiercely and wildly to end the many beasts attacking the pack.

A long time even with stammering feet she managed to follow... However.

"!? nh!!"

"Stay near, I said!!" — Aslak roared, cutting the flashing tail of a beast going for the head of the bewildered wife that slightly drifted a little away as shock at the gruesome sight of men and huge skulls blood fell on the ground during the battle.