17. WE WON
WE WON
MURDOCH
T he Hunt was neva about the Omega or the prize…
I neva aimed fer t’em, but as she stands at me side, blood-washed, radiant, power still flickerin’ over ’er skin like starlight, I feel damned glad tu ’ave been afflicted wit’ the Banes root because I would’na ’ave met ’er ’ad me brother na done wat ’e done…
As we stride forward, the crowd parts, all watchin’ wit’ widened eyes, unable tu deny wat they saw.
The winner o’ the Huntis’na me alone. It is us .
Emerald, unbowed. Unbroken. Me mate. Me equal.
I keep one arm wrapped firmly around ’er waist as we reach the stone podium where the prize is displayed: a gilded chest overflowin’ wit’ gold, jewels, rare elixirs, an’ more wealth than most packs would see in several lifetimes, an’ all supposedly from the Demon King o’ Lust’s vast coffers…
it’s rumored tu not even be .000000001 percent o’ ’is wealth… yet he’s nowhere tu be found…
A council member o’ the Demon King o’ Lust steps forward, in place o’ the Administrator, an’ honestly I’m glad it is’na her… I neva liked ’er.
“Lord… Murdoch…” ’is gaze flickers tu her, wary. “…and your… your m-mate…”
“ Queen, ” I correct him, voice low but commandin’. “Address ’er properly,” I growl.
The man swallows hard an’ bows.
“Y-Your Majesty.”
Emerald’s ’and tightens on mine, ’er lips ’oldin’ back a smile.
Beautiful… Goddess, I could ’ave fallen tu me knees righ’ t’ere jus’ tu worship ’er.
The council stands, presentin’ the chest. I pull out me bag t’at holds infinite space an’ it swallows the treasure befer I press it intu ’er ’ands an’ ’er lips pop open.
Fer you, me love. Me voice is wrought wit’ emotion in me ’ead but tu the world…
“Murdoch! No, I don’t n—” I quiet ’er wit’ a kiss.
“Yu fought fer this, bled fer this. Take it. Yu ’ave earned it, precious one.”
She blinks an’ a tear falls, but I block ’er from the view o’ them. They dinna deserve any more o’ ’er tears, so I scoop ’er intu me arms as she ’olds the pouch tu ’er chest, wailin’.
Ignoring the gasps o’ the crowd, I carry ’er from t’is cursed arena, na lookin’ back an’ takin’ ’er tu the grandest hotel in the area. The clerk bows when seein’ me. I migh’ ’ave lost me mind, but they know not tu feck wit’ me.
“H-how m-may I h-help you?”
“The best room,” I reply.
“No I’m okay with som—” I cut me eyes tu ’er an’ she quiets down as the shop keep pulls out a key.
“Penthouse suite, sir,” I swipe it an’ make me way up tu the top floor, ignorin’ the stares. They know we jus’ won the hunt… I’m sure it was broadcast over the entire 7 th hell, just like the rest o’ the hunts were…
I enter intu the room an’ smirk at ’er gasp, but I dinna not give ’er time tu marvel. I jus’ take ’er straigh’ tu the shower an’ turn it on, washin’ all the dirt, grime, an’ blood from us, which nearly clogs the drains.
I then run ’er a bath an’ listen tu ’er pretty moans as I du the honor o’ scrubbin’ ’er down t’oroughly an’ let ’er soak while orderin’ food. It’s been days since she’s ’ad a proper meal, an’ years fer me… but I’m na worried about me.
After she eats a surprisin’ly small amount, I dinna force ’er tu eat more. I want tu, but I dinna want tu overwhelm ’er. But still…