Calla Lily, The Eunuch King's Goblin Bride

"Like seriously?"

I muddled in my head upon the scenario that was going on, that ignorant King was taking me towards some stupid enchanted forest!

"Eros, you will love the ritual. Every time a general is appointed or selected this ritual is performed for the prosperity of the kingdom."

We were riding on the horses with the horde trailing behind us, of course the king and I were in the middle of the caravan as the five hors.e.m.e.n were ahead of us and with the same numbered men behind.

All armed and equipped heavily with their silver armours and royal flag in hands, which consisted of a red rectangular cloth and a lion's picture embroidered on it.

When we arrived from the palace and I overlooked at the flags a sudden laughter burst into my body, sure a 'coward lion' who is more likely a sly fox, well that is more suited to King Theon according to me.

"May I ask what kind of ritual is this, sire?"

Obediently I tried to inquire. Beneath the sulk was a spark of hope? Could my whole journey here and that little act of fight actually yield some results?

It was too much to hope for but I was determined, uncompromising. I bobbed my head furiously, I was keeping my resolution to shake up this whole kingdom in case if such situation arrived. 

All I needed was to take away my bride, but the only hindrance was her condition, which was weak as her powers were reduced to nothing. 

Belonging to the same or close species I acknowledged that goblins and incubus could reboost their powers in a week but something was definitely wrong with Charis.

"You will know when you reach, Eros."

The cunning fox chipped with half laugh which made me scowl, this man was not hard to deal with but his ways and shrewd nature made me cringe every time.

I did not bother to question again whatsoever he wanted to attempt, he was free to do it. I was not afraid of him or anyone after all these people were humans who happened to master the art of magic and cultivated to some extent of their natural Qi.

Whereas I were a King, moreover the Lord of dark magic and the guardian of ancient arts, to tame a mere hellhound was just a piece of cake for me.

The person who had the authority over the dead and the spirits, the Lord who ruled the hell, I were the Incubus Lord. Thus, taming the beast and defeating Adonis without using magic was just a peccadillo for me.

I did not want to hurt that poor soul, the man was good as a general but everyone was delusional about him. Just when I touched him, I could see flashes of his memory. 

Although distorted images popped up in my head but I saw his halcyon days with the queen and witnessed the man's fuming rage. I understood in that very brief moment that what game he was playing. 

As he wanted to stay close to his beloved I could sense his angst and worry when I arrived and forcefully took his spot, after the duel ended I began to pity the folk, after all he was in the same boat as me.

I did not know for how long we rode, my back was aching badly, I wanted to teleport simply but ...my condition was really miserable at that moment that I had to suppress and even hide the fact that I was having my powers and could use them.

We exited from the kingdom's walls and instead of riding towards the way I actually arrived previously, we rode the opposite direction, towards the back of the kingdom.

The plain grounds were rich in green lush grassy carpet as the whole kingdom was indeed beautiful, which I openly accepted after my barging.

A few miles away from the back guarding wall of the kingdom was the forest, perhaps the one about that fox was blabbering. 

Cl.u.s.tering of trees was seen from miles, the forest had dark green leaves on all the trees and the trunks were unusually ash black, as if once the whole forest was burned down.

I could not comprehend what was so magical about that bunch of burned trees and let alone why it held the entitlement of 'enchanted forest'.

A bad feeling began to develop in my stomach, incubus beings could sense danger from miles but I did not sense anything, neither fear nor anything dangerous. 

And that was strange, every particle in the universe held some vibes and energies, how come these burned trees were so 'lifeless'!

Many questions were humming and buzzing in my mind like the sting of bees, I needed to solve the query myself rather relying on inquiring from anyone else.

I sighed and inhaled deeply as soon as the caravan stepped inside the thick forest, in which only a few rays of light were coruscating, keeping the forest mysterious. 

I glanced at the king who was riding beside me and an evil grin appeared on his face, I became alarmed at once as nothing good was expected from that shrewd, cunning man.

The forest was sombre as if  we had entered into the 'Grim Reaper' lair, a poisoned silence was hovering and I could hear the horseshoe clacking, the pace of horses became steady as we moved deep, further into the forest.