SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God Chapter 709 You are mine and mine alone

Damon arched an eyebrow. "How did you figure it was me?"

The emperor discovering his true self had been anticipated, yet the princess astonishingly detected him instantly. "My aura has vanished, my features altered, but you whisper my name without hesitation. Why bother with a supreme artifact to conceal who I am?" Damon gave a wry grin.

Alzara released a gentle sigh, her mouth curving upward even as her complexion remained ashen. "Do you believe I couldn't identify you simply by masking your appearance? Regardless of how thoroughly you suppress your essence or don whatever mask you choose… Your vibe remains unchanged. I sensed you'd arrive to rescue me…"

Damon opened his mouth to respond when it hit him that the lady was merely babbling utter delusions in her delirious haze. She likely desired her savior to be him and struck lucky with her assumption.

With a soft exhale, he patted her tenderly. He retrieved a recovery fruit, a treasure from the Umbra's legacy realm. Gently, he slid his arm under her back and propped her up slightly to cradle her head. The recovery fruit felt chilled against his skin, its exterior glowing softly, with subtle lines of life force throbbing under the peel. He squeezed it gradually in his grip, allowing the healing juices to emerge in a steady stream.

"Take it easy," Damon whispered, directing the fluid toward her mouth. "Sip it down."

Her reflexes kicked in. Alzara gulped faintly, her forehead creasing briefly before her form eased. A flush crept back into her face in gentle surges, the burning fever fading as the fruit's power coursed through her veins. Her breaths steadied, no more ragged or labored.

Allowing her to recuperate, Damon sprawled beside her casually. "I regret it. I ought to have arrived earlier."

Alzara let out a moan. "I don't mind. You've arrived at last." She faced Damon and placed her palms on him, embracing him firmly. "I feared you might abandon me forever. I thought you held no regard for me."

Damon breathed out steadily and refrained from shoving her off. "…You're still feverish," he stated softly. "You nearly perished. Your thoughts are still adjusting."

Alzara gave a faint snort against his torso. "Then keep quiet," she grumbled. "If this feels like a dream, allow me to savor it."

Her hold firmed a bit, digits clutching his attire as though he could evaporate if she relaxed. The heat from her frame had turned genuine at last.

Damon gazed at the see-through canopy of the pavilion, observing how the sun's rays danced idly over it. "You truly prove difficult," he whispered. She inched nearer, her brow pressing into his neckline. "I don't mind."

Damon let out a light laugh. "For your information, it's not that I disregard you. I actually do care. I was merely hesitating like a fool over it."

"Why? It's not so intricate. I realize your spouses are all exceptional, and I fall short compared to them, but I -"

Damon interrupted her. "That's not the issue. You're free to be whoever you desire. Your strength or cultivation level means nothing to me. It's unrelated. It's another matter…" He halted briefly before resuming. "We hail from entirely separate realms."

Alzara remained quiet and attentively heard him out.

"Eventually, there'll be a time when this realm rejects me, so what then? What governs the laws? If I'm compelled to depart this place, could I carry you with me? What fate awaits Lirae? And Erin along with the rest, my devotees?"

"I simply avoided drawing more souls into this chaos. I'm uncertain if I'll possess the strength later to escort even a few of you, much less everyone. Hell, I can't even guarantee I'll have enough might ahead to safeguard myself."

"I merely didn't wish to pull another lady into my chaotic existence."

Alzara stayed mute. After a prolonged silence, she chuckled softly. "You're truly a fool," she remarked.

Damon blinked. "…Pardon?"

She moved, grimacing a touch, yet lifted herself sufficiently to meet his eyes directly. "You discuss regulations and realms as if they're barriers you can't breach. Yet you never inquired about my desires."

"Because-"

She extended her hand and prodded his torso feebly. "Pay close attention, Blood God. Umbra's forces targeted me. Then poison struck. I nearly met my end. Attempts were made to wipe me out twice from being. Whether you're involved or not, tranquility was never in my destiny."

Her palm paused there, fingertips lying atop his heartbeat. "Should I perish tomorrow, does our differing origins matter? If you vanish someday, does that render today void?"

Damon exhaled gradually and reclined against the cushions, one limb rising to pillow behind his skull. "You're in the midst of healing," he grumbled. "You shouldn't be offering lessons to anyone."

Alzara beamed, content. "Just be silent and kiss me now. If you fade away one day," she whispered, "I'll resent you later. Not at this moment."

Damon grinned. He pressed a soft, cautious kiss to her lips and withdrew. "Rest assured. I won't vanish to anywhere."

Mmm. Alzara snuggled nearer.

"I'm not sure if a person like you can grasp it, but I've been fleeing for quite some time. Initially from turning into a disappointment, then chasing strength, and now for mere existence while evading ancient terrors with immense might that I can't oppose."

Alzara heard him without interjecting, her face nestled on his torso, her digits drawing lazy, distracted loops.

"I constantly assure myself that upon reaching sufficient power, I'll cease the flight," Damon uttered softly. "After securing my bloodline. After comprehending the system. After confronting those ancient horrors without my senses urging escape." He released a brief puff. "Yet the goalpost shifts continually."

"I've lost sight of what 'secure' even means now. Whenever I pause, a greater entity spots me. An elder one." His mouth twisted into a subtle, mocking smirk. "And off I go once more. Wiser now. Quicker. With additional stains on my conscience."

Alzara adjusted, flinching mildly but compelling herself up enough to regard him. Her expression brimmed with concern.

Damon smiled, planting yet another tender kiss on her mouth. "Don't stare at me that way. I haven't surrendered. I'm weary of the chase. I refuse to flee further. I reject making concessions. I refuse to yield. I aim to grow mighty enough for the world to yield to me."

"So yeah… I returned here to claim you. I should've acted earlier, but I'm present now. I desire you, so I'll have you. Our separate origins don't signify. Somehow, I'll ensure you accompany me regardless. You belong to me and solely to me."

Alzara's pulse thundered, echoing fiercely in her ears. Her eyes shimmered with moisture and her face reddened. These precise phrases were what she'd longed to hear for ages, and now that he voiced them, disbelief washed over her. Was this a vision? Was any of it authentic?

"…Repeat that," she breathed. "Deliberately."

Damon laughed lightly. "Would you care to wed me, princess of the sands?"

Tears flowed down the woman's cheeks as she grinned and wept simultaneously. "Yes… Yes… " She giggled and sobbed together, leaning her brow on his torso.

Damon encircled her with an arm, drawing her near. Alzara sniffled, dabbing her eyes with her hand's reverse before glancing upward. Her stare remained damp as she chirped once more. "You can't revoke it. You won't, right?"

Damon could merely chuckle. "I'll never reconsider. Ever. You're bound to me eternally."

Alzara beamed, swiftly brushing the moisture from her eyes. She then surged with vigor, twisting her form to perch atop Damon, legs spanning him. He automatically extended to brace her sides, palms settling on her midsection.

"Watch yourself," Damon grinned. "You were on the verge of the afterlife just moments back. That fruit performs wonders, yet your physique requires more repose."

"Hmph! I'm completely revitalized and mended. I hold a C rank as well, Blood God. No need to handle me like a delicate royal. I'm a formidable sorceress and I intend to render you captive to my-"

She halted abruptly in her words, face heating as the phrase registered. Her abrupt shyness was nearly humorous. Damon lifted a brow, entertained. "To your…?"