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

Damon arched an eyebrow. "How did you recognize it's me?"

While the emperor discovering his true self was anticipated, the princess astonishingly detected him instantly. "My aura has vanished, my features have altered, yet you utter my name so offhandedly. Why bother with a supreme artifact to conceal who I am?" Damon grinned wryly.

Alzara exhaled gently, her mouth curving upward even though her complexion remained ashen. "Do you believe I couldn't identify you merely by masking your appearance? Regardless of how thoroughly you conceal your essence, regardless of the facade you adopt… Your essence remains familiar. I was certain you'd arrive to rescue me…"

Damon nearly responded when it dawned on him that the lady was merely rambling deliriously in her fevered haze. Likely, she yearned for her savior to be him and guessed correctly by chance.

With a soft sigh, he patted her tenderly. He retrieved a recovery fruit, acquired from the Umbra's legacy realm. Gently, he slid his arm under her back and raised her slightly to cradle her head. The Recovery Fruit felt chilled against his skin, its exterior softly glowing, with subtle lifeforce threads throbbing under its peel. He squeezed it deliberately in his grasp, allowing the healing juices to emerge steadily.

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

Her reflexes kicked in. Alzara gulped feebly, her forehead creasing briefly before her form eased. A faint flush crept back into her face in gentle surges, the scorching fever dissipating as the fruit's potency coursed within her. Her breaths steadied, deeper now, free from raggedness.

As she settled, Damon stretched out beside her casually. "I apologize. I ought to have arrived earlier."

Alzara moaned softly. "It doesn't matter. You've arrived." She pivoted toward Damon, placed her palms on him, and embraced him firmly. "I feared you might abandon me forever. I thought you felt nothing for me."

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

Alzara emitted a faint snort against his torso. "Then stay silent," she grumbled. "If this feels like a dream, allow me to savor it."

Her hold firmed a bit, digits clenching his attire as though dreading his disappearance if she relaxed. Her body's heat had become genuinely tangible at last.

Damon gazed at the see-through canopy of the pavilion, observing the sun's rays bending sluggishly over it. "You're truly a handful," he whispered. She inched nearer, her brow pressing into his shoulder. "I don't mind."

Damon let out a light laugh. "For your information, it's not indifference on my part. I care. I was simply waffling foolishly about it."

"Why? It's straightforward. I realize your spouses are exceptional, and I fall short compared to them, but I -"

Damon interrupted her. "That's not the issue. Be whoever you wish. Strength or cultivation level means nothing to me. It's unrelated. Something different entirely…" He hesitated briefly before proceeding. "We hail from entirely separate realms."

Alzara remained quiet and absorbed his words in silence.

"A time will arrive when this realm rejects me, so what then? What governs the outcomes? If I'm expelled against my will from here, could I carry you with me? What fate awaits Lirae? And Erin, along with my other devotees?"

"I merely wished to avoid drawing additional souls into this chaos. I'm uncertain if future strength will let me escort even a few of you, much less everyone. Truth be told, I'm not sure if I'll possess the might to safeguard even myself down the line."

"I simply avoided pulling another woman into my chaotic existence."

Alzara stayed mute. After an extended pause, she chuckled softly. "You're such a fool," she remarked.

Damon's eyes widened momentarily. "…Pardon?"

She adjusted position, flinching a touch, yet elevated herself sufficiently to meet his eyes directly. "You discuss regulations and realms as barriers you can't breach. Yet you never inquired about my desires."

"Because-"

She extended her hand and nudged his chest feebly. "Pay close attention, Blood God. Umbra's forces targeted me. Then poison struck. I nearly met my end. Attempts were made twice to wipe me from being. Peace was never in my cards, with or without you."

Her palm halted, fingertips poised above his heartbeat. "Should I perish tomorrow, does our differing origins alter anything? If you depart someday, does that render the present void?"

Damon released a measured exhale and reclined into the cushions, raising one limb to pillow behind his neck. "Recovery isn't complete yet," he grumbled. "You ought not to be advising others."

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

Damon grinned. He pressed a soft, cautious kiss to her and withdrew. "No need to fret. I won't vanish."

Mmm. Alzara snuggled nearer.

"I'm unsure if you can grasp it, but I've been fleeing for ages. Initially, from failure's shadow, then chasing strength, and now for mere endurance against ancient terrors of immense might that I can't possibly challenge."

Alzara heard him out undisturbed, her face against his torso, digits drawing lazy, distracted loops.

"I reassure myself that sufficient power will end the flight," Damon voiced softly. "After securing my lineage. After comprehending the framework. After facing those ancient horrors without survival urges demanding escape." He expelled a quick puff. "Yet the goalpost shifts endlessly."

"Safety's meaning evades me now. Whenever I pause, a greater entity spots me. An elder one." His mouth twisted into a subtle, ironic smirk. "So I bolt once more. Wiser. Quicker. Bearing heavier stains of blood."

Alzara moved, grimacing softly yet propelling herself up enough to regard him. Concern filled her expression entirely.

Damon grinned, bestowing another tender peck on her mouth. "Don't regard me that way. Surrender isn't on my mind. Exhaustion from endless pursuit weighs on me. No more fleeing. No more yielding ground. No more concessions. I aim to grow mighty enough for the realm to yield to me."

"So yeah… I've come to claim you. Sooner would've been better, but here I am. Desire draws me to you, so I'll have you. Differing realms are irrelevant. Somehow, I'll ensure you accompany me always. You belong to me solely."

Alzara's pulse thundered, vibrating through her eardrums. Moisture gathered in her eyes, and her face warmed with color. These precise declarations she'd longed for ages echoed now, yet belief eluded her. Was this a vision? Or true reality?

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

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

Tears flowed down her cheeks while she beamed and wept simultaneously. "Yes… Yes… " Laughter mingled with sobs as she leaned her brow onto his chest.

Damon encircled her with an arm, drawing her tight. Alzara sniffled, brushing tears with her hand's reverse before lifting her eyes to his. Her stare remained dewy as she piped up once more. "No backing out permitted. You won't, right?"

Damon merely chuckled. "My resolve is firm eternally. No alterations. You're bound to me indefinitely."

Alzara flashed a wide smile, hastily clearing the moisture from her gaze. Energy surged as she twisted atop Damon, positioning herself astride him. Reflexively, he grasped her sides, palms settling on her midsection.

"Easy now," Damon grinned. "Merely moments ago, death loomed near for you. That fruit performs wonders, yet repose is still required for your form."

"Hmph! Recovery is total, and I'm rested. I hold C rank status too, Blood God. No need to handle me as a delicate royal. I'm a formidable sorceress intent on binding you to my-"

Midway through her words, she halted, face reddening as realization hit. Her abrupt shyness proved nearly humorous. Damon lifted a brow, entertained. "To your…?"