A Hunter's Curse (Closed o/o with Nyx)

“Well, I won’t do it anymore since it makes you uncomfortable.” Nathaniel blushed at her kiss. “Now dear, I need to brush it, at least clean it up. It’s bad for a king to have tangled hair. It barley looks good.” He held her face in his hands. “You’re smiley today, aren’t you? I promise, I won’t leave. I would never.” Nathaniel gently moves her off of him, and he puts his hands on her shoulders, looking down at her. He made sure not to hurt Ember or put pressure on her stomach. “Then get the energy out.”

Nathaniel kissed Ember on the head, moving from on top of her to his side of the bed. “I love seeing you blush. It is the cutest thing in the world. Cuter than me.” He giggled, kissing her passionately. “My hair is a tousled nightmare. It is not that pretty, but hey, you’re pretty.” Kissing her deeply again, he placed his hand on her cheek and on her belly. Nathaniel felt the baby moved and grinned wildly. Looking down at Ember’s belly, he whispered. “I can’t wait to see you.” Turning his attention back to his wife, he held her closer. “I might know a way.” He pulled the sheets over them, huddling close to Ember. He placed his hand on her forehead, taking some of her excess energy. “Now, go to sleep, love. You’ll need it.” Nathaniel closed his eyes.

Nathaniel removed his hand from her forehead, smiling. He didn't think it was that dashing. His looks were a mess, and the scar made him uglier. He kissed her forehead, letting her sleep under the dark red haze that indicated another cycle was ending. "You are so adorable, my dear. Even when you're sleep." He laid next to her for a little before sitting up. Nathaniel carefully unwrapped her arms from around him. "I'll be back in a little." He got out of bed and wondered out of their room. He quietly walked down the hall, shoving his hands in his pockets. Nathaniel passed the staircase and went into the other hall, the hall with the throne room. Standing inside the door frame, Nathaniel started at the figure. "What do you want of me? I have a wife to cuddle."

The figure turned to Nathaniel, his wispy hair a messy. "Please forgive me, sire. I'm sure you know it's important, right?" Nathaniel sighed and stepped into the room. The figure gave him a glass of wine. "You better not be poisoning me, Salem. I already have a record on you." Salem rolled his eyes, looking up at his king. "You better prepare, sire. You, your wife, and that baby will not be safe. You know that."

Nathaniel hissed at him. "You are in an audience with a criminal. How am I to believe you?" Salem chuckled, grabbing hold of Nathaniel's jaw. "Because I see that criminal many times per day. I know that he'll escape soon. I know he'll eliminate your bloodline. It all starts with a knife to your dear wife's belly." Nathaniel threw Salem off of him, the demon hitting the wall. He gently placed the glass down, glaring at Salem. "Never say those words to me again." He left the room, making his way back to the bedroom.

Nathaniel came back into the room. He could feel that his wife was tense. Shaking his head, he looked up. A creature with a knife stood over the bed. Nathaniel whistle a sigh and growled. How did this bitch keep getting loose? He grabbed the figure by the throat and slammed him into the wall by the head. The face was revealed and it was instantly revealed who it was. Azazel tried to slash at Nathaniel, but he was kicked in the stomach instead. Growling, Azazel brought the knife down and it punctured through Nathaniel's thigh. "Damn you.." He hissed through his cries. One panicked Azazel looked around and disappeared, hoping to make his kill another day. Nathaniel sat on the floor, the knife still in his thigh. His nose scrunched up from the pain.

Tears pricked at corners of Nathaniel’s eyes. He held onto the hilt of the knife, taking a deep breath. He looked over to Ember. “I am not okay…help me.” He grabbed her hands and put them on the hilt. “Pull it out.” He prepared himself closing his eyes. “It’s not you fault, Ember.” He whispered. He held her hands, pulling up on the hilt of the knife. The blade slowly came up and he groaned in pain. Some of his flesh was being pulled out as well. Another serrated knife.

Nathaniel pulled the knife out, dropping it on the floor. His breathing was harsh, but he cupped Ember’s cheek. “Shhh, it’s alright dear. It’s not your fault.” Blood gushed out of the wound. It healed slowly, fixing the mutilated flesh. He kissed her, being careful not to get her bloody. “I’ll live. I swear. It’s time to add more security.” He placed his hands on her belly, looking up at her sadly. How safe would it actually be for their child? But he had no where else to go. “I’ll make it safe for us. I swear.” Nathaniel wrapped his arms around her neck, kissing her softly.

Nathaniel ran his fingers through her hair, consulting her in a hushed whisper. "Please don't apologize, Ember. It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself." His voice sounded strained, as if he was holding back his own tears. "Love, it's okay, I promise you." He stroked her back gently, holding her close to him. He kissed her cheek, one hand wrapped around her waist and the other wiping her tears. "The important thing is that you're unharmed." Nathaniel frowned. "He wanted to— to harm our child." He started to whimper. Lifting himself up, he held Ember in his arms. Putting her down on the bed, he changed out of his ruined dress pants into something comfortable. "I won't be leaving your side for a while."

Nathaniel laid in bed next to her, stroking her hair gently. "I don't know, sweetheart. He's a complicated demon. The best I can do is protect you with my life. That's more important to me than anything." He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "But now, I will not leave your side. I promise." He laid his head on her neck, closing his eyes.

Nathaniel held her close, trying to soothe her. Console her. "Everything will be okay, Ember. I promise." He kissed her gently. "I'll put my lieutenant on the case. He'll catch the traitor and chain him for good— like Typhon." He wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "Now, please dear. Relax. I know it's hard, but I don't want you stressed."

Nathaniel shushed her quietly, trying to melt away her qualms. “Yes, my dear. I am sure. He is the best demon for the job after all. Azazel is sly, but if there’s a hunt, he’ll stay away.” He kissed her cheek, pressing his palm on the spot he kissed. Noticing her dropping eyes, he pulled her closer. Warmth always made a person sleepy. “Just relax. Take a few deep breaths and close you eyes. You’re tired, Ember. I can see it in your eyes.” Nathaniel wrapped his arms around her. “I will watch out for him while you sleep.”

Nathaniel nuzzled her cheek. “We’ll be able to stop him. Don’t worry sweetheart. I’m stronger than him..” He paused remembering the knife that got stabbed in his leg. “There will be no issue, I promise.” His hot breath ran down her neck, and he gave her a little kiss on the neck. “You will be able to. The baby makes you tired. You’ll close your eyes, realized how tired you were, and fall asleep. I’ll be your little guardian.”

Nathaniel nuzzled into Ember, intent on keeping her warm. She was slightly cold to the touch. He didn’t like her stress levels either. It could bring a whole bout of difficulties. Instead, he gently stroked her hair, playing with it gently. His other hand was wrapped around her waist, once again laying on her belly. He couldn’t help but lay his hand there. He naturally felt protective and part of him couldn’t believe they were going to have a child. “Now dear, you and I both know a child that is more than half demon will suck the energy out of you. It’s common knowledge.” Nathaniel smiled as she fell asleep, watching the door and making sure the guard was on duty. The door would remain ajar at all times. There we only a few exceptions.

Nathaniel nuzzled into her, passed out by the time the next cycle arrived. He was exhausted. He let his worries melt away as her hugged her. There was not much anyone could do. Only he could instruct his best guards to catch the beast. Nathaniel lay his head next to Ember’s.

Nathaniel stirred, looking at Ember quietly. He gave her good morning kiss, clinging onto her. “You still look tired. Why don’t you lay with me for a little longer.” He said half-asleep. Nathaniel felt spent. His energy was all used up on healing his leg. “I want to cuddle. All three of us.” He murmured, falling back asleep. His blonde hair flopped into his face. It needed to be brushed. Badly.

Nathaniel tangled his legs around hers, the blankets getting caught up in their little knot. He mumbled something about 'exhaustion' and 'baby', but he stayed asleep. One could say he was a little too excited to have a kiddo. He nuzzled into her neck, his body as warm as a furnace.