Blood Awakening: The Strongest Hybrid and His Vampire Bride

Chapter 609: The Waning Power In a Storm of Turmoil

Meanwhile, in the magnificent palace of the Djinn Royal family.

Lord Vladik, who held most of the power in the city of Ashkar’Vel, was resting in the Cincer Court of Qazir, trying to recover from his current weakness. Beside him, his beautiful wife gently spooned a murky, grey fluid into his lips. "Please, take your medicine, my dear."

Vladik, Zara’s older brother, lacked physical strength and the ability to survive in this harsh world as a monarch. But, because of their relatives causing issues in the court, he could only take this place and await his sister’s return.

"Verna, must I drink this foul potion?"

’How many years have I tasted the same sour, bitter taste which brought no change?’

No matter how enthusiastic his wife tried to be, adding honey or fruits with the doctor’s permission, of course. The foul scent, worse than a latrine, and the side effects ranged from erectile dysfunction, physical weakness, sores and weakness.

Since his mother passed, the entire territory of Al’Qutar became fractured. Many clans that used to follow their Al’Qutar, dozens sprouted in the deserts trying to create new cities and territories.

’Alas, I have no strength to fight...’

Lord Vladik couldn’t trust the council, and although he knew his wife seemed doubtful, as a woman from the Balthazar clan who recently taken part in an uprising. He didn’t doubt Vern, who stayed beside him despite knowing the truth.

"Dear husband, if you don’t take this medicine, then what about your health?"

Lady Verna’s misty eyes filled with tears as she glanced down at her beloved husband, once strong and healthy.

Now, sickly and weak.

Without further issues, he sipped at the medicine, grumbling but watching his wife’s face, Vladik could only finish it begrudgingly.

After he finished, she took a cloth, wiping his lips with a faint smile.

To Verna, the throne didn’t matter; she just wanted to spend her life quietly with this kind and gentle Djinn.

"What would I do without you, Verna?"

"Hmph, now you know?"

He couldn’t help but coax her after she pouted.

"But, hey... Baby." Verna whispered as she fell into his arms, leaning against his chest with a smile as the tendrils growing from his back gently caressed her face. "I heard that your sister finally came home. Back from that damned place!"

To the Djinn, the human world wasn’t a positive place, since they denied those who looked different, and thus denied the Djinn’s existence as it was. So many of the older Djinn felt only shame or betrayal when the younger, more adventurous Djinn were willing to discard their heritage and true nature for the human world.

Of course, this belief wasn’t ironclad, and after decades, centuries of this happening, their ideals started to fade.

But the Balthazar clan was prestigious and proud of being Djinn.

To hide their nature was an insult.

"Oh? She came back, that cheeky little Zara?!"

The only reason Verna held back was for the family. She also knew the reason Zara left when their parents died. It was for her brother, if she remained to select an heir for the throne. A sick male Djinn lacked the power and authority a healthy female did.

It was only by luck that Zara gained only four tendrils at birth, while Vladik had six.

"Yes, yes, but do you know the message from our aunt carried something interesting!" The bright voice of his wife also restored energy for Vladik. News of his sister always made him want to try more, to become better.

’My little sister, you’re finally home!’

At first, Zara only hid in the city, running a market and pretending to be an elder. Vladik couldn’t help but chuckle to himself while stroking his wife’s cheek. To protect and keep her safe, he used most of his power as the new sultan.

"So, what news did she have?"

Verna’s eyes shone as she rolled against his chest, her gossipy little face bringing happiness to his heart. "She brought a man!"

’What?’

Vladik’s chest thumped. He’d never expected this when he thought of his little sister. She was the epitome of feminism. Zara hated it whenever their parents brought up marriage or family, so why now? He couldn’t help but become quiet, listening to his wife explain and describe the man.

"What kind of a man?"

"Well~ aunty said he was handsome, tall and very powerful."

He knew his wife loved this sort of gossip, despite her tough and fierce persona when greeting their people on the throne. The moment she came into their private quarters, she became the cute little bird in his arms.

"Hm, I see... does that mean she has made her choice?" Vladik paused, then he decided on asking more about the man, curious and worried that his baby sister might have brought a human or someone using her. "So, what did Aunty say about his character?"

"Oh? Are you jealous?"

His wife extended her tendrils, gently stroking his head.

"Who is jealous, wife... be serious."

Vladik couldn’t help but blush, turning away after she hit the bullseye.

However, she didn’t mock him for long and instead narrowed her eyes.

"Okay, then let me tell you about him, so he’s a werewolf and..."

.

.

.

Back at the inn.

The boiling curries and meats finally appeared in the dining room in large steel vats, some carried in clay pots, with the rice already mixed.

Nikolai’s tail swayed faster as the mixed scent filled the room. He didn’t notice the looks of Clara and Zara, both watching him with affectionate eyes.

"I can’t wait to eat." He mumbled while the side dishes, sundries and other things were placed around the large table.

It was nothing like eating at the mansion.

Nikolai sat with crossed legs, on a comfortable cushioned floor, and most of the food was supposed to be eaten by hand, or using the special flatbread they baked.

"Clara, what do you want to eat first?" He wondered what she might choose, only to see the little fair-skinned fairy picking the super-spicy pot bubbling on the mini grill.

The clay pot hissed softly as Clara lifted the lid, a burst of red steam rolling upward, thick with chili oil and unfamiliar spices.

"This one," she said decisively, eyes bright. "It smells dangerous."

Zara laughed, low and amused, settling beside Nikolai with practised ease. "That’s the fire-scorpion curry. Most first-timers cry before the third bite."

Nikolai glanced at Clara, then at the pot. His wolf’s ears twitched. But he could barely stand the sharp scent, clearly able to sense the heat from here.

"I’ll choose..."

Before he could choose, Zara aunt wrapped in a layered desert silk, her tendrils bound with gold rings set down the final platter of flatbread and snorted. "Don’t underestimate the heat of a Djinn dish, little wolf!" She giggled, then tore the bread cleanly and dipped it into a darker stew, one that smelled smoky and sharp. "Eat slowly, wolf. Al’Qutari don’t forgive empty greed."

Nikolai accepted the bread the aunt handed him, fingers brushing briefly. He tore off a piece, scooped a modest amount of curry, and tasted it for a moment.

For a moment he looked at Zara and her aunt, his shoulders puffed out... but then the heat suddenly hit. It wasn’t a sharp, extreme burn, but a rapidly spreading warmth that rolled through his chest and limbs, setting his blood humming.

His tail stiffened before slapping the ground.

"...Damn," he muttered. "That’s....."

Cough~

Zara easily finished half a flatbread dipped with the same sauce, her lips curled into a wide grin. She couldn’t help but watch him closely. "Wow, you react so much."

"S....shut it!"

"Hehe~ want some yoghurt, or milk?" She teased him.

Beside them, Clara continued to devour the spiciest curries and dishes, her little pale face now bright pink. Despite this, she didn’t complain or react. As if the heat just spread through her body, and that was how it was meant to be.

Finally, she giggled. "It’s spicy and really good. But the sweetness at the end is the best!"

Nikolai couldn’t help but watch Clara with an envious glare.

His hands shook visibly whenever he reached for the various pots, wondering if the next one would be super hot, or sharp... finally there was a delicious curry.

It tasted of almonds and coconut, and there wasn’t much heat.

"Wow!" The moment he ate a mouthful, the sweetness and faint heat spread through his burning mouth, and suddenly he felt a sense of euphoria. "This is so good!"

Princess Zara noticed the light golden curry and shook her head before nudging another of the light curries towards Nikolai with her tail. "Well, this one should suit your taste too."

He glanced at the slightly darker, orange colour and raised his brows. "What’s this?"

"Mm~ we call it butter curry, it’s something simple and barely considered a true curry, but I think your baby tongue will love it. Fufu."

"You..."

Nikolai wanted to complain, but it was a fact; he couldn’t help but shake his head and surrender.

On this table, he was the weakest.

Even Clara easily devoured the bubbling, bright red curry.

But this was the moment the dinner reached its peak, Nikolai relaxed, Zara also seemed more at ease, and finally, everyone just enjoyed the meal.

The table filled quickly with sounds.

Bread tearing, clay spoons clinking, soft laughter.

The aunt told stories between bites: of desert caravans swallowed by sandstorms that moved against the wind, of Djinn children learning control by balancing flame between their palms.

Nikolai listened more than he spoke, eating steadily.

Although he couldn’t manage each dish well, he tried them all. He tried his best, and though the heat affected him more than he’d like. By the end of the meal, he found he could endure and eat even the hotter and more explosive curries a little better.

As the meal ended, so did the peace which came with it.

At one point, as Nikolai wiped his lips, he noticed two armed people coming inside and whispered to Zara’s aunt. Then her expression suddenly changed, and she looked at Zara and him with a pale face.

She opened her mouth.

BANG!

But before she could speak, a loud bang sounded from outside.