LOGINThe door finally swung open.Riven stood casually in the doorway, one hand still tucked into his pocket, his bright blue gaze locking straight onto Darius—who looked ready to charge through at any moment."Is something the matter?" Riven asked, light and easy, as if nothing at all had happened.Jaw set hard, Darius took a sharp step forward."Stay away from Fiora," he said, his tone carrying far more than a warning—it was a threat.Riven chuckled low in his throat. "Easy now. I haven’t done a single thing you’re imagining." He tilted his head slightly, a glint in his eyes. "Or perhaps… you’re simply too late?"The air around Darius shifted instantly. His hands clenched into fists, veins bulging faintly at his neck."Don’t play games, Riven."Riven didn’t back down. If anything, he stepped fully out into the hall, then pulled the door shut behind him—leaving only the two of them in the corridor."If I truly wanted it," he murmured, soft but cutting, "no one could stop me. Not even you.
"I want to do it tonight too."Those plain, unvarnished words left the men in the room stunned—all but Riven.The blond-haired man stood motionless for several seconds, before that familiar, lopsided smile slowly spread across his face.He had just read Fiora’s thoughts."Wow." Riven’s gaze drifted boldly over her, then he suddenly reached out and draped an arm around her shoulders from the side."It’s awfully flattering to know I’m wanted that badly. But isn’t this a little sudden? Didn’t you just accept Zephyr’s seed this morning?"Riven laughed to himself as he watched Fiora stare up at him, her beautiful brown eyes wide and trembling with silent pleading.Just as he’d suspected—she was asking for his help.Fiora sent her request straight through their bond, intentionally, so he would be sure to catch it.((Say yes, Riven. Don’t make me look foolish in front of Vael!))One blond eyebrow lifted sharply at the name. Riven glanced briefly toward Vael. The man had not taken his eyes of
"You're incredibly easy to read, Fiora. You're curious about Vael, aren't you?"Before Fiora could answer Riven's remark, Darius cut in."Don't act like you know everything, Riven! Your mind-reading isn't always accurate!" he snapped irritably.Without another word, Darius took the plate from Fiora's hands. He speared a bite-sized piece of grilled meat with his fork and held it up to her lips.Vael had already cut the meat into small pieces beforehand.Fiora hesitated for a moment...Then, feeling slightly self-conscious, she finally opened her mouth and accepted the bite.Riven leaned closer, lowering his voice near her ear."He's feeling guilty about how rough he was with you in bed," he whispered, referring to Darius. "That's why he's being so tame now."Fiora glanced at Riven but chose not to respond."And besides..." Riven continued casually, "Darius likes you. A lot.""That's exactly why he's become even more annoying."Fiora nearly laughed, but managed to hold it back and focus
Inside her room, Fiora lay on the bed and staring quietly at her hands.Earlier in the library, Elyon had insisted on examining and treating her.She hadn't felt injured or unwell, but he had done it anyway—simply as a precaution to make sure she was truly healthy.A faint smile curved her lips.She hadn't expected that opening up to Elyon about everything weighing on her heart would actually make her feel a little lighter.In his own quiet way, Elyon had made her feel safe enough to talk.Truthfully... it wasn't just Elyon.Vael and Zephyr weren't so bad either.Fiora could sense that the three men genuinely treated her with care and were fiercely protective of her......unlike Riven and Darius.Riven was simply impossible to understand. Sometimes he seemed kind and attentive.Other times... he was frightening.She still remembered the day the venomous snake had bitten her, and how calmly he had reacted... even though she had been standing at death's door.As for Darius...Even now,
The corridor leading to the library was quieter than Fiora had imagined.Her steps slowed as she pushed open the wooden door at the end of the hallway.The hinges didn't creak. The room felt far too well maintained for a place that was rarely used.The moment she stepped inside, the scent of aged paper and polished wood filled the air.Towering bookshelves stretched toward the ceiling, lined neatly with thick volumes.Soft, dim light filtered between the shelves, casting long shadows that felt... almost comforting.Fiora let out a quiet breath. Truthfully, she didn't know why her feet had brought her here.Or perhaps she did... she simply wasn't ready to admit it."Can't sleep?" The voice came without warning.Fiora turned quickly and found Elyon seated in a chair beside the tall window.An open book rested in his hands, as though he had been there for quite some time."Or," he continued calmly without looking up, "...you never intended to sleep in the first place."Fiora fell silent
At last, the seed transfer was over, though neither Fiora's nor Zephyr's breathing had fully steadied.The lingering warmth between them remained.No longer in the form of movement, but in the slow rhythm of two hearts gradually returning to calm.Zephyr stayed close... as if he had no desire to let her go just yet.He still held Fiora on the bed, his lips lingering softly against hers.The kiss did not end immediately.Fiora slowly opened her eyes, looking at the man before her with quiet confusion.It should have been over already... so why wasn't Zephyr pulling away?His hand still rested around her waist, almost unconsciously keeping her where she was."Zephyr..." Fiora called softly, her voice still slightly hoarse.He didn't answer right away.His green eyes drifted down to her face before lifting again, as though confirming something only he could see.Fiora tried to climb down from his lap."I... should go clean myself—"Before she could finish, Zephyr gently pulled her back.







