After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back-Chapter 90: A female worth risking your life for

Nina looked at Kith, her emotions tangled and restless.

"You don’t need to follow us, and there’s nothing you need to make up for," she said quietly. Let’s pretend that night never happened. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Kith fell silent, offering no reply.

Nina settled the cubs in her arms, then turned to Odian. "Let’s go."

She didn’t want to remain here a second longer. She didn’t want to see Kith and Finch again.

Hidden nearby, several dragon warriors watched anxiously.

"Your Majesty, they’re about to leave. Should we rush out and take the young prince?" Viann whispered.

"Wait a little longer," Aviel said.

His gaze lingered on Nina, complicated emotions flickering in his eyes.

So... he had misunderstood her? She hadn’t used some despicable method—she had been drugged, too?

But could he trust her words? Some females were very skilled at deception.

If what she said was true... should he still take the child?

Dragon cubs were extraordinarily precious. How could one be allowed to drift outside the clan?

Aviel felt deeply conflicted.

"Your Majesty," Pado asked, "she has so many unhatched eggs. Which one is our young prince?"

"How should I know?" Aviel snapped irritably.

He hadn’t expected this female to have so many offspring—of different ancient bloodlines, no less.

If he hadn’t sensed a nearby bloodline resonance through secret arts earlier, he would have thought he’d made a mistake.

But they had mentioned the Bewitching Stone. That confirmed it was her.

Those two males must have been lured the same way he had—overwhelmed by that powerful mating scent...

Aviel glanced at Nina again, unable to suppress a complicated sigh. Her pheromones had been frighteningly potent.

He had guarded his virginity for so many years—only to lose it like that...

The dragon warriors all stared at him silently.

Wasn’t that your cub?

Aviel shot them a glare. "Don’t you know that during the hard-shell stage, bloodline resonance is at its weakest? I had to perform the secret art multiple times just to track it here."

"That’s true," Pado muttered. "Resonance is strongest at formation and birth. Once the shell hardens, it blocks most perception."

"So what do we do?" Viann suggested helpfully. "Why not take all the unhatched eggs?"

Aviel smacked him across the head. "Why would I steal other males’ cubs?"

"But what if all the remaining eggs are dragon blood?" Viann protested.

Aviel stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That’s... not impossible."

In fact, highly possible. Surely he was stronger than that damn tiger and fox.

"Yes, the rest must all be dragon cubs," Viann agreed confidently.

Taor raised a doubt. "Are we even sure all those eggs were laid by that female?"

"They should be," Pado said uncertainly.

"I think so," Viann insisted. "She already has three cubs. What’s strange about having more?"

"Good point. She’s incredible, actually. Giving birth to so many ancient bloodlines..."

"Unbelievable," the dragon warriors murmured in awe.

By the time they finished debating, Nina and the others had already departed.

Kith lifted his gaze to Nina’s retreating figure. Determination hardened in his eyes.

Without hesitation, he shifted into his beast form and gave chase.

Finch sighed, then followed.

"Your Majesty, they’re leaving!" Viann urged.

Aviel narrowed his eyes. "After them."

The dragon warriors leapt into pursuit.

***

Meanwhile, in a distant valley of the wastelands...

After failing to escape countless times, Mino was once again tied up tightly.

"Silinx, untie me. I need to relieve myself," Mino complained.

"Young Master, stop trying to run," Silinx said helplessly. "How many times have you escaped already? You always get caught."

"I’m serious this time! Hurry, I can’t hold it!"

"Untying you isn’t a good idea. Should I help instead?" Silinx suspected another excuse.

Mino rolled his eyes. "Get lost. Who needs your help? Besides, with Father here, I couldn’t escape even if I wanted to."

"I’ll ask the City Lord."

Silinx approached Ming, who was resting beneath a tree with eyes closed.

"Let him go," Ming said calmly. "He can’t escape my grasp."

Silinx untied Mino.

The moment he was free, Mino walked a short distance in the opposite direction—then bolted.

"Young Master..." Silinx sighed. "He’s running again! After him!"

He dashed forward.

Ming opened his eyes, exhaled softly, and followed.

Mino’s powers were sealed. He was quickly caught. This time, however, he didn’t attempt to flee again.

Silinx and the others surrounded him.

Ming stepped forward. "Mino, stop running. It’s useless. You must go to Barbarian City and marry Princess Nina."

"Father, I won’t," Mino said, grief in his voice. "I already love someone else. I only want to marry her. Please stop forcing me."

"Others can break engagements. Why can’t we?"

"Mino... I’m sorry," Ming replied, firm despite the sorrow in his tone.

Resolve flashed in Mino’s eyes. He pulled a sharp blade from his storage and pressed it to his own throat.

"Father, if you keep forcing me, I’ll die right here."

If he couldn’t be with Nina, he would rather die. Though that meant he would never see her again...

The thought filled him with longing and pain.

Ming’s composure shattered. "Mino! Don’t be reckless!"

He saw the determination in his son’s eyes. This was no empty threat.

"I mean it," Mino whispered.

He pressed slightly harder. A thin line of blood appeared.

Ming’s heart twisted. Mino was his only child.

How could he watch him die? But the Spirit Cat clan could not break their promises lightly...

Seeing Ming hesitate, Mino tightened his grip. The blood flowed more freely.

At last, Ming gave in.

"Very well," he sighed. "If you insist on breaking the engagement, you may. But you must endure the punishment of three Spirit-Burning Arrays. It is clan law."

Mino’s eyes lit up. "Really? I accept."

Anything—so long as he could return to Nina.

"In the array, you cannot use your abilities. You must endure it with your body alone. Once activated, the flames will burn flesh and spirit alike. Each wave will be stronger than the last. If you cannot endure it, you may die."

Ming’s voice trembled faintly. "If it becomes unbearable, call out to stop."

"I won’t," Mino said steadily. "I’m not afraid."

Ming shook his head, praying his son would survive. He took out a strangely shaped stone, dripped blood onto it, and cast it to the ground.

A glowing formation flared to life.

Without hesitation, Mino stepped inside. Flames roared up instantly. They engulfed him whole.

Blazing agony tore through his body. Gradually, he could no longer stand. He sank to one knee, teeth clenched in stubborn endurance.

The second wave of fire surged.

The pain intensified beyond measure. Even kneeling became nearly impossible. Yet he refused to surrender.

Then came the third wave.

By now, his body felt numb. Only his soul seemed to burn.

The agony reached into the depths of his spirit.

Finally, he collapsed.

Time seemed to slow.

In his hand, he clutched tightly the Frost Soul Pearl Nina had once given him.

Only one thought filled his mind—hold on.

If I endure, I can see Nina again.

The Spirit Cat warriors watched, moved to silence.

Ming’s fists were clenched white, restraining himself from rushing forward.

At last, the flames faded. Mino’s breath was faint—barely there. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Ming exhaled shakily, relief flooding him.

"You win," he said hoarsely.

Thank heaven—he was alive.

Ming lifted Mino into his arms.

"Father, you..."

"I’ll come with you," Ming said quietly. "I want to see what kind of female is worth you risking your life for. As for the engagement—it’s canceled."

A faint smile curved Mino’s lips.

Nina... I’m coming back.

Wait for me.