"Shh." Danton’s pupils contracted as he pressed a fingertip to Evangeline’s lips.

Evangeline blinked, her tongue lightly flicking across his long fingertip. The sudden warmth startled Danton, and he snatched his hand back.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Be good," he said softly. "Don’t say things like that again. Someone might hear."

"Really?" Evangeline’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. ’Does the Beast God have a habit of eavesdropping?’

"The Beast God is the Lord of All Beasts. Wherever there is life, he is watching. He punishes anyone who does not believe in him. Eva, you... your situation is a little different. You must be even more careful, understand?" Danton’s expression grew serious.

Evangeline tilted her head and chuckled. "Then tell me, do you think the Beast God is watching us right now?"

Danton’s breath hitched. He leaned in and pulled her into his arms, stopping her from saying anything more.

Evangeline rested her head in the crook of his neck. "Alright, alright, I get it! I won’t say any more, okay?"

Danton hummed in agreement and patted her back gently, as if soothing a cub. "Go to sleep."

"I don’t want to." Evangeline shifted restlessly in his arms. Her fingertips traced the area over his tailbone, a hint of a tease in the gesture.

A muscle in Danton’s brow twitched. He caught her mischievous hand, his voice growing husky. "Aren’t you tired?"

After leaving the Deep Sea Merfolk Tribe, they had rushed nonstop to the tribal gathering, and they still had to find Loras. She hadn’t rested for a moment, yet she was still this restless?

Evangeline looked at him, her eyes filled with a slyness that could make one’s face flush and heart race. "I am tired. But sleeping with you is much more interesting than just sleeping."

’The mission was over, and for once, she wanted to enjoy a little perk for herself.’

’Honestly, Danton was skilled and gentle in this department. She was very satisfied; it was pure pleasure.’

Seeing her earnest expression, Danton leaned down and kissed her red lips.

Evangeline’s fingertips dug into his shoulder blades. Danton’s breathing suddenly grew heavier as he deepened the kiss.

In the darkness, the bamboo bed began to CREAK. A flash of azure scales was faintly visible, but the fleeting glimpse of skin was quickly swallowed by deeper shadows.

*

「Two days later.」 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Caden Albright and the other two finally returned, weary from their journey.

"Eva!" Thorne’s voice was urgent and hoarse. Before the word was even out, he rushed over like a gale and swept Evangeline into a hug, his grip so tight it felt like he was trying to merge her into his own body, leaving her breathless.

His sharp jaw rested in the hollow of her shoulder, his dark green eyes bloodshot. "You’re okay. As long as you’re okay."

Evangeline didn’t push him away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his waist and said softly, "You’ve gotten thinner."

In just half a month, Thorne’s features had grown sharper, and he was shrouded in a lingering chill and gloom. His already deep-set eyes looked even darker, and his handsome brow held no trace of warmth, yet the arms wrapped around her were scorching hot.

Thorne didn’t speak, only held her tighter.

Evangeline said softly, "Hey, I’m fine, aren’t I?"

Hearing this, Thorne immediately pulled back and looked at her with a pained expression. "What do you mean, ’fine’?! A bone knife went right through you..."

As he spoke, Thorne’s whole body began to tremble. He reached out to pull at her collar. "Let me see."

Evangeline didn’t stop him. When he saw her fair skin, completely healed and unblemished, the tension in Thorne’s shoulders finally eased. Still, he gently stroked the spot where she had been injured, as if trying to smooth away the memory of the pain.

Evangeline looked up into those dark green eyes, which were usually filled with untamed arrogance. Now, they held only heartache.

"It’s fine. It really doesn’t hurt anymore," Evangeline said lightly.

After a moment, she heard no response from Thorne.

Puzzled, Evangeline looked up and met Thorne’s intense stare.

His gaze fell, undisguised, upon the opening of her collar, where the stunning curves of her pale cleavage rose and fell.

"..."

The air grew strangely quiet for a moment.

"I think they’ve gotten bigger," Thorne said suddenly, his tone serious.

The corner of Evangeline’s mouth twitched. She slapped his hand away and quickly pulled her collar closed.

’She wasn’t in the habit of doing such things in front of everyone.’

"Eva..." The low, husky, and lingering voice was enough to make one’s whole body flush with heat.

Caden Albright’s tall, slender figure stood not far away. His ethereally beautiful face was haggard, and his amber eyes were shot with blood.

Evangeline’s heart softened. "I’m okay," she said softly. "I’m back."

Caden Albright stared at her without blinking. After a long moment, he raised a hand to gently caress her cheek.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. "...As long as you’re okay," he said, his voice raspy.

The lingering fear of having nearly lost her, hidden in Caden Albright’s voice, made Evangeline’s heart tremble.

Evangeline’s gaze traced the exquisite lines of Caden Albright’s features before finally settling on the crook of his arm.

Bunny was fast asleep. Compared to the males, the little one had even gotten chubbier. Her little face was round and plump, with a healthy pink glow. Her beautiful silver hair, however, was a complete mess, like a bird’s nest after a storm.

’Clearly, the men had no idea how to take care of a little maiden’s hair.’

Caden Albright followed her gaze down to Bunny, his eyes softening. "Bunny was so happy to know you were back. She was a handful the whole way here, but she tired herself out and fell asleep before we even arrived."

He chuckled softly and instinctively held the little one in his arms a bit more securely.

A faint smile touched Evangeline’s lips. She reached out, hugging Bunny and Caden Albright both, and nuzzled into the crook of his neck.

She whispered, "You’ve worked hard."

Caden Albright’s jaw tensed, and his lowered lashes cast shadows across his ethereally beautiful face.

His lips pressed into a thin line. "...Don’t scare me like that again," he said softly.

Evangeline blinked, twirling a lock of his silver hair around her finger. She cleared her throat. "You know, your female is no ordinary woman. Maybe there will be even more exciting things in the future? Of course, from now on, I’ll be sure to take you all with me, no matter what I’m doing."

Caden Albright frowned at her, his amber eyes churning with dark emotions, his expression one of clear disapproval.

But when he caught the sly glint in her eyes, his disapproval ultimately melted into a sigh.

Evangeline’s gaze passed over Caden Albright and fell on Lachlan, who was standing at the very back. He had been silent the whole time.

Of the three, Lachlan had clearly suffered the most.

He just stood there, watching her quietly. His lips were pressed white, the skin around his eyes was red, and his thin jaw was clenched. His body trembled slightly, like a green bamboo stalk battered by a blizzard.

Evangeline’s heart suddenly softened, and the smile in her eyes grew even gentler.

She walked slowly over to Lachlan and tilted her head to look at him. "Did I scare you?"

Those gentle words made Lachlan’s eyelashes tremble violently, as if they were the final blow that shattered his last line of defense.

He suddenly reached out, pulling her into a trembling embrace. His breath, hot and ragged against her neck, was like that of a drowning man clinging to driftwood. His ethereal voice was fragile and pitiful, tinged with desperation. "I was so scared."

"Don’t ever let it happen again."

"I’m begging you."