Evangeline snapped again, "Drake! Don’t lose focus!"

Drake’s consciousness snapped back to his body. The cataclysmic pain returned, crashing over him in waves. He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw, using the warmth flowing from her to break free of his shackles, inch by inch, like a chick hatching from its shell.

Evangeline held Drake tightly, recklessly pouring her Spiritual Energy into him.

After what felt like an eternity, a brilliant, golden-red light erupted from the depths of the cave.

A DEAFENING CRACK—

Drake let out a heart-rending scream as golden feathers exploded from his shoulder blades.

His golden-red Feather Wings filled nearly half the cave. Each golden feather was tipped with blood, shimmering with an iridescent light. Amidst the glow, Drake threw his head back, veins bulging on his neck. The markings on his forehead intertwined, gradually coalescing into a Nine-star pattern.

Gazing at the reborn Drake before her, Evangeline finally allowed her tense nerves to relax.

Bathed in the golden-red light, the young man’s exceptional bone structure was on full display—a perfect image of handsome heroism.

She slowly released her arms from around Drake and slumped against the side of the tub, completely drained. Her eyes were half-closed, her lashes lowered. Her dark hair, damp with steam and sweat, lay loosely scattered. A tidal wave of exhaustion swept over her, threatening to pull her under.

Drake retracted his Feather Wings and looked down at Evangeline sitting in the water.

Through the swirling steam, she sat with her eyes peacefully closed, her breathing faint and slow. She seemed utterly exhausted.

The water lapped at the wound on her neck, washing away faint trails of blood to reveal the clear, vicious bite marks on her skin.

The marks were branded onto her porcelain-white neck, a glaring sight.

Drake knelt on one knee at the bottom of the tub. With a sweep of his arm, he pulled Evangeline into his embrace. A droplet of water fell from his chin, splashing onto her face. His body trembled as he tensed, and in the next moment, he scooped her up by the waist, strode over the side, and stepped out of the tub.

The Snow Ferret, perched on a pile of clean straw, glanced at Evangeline, who had exhausted herself into a deep slumber. Its dark little eyes shifted to Drake, this time with a more appraising look.

"Who’s there?!" Drake’s golden-red eyes shot toward it like daggers.

The Snow Ferret met Drake’s gaze without a shred of fear and scurried onto Evangeline’s shoulder.

Drake’s brow furrowed. Before he could speak, the person who had been standing guard outside the cave rushed in.

"Drake! You’re really healed!" Loras sounded incredulous, but also relieved.

Drake turned to Loras and grunted in acknowledgment.

Loras then noticed Evangeline in Drake’s arms. Her face was pale, almost lifeless. His expression changed abruptly. "What happened? She..." he asked, alarmed.

Drake held her tighter, resting his chin in the crook of her neck. A flicker of pain crossed his deep eyes.

"She did this to save me."

Loras paused, his gaze falling on the Nine-star pattern on Drake’s forehead. He pressed his lips together, his voice hoarse. "She cares about you a lot."

Drake remained silent, but his gaze swept coldly over the Snow Ferret on Evangeline’s shoulder. "This thing..." he said in a low voice.

Loras stepped forward and looked at the small, furry creature. His expression was serious, but he didn’t say much. It was clear the Snow Ferret had a mind of its own. It was following Evangeline for its own reasons, but after so many days, it was unlikely to be a threat.

He said, "Let’s wait for Caden Albright to get back before we decide anything."

At this, Drake’s eyes darkened. "Where is Caden Albright?"

Loras pursed his lips and lowered his voice. "Julian has launched a counterattack against the Vulture Clan. Caden Albright has been standing guard outside, worried the Vultures would sneak up on us like last time and interrupt Evangeline while she was reforging your Star Pattern."

Drake looked down at Evangeline. The thought of the Vulture Clan brought a savage, murderous glint to his golden-red eyes.

Seeing his tensed body, Loras sighed in understanding. "I’ll watch over her. You should go."

Now that Drake had reforged his Star Pattern and entered the Nine-star Extreme Realm, the Vulture Clan was no longer a threat to him.

Hearing this, Drake slowly raised his head, Loras’s reflection appearing in his golden-red pupils. After a moment, his arms tightened silently, pulling Evangeline deeper into his embrace. He had no intention of handing her over.

The gesture made Loras’s face pale. He took an involuntary step back, his voice trembling slightly. "You... you remember?"

Drake watched Loras quietly, a hint of coldness in his low voice. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

He paused, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But I won’t hand her over to anyone."

Loras stared at the protective way Drake held Evangeline, a bitter smile touching his lips.

’If he didn’t remember plunging his bone knife into Evangeline’s heart at the tribal trade gathering, he wouldn’t be this guarded. But if he really does remember, why does he still cherish her so much?’

’Can the hatred from having his wings broken truly vanish after reforging his Star Pattern?’

’Or could it be...’

’...that Drake already knows she isn’t the real "Evangeline"?’

Loras’s throat bobbed. In the end, he simply lowered his eyes in silence, his expression bleak.

’Among the males, I’ve always been the outcast, the one who doesn’t fit in. No matter what, I can never belong.’

The moment Drake finished speaking, a fair hand clasped his wrist. The soft, cool touch of her fingertips made him shudder. He whipped his head down to meet Evangeline’s half-open eyes.

His Adam’s apple bobbed violently. A thousand words caught in his throat, emerging only as a hoarse, "You..."

"Go. I’m fine."

"You must be the one to take your own revenge."

"Now, you can soar through the highest heavens. No one can ever hurt you again."

Evangeline’s eyelashes fluttered like a butterfly’s wings. Despite her profound weariness, she forced herself to finish speaking.

Drake’s golden-red pupils contracted sharply as ripples of emotion stirred in his eyes. He tightened his arms, locking her in his embrace.

His voice was so raw it was nearly broken. "I can’t leave."

Evangeline closed her eyes and leaned against his chest, a faint smile on her pale lips. She pulled away from his embrace, her words clear and distinct. "I don’t need you to take care of me. What I want to see... is you, reborn from the ashes, soaring freely through the heavens."

She lifted her eyelids, some of the weariness in her gaze receding. "Go. Bring me back the head of the Vulture Chief."

"What they did to you must be repaid in double."

As she spoke, her slender figure seemed like an unsheathed sword, incomparably sharp.

’He’s my person. No one else is allowed to lay a finger on him.’

Drake’s golden-red eyes stared at her without blinking. In that instant, everything else in the world faded away, leaving only her.

A faint smile spread across Evangeline’s lips. She threaded her slender fingers through his and led him toward the cave entrance.

Her steps were steady and gentle, unhurried. Drake followed her every move, his usual fierce, spear-like aura completely withdrawn. He was like a bird of prey with its talons retracted, utterly docile.

Outside the cave, a sea of clouds churned, and the astral winds howled.

Evangeline reached out, her fingertips lightly touching the air as if she could scoop up a handful of the flowing clouds.

Suddenly, her hand was grasped.

Drake’s warm palm enveloped hers completely. His deep, restrained voice sounded. "I’m taking you with me."

It wasn’t a question, but a declaration that could not be refused.