Evangeline blinked, her long lashes casting faint shadows in the dim light of the Beast Crystal.
The corners of her lips lifted slightly as she whispered, "I wasn’t trying to push you away. It’s just... I haven’t taken my clothes off yet."
As she spoke, her slender fingertips tapped his taut chest.
The Everwake’s breath hitched. Her sly, smiling face was reflected in his rainbow-colored pupils.
He watched her, eyes curved into crescents, and froze for a mont. It was obvious she was teasing him.
’She has no intention of refusing .’
The realization sent a scorching heat through The Everwake. He imdiately wrapped his arms around her. His well-defined fingers found her sash, twirled it around his fingertips a few tis, and gave a gentle tug.
Amidst the rustle of her crimson robes slipping to the floor, The Everwake leaned in and murmured in her ear, "Is this better now?"
The temperature in the cave rose abruptly.
The Everwake’s long, ink-black hair cascaded down, its cool strands brushing against her fair, delicate collarbone and sending a shiver through Evangeline. His searing palm traced the curve of her waist, igniting tiny flas everywhere it touched.
In the dim cave, the faint glow of the Beast Crystals cast their overlapping silhouettes on the wall—hazy and intimate.
A soft, husky "Mmh" escaped The Everwake’s throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing. It was utterly sensual.
His tail hook coiled uncontrollably, its tallic chill a stark contrast to the warmth of her skin. Evangeline’s fingertips dug into his tense back muscles as she rode the waves of passion, listening to his heavy breathing in her ear.
At the height of their passion, The Everwake’s thin lips pressed against the shell of her ear as he whispered, "This ti, I won’t leave."
Evangeline wrapped her arms around his neck, sinking into a deeper tide of emotion.
Ti passed, bit by bit. When Evangeline opened her eyes again, the air was still thick with the lingering scent of their passion.
She sat up. The beast skin slid from her body, revealing mottled red marks on her fair skin that looked almost savage.
Evangeline looked around but didn’t see The Everwake. However, beside the stone bed sat a pile of fresh fruit beaded with water. She picked up a bright red wild berry and popped it into her mouth. It was perfectly sweet and sour.
Evangeline dressed and left the cave.
She had just arrived at the spacious cave where The Swarm held their councils when she heard a cry of alarm: "My King!"
Evangeline’s brow furrowed. She stepped into the cave, which was brightly lit by Beast Crystals.
She imdiately spotted The Everwake standing on the high platform.
He stood before the glittering throne, his figure tall and slender, his ink-black hair trailing to the ground. His handso face, for once, was devoid of its usual ferocity, replaced by a touch of gentleness. His iridescent, glass-like eyes were fixed on the Swarm warriors below.
They had all fought alongside him in his campaigns. After the war with The Parasite Swarm, the Blade-Wing Insectoids had suffered heavy losses. This was precisely when they needed him, their king, to lead. However, he now had sothing more important to do.
"This throne was sothing I seized by force. Now, I no longer want it."
"If there’s a chance in the future, I will lead you out of the Triangle Abyss."
The Everwake was straightforward and blunt. He wasn’t one for pleasantries, much less for consoling his people.
He felt no deep sense of belonging to the Blade-Wing Insectoids. After all, he was just an outcast. He had been willing to stay and fight when The Parasite Swarm attacked because it was his duty. Since he had beco king, it was only right that he shoulder the responsibility of protecting his people.
This ti, he was leaving for the sa reason: responsibility. The inescapable responsibility of being a partner and a father.
Suddenly, The Everwake’s gaze fell upon a slender, crimson figure in the corner of the cave.
A faint curve touched his lips, softening the sharp, cold contours of his handso face.
The Swarm warriors below looked panicked and confused, but they all froze when they suddenly saw the smile on The Everwake’s face.
Had they ever seen their king smile?
They had, but those smiles were always cold, mocking, and derisive, tinged with a faint brutality and murderous intent.
The Everwake paid them no more mind. He strode down from the high platform. The throne behind him grew more distant while the slender figure before him grew closer. For the first ti, he felt that the throne could not compare to the satisfaction a female and a cub brought to his heart. It was a contentnt that filled him to bursting, an overflow of every emotion.
From his birth, to his abandonnt, to his wandering to the Oasis Tribe, to being killed, to erging from his cocoon transford, and finally to returning to the Triangle Abyss to reclaim the throne that should have been his—his life had always been cold, lonely, and empty.
Now, he felt warmth.
He had a female, he had a cub, and from now on, he could always be with them.
The Everwake’s pace quickened until, in an instant, he pulled Evangeline into his arms. A soft smile danced in his rainbow-like eyes as he whispered, "Now, I can go with you."
Evangeline stared at The Everwake’s gentle expression, slightly dazed.
’Whether it was the Everwake from the original owner’s mories or the one before now, neither had ever been this relaxed.’
"Let’s go." The Everwake took Evangeline’s hand and led the way out of The Hive.
Infected by the cheerful, lighthearted aura around him, a smile blood on Evangeline’s lips as well.
And just like that, hand in hand, they strode out of The Hive and left the Triangle Abyss behind.
The Everwake swept Evangeline into his arms, pressing her head into the crook of his shoulder. With a gentle beat of the twelve magnificent Feather Wings on his back, they broke through the clouds. Unlike The Abyss, which was as warm as spring, the mont they erged they were t with a flurry of falling snow and a biting chill.
"So, any mber of The Swarm born outside the Triangle Abyss can leave it freely?"
’If that’s the case, then the number of females will increase dramatically when The Swarm pours out during the rainy season.’
Following Evangeline’s directions, The Everwake sped toward the seaside where the tribe was camped.
"Are you cold?" he asked softly, wrapping Evangeline in his own body heat.
Evangeline shook her head. She ford a hand seal, and a layer of spiritual light enveloped them both, warding off the cold.
’I know that The Everwake is one of The Swarm, and the Cold Season is not kind to them. He’s supposed to be hibernating.’
The Everwake felt the warmth that instantly enveloped them and shot Evangeline a surprised look. His brow twitched, but he said nothing. He just gave her a deep look before turning his gaze away and pulling her even tighter into his embrace.
’She isn’t the sa person as the "Evangeline" from before.’
He’d had this feeling ever since they were in the Blackwater Swamp.
’The "Evangeline" I knew was no witch. If she really had such incredible abilities, with her temperant, she would have been lording it over all of Norfell long ago. Why would she resort to such sordid tricks to capture males?’
’I don’t care who she is. She has borne my cub, so she is my female. We will be together forever.’
Evangeline listened to The Everwake’s wildly beating heart and gave him a slightly puzzled look.
’Well, I’ve successfully won over another male and even brought him back with . That just ans one more problem to deal with in the future. But Genesis wants his father and mother to be together, and I have to fulfill the little guy’s wish before my mission is over.’
’The only thing I didn’t expect was that the effect of having Genesis would be so strong that it would make The Everwake willingly give up his throne as king of The Swarm.’
’This also proves, in a way, that he will indeed be an excellent father.’
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