Free Web NovelChapter 360: Going after her
Yuel’s arm naturally slipped around Rory’s waist, drawing her gently into his embrace.
He supported most of her weight against himself, allowing her to lean on him comfortably.
"You’ll feel better if you lean on me like this."
With that, Yuel guided Rory out of the room.
The door clicked softly shut behind them, cutting off the nearly tangible stares Vangar and Nix were directing at their retreating backs.
Nix collapsed onto the bed in Vangar’s room, looking utterly defeated.
"We can’t compete with him. We just can’t."
Vangar stared at the closed door, grinding his teeth.
"Even if we can’t, we still have to try."
If they never fought for the chance, how would they ever know whether they could win or not?
"Today’s the third."
Vangar folded his arms.
"Didn’t Female Master say that the first three days and the last three days of every month belong to Yuel?"
A spark of realization flashed across Nix’s face.
He shot upright from the bed.
"That’s right. Tomorrow it becomes everyone else’s turn again."
Then he turned eagerly toward Vangar.
"So what’s your plan?"
"When Vincent was still the First Mate, either he arranged the schedule himself or everyone drew lots."
Neither option inspired much confidence in Nix.
No matter which method they used, he never felt like he’d be chosen first.
He needed to come up with a way to secure Rory’s company tomorrow night.
But what would work?
Meanwhile, inside the room Yuel had chosen, he gently guided Rory inside.
The door clicked shut behind them.
As Rory turned, Yuel carefully pivoted with her.
Soft vines spread silently across the floor beneath their feet.
Before she could react, he had guided her back against a wall woven entirely from supple green vines.
Every movement was deliberate and cautious, ensuring she wouldn’t be jostled in the slightest.
One hand braced itself against the vine-covered wall beside her.
The other remained protectively at her waist, his fingertips warm against her side.
Rory barely had time to process what was happening before Yuel’s refined, handsome face drew closer.
Lowering his head, he pressed a feather-light kiss against her lips.
The touch was gentle and lingering, carrying all the longing and affection he had kept restrained for so long.
Rory slipped her arms around his waist and returned the kiss.
She had assumed that because she was pregnant, Yuel would be especially restrained.
A brief kiss. Nothing more.
She quickly discovered she was mistaken.
Yuel showed no sign of stopping.
A soft sound escaped her.
The kiss left her breathless, her limbs weak, her thoughts dissolving into a haze.
She could only cling helplessly to his shoulders.
Behind her, the living wall seemed to sense its master’s emotions.
The vines stirred restlessly, tiny leaves brushing against her back and sending waves of tingling sensation through her body.
Finally, Rory pressed a hand against Yuel’s chest.
"Yuel... stop..."
Looking up into his deep eyes, she reminded him softly,
"We can’t keep going. Terry is still here. Don’t corrupt him."
Yuel rested his forehead against hers.
Their noses brushed together intimately as their breaths mingled.
The heat of each exhale drifted across the other’s skin.
He lifted a hand and gently traced her kiss-swollen lips with his thumb.
"Terry is sleeping very soundly."
His voice was low and warm. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"He won’t know a thing."
His gaze moved slowly over her face, lingering on her misty eyes, then her parted lips, before finally returning to meet her gaze.
"Rory, don’t worry."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I’m not an animal. You’re carrying our baby now."
His eyes softened.
"I know very well what I can and cannot do."
At the moment, these small moments of closeness were the only privileges he could claim for himself.
As he spoke, powerful emotions churned within his deep blue eyes, like countless stars drifting through a midnight sea.
Slowly, he lowered his head again.
His lips brushed her cheek before settling beside her delicate ear.
Then he pressed the gentlest kiss against her earlobe.
The warm, faintly ticklish sensation made Rory shiver involuntarily.
This time she shoved him with genuine force.
"Stop teasing me."
If this continued, Yuel might maintain his self-control.
She wasn’t nearly as confident about her own.
Yuel chuckled softly.
"Alright. I won’t tease you anymore."
Knowing exactly when to stop, he withdrew.
Then he bent down and carefully lifted Rory into his arms.
"Then let me carry you to the bath, alright?"
"Okay."
Rory nodded.
"You can carry me to the bathroom, but I’ll bathe by myself. You wait outside."
If she let Yuel bathe her, there was no way she would be out in under an hour.
He might not be able to truly do anything to her right now, but Rory knew Yuel far too well.
The man’s methods were too good.
She simply wasn’t a match for him.
"Fine. Whatever you say."
Yuel smiled as he carried her toward the bathroom with steady, unhurried steps.
"But you have to let me stay inside and watch over you. You’re pregnant, and I’m worried you’ll slip."
"I can manage on my own."
Rory sounded helpless.
Ever since the pregnancy sickness had been transferred to Vincent, she had felt perfectly fine.
Aside from being a little sleepier than usual, she was completely healthy.
Yet Yuel and the others had begun treating her like a helpless baby.
They rarely let her walk anywhere.
Everywhere she went, someone insisted on carrying her, terrified she might stumble.
"I don’t trust that."
Yuel refused immediately.
After setting her down, he looked at her with complete seriousness.
"You can choose."
"Either I stay inside and watch over you, or I help you bathe."
Rory flashed him a sweet smile.
Then, without warning, she shoved him out the door.
The next second, the bathroom door slammed shut with a loud bang.
Her triumphant voice drifted out from inside.
"Stop treating me like a baby who can’t take care of herself, or I’m going to get angry."
Standing outside the door, Yuel could only laugh helplessly.
"Alright, alright. I’ll listen to you."
His voice was full of indulgent affection.
"My Female Master, just don’t be angry."
Warm amusement shone in his eyes.
As the sound of running water echoed from the bathroom, the tension that had been weighing on him for days finally began to ease.
Turning away from the door, Yuel went to prepare Rory’s sleepwear.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Polly stared at her reflection.
The scar on her face had already faded significantly.
A look of delighted surprise flashed across her eyes.
She turned toward Lian, who was seated nearby.
"Brother, the medicine you used this time really works."
Her hand lightly touched her cheek.
"The scar has faded so much."
Lian nodded.
"It has."
"Use it two more times, and the scar should disappear completely."
He handed her several prepared doses of medicine.
"For the remaining treatments, you won’t need me to apply it personally."
"Your mates can do it for you."
After giving her the medicine, he produced another storage ring and placed it in her hand.
"I’m leaving with Rory and the others tomorrow and returning to the Central District."
His expression softened.
"Since you’ve decided not to come back, keep these."
"There are several medicines I’ve prepared inside, along with some extremely powerful weapons."
"It’ll be more than enough to ensure your safety and the safety of your mates."
Polly accepted the ring and smiled knowingly.
"Lian, are you finally going after Rory?"
Lian nodded without hesitation.
"Yes." His voice was calm but unwavering. "I already missed one opportunity. I don’t want to miss a second one."
The first time, he had left Rory behind because he was in a hurry to return to his clan.
Back then, he hadn’t fully understood his own feelings.
He had simply thought she was a very unusual young female.
Yet after returning home, he found himself thinking about her again and again.
She would appear in his mind unexpectedly, lingering longer each time. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Then came the Firebird Emperor’s birthday banquet.
The moment he saw her again, an overwhelming surge of joy had risen within him.
That was when he finally understood.
He had missed her.
And more than anything, he wanted to stay by her side.
