I landed a slap on her face.

Elowen staggered backward, her hands reaching for her cheeks, gently caressing them, while her eyes glared daggers at me.

"Sister!" she raised her voice, but I placed my hands underneath my chest, giving her an unimpressed look.

"Elowen, did you really think I wouldn’t find out you broke the dam? You wanted to watch demons trample on me, tear me and my beast-men apart," I said, stepping closer. "You wanted to watch the life slowly leave my eyes as they had their way with me, and now you dare to reach for me with your fake concern. A slap across the face is me being merciful, or have you forgotten what happened to the last person that tried to kill me?" I said, and watched as her lips trembled.

"How dare you?" Darian yelled, cupping Elowen’s cheeks, her eyes welling up with tears. "Don’t blame my sister. It’s obvious you’re trying to badmouth her because you hate her," she spouted, and my lips twitched.

I should slap her again, I thought.

Darian turned to glare at me. "Elowen is even apologizing on your behalf. Why can’t you just be better for once? Must you bring hardship upon everyone? This is the reason I never wanted you in the first place," he ranted, but everything he said went in one ear and out the other.

"Ahh, so touching. You done?" I asked, and he gritted his teeth. He stepped forward, but Ryker appeared behind me, giving him a look that spelled danger, and he stopped.

"You don’t scare me. Raven has made you crawl and howl like a fucking puppy in front of me," he sneered, turning to me.

That insult made my hands tremble and my blood boil, especially when I saw Ryker’s eyes darken slightly with sadness. Darian’s words must have made him relive that horrible past.

I gently held Ryker’s hand, my gaze fixed on Darian and I raised my left hand.

POW!

"How dare yo—"

POW!

I landed the second slap and was about to strike a third time when Elowen stood in front of Darian, protecting him.

"If you must hit him, you must go through me first!" she yelled, and I arched a brow.

Good for me then. I get to slap two green teas.

I watched as she shut her eyes and I clicked my tongue. I landed the slap on her face, and her eyes widened in shock.

"Oh—" I gasped and stared at my hands. "I didn’t mean to... it just landed on your face." I paused and reached to touch her cheeks, but she moved back in panic. "But you said if I wanted to hit him, I had to go through you. So I had to slap you. You understand, right? Your own words caused this, not me," I said softly.

Her eyes darkened, but she forced a smile.

"Of course, I don’t blame you, sister," she said, reaching for Darian’s hand and pulling him away. But his head snapped toward me, staring in confusion and clear anger.

I gently wiped my hands on my gown when Ryker’s hands reached for mine. He stared at them gently, they had reddened a bit.

"Did it hurt?" he asked, and my lips parted.

"Of course. Didn’t you see their faces? I won’t let anyone bully you guys anymore," I said proudly, but his lips parted slightly, his eyes softening.

"I meant your hands. Do they hurt?" he asked.

I froze.

My mouth fell open in shock. Aww... did he care about me that much?

I slipped my hands gently away from his hold and stared down at them. "It did hurt. Their faces felt like stone. My poor hands... they’re so red right now," I said softly, biting my lower lip, pouting.

I peeked at him and watched his eyes soften.

"Sorry," he said.

I laughed. "It didn’t hurt, Ryker... don’t worry," I said softly, reaching for his fox ear and gently rubbing it. He just smiled.

But then—

"Hnn..." I heard Veyra groan in pain, and I immediately rushed toward him. He was barely standing upright, holding his wounded stomach.

I gently placed his arm over my shoulder. "Why did you have to stand?" I asked worriedly.

"I can’t lie here forever," he said, sucking in air softly as he hissed in pain.

I placed my hands around his waist, and he turned to gaze at me with widened eyes. His gaze dropped to my lips, and I smiled.

But then...

"Hng—" I heard Ryker hiss in pain and turned to look at him. His left hand was bleeding.

When did he get hurt?

I looked between Veyra and Ryker. Both had injuries that needed attention.

"I’m coming, Ryker," I said, gently moving Veyra along with me, rushing to Ryker and pulling him closer. "What happened?" I asked, not realizing he was hiding a pocket knife behind his back.

"During the fight, my palm split open a bit," he said softly, and I gently held his hand while my other hand stayed on Veyra’s waist.

"You would hurt yourself for her attention," Sonia said, smirking, and I snapped my gaze to her. I forgot she was here.

"What do you mean?" I asked, and her smirk grew wider.

"Nothing," she said, but her gaze stayed fixed on Ryker. I shifted my gaze between both of them, wondering what was going on.

But then Veyra hissed again, and I tightened my hold on him. He hunched slightly, staring at the ground weakly.

Who should I focus on now? My head started to hurt.

Hours later, Sonia gently wrapped a bandage around Ryker’s wrist while I laid Veyra down on soft leaves I had gathered. He closed his eyes, drifting to sleep.

"You’re doing it wrong," Ryker’s cold voice cut in.

I shivered and looked up. He was glaring down at Sonia.

"I’ve done this countless times for my subordinates. Who are you to look down on me?" she snapped.

Ryker laughed dryly, clearly annoyed. He shoved her hands away, then looked at me. His cold eyes softened instantly, and he bit his lower lip, lowering his gaze.

"I’m not complaining. She’s just doing it wrong," he said.

Sonia’s lips twitched. She opened her mouth to argue, but I cut her off.

"Sonia, you should rest. I’ll continue from here," I said, walking toward Ryker.

I even noticed the subtle smile that curved on his lips before he hid it.

Why do I feel like he complained just so I would treat his wound myself?

The thought made me sigh.

I sat down and gently wrapped the bandage around his hand. He didn’t hiss or react, he just stared at me, bright-eyed.

"You keep staring, Ryker. Do you want an autograph?" I asked, and his brow arched in confusion.

"Autograph? What’s that?" he asked.

"Oh," I muttered. I forgot, modern terms didn’t exist here.

"It means when someone is famous, others want their signature. They keep it as a treasure or for amusement," I explained, watching him grow even more confused.

I laughed. "Don’t worry about it. You don’t need to understand it now," I said, smiling up at him.

Then Sonia’s voice cut in. "You don’t seem worried about Azrael, Raven," she said.

I paused. "I care for all my beastmen," I replied.

"But you’re here relaxed, doing nothing, while he’s injured and alone," she said.

My lips parted. Why was she twisting my words?

"We are injured. We need rest. There’s always tomorrow. Besides, Azrael is the strongest among my beastmen. He can take care of himself... and—"

"But Master, aren’t I your favorite?" Ryker cut in.

I inhaled sharply. "Of course you are," I said, gently poking his nose.

I turned to Sonia, who looked at me like really?

"I am worried about Azrael. And if he’s hurt, I’ll heal him," I added.

She didn’t respond, just tilted her head, staring at the sky.

"What if he thinks you won’t come?" she asked.

I froze. If Azrael thought I didn’t care... wouldn’t that be disastrous? He barely trusted me already...

But...

"Even if he doesn’t trust me or thinks I don’t care, I’ll prove that I do," I said.

She snapped her head toward me. "Raven wouldn’t say something like that," she said.

The air went silent, and I felt Ryker’s gaze on me, warm but curious.

"Well, Raven realized her mistakes and is ready to change," I said.

Her expression didn’t change. She simply lay down on the leafy bed.

"Do you know where Azrael is?" I asked, finishing the bandage.

She chuckled. "Hmm," she hummed, then turned away and closed her eyes.

"Are you seriously sleeping right now? What if we’re attacked?" I asked.

"If ghouls or monsters were to come, you’d be the one in trouble, not me," she replied proudly.

"Now don’t disturb my sleep, Raven," she added coldly and I exhaled softly.

"Master, you should sleep. I’ll keep watch," Ryker said.

I nodded.

Honestly... I really needed that sleep.