My eyes went cold hearing his words, and I wanted to laugh out loud, but I shut my eyes angrily. My body jerked the moment his hands slid and circled around my waist and my anger faded away. I was facing away from him, and he pulled me closer, my breath hitched.

He moved carefully, trying not to make me uncomfortable. "Is this okay?" he asked, and my lips barely parted.

"Yes," I whispered and shut my eyes, trying to sleep, but I couldn’t. I felt his hot breath hit my neck as he snuggled closer, placing his face beside it. I shivered at his actions. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Thyrian, are you still awake?" I mumbled, and he hummed.

"What was your kingdom like? What did you guys eat?" I asked, and Thyrian spoke in his deep, sleepy voice.

"It was normal, just filled with buildings underwater and many mermen and mermaids. They interacted like normal people would and would swim deeper to find treasures, things lost or taken by storms from humans," he said, and my eyelids fluttered. His sleepy voice sounded so good... it made my legs tremble. I squirmed them together but froze as I felt Thyrian gently move his legs and place mine between his, tightening around them.

"Are you cold?" he asked, and my ears reddened. I really wanted to kiss him... but I couldn’t. He wouldn’t even let me, especially since I had a fever and was cold.

"The fever drugs will take control by tomorrow morning, and you will be okay," he said, as if guessing my thoughts. I nodded, and he continued.

"My room was spacious, and girls had a crush on me. They would always visit and bring gifts and snacks," he said. He wasn’t bragging, but it sure felt like it.

"Did you have a crush on anyone then?" I asked, and Thyrian laughed at my words.

"Nope. I kept away from mermaids. Most just wanted to use me to get into the royal family, but I had no interest in anyone!" he added, and I blurted out without thinking,

"If I was a female in your kingdom, would you choose me?" I asked.

"Y—"

"Think properly. You wouldn’t be able to know it’s me. You’ve never met me before. I was never your master—we were just strangers. If one day I had gifted you a candy or maybe just ignored you... would you fall in love with me?" I asked.

I didn’t know why I asked such a question. Perhaps I was just hoping for a little miracle... something... maybe...

"Yes."

My heart skipped a beat. I felt tears well up in my eyes, and my lips parted, but only a small sound escaped.

"I would still find you even if you weren’t my master. And I would make sure to fall in love with you over and over again!" he said, and my heart kept skipping beats. No one had ever said such heartfelt words to me. I pressed my lips shut, fighting so the sob wouldn’t break out.

"I would want to fall in love with you across different timelines. I wonder if other worlds exist apart from this world. And if they did, I pray we find each other every single time. I just love you for being you... I used to hate you, especially when you were so focused on Darian, and no matter how I tried, you never saw me or the others. And when you banished me, I felt like strangling you to death and drifting with your dead body, but when next I saw you... your pure eyes...

It felt like a different soul was now in you, and I couldn’t bring myself to hurt you, especially after you healed me... so I clung to you," he said.

I sniffed, and he tensed, sitting up.

"Raven, what’s wrong?" he asked, and I blinked my eyes, wiping the tears away and burying my head in the pillow. But he gently lifted me up and placed me on his thighs. I gasped, but his hands held my head, forcing me to stare at him. He frowned the moment he saw a tear.

"Does anywhere hurt? Did I say something wrong?" he asked, but I shook my head. He held my chin.

"Raven, tell me, did I hurt you with my words?" he asked, but instead, my gaze bored into his eyes. They sparkled. His lips parted, but then my hands reached out, and I gently rested my fingers on his lips, trailing them there and just gazing.

He didn’t push me away. His silver pupils stared down at my fingers, and he trembled softly.

"Raven, you should go to sleep," he murmured with his last ounce of restraint, but I didn’t care. I didn’t feel sick anymore, I just wanted his bites and hugs.

"Thyrian, bite me. I approve of it," I said and retracted my hand, but he caught my finger and gently bit it...playful. I giggled. It tickled, especially when his tongue brushed over it.

He pulled back and gently pulled me closer into a hug. I adjusted myself and wrapped my legs around his torso. He groaned softly, and I froze.

"Did I hurt you?" I asked worriedly, staring down, but he only held my waist tighter.

"Raven, don’t move," he said, and I nodded, though I was a bit uncomfortable with how close we were, I felt flushed.

"Hng—" I paused mid-sound as his breath trembled. He moved closer and gently rested his head on my chest, hugging tightly. My eyes widened, but I let him, gently tapping his back while he snuggled closer.

"You smell amazing," he said, and I chuckled. "Of what?" I asked, and his lips parted.

"Of oil and orchid."

I didn’t quite understand what he meant, but either way, a compliment is a compliment.

Just then, as I was about to fall asleep, I felt his canine graze against my shoulder, and I trembled. He held me closer.

"I wouldn’t hurt you," he said and bared his canine again. I gasped. It felt more playful than painful.

"I know you wouldn’t," I replied, and he gently planted a kiss on my neck, softly, peck by peck....and his tongue brushed my skin. I felt my lips part in shock as he continued, and then he sank in lightly.

The soft, wet sound echoed faintly in the room, and I suddenly felt warmth spread through me.

"Fuck... this body really gets turned on easily!"