After the flame-like kiss departed from her lips, the iron kettle upstairs clattered. Aria blinked her curled lashes slowly, while Neven gazed at her tenderly. Yet, in the next moment, his eyes narrowed, and a wave of agony twisted his pale face once again.
"Does it hurt a lot?" Aria asked anxiously.
"I didn't feel anything when I kissed you..." he managed to squeeze out a smile.
"Help me get it out..."
Neven took off his shirt, revealing his bare back, a sight that made Aria cover her mouth in shock. Something writhed beneath his skin, starting from his palm, traversing his arm, and forming a twisted red-purple streak on his back.
The gatekeeper carried a worn-out kettle, hobbling as he hung it on the fireplace mantle. "The master reminded me to inform you that tomorrow he will come to demand your promise, if you can hold on until then. If that creature finds your heart, the master will be very angry," he sneered, dragging his feet as he ascended the stairs.
Aria took a deep breath and held her dagger into the flame of the fireplace for a simple disinfection. The ruby eye of the dragon on the blade emitted a faint red light, as if reminding her who the true owner of this dagger was. Facing Neven leaning over the table with his bare back, although Aria carefully attempted to rid him of the heart-eating worm with her dagger, her hands still trembled uncontrollably.
"After it comes out, it must be burned, don't touch it..." Neven said.
"Alright," Aria breathed deeply. With the dagger in her hand, she nervously approached Neven's back, as if she could hear his heartbeat echoing in her ears. Her fingers trembled slightly because she knew the next moment would determine Neven's fate. The air around them seemed to freeze, so quiet that even the sound of their breathing seemed particularly clear.
"Are you ready?" Aria's voice was tinged with nervousness.
Neven took a deep breath, his expression turning solemn. He nodded slightly, his lips moving slightly but no sound came out.
Aria slowly closed her eyes, entering a state of complete concentration. She could feel her heart beating rapidly, as if it was about to jump out of her chest.
The blade of the dagger lightly touched Neven's skin, making a slight piercing sound. Aria was astonished to find that the creature she had expected did not appear. Everything beneath the skin seemed unusually calm, without any abnormal wriggling.
"How is this possible?" Aria asked, surprised and puzzled, as she had clearly aimed at the creature under the skin.
Neven was also filled with unprecedented astonishment, his eyes flashing with confusion and bewilderment. He tried to turn his head to look at his back, but found that his body was trembling uncontrollably.
"It's...it..." Neven's voice was low and hoarse, "It's evading..."
"It's moving," Aria said anxiously. The raised streak of blood was accelerating downward. "What should I do, oh my god, I..."
"Aria..." he trembled, suppressing the pain, "Even Alexander had to catch it several times...you have to keep cutting...until you make it come out..."
At this moment, Neven began to tremble violently, emitting a horrifying low roar, more like a groan of extreme pain. Aria had never heard such a terrifying sound before. After that low, gut-wrenching groan, Neven was almost on the verge of unconsciousness
Aria was so nervous that she couldn't breathe. She took several deep breaths, trying to keep herself calm. When she felt her hands stop trembling, she focused all her attention on cutting Neven's skin again. At the moment of cutting, a mysterious black mist surged out of the wound, filling the room with a strong smell of blood.
Neven felt the strange power surging in his body, waves of spasms and intense pain almost unbearable. He clenched the table with both hands, sweat pouring from his forehead, but he didn't make a sound.
Watching Neven, Aria felt a surge of worry and panic. She knew that now was not the time to hesitate; she had to quickly get rid of the heart-eating worm.
"Hurry up, Aria."
Aria trembled all over. She tightly gripped the dagger and continued to cut Neven's skin along the direction where the creature was writhing. Each cut made the black mist surge around them. As the dagger moved, the mist gradually thickened, filling the entire room. Suddenly, the tip of the blade seemed to hit something. The heart-eating worm emitted a piercing scream under the blade, and the entire tower seemed to tremble in this scream.
Aria exerted force, peeling the heart-eating worm from Neven's skin. The black mist became denser, accompanied by a large amount of blood, and a long red beetle rolled out. Aria quickly stabbed it with the dagger, and the worm writhed violently in the air, emitting a terrifying scream. She quickly threw it into the fireplace, and the flames surged up, devouring the creature in the blaze.
The dispersing black smoke gradually dissipated, and the room was filled with a strong, strange-smelling blood odor. Aria covered her nose, and her stomach began to churn again.
"Why are you still standing there stupidly?" The gatekeeper stood on the stairs, spat out impatiently, his voice echoing in the dim tower. "The water on the stove is ready, don't make a mess with blood everywhere. I hate dirty houses the most." He dragged his worn-out shoes and cast a mocking glance at Aria before turning to go upstairs.
At this moment, Neven was unconscious. He closed his eyes tightly, sleeping on the old wooden table, his weak breath mixed with painful groans. Even in a coma, he could still feel the intense pain in his back, his face pale with suffering.
Aria breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if her whole body had been drained. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and dried all the bloodstains. Neven's back was covered with scars, old scars overlaid with new ones. She couldn't help but wonder what terrible experiences could have left someone with so many scars.
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She pulled the cloak gently over Neven and then sat down exhaustedly on the chair.
The flames flickered, reflecting on Aria's face. Outside the window came the roar of night monsters, and her thoughts returned to the past. In the spacious room, the burning fireplace emitted a faint warmth. She leaned back in the chair, closed her eyes wearily, and gradually fell asleep.
Aria was awakened by a hoarse cough. She opened her eyes and found herself lying on an old wooden table, covered with Neven's cloak. The morning light shone through the tattered curtains, with dust floating in the beam of light. Every inch of air in the tower was filled with the traces of time. Neven was dressed neatly, leaning in an old chair beside the table, a beam of sunlight falling on him, outlining his thin face, which looked even more haggard, pale as paper.
"I woke you up," Neven said hoarsely, showing a sorry smile, his eyes filled with sickly exhaustion.
Aria sat up, the cloak slipping off onto the table. Her gaze was fixed on Neven's condition. "How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice laden with concern.
"A bit dizzy," Neven replied weakly, his tone betraying his fatigue.
"If it weren't for saving me yesterday..." Aria whispered with guilt, a wave of remorse washing over her.
"Didn't you save my life too?" Neven struggled to stand, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Beyond concern, there was a touch of tenderness in his gaze.
"I'm honored to have you by my side," he said, gently caressing Aria's cheek with a warmth that melted her heart.
"Of course, I'll stay with you."
"You shouldn't have joined the legion in the first place. It was my fault for dragging you into the night watch. Once we return, I'll ask Seraphina to let you leave the legion. Life in Shadowvale suits you better."
"No, I don't want to leave," Aria said firmly, her eyes shining with unyielding resolve. "If Alpha expects me to fail, he's wrong. I won't leave the legion. I'll make him regret this decision."
"You're so stubborn," Neven chuckled, a hint of helplessness in his smile.
He continued to caress Aria's cheek, his fingers tracing her soft skin as if painting a precious masterpiece. Neven leaned down, his warm breath gently brushing against her face like a soft breeze. Aria's heartbeat quickened, and she could hear her own rapid breathing. Her fingers clutched her clothes tightly, seeking some semblance of security.
Her face flushed a deep red, and each of Neven's breaths made her cheeks feel even hotter. She could sense his warmth, long and tender, as if trying to melt the ice within her. Their gazes met, and Aria saw the deep emotions in Neven's eyes—a mix of longing and affection, silently speaking volumes.
The air was thick with tension. Their faces drew closer, their noses nearly touching, and Neven's lips approached with an irresistible allure. Aria's heart pounded loudly, as if it might burst from her chest. Her breathing was erratic, a blend of nervousness and anticipation.
Just as their lips were about to meet, Aria was suddenly overcome with panic and turned her head away. Her face remained flushed, her heartbeat rapid, but she knew she wasn't ready to accept anyone yet. A wave of warmth surged within her, hinting at emotions she had yet to explore.
Neven was momentarily taken aback but then smiled understandingly. He didn't push further, simply releasing her gently and giving her the space she needed. Though they physically distanced themselves, the bond and deep feelings between them remained palpable in the air.
The atmosphere inside the tower seemed warmer, with dust particles floating quietly in the sunlight, as if silently witnessing this moment. Snowflakes fell outside, but in the warmth of the morning light, their relationship seemed to subtly shift. Aria knew she couldn't accept Neven just yet, needing to find her lost memories. Neven's presence was still unfamiliar, causing a dull ache in her heart.
Memories of the past floated in her mind—those days in Longhorn Town, the hardships they faced together. The two hundred years had been a fleeting dream, and the Sovereign Bastion's glory was long gone. But in this old tower, they found a brief respite and relied on each other. Aria knew that no matter how treacherous the path ahead, they would face it together, supporting each other until they overcame every obstacle.
The sound of clinking chains suddenly echoed through the tower as an elevator slowly ascended from the dark stairwell below. A regal and elegant snake woman emerged, her movements graceful and alluring, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her long, sleek hair cascaded down, and despite her dark skin, her striking beauty was unmistakable.
The doorkeeper assisted her down the ladder, her slender waist swaying as she moved. Her vertical snake eyes settled on Neven, and she gave a soft smile. "I thought you missed me, but it seems you've brought a girl here for refuge," she said, waving her hand to dismiss the doorkeeper.
"Thank you very much for sheltering us, Your Majesty," Neven said, his tone respectful yet firm.
The snake queen approached, casually draping her arm over Neven's shoulder. "I'm here to collect my due, as usual. Do you choose the first option or the second?" she asked, leaning in with a playful smile, her lips almost touching his.
Neven supported her waist, smiling as he replied, "I choose the second option."
"Since... you insist." She wrapped her arms around Neven's neck, then provocatively glanced at Aria. "Aren't you afraid your little girlfriend will be jealous of me?"
"She won't be," Neven replied with a confident smile.
Aria's eyes widened slightly as she took in the snake queen's appearance. Her skin glistened under the dim light, her amber eyes both unsettling and mesmerizing. Her features were exquisitely symmetrical, with high cheekbones and full lips that seemed to always carry a knowing smile. She wore a tight-fitting gown that highlighted her graceful figure, the fabric shimmering like scales.
"You have quite an unusual choice of companions, Neven," the snake queen continued, her tone dripping with mocking malice. "This girl looks rather fragile." She extended a slender finger, tracing the air as if imagining caressing Aria's face.
Aria stood her ground, meeting the snake queen's gaze. "I'm not fragile at all," she said, her voice steady despite her racing heart.
The snake queen laughed, a musical yet chilling sound. "Brave girl. I like that." She turned back to Neven, her expression softening slightly. "Since you've chosen the second option, let's get down to business. I have other matters to attend to."
Neven raised an eyebrow, his demeanor still calm. "Thank you for your understanding."
The snake queen's eyes narrowed slightly, though her smile remained. "You're always so polite; it's one of the things I like about you." She leaned in, her warm breath brushing against Neven's ear. "But don't think I won't hold you to your promise."
Neven's smile persisted as he gently disentangled himself from her embrace. "I wouldn't dare."
The snake queen stepped back, her gaze lingering on Aria one last time. "Take good care of him, girl. He has a knack for getting into trouble."
Aria crossed her arms, her expression serious. "I will."
With that, the snake queen turned, her movements fluid and graceful. She gave Neven a final, deep look before heading back to the elevator. The chains clinked again as the elevator descended into the darkness, leaving behind a heavy silence.
Neven sighed softly, relaxing a bit. "She's always so... intense."
Aria looked at him, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern. "What did she mean by the second option?"
Neven's eyes flashed with a hint of mischief. "The first option is usually a more intimate way of repayment. The second option is... well... it's actually a kind of... hmm... special favor."
Aria frowned, unsatisfied with the vague explanation. "Are you really okay with this?"
Neven shrugged, his smile returning. "It's the price we pay for a safe haven. Don't worry, I can handle it."
Aria glanced at the disappearing elevator, sensing Neven was somewhat evasive with her. The second option, however, was... a bit of a special favor. What could that be?