kingnovel Chapter 207: I Missed You So Much
Chapter 207: I Missed You So Much
She knew that the proximity was dangerous at times like this.
But if she completely let it go, it would only make things worse.
Some words need to be spoken clearly; otherwise, there’s no going back.
Once emotional entanglement is established, it’s difficult to untangle.
Especially relationships formed under such special circumstances can easily become a source of future pain.
Seraphina Caldwell took a deep breath and suppressed the turmoil in her heart, her eyes serious to the point of being cold.
"Evan Orwell, I can help stabilize you and bond with you right now. But I’m not the Seraphina you like, think it through, are you really willing to be tied to me?"
The moment she said this, Evan’s gaze shook fiercely.
He stared at her intently, his eyes scanning her features repeatedly.
Seraphina indeed resembled the little lass in his heart, but ultimately she wasn’t her.
Pulling her into this relationship while his mind was muddled would be too unfair to her.
He didn’t speak, suddenly straightened his back, and turned around, standing with his back to her.
Seraphina’s heart tightened, she understood immediately.
He was uneasy, desperately avoiding her approach.
His mind kept replaying the image of the little Seraphina squatting in front of him when he was young.
All of a sudden, his shoulders began to tremble lightly, shaking more and more violently.
More sweat kept seeping through his skin, glistening faintly in the dim light.
Blood vessels pulsed visibly beneath his skin, with an abnormally quick pulse.
Occasionally, muffled sounds escaped from deep within his throat, low and hoarse.
Seraphina heard it clearly; it wasn’t merely a physiological reaction but a soul struggle.
It didn’t last long before he collapsed, falling directly onto the grass pile.
Grass stems uprooted, fragments scattering everywhere.
The veins on the back of his hand danced erratically, his nails nearly digging into his palms.
Clearly in excruciating pain, yet he gritted his teeth silently.
Embarrassingly unsettling, yet with an inexplicable allure.
That usually cool face now was as red as the sunset burning across his cheeks.
His lips quivered slightly, nostrils flaring urgently.
His hair clung to his neck, lips bitten until they were blood-tinted.
Saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth; he didn’t notice, nor had the strength to wipe it away.
Seraphina’s heart trembled at the sight.
She had never seen Evan like this.
If Evan continued to endure like this, let alone saving others, he himself would succumb first.
When male Beastfolk encounter such a fierce heat cycle, they would explode if not comforted.
The energy inside would backfire and burn them alive.
This situation wasn’t unprecedented; she had heard of similar cases in the tribe.
The final result was always death or a complete loss of sanity, turning into a beast.
Compared to life, he clinging to his childhood memories seemed exceptionally foolish.
Not hesitating anymore, she stepped forward, forcefully flipped him over.
Time didn’t allow her to delay another second.
His eyes were open, but the clarity had long disappeared, replaced only by a chaotic desire, staring at her intently.
Sweat beads seeped from his forehead, gliding down the temples.
Seraphina gritted her teeth, lowered her head, and kissed him.
The moment her lips touched his, time seemed to halt for a moment.
She felt his body stiffen.
Then a strong reaction ensued.
The temperature contrast brought intense stimulation.
The moment their lips met, a current spread from the contact point throughout their bodies.
Evan suddenly raised his hand, grabbing her nape, pulling her into his embrace with force.
No show of courtesy, just bottled-up hunger and heat.
Seraphina, kissed till her head spun, body: weak and flushed red.
But her hands still made their way up his neck, holding him tight, kissing him back.
Ears buzzing, heart racing uncontrollably.
Yet she still tried to comply.
His skin scorching, as soon as they touched, the heat drilled into her.
His face, once cold like ice, now blushed.
"Seraphina..."
His voice hoarse beyond recognition.
"I’ve finally waited for your return... I’ve missed you so much..."
No rebuke, no questioning in his words.
Only pure longing and the joy of reunion.
Seraphina didn’t utter a sound or argue.
Eyelashes trembling lightly, eyes remaining closed.
She knew he needed not explanations nor comfort.
But her physical presence beside him.
Forcibly pulling away would only worsen his agony.
She would rather let him indulge for once.
Even if the means were intense, at least it could briefly quell the inner storm.
Evan relied on instinct, inch by inch dismantling the barriers between them, actions far from gentle.
Seraphina understood how terrifying the unrest capable of driving someone mad was.
And Evan was desperately restraining himself from being too rough with her.
She actively raised her hand to help remove the last barrier.
"Seraphina..."
"My Seraphina..."
Seraphina still didn’t respond, remaining silent.
Once the contract was made, it was a permanent bind.
No matter the storms in the future, they could no longer let go of each other’s hands.
But she couldn’t back down.
Time flowed quietly in the tree hollow, the heat in the air gradually dissipating.
Evan’s consciousness gradually returned, his once chaotic gaze regaining focus.
He lowered his head, first spotting the corner of her eye.
There, a faint redness, moist lashes trembling slightly.
Tiny droplets clung to lash tips, faintly sparkling in the light.
He paused, then slowly shifted his gaze downward, onto her left shoulder.
There lay a clearly visible Celestial Crane totem.
Feathers snow-white, patterns distinct, wings gracefully flowing.
This was his Beast Seal, a conclusive proof of the contract’s completion.
A buzz exploded in Evan’s mind, leaving it momentarily blank.
Followed by overwhelming panic and guilt.
How did he... actually bond with her?
In the chaotic confusion of the heat, in a state of unclear mind, really making a lifelong pact with Seraphina.
His voice began to tremble, filled with helpless apology.
"Seraphina... I’m sorry, I..."
Seraphina shook her head gently, cutting him off, her eyes still tinged with red.
"Don’t apologize, I’m the one who should be sorry."
She looked up at him, eyes bright, without any waves.
"I know you don’t have feelings for me, but I can’t just stand by and watch you have an incident."
She paused, voice softer.
"The bonding was my nod; you owe me nothing. I knew you were not in the right frame of mind, might not even recognize who was in front of you. But I still chose to agree. This isn’t sacrifice or grievance, but my decision. You don’t have to carry anything for it. In the future, if you want to stay, stay; if you want to go, go. I won’t stop you nor use this contract to bind you."
Evan stared at her calm demeanor, his heart struck strongly.
Clearly, he wronged her, yet she didn’t blame but took all the responsibility.
"Now that we’re partners, I won’t leave."
He looked at her, eyes filled with sincerity.
"Bonding isn’t child’s play; it’s a lifelong commitment. Since we’re bound, I will do my duty. From now on, I will protect you, never let you suffer any grievance."