Chapter 47
Idrag Moe with me back to our room, my grip firm around her wrist. Lis remains behind, that same unsettling smile lingering on her face as she watches us leave—as if she knows something we don’t.
Yet another sign that there’s something off about her.
“Why were you with that female?” I ask the moment we’re alone, my voice sharper than I intend.
Moe blinks at me, her brows knitting together. “I know she didn’t make the best first impression, but she’s really nice, Nyk,” she says, her tone soft but edged with confusion.
“Moe…” I tap my foot against the floor impatiently. “I don’t trust her. There’s something odd about her.”
“I told you,” she insists, lifting her chin slightly.
“She was marked for the Culling a while back, too. So she knows what it’s like and hates it.
She’s a top-ranked warrior around here, you know.
” There’s a hint of admiration in her voice.
“She’s probably going to be able to leave the realm very soon. ”
“Exactly.” I spread my hands, incredulous. “She’s strong. So why would she concern herself with us? It doesn’t make sense.” My eyes narrow. “I think she has ulterior motives.”
Moe exhales through her nose, clearly unimpressed. “What ulterior motives could she have if she’s close to one thousand points already? We’re not competition for her.”
I shrug, though my jaw tightens. “I don’t know. Yet.” I meet her gaze, unwavering. “But mark my words—there’s something strange about her.”
She rolls her eyes, folding her arms. “You’re impossible. She saved us. For that alone we can give her the benefit of the doubt.”
I cross my arms over my chest, mirroring her stance. “I don’t trust her,” I repeat stubbornly. “And I don’t like her sudden interest in you.”
“That’s easy,” Moe replies, waving a hand dismissively. “She said I reminded her of a friend.” She gives me a pointed look. “Seriously, Nyk. You’re reading too much into this.”
“Am I?” I step closer, my voice dropping. “Why were you even out? I woke up and you were nowhere to be seen.”
“That’s because I went to the market,” she shoots back, a flicker of irritation surfacing.
She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small bag, holding it up.
“I wanted to buy some ingredients and make you something sweet.” Her lips press into a thin line.
“But seeing how badly you’re overreacting, I don’t think you deserve it,” she mutters.
I blink, thrown aback. “You…” I clear my throat, the tension draining from my shoulders. “You wanted to make something for me? What?” I step closer, a smile tugging at my lips as I attempt an innocent expression.
She narrows her eyes at me, clearly not fooled.
“Nothing,” she snaps, turning away with a huff. “You’re not getting anything now because you behaved wretchedly.” She stuffs the bag back into her pocket.
As she moves to leave, I reach out and grab her from behind, pulling her flush against me. I wrap my arms around her waist and rest my chin lightly on her shoulder.
“Sorry,” I murmur near her ear, my voice quieter now. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Well, you did,” she says, though her tone softens just a fraction. “I also didn’t like your tone when you questioned where I was—like you were implying something nefarious.”
“That’s my bad,” I admit, tightening my hold slightly. “I’m sorry. I was… mad with worry when I couldn’t find you.”
She exhales, some of the tension leaving her frame. “That I get,” she concedes. “I actually wanted to come back before you woke up.” She tilts her head slightly toward me. “But I met Lis along the way, and she was very kind to me.”
My jaw tightens again, though I keep my voice even. “Kind how?”
“She heard me talking about certain ingredients that aren’t available at the normal markets,” Moe explains, her tone brightening. “So she invited me to the high-level market to buy some.”
“High-level market?” I frown. “What’s that?”
“Apparently warriors over five hundred points get access to another tier of markets with the best food available.” Her eyes light up as she speaks. “Oh, Nyk, it was amazing. There were so many things to choose from. Hardly anything missing.”
“And she invited you just like that?” I ask, suspicion creeping back into my voice.
“Well…” Moe hesitates, then shrugs. “She asked if I would save her a portion of what I’m making.” She glances at me. “I didn’t think it was too high of an ask, so I agreed.”
I sigh, my shoulders dropping. “It’s not.” I run a hand through my hair. “I suppose I exaggerated a little. She just rubs me the wrong way—but that’s my own issue.”
“Is it?” Moe asks, turning slightly in my arms to look at me, one brow arched. There’s a teasing glint in her eyes now. “Or is it because she’s so strong?” A small smile tugs at her lips. “She did look quite dashing when she saved us.”
“Now, Moe, I can accept a lot of things but calling someone else dashing?” I say half-jokingly. The other half is quite serious and quite…jealous. I just don’t like Lis’s interest in my Moe. She said she only saved us for Moe, too. So what does she want with her?”
“She’s a female, Nyk. And I don’t mean it in that way, you know it.”
“I don’t care. I want to be the only one that’s dashing in your eyes. In fact,” I pause as I nibble on her exposed neck. “I want to be the only one you see in any way.”
“You’re being a tad extreme,” she murmurs softly. “You already know my feelings for you.”
“Maybe. But I’m finding out I’m not a very nice male, Moe, because I’m not satisfied with just that. I want everything when it comes to you. I want you to only ever look at me, to only ever be with me, to only ever praise me.”
“You’re impossible.” She slaps my hands playfully but she doesn’t move.
“Am I? Don’t you want the same? For me to only look at you? To only ever see you and no other?”
She nods, and I note the blush on her cheeks. “I do,” she whispers. “I love that I’m your first kiss—your only kiss. Your only everything. I love that I don’t have to share you with anyone.”
I continue peppering her skin with kisses. “You’ll never have to. That I can vow to you, Moe. You’ll be the only female I take as my own in this life and every one that follows. You’ll always be the one for me.”
She grabs my hands and pulls them off her long enough to turn around and face me. Placing her arms around my neck, she looks into my eyes. “I vow the same. You are the first male I gave myself to, the only, and the last.”
Her words awake something primal inside of me. My heart beats faster, louder, until everything fades away but this moment.
Her.
“My mate,” I murmur and lay a kiss on her lips. “When we get out of here, I want us to have a small pledging ceremony.”
Her eyes widen. “You…” She licks her lips. “You’d do that for me?”
“If you want, we can have the most lavish wedding you’ve ever seen. But you’ll have to give me some time since we’re not exactly swimming in funds—especially after we lost those mythical beast parts.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t care about any of that. I don’t want a big wedding. Who would I even invite? My family who thinks I’m a whore and betrayer? No. We’ll do a small ceremony just for ourselves.”
I nod. “As you wish. Everything as you wish.”
“Then… Would you mind giving Lis a chance? We can be careful with her, but I really have a good feeling about her Nyk. I feel safe with her.”
I make a low sound in my throat. “Alright.” I end up saying. “If that makes you happy, I will try to give her a chance.”
She gives me a brilliant smile—for that alone I would have promised her anything.
“Good. Now let’s go make something sweet.”
She takes my hand, tugging me along with quiet excitement, and after grabbing a few pots and pans, we head outside to cook—well, she cooks, and I linger nearby, offering entirely unhelpful encouragement.
“To the left,” I say, gesturing vaguely as she stirs. “I feel like it needs more… something.”
Moe snorts, not even looking up. “More something? That’s very helpful, Nyk,” she replies dryly, though there’s a hint of amusement in her voice.
I grin, leaning against a rock. “I’m here for moral support.”
“To eat everything, you mean,” she shoots back, casting me a knowing glance over her shoulder.
To my surprise, her cake-making skills have improved significantly—and I make quick work of proving it, devouring most of the sweet treat the moment it’s done.
“Hey!” she protests, swatting my hand lightly when I reach for another piece. “Not all of it.”
I frown, reluctantly pulling back. “Why not?”
“Because,” she says pointedly, cutting off a portion and setting it aside, “I promised Lis some.”
My mood sours immediately. Especially when she declares we must go deliver it to her.
As we walk toward where Lis lives, I grumble under my breath the entire way, my gaze fixed on the remaining piece of cake in Moe’s hands.
It’s my cake!
Why does she get some of it?
Moe made it for me not her.
Lis receives us outside her accommodation—and even I have to admit, the place looks far more luxurious than anything in our area. The difference in treatment between a high-level warrior and a low-level one is stark.
When Moe holds out the piece of cake, Lis’s eyes widen slightly in what looks like genuine shock.
“For me?” she asks quietly, her voice softer than I’ve ever heard it.
Moe nods with a small smile. “I promised, didn’t I?”
Lis takes it carefully, almost reverently, her fingers delicate around the plate. But instead of eating, she just… stares at it.
For a long moment, she doesn’t move—as if she’s afraid that taking a bite might ruin it.
I narrow my eyes, watching her every reaction, waiting for something to criticize.
Finally, she lifts the cake to her lips and takes a small bite.
A drop of moisture gathers at the corner of her eye.
I stiffen, suspicion flaring.
“It’s good,” she says softly, her gaze fixed on Moe. Her voice trembles just slightly. “It’s so, so good.”
Moe beams at the compliment, clearly pleased. “I’m glad you like it.”