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IS this a dream? It must be.
Wrapped in clean sheets, Euphemia slept with a smile on her face. Zelaide felt at peace for the first time in his life.
Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine the day would come when he could look upon his mate and be at peace. Both the intense hunger and insatiable thirst had subsided, leaving behind only love and affection, which overflowed like an endless fountain. For the first time, he realized he could feel immense satisfaction just by watching his mate sleep comfortably.
It was a new revelation.
This is more than I deserve. I’m more than satisfied with this…
Tension no longer hardened her white cheeks and curved jawline. Fear would no longer fill the emerald eyes that captivated him so. There was nothing left in the world to threaten her.
A bright future lies ahead of her. That’s why…why I…
The Beast Blood lay beside his mate and closed his eyes. A single teardrop ran down his cheek.
“…Mm?” Euphemia’s eyelids fluttered open. A white ceiling came into view. Dull light filled the room. Expensive-looking blue curtains blocked the intense sunrays, while allowing in the errant autumn breeze.
Smells like fall. The air smells crisp and cold with a hint of dried grass, sour apples, and…the man I love…
“…Weird?”
Euphemia’s entire body ached. Not only did it hurt, but felt like gravity was crushing down on her.
An IV was hooked to her wrist and a blood pressure cuff was wrapped around her bare upper arm. Numerous tubes and medical devices were attached to her skin. It felt like she was tied to the bed. So why did she wake up in such an idyllic mood?
Strange. Staying perfectly still, since moving caused the tubes to tug on her skin, she frowned. Oh yeah, I was drugged, kidnapped, forced to watch those deranged videos, and then injected with Nightz… Then Zelaide saved me. There was so much blood…and screaming.
Tears streaked her cheeks in a silent stream.
She had been betrayed by the boss she had trusted. His gentle smile and kindness was all an act.
But this fragrance is real.
She managed to turn her neck to the side. A handsome face slept on the edge of the soft pillow next to her.
Oh my stars! Zel! Zel’s asleep! Next to me!
The Beast Blood had fallen asleep in a white chair with his upper body leaning on her bed. His silver hair cascaded over the pillow and around his face. Bathed in the filtered sunlight, he looked like a mystical wolf from the old world.
This was the first time she had seen him asleep.
How can he be this beautiful?
Her eyes took in every detail of his face from the straight-edged nose, chiseled cheeks ending in a masculine jawline, and the silver eyelashes she never realized were twice the length of her own. Those eyelashes were currently pressed together in sleep, making him appear younger than usual. Euphemia was captivated by how the man who was always on high alert could sleep so defenselessly in her presence.
How much time has gone by since I blacked out?
A single glance around the room told her she was in a hospital.
She ached and felt like a Muta was lying on top of her, but that was due to her injuries and fatigue, not a new symptom that required a doctor’s immediate services.
Euphemia scowled as she tried to chase away the horrible images burnt into her mind.
But with Zel by my side, I can overcome anything. After all, he and I are…
Pure bliss wrapped her up like a blanket with the one good memory she had of the past few days.
“Zel… I love you!”
The Beast Blood’s eyes snapped open. Those clear, teal gems glistened in the soft sunlight.
“…Yumi.” He slowly sat up.
“Zel.”
They shared a long, lingering gaze. Zelaide smiled first, softening his whole face and the hardness that marked his usual lack of expression. Euphemia was so taken by the gentleness, pink stained her cheeks.
He’s showing me so many sides of himself that I’ve never seen before.
“Yumi…”
Their lips came together and touched lightly, separated, then came together again. Bliss filled them both.
“…How long was I asleep for?” she asked when Zelaide pulled away to brush a strand of hair behind her ear.
“A whole day.”
“…That long?”
“Yeah.”
“What hospital is this?”
“One in City Hall.”
“Oh…I see.”
I’ve fallen back into my sister’s hands. Euphemia became pensive. Worry furrowed Zelaide’s brow.
“Does it…hurt?” he asked.
“A bit…yeah.”
Painkillers seemed to be keeping the worst of the pain at bay. She felt slightly feverish. But it didn’t bother her. She had nothing to fear as long as they were together.
“How are you doing, Zel? You looked so much worse off than me.”
“I’m fine. Murakami patched me up.”
“Murakami? You mean President Murakami?!”
“The one and only,” Zelaide laughed, amused by her surprise.
Not even the genius scientist had guessed that he was up against a Beast Blood when he went after Burhardt.
Murakami and his team fought for their lives, a battle they lost in the end when Burhardt broke both his legs and nearly killed the Guardians with him. That did nothing to damper the eccentric scientist’s spirits though. He enthusiastically welcomed Zelaide and Euphemia at City Hall’s hospital, and since Zelaide refused to let anyone treat him or to let go of Euphemia, Murakami saw to his wounds from his new wheelchair.
Ever since the Bijour incident, the two men had developed an unexpected bond.
“I never expected President Murakami to help,” Euphemia said, her opinion of Murakami still as low as ever.
“It’s a bit hard to walk with the metal splint he used to keep my foot level.” Zelaide glanced down at his foot and shook his head. “I’ll make do though.”
“Where’s Ronaldo?”
“Floor below this. Haven’t seen him myself.”
For a frivolous guy who easily went with the flow, Ronaldo did what needed to be done when push came to shove. He recovered faster than Euphemia and became an important eye witness in Haydn’s case.
“I caused so many people to get hurt…” Euphemia murmured weakly.