"You loosed an arrow for me.""Let me return the favor—with a few kisses."
The forest was quiet again.
The crow demon had fled.Its corpse scattered like dust in the wind.
But Su Sheng stood swaying, barely upright—Her strength drained.Her hands still trembling from the blast of power she'd unleashed.
Yu swept her into his arms in one fluid motion.
"Stop shaking."He kissed her forehead softly."You did well."
"You're hurt," she whispered, throat dry and raw. Her fingers reached up to unbuckle the gold plate across his chest.
"Just now… you took the hit for me."
"I'm fine."
"You're lying."Her brows furrowed as she pressed a hand to his side—Warm blood had already soaked through the fabric.
But Yu only laughed, low and wicked.Then he tightened his arms—And tipped her back onto the bed.
"Yu!" she cried out.
He leaned down, lips grazing hers.Trailing slowly down her jaw, her throat.
"You stood beside me.""You fired that arrow for me."
His teeth found the old scar on her neck.The place he had marked once before.
"So I'm claiming this back."
He kissed her deeply, tongue tracing the split in her lip, then lower—pressing to her hand, scraped raw from the cold wind and her tight grip on the bow.
"You just fought—" she murmured, trying to shift.
"Exactly," he said, flipping her gently onto her stomach.His wings curled around her hands again."Perfect timing. I've still got strength."
"You beast!" she hissed, half angry, half breathless.
He chuckled, voice rough, lips near her ear:
"You already said it, remember?""I'm your beast."
With a single beat of his wings, he pulled her into the nest of feathers—Tucking her deep into the center of his warmth.
"Yu—don't—"
"Shhh," he whispered, biting her shoulder lightly."If I don't kiss you back… I'll feel unbalanced."
Tears welled in her eyes.
"All I did was protect you once—!"
"Then this time," he murmured, kissing the corner of her lips,"Lie down a little sweeter."
His wings caressed the back of her neck—Each feather whispering promises she had no defense against.
"I've spent so long protecting you…""Tonight, I want to see you cry—because you can't protect yourself from me."
"You were so fierce just now…"
He kissed her again. Slowly. Deeply.
"Now let's see if I can kiss you until your legs give out."