Chapter 30: A Deal Sealed with Desire

Xyphor's control finally snapped. He had fought against the mounting desire, the intoxicating scent that wrapped around him ever since they met—but now, with Melinoe so close, he could no longer resist. His lips crashed against hers, desperate and hungry. Melinoe gasped in shock, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest, but Xyphor only deepened the kiss, savoring her taste. His tongue slipped past her lips, claiming her with every stroke, every breath stolen between them.

Melinoe's mind went blank. The fire of his touch ignited something deep inside her, something raw and unfamiliar. His hands gripped her waist possessively, pulling her closer. Her body responded before her thoughts could catch up, her fingers digging into his sleeves. Her knees weakened, the heat between them unbearable. Just when she thought she might drown in the overwhelming sensation, darkness crept at the edges of her vision—her breath stolen away by his intensity.

Realizing this, Xyphor abruptly pulled back. Melinoe inhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling with urgency as she steadied herself. She touched her swollen lips, her face heating in shame. The moment her mind cleared, guilt clawed at her heart. Nyxpanther. Havvaris. Her mates. Her cubs.

"No," she muttered, taking a step back and averting her gaze. "I... I need to go back. We need to return to the underground market."

Xyphor clenched his jaw but said nothing. He didn't regret the kiss, not even a little. He only regretted stopping.

—

They returned to the underground market after Xyphor ensured that the assassins who had been after Melinoe were eliminated or had backed off for now. Under the dim lanterns and secretive alleyways, Melinoe finally met the mysterious scholar from the Western Continent—a hooded figure with an unsettling air of wisdom.

"I heard you know of intercontinental teleportation magic," Melinoe said, determined. "I need to return to the Central Continent."

The scholar regarded her for a long moment before speaking. "It is possible... but it requires 1000 crystal cores of demonic beasts to activate such a spell."

Melinoe stiffened. That was an astronomical number. How was she supposed to gather so much?

She barely had time to process before Xyphor spoke, his tone casual. "I have the means to acquire them."

Melinoe turned to him in surprise, hope lighting up her expression. "You do?"

Xyphor nodded, but his expression turned unreadable. "But it won't be easy. I'll need something in return."

Melinoe frowned. "What do you want?"

He stepped closer, his golden eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart pound. "You," he said, voice deep and unwavering. "I want to be your mate."

Melinoe froze, stunned into silence.

"What?" she breathed.

"You heard me." Xyphor's gaze burned with determination. "I don't care that you already have mates. I don't care about the Empire of Nyxaris or Fenrath. I only know that I want you. You must take responsibility for me."

Melinoe's mind reeled. "Responsibility? What are you talking about?"

Xyphor smirked. "You're the reason I've been like this. Ever since the cavern... you stirred something in me that no one ever has. I won't let you ignore it."

Melinoe's breath hitched. She clenched her fists, shaking her head. "I... I can't. Nyxpanther and Havvaris are waiting for me. And—" she hesitated, then whispered, "I'm already pregnant."

Xyphor stilled. His expression flickered with shock, his lips parting slightly. "Pregnant?"

She nodded. "With two cubs."

For a long moment, he was silent. Melinoe expected him to step away, to reject the idea of her already carrying another's children. But instead, something else bloomed in his expression. Realization. Happiness.

"You can give birth to cubs," he murmured, almost to himself. Then he smiled, an almost reverent look crossing his features. "Then that makes me even more certain."

Melinoe frowned in confusion. "Certain of what?"

Xyphor lifted her chin gently, his touch featherlight yet firm. "That I want to be one of their fathers."

Melinoe's breath caught. "You—"

"I'll accept them as my own," he said, voice deep and full of promise. "I'll accept you. I'll protect you. And I won't let you go."

Melinoe's heart pounded wildly. "Are you sure?" she whispered, searching his gaze.

His eyes never wavered. "More than anything."

A long silence stretched between them before she finally spoke. "Then... no markings," she said firmly. "Not until we return to Nyxpanther and Havvaris."

Xyphor's lips quirked into a rare, genuine smile. "Deal."

Before she could react, he pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in the crook of her neck. He inhaled deeply, savoring her scent, his grip firm but gentle—possessive yet careful.

Melinoe exhaled, feeling the warmth of his body enveloping her. Despite everything, despite the chaos in her heart... she allowed herself to lean into him, just for a moment.