Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 153

**TITLE: When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**

**Chapter 153: The Morning After**

Emma’s fingers instinctively grasped at the few remnants of fabric still clinging to Silas, her lips crashing against his in a fervent kiss.

The night before had been a whirlwind of chaos—intense, exhilarating, and utterly uncontainable.

When sleep finally claimed her, she found herself adrift in a fog of memories, unable to recall the sequence of events that had led her to this moment.

As she blinked her eyes open once more, sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the familiar contours of her own room. The clothes she had worn the previous night had vanished, replaced by a fresh outfit that felt foreign against her skin.

And sprawled out on the floor beside her bed was Marcus, the very person she had expected to find resting in the crystal coffin.

“Marcus, what on earth are you doing in my room again?” she asked, her voice laced with confusion.

Emma scanned the room, her heart sinking slightly at the absence of Silas. She flicked on her lightcore, the glowing numbers revealing that it was already past ten in the morning.

Silas had likely left for work, she mused, a twinge of disappointment brushing against her thoughts.

At the sound of her voice, Marcus’ eyes flew open, and he hurriedly pushed himself off the floor, leaning against the side of her bed as if the effort required to stand was monumental. His gaze was bleary, still caught in the remnants of sleep.

“I’m here to keep watch over you,” he declared, his tone earnest yet tinged with lingering drowsiness.

“Keep watch? Why on earth would you need to do that?” Emma’s brow furrowed, suspicion creeping into her mind. She half-expected him to launch into one of his erratic antics.

Marcus sighed, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of the world. “Lucien had to step out. Silas went to work. Edric’s off training. Before he left, Lucien told me to guard you.”

“So that’s the reason for this unexpected intrusion,” Emma said, her tension easing slightly. She pulled the blanket back, revealing her bare legs to the cool morning air. Puzzlement crossed her features as she studied him. “If you’re supposed to be guarding me, why are you lying on the floor like that?”

Hearing her words, Marcus flopped back down onto the cold tiles, a hint of petulance in his voice. “You made a rule last night. You said I’m not allowed on your bed.”

Emma blinked, taken aback by his childish response.

Looking at Marcus sprawled out like a sulking child, she rubbed her forehead in exasperation. It wasn’t just laziness; he seemed to have completely disregarded any semblance of logic.

She pointed toward the large couch across the room. “There’s a perfectly good couch right there. If you can’t lie on my bed, why not use that?”

Marcus muttered, “Too much trouble. I’d have to get up and walk over when you wake up.”

Emma was left speechless, her mind racing with disbelief.

Resigned, she decided to abandon the attempt at reasoning. She headed to the dressing room, changed into fresh clothes, washed her face, and made her way downstairs in search of something to eat.

As she stepped into the kitchen, she glanced back to see Marcus finally hauling himself up, swaying slightly as he trailed behind her like a lost puppy.

“Ms. Tibarn,” he called out, his voice still thick with sleep, “Lucien said he made breakfast for you before he left.”

“Got it. You want some too?” she asked, glancing back at him.

Marcus shook his head, the motion slow and deliberate. “Already ate.”

“Corvin, you must have come straight back without eating. Let me fix you something. Go take a shower first and change your clothes,” she urged, a pang of concern tightening in her chest.

Her heart ached for him.

He wasn’t just unkempt; he had visibly lost weight, his cheeks a little sunken.

“Ms. Tibarn, I’ll wash up right away,” he promised, his eyes shimmering with gratitude at her concern. “You don’t need to cook for me. I can just drink nutrient fluid.”

The mere fact that Emma cared for him seemed to be more than enough; he couldn’t bear the thought of burdening her further.

“It’s fine. I’ll make something simple—it won’t take long,” Emma insisted, her resolve firm. She truly felt a wave of sympathy for him. Corvin was one of the purest souls she knew, genuinely good-hearted.

“You’re so good to me,” he said, his voice almost breaking with emotion.

He nearly hugged her again but seemed to remember his disheveled state and quickly pulled back his arms, a sheepish grin on his face.

As he glanced over at Marcus, who was still slumped on the couch, he asked curiously, “Ms. Tibarn, who’s that?”

Emma smiled, eager to introduce them. “This is Marcus—my match. He’s from Frostveil.”

So, this was Marcus. Corvin had heard the name but had never encountered him in person.

“Nice to meet you, Marcus. I’m Corvin. Guess that makes us family now,” he said, extending a hand in greeting.

Marcus cracked one eye open, barely managing a greeting. “Hey, Corvin,” he mumbled, his voice so soft it was almost a whisper, sounding as if he were teetering on the edge of consciousness.