Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 168

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 168: A Missing King**

Merlin’s voice sliced through the air like a blade, cold and commanding as he issued an order to the man lurking behind him.

“Go. Spare no expense in hiring a few formidable fighters. I want that man beaten within an inch of his life. Make sure he understands the consequences of crossing me. Don’t kill him—just ensure he’s confined to his home for at least two or three months.”

He could not allow those worthless beasts to jeopardize his meticulously crafted plan.

Before Malrik returned, he needed to forge a bond with Emma. Once that connection was established, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to sever it.

A faint cracking sound shattered the stillness behind him, drawing Merlin’s attention.

He pivoted sharply, his keen gaze scanning the vibrant flowerbeds that surrounded him. A fleeting flash of pink darted between the blossoms, piquing his interest.

From the shadows, his subordinate spoke in hushed tones, barely above a whisper.

“Mr. Merlin, that was Kieran—the new Merfolk king. There are rumors circulating that he’s been unwell. He attended Queen Amara’s birthday celebration not merely to present a gift but also to request medicine.”

Merlin scoffed, a sneer twisting his lips. “So, it’s merely a sick fish.” He relished the disdain in his tone. “If he’s already down for the count, let’s do him a favor and send him off to meet the Beast God a little earlier than expected.”

As the banquet commenced, soft melodies floated through the air, enveloping the guests in a warm embrace.

Kieran pressed a shaky hand to his chest, his heart racing as he hurried toward the grand hall. Just as he reached the edge of the garden, a shadow lunged from the darkness. A brutal kick connected with his left shoulder, sending him sprawling backward, the ground rushing up to meet him.

Without his powers to defend himself—his abilities suppressed by the illness that plagued him—Kieran crashed into the flowerbeds, the vibrant blooms crushed beneath him.

He coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips, staining the petals around him. His pink hair cascaded over his shoulders, intertwining with the blossoms as he lay there, the sweet fragrance of the flowers heavy in the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood.

The male from the Enchanter Clan stalked toward him, each step calculated and deliberate, a predator savoring the moment before the kill.

Kieran forced himself to speak, his voice weak yet unwavering. “I know who you are. If you let me go, I swear I’ll keep your secret safe.”

Everyone was aware of the Enchanter Clan’s notorious seducer, Malrik, but few knew that he had a twin brother.

If Kieran had anticipated encountering this madman tonight, he would have brought a battalion of guards to protect himself.

Merlin halted before him, planting a boot squarely on Kieran’s chest, a cruel grin spreading across his face. “I only trust the dead to keep my secrets,” he taunted, relishing the power he held over the fallen king.

Inside the opulent hall, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as Amara finished cutting the cake, her laughter mingling with the soft strains of music.

A Merfolk therian slipped into the room, urgency in his movements as he approached Lucien, careful not to disrupt the festivities.

“Prince Lucien, our king has gone missing,” he whispered, his voice laced with anxiety.

The sweetness of the cake melted on his tongue, a delightful contrast to the warmth blossoming in his chest.

“What’s that you’re holding?” Emma asked, her gaze drawn to the faint shimmer of pink glinting between his fingers.

“A Merfolk king’s scale,” he replied, handing it to her.

Under the soft glow of the lights, the scale shimmered with a pearly luminescence—beautiful and fragile.

The Merfolk king? Wasn’t that the same Kieran Aria had mentioned earlier?

Emma examined the scale, curiosity igniting in her eyes. “How did you come by this?”

Lucien explained, “One of his men sought me out. He said their king had disappeared and requested my assistance.”

“Disappeared? You mean he’s missing?” Emma’s frown deepened. No wonder Aria had mentioned she hadn’t seen him yet.

At that moment, the captain of the guards rushed over, urgency in his stride.

“Your Highness, we’ve discovered signs of a struggle near the flowerbeds. More of the king’s scales were found scattered around, and the surveillance feed from that area is completely corrupted. We still have no leads on who attacked him, but it’s clear—the Merfolk king was ambushed.”