Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171 The Weight of Rescue

“Should we take him to a hospital?”

Emma’s voice carried a hint of worry. After all, Malrik had been injured trying to save her, even though she hadn’t strictly needed saving at that moment.

“I’ll take him,” Edric said firmly.

He couldn’t just stand by. Malrik had risked himself for Emma–her match–and that couldn’t go ignored.

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Edric bent down to lift Malrik, but the injured man coughed and weakly opened his eyes.

His eyes were clouded with the fog of waking, but the moment he saw Emma, they lit

“Ms. Tibarn… Ms. Tibarn… I finally see you,” he murmured, his voice weak.

Merlin, trying to mimic Malrik’s manner, stretched a trembling hand toward her.

“I… I’m sorry it took so long to come to you. “I… I…” He couldn’t finish as he coughed.

“You’re badly hurt. We can talk about that later.”

Emma gently held his hand, seeing how fragile he looked.

“How are you feeling? Do you need a hospital?”

A hospital?

That wasn’t going to happen. He wanted to stay by her side.

Merlin shook his head weakly. “I’m fine. No hospital. I… I finally got to see you. I want… I want to stay with you.” He coughed again.

Everything had happened so suddenly, and he had risked so much for her. Emma didn’t hesitate.

“I won’t send you away,” she said softly. “You can stay. But your injuries are serious… You should at least get checked out.”

Chitinids‘ prison, the outer battlefield.

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The walls, carved from perfect black starlight stone, gleamed like metal under the eerie blue light.

Malrik lounged casually in a corner, his long hair cascading like a waterfall, a few unruly strands brushing his sharp cheekbones. His long lashes cast shadows over eyes capable of hypnotizing anyone who met their gaze.

“Have you found what I asked for?”

A translucent figure appeared at the cell’s entrance and knelt.

“Not yet, Mr. Malrik.”

“Then, why are you back?”

Malrik tilted his head, voice lazy and unhurried, the tail end curling like a feather brushing an ear, stirring even the deepest nerves.

The kneeling subordinate swallowed nervously. Staying by Malrik’s side was training in self- control, though with him, that was almost impossible.

After Malrik reached Rank 11, his power to charm had become insane. He could enthrall both females and males. One slip and a person would fall under his spell.

Of course, Malrik had no interest in males–still, his mere presence could sway them.

“I have news,” the subordinate whispered.

“News? What could matter more than the thousand new warships I have my eye on?”

Everyone knew he scavenged on the outer battlefield. But scavenging wasn’t as profitable as outright taking something. Those warships, if sold to the Empire Army, would net far more than ten years of scrapping debris.

“Another problem caused by my rebellious brother?”

“No!” The man knelt lower, voice urgent. “Sir, you… have a huntress now.”

Malrik’s eyes darkened. “A huntress? Where? Not assigned by the clan, I hope.”

The subordinate hurriedly shook his head. “No, sir. It’s the Beastmate System. The match was made over a month ago, but we’ve been in Chitinids‘ territory and didn’t get the update.”

Malrik shot to his feet.

“Cancel the warship mission. Return to Central Planet immediately.”

D*mn it. He was only hearing about this now. He prayed Merlin wouldn’t learn of it- otherwise, that fool would surely mess things up. Not that he minded being tricked, but harming his huntress? That was unacceptable.

The manor.

Merlin, brought back by Edric from the hospital, sat stiffly on the couch.

He smiled politely at Lucien, Silas, and Marcus standing before him.

“Hello. It’s an honor to be one of Ms. Tibarn’s matches.”

Silas studied him, then whispered to Edric, “What did the doctor say? Is he badly hurt?”

Edric shook his head. “Your leaf healed most of his injuries. The doctor said he’s only weak from traveling so long without proper rest.”

“Useless,” Marcus muttered, his voice dripping with disdain.

Merlin clenched his fists, but he knew better than to offend Emma’s matches–at least not directly. Otherwise, Emma might resent him, and forming a bond with her would be impossible.

He leaned back on the couch and coughed weakly. “I… I’m sorry. I wasn’t careful. Just half a month of travel… and I’ve worn myself out like this.”