Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 214

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley 214**
**Chapter 214: Pearls and Secrets**

Without a moment’s hesitation, Emma leaned in and pressed her lips against his once more, feeling a rush of warmth flood through her.

But just as she contemplated pulling away, Marcus’s arms enveloped her, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss in a way that sent her heart racing.

Her breath caught in her throat, stolen away by the intensity of the moment.

The kiss was charged with a fierce, almost predatory heat that made her pulse quicken. She could feel his teeth grazing her lower lip, a tantalizing and dangerous tease that ignited something wild within her.

One of his hands found the back of her neck, his thumb gently stroking the sensitive skin there, compelling her to tilt her head back and surrender to the full force of the kiss.

“Mmm…”

The soft sound of their lips meeting resonated in the hushed room, a melody of intimacy that made her heart flutter.

Emma could feel his tail, warm and sinuous, sliding slowly up her spine, the soft fur brushing against her skin, sending delightful shivers coursing through her body.

After what felt like an eternity, Marcus reluctantly released her, his breath ragged. “Ms. Tibarn, I fear I’ve overstepped my bounds.”

Overstepped? He had crossed that line long ago!

Flustered and overwhelmed, Emma sprang to her feet. “You’re fine now, so I’ll just… I need to go.”

With that, she hurried out of the room, her cheeks aflame.

What a nightmare this was! In a setting like that, how could anyone avoid… getting swept away in the moment?

As she entered the living room, she found Edric, Silas, and Lucien already wrapping up the preparations for lunch, the air thick with the tantalizing aroma of food.

“Emma,” Edric greeted her, his eyes sparkling with warmth that made her heart skip a beat.

He stepped forward, taking her hand in his, and she could almost feel the heat radiating from him. If only Silas and Lucien weren’t here, he thought, he would have pulled her straight into his arms.

“I’m sorry,” he continued, his voice a smooth murmur. “I didn’t realize I had worn you out so much. I promise it won’t happen again.”

He’d been by her side for three days while she slept, and now that she was awake, he felt a surge of excitement that made it hard for him to control himself.

Next time, he vowed silently, I’ll be more gentle.

Emma’s thoughts raced. Is this really a conversation for public ears? Especially with Silas and Lucien present?

Her face flamed a deeper shade of red as she pinched his palm hard, snapping, “I’m fine! I was just sleepy, that’s all. I wasn’t tired out!”

Silas and Lucien exchanged amused glances, pressing their lips together to stifle their laughter.

Emma wished she could vanish into thin air, perhaps board a spaceship and escape to another world entirely.

“Emma, let’s eat,” Lucien said kindly, his voice a lifeline that pulled her from her embarrassment.

“Yes, food! I’m starving,” she replied quickly, relief flooding her as she turned toward the kitchen.

Her stomach growled in agreement; the breakfast porridge had barely touched her hunger.

Finally, one by one, they shook their heads, disappointment written all over their faces.

“No, this isn’t our king.”

“Our king is far too proud to engage in something as childish as blowing bubbles.”

“Yes, our aloof, noble king would never resort to such silliness!”

“Exactly!”

They all concurred—Kieran, their king, was far too dignified and reserved to ever partake in such frivolity.

Lucien let out a sigh, the weight of their collective disappointment heavy in the air.

Silas had been right—they didn’t recognize him at all.

“It seems I was mistaken,” he said, his voice laced with sincerity as he offered an apology. “Thank you for coming all this way to continue the search for your king.”

“Then we entrust our king to you, Your Highness,” they replied, tears welling in their eyes.

Moving on land was a tremendous challenge for the Merfolk, and they needed Aurelia’s assistance to locate him.

As the elders spoke, tears streamed down their weathered faces, and pearls fell from their eyes, landing on the floor with soft, sorrowful “plop” sounds.

Each elder was a being of Rank 8 or 9, and the pearls they shed were large, lustrous, and perfectly round—gems so rare they were seldom seen even in the most prestigious markets.