Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 261

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 261: Carving a Gift**

Marcus felt an undeniable excitement coursing through him as he awaited Emma’s arrival. The moment he opened his eyes, he was already envisioning her presence, filling the space with her warmth.

He quickly sat up, casting a glance towards the couch, where he found Emma sprawled out, her eyes gently closed in slumber. A surge of determination filled him; he couldn’t let her remain in this state of indifference.

How could Ms. Tibarn, who had been so welcoming, suddenly withdraw from them?

No, it simply couldn’t be true…

Emma lay there, enjoying the fleeting moments of peace, when the soft sound of Marcus’ footsteps broke through her tranquil bubble.

“Stop!”

Her voice, still thick with sleep, sliced through the air, causing Marcus to freeze mid-step, his heart sinking slightly.

“Ms. Tibarn…” he began, his tone revealing a hint of vulnerability. She had been the one to open her home to them, yet now she seemed to disregard their presence entirely.

To his dismay, Emma displayed no inclination to soften in response to his pained voice.

“Go back,” she commanded with a firm resolve. “All of you, sleep. Quietly. Or I swear, I’ll get angry.”

The mere mention of her anger sent a chill through Marcus, prompting him to pivot and collapse back onto the bed, as if all his energy had been sapped away.

Corvin, Edric, and Kieran exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring Marcus’ apprehension. They complied even more rigidly, lying as still as statues on their beds, not daring to utter a single sound.

Emma, satisfied with the sudden silence enveloping the room, allowed a faint smile to grace her lips before she closed her eyes once more, sinking back into her own thoughts.

The night passed in a heavy silence, each of them lost in their own worlds.

With the arrival of morning, the sun spilled its golden light into the room, illuminating the space with a refreshing clarity. Emma took charge, guiding Edric, Corvin, Marcus, and Kieran towards the starrail that would whisk them away to the Four Domains.

Once they were aboard, she quickly sent a message to Silas: ‘Silas, we’re on the way. Just give it a few days, and I’ll see you!’

The clock read 11:29 on Tuesday, November 25th, a date that felt significant in her heart.

She didn’t stop there; she also reached out to Lucien, informing him of her departure.

A few days prior, Lucien had finally responded to her earlier messages, expressing his support for her journey to find both him and Silas. She had shared with him the curious vision of a cub she had seen in her dream, a detail that had sparked both excitement and concern in him.

Though he had not opposed her quest, the thought of her carrying a cub soon made him anxious for her safety.

Now, with her messages sent, Emma felt a twinge of disappointment as neither Silas nor Lucien replied. She reasoned that they must be preoccupied with their own affairs. With a sigh, she turned off her lightcore and retrieved the wood and carving knife she had prepared.

Carving was not new to her; she had practiced enough to develop a certain level of skill. Originally, she had envisioned creating a miniature version of herself and Silas, complete with his delicate bloom.

However, with Remy’s arrival looming and the dream still vivid in her mind, she decided to incorporate Remy into the design, placing him atop Silas’ flower.

“It’s not a weapon,” Emma replied, taking a sip of her juice before picking up the blade again. “It’s a puppet. I promised Silas a present, so I’m crafting a wooden puppet for him.”

The thought of Emma creating a gift with her own hands struck a chord in Corvin. He felt a swell of admiration for her dedication.

He studied the block of wood she was shaping, still uncertain about what it would eventually become. Yet he knew that anything she crafted personally would far exceed any material possession one could purchase.

He bit his lip, a fleeting desire washing over him—he wished for a gift made by Emma’s hands as well.

“Emma,” he said softly, “what must I do to earn one of your gifts? I don’t want anything else. Just a carving like that.”

Emma paused, her gaze thoughtful as she considered his request. “I can make one for you. But I don’t have any extra wood at the moment. You’ll have to wait.”

“I’ll wait,” Corvin replied, a bright smile spreading across his face. “No matter how long it takes.”

“Alright,” Emma said, her tone lightening. “Once I see Silas and come back, I’ll buy the proper wood. After that, I’ll make yours.”

For Emma, the act of carving was simple, almost effortless, a dance of creativity that flowed naturally from her.

“You’re the best, Emma,” Corvin exclaimed impulsively, wrapping her in a quick embrace and planting a firm kiss on her cheek before releasing her.

“Emma, you can get back to work now. I’ll just sit here quietly and keep you company,” he added, pulling a chair closer but maintaining a respectful distance. He even adjusted his lightcore to silent mode, ensuring he wouldn’t disturb her focus.