Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 281

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 281: Hiding Remy**

“A powerful Rank 11 warrior has just arrived in Thunderland, and they are adamant about seeing you,” the messenger announced, his voice carrying a weight that made the air around them thrum with tension.

Thero, usually composed and ready to handle any situation, felt a flicker of unease. If it had been anyone else, he would have taken charge, but a Rank 11 warrior was a different matter entirely. Their authority and presence demanded respect that he knew his words alone could not sway.

“Thunderland has a Rank 11 warrior? Which tribe do they hail from?” Kieran asked, his eyes wide with disbelief. The significance of this news was not lost on him.

“They come from Thundrune,” Thero replied, his tone grave.

Emma’s heart raced as she recalled the Thundrune tribe. They were known for their ethereal beauty, resembling delicate deer with shimmering antlers that could unleash bolts of lightning. The very essence of their being was intertwined with the power of storms, a legacy of lightning coursing through their veins.

“Thundrune?” Kieran repeated, his voice laced with awe as he turned to Drake. “Mr. Smith, you really should go and see them.”

The weight of history hung in the air; it had been millennia since a member of Thundrune had reached Rank 11. The fact that such a being sought out Drake specifically hinted at a purpose both profound and urgent.

If Drake chose to ignore their request, it was certain they would not simply walk away.

“What Thunderland? What Thundrune beast? Just because they want to see me, I have to see them?” Drake’s voice was defiant, a stubborn refusal to bend to the pressure of the situation.

“I’m having lunch with Emma,” he stated firmly, his priorities clear. “No matter what, that lunch is more important.”

“Uh…” Thero glanced at Emma, silently pleading for her assistance.

“Emma, you have to talk to him,” Thero urged, his eyes darting back to Drake, who seemed to have grown increasingly obstinate.

Sensing the urgency in Thero’s demeanor, Emma understood that the visitor was likely driven by a significant motive. The look on Thero’s face told her that this was not a matter to be taken lightly; the warrior from Thundrune would not simply leave empty-handed.

A Rank 11 warrior was a force to be reckoned with, and it would be unwise to underestimate their intentions.

“Besides,” Emma thought, her mind racing, “Drake still has Remy perched on his head. What if things turn chaotic in Aquadome? If a confrontation ensues, what if Remy gets hurt?”

Drake’s own injuries were still fresh, and his mental strength had yet to fully recover. The thought of him facing an opponent of that caliber while still vulnerable sent a shiver down her spine.

After a moment’s contemplation, Emma turned to Drake, her voice steady yet gentle. “Drake, since they want to see you, you really should go.”

Drake hesitated, a frown etched on his face, but eventually he nodded, albeit reluctantly. “I’ll listen to you,” he conceded, his loyalty to her evident.

Silas chimed in, “What is Emma doing? Is the environment safe?”

Kieran glanced back at Emma and snapped a quick photo to share. “Ms. Tibarn is combing Drake’s hair,” he replied, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Emma stood behind Drake, her fingers gliding through his silky black hair with care. She gathered the strands on either side and at the top, skillfully tying them into a half-high ponytail secured with a dark-gold hair tie. The ends cascaded down, blending seamlessly with the rest of his hair, creating a look both regal and approachable.

Remy was cleverly concealed at the base, his presence hidden beneath the thick curtain of hair.

Lucien quickly responded, “I want Emma to comb my hair too.”

Corvin added, “That hairstyle looks nice. I want it.”

Edric couldn’t resist chiming in, “That old dragon has no shame. I want to shave all his hair off.”

Marcus quipped, “Dragons look better without a head!”

With his hair tied back, Drake’s smooth forehead and sharp brows were now fully visible, his black eyes glinting with a commanding intensity. The loose strands softened the otherwise fierce look, adding an air of calm to his imposing presence. As the hair shifted slightly, it lent him an unexpected warmth, a juxtaposition to the power he exuded.