Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 446

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley 446**

### Chapter 446: Blood of the Pyreborn

“Only the blood of a human, combined with their perfect genes, can enable Lucien to achieve a true Pyreborn transformation,” Edric declared, his voice heavy with gravity. His gaze drifted toward the recovery pod, as if he were bracing himself for the impact of his own words. “Given everything we’ve discussed, I believe you’ve already come to the conclusion. Emma—she’s human.”

The confirmation struck Marcus like a lightning bolt, electrifying his very core.

He had harbored suspicions for some time, but hearing Edric articulate the truth shattered his composure. With a sharp pivot, he turned his eyes to the pod, urgency and disbelief intertwining in his voice. “So, Ms. Tibarn intends to sacrifice her own blood for the transfusion?”

Edric nodded solemnly, a single, grave acknowledgment that hung heavily in the air. “Yes.”

From the moment the Aurelian physician had mentioned that only human blood could catalyze Lucien’s rebirth, Marcus had felt a sinking sensation in his gut, a premonition that he had dreaded. He didn’t need to think long; he already knew Emma’s heart would lead her to this perilous choice.

He sank to the ground, feeling as if the weight of the world had settled on his shoulders. Questions swirled chaotically in his mind, but he kept them bottled up inside. Why hadn’t Edric intervened? Deep down, they all understood that once Emma made up her mind, there was no force that could deter her.

His gaze became unfocused as he stared blankly at the trees swaying in the distance, bitterness tainting his voice. “If I had known it would come to this, I should have ended Lucien’s life back on the Pantheon Battlefield. At least then, Ms. Tibarn wouldn’t have to sacrifice herself for him.”

The thought of Emma’s fury—her rage that had compelled her to sever his beast mark—felt trivial now. Nothing mattered to him as long as she remained safe. But now…

Inside the recovery pod, Emma sat resolutely in a medical chair, her slender arm extended with a quiet determination. A thin, gleaming tube pierced her delicate skin with surgical precision, and crimson blood began to flow through the transparent line—vivid and alive, as if it were carrying the very essence of life itself.

Beside her, a monitoring device beeped softly, tracking her vitals with reassuring steadiness. On the other side of the pod lay Lucien, motionless on the treatment bed, his body connected to a web of tubes. One by one, they siphoned away the dark, tainted blood that had been corrupted by Chitinid genes.

Silas moved with careful precision, his heart aching at the sight of Emma’s unwavering resolve. “Does it hurt, Emy?” he asked gently, concern etched deeply on his face.

Emma shook her head, a small smile breaking through her determination as she nibbled on a Beast God’s fruit, treating it as if it were merely a delightful snack. “No, I feel perfectly fine. Just keep going.”

The fruit hadn’t done much for Lucien, but for her, it worked wonders. The instant she took a bite, a surge of energy coursed through her body, replenishing what had been drained away. Despite the rapid loss of blood, her complexion remained bright, untouched by any signs of weakness.

“Silas, this Beast God’s fruit really works! I’ve lost so much blood, but I don’t even feel dizzy. If anything, I feel more energized,” she exclaimed, her spirit lifting as she envisioned herself lifting a boulder in that moment.

Silas adjusted the controls beside her, affectionately ruffling her hair. “Only you could come up with something this clever. You’ve truly made the most of that fruit.”

No sooner had he spoken than strange, dark-purple veins began to glow beneath Lucien’s skin. They spread like sinister tendrils from his heart, crawling across his body as an icy, violent aura filled the room.

“Urgh…” A low groan escaped Lucien’s throat, his fingers curling tightly around the bedsheet, veins bulging on the back of his hand as if he were enduring unbearable agony.

“He’s not going to die, is he?” Emma whispered, her eyes wide with fear, dread pooling in her stomach.

As Emma’s blood flowed into Lucien’s veins, the tension in the room escalated, mirroring the turmoil within Marcus as he grappled with the gravity of her choice. The realization that Emma was willing to sacrifice her own essence for Lucien’s transformation underscored the depth of her love and bravery, igniting a fierce protectiveness in Marcus. He watched helplessly, torn between admiration for her courage and a gnawing fear for her safety. The emotional stakes had never been higher; Emma’s unwavering resolve became both a beacon of hope and a source of despair, reminding Marcus of the fragility of life and the lengths one would go for love. In that moment, he understood that their fates were intertwined, and the weight of his past decisions now hung heavily on his conscience.

Meanwhile, as Lucien writhed in agony, the room filled with an electric tension, a stark contrast to Emma’s earlier lightheartedness. Her determination to save him was unwavering, yet the sight of his suffering shattered her spirit, amplifying her fears of the unknown. The dark tendrils of his Chitinid genes fought against her blood, symbolizing not only the physical battle at hand but also the emotional struggle within Emma. She had stepped into a life she had once feared, embracing her role as a savior despite the risks involved. In that moment, she realized that true strength lay not just in her willingness to sacrifice but also in her capacity to face the fears that had long held her captive. As Lucien’s body began to change, Emma’s heart swelled with a mixture of hope and dread, marking a pivotal moment in her journey—a testament to the power of love and the courage it takes to embrace the life one is destined to live.

### What to Expect in Next Chapter?

As the tension escalates, readers can brace themselves for a gripping continuation in the next chapter, where the stakes are raised even higher. Emma’s courageous act of sacrifice will be put to the ultimate test as Lucien’s transformation spirals into chaos. With the dark tendrils of the Chitinid genes resisting her blood, the room will pulse with an energy that is both electric and foreboding. Will Emma’s determination be enough to overpower the sinister forces at play, or will Lucien’s transformation come at a devastating cost?

Moreover, the emotional turmoil within Marcus will deepen as he grapples with the weight of his past decisions and the consequences of his inaction. Readers can expect a poignant exploration of loyalty, love, and sacrifice as he confronts his feelings for Emma and the lengths he would go to protect her. As the recovery pod becomes a battleground for Lucien’s fate, alliances may shift, and unexpected revelations could emerge, altering the course of their intertwined destinies. Prepare for heart-pounding moments, as the lines between friend and foe blur, and the true nature of the Beast God’s intentions begins to unravel.