Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 532

Chapter 532 Lines That Shouldn’t Be Crossed

Silas only wanted one.

It was Lucien who intended to twist the deal and quietly pocket two for himself.

“Hah.” A dry, humorless laugh escaped Calum. A few beasts that won’t listen?

Silas dismissed them as if they were nothing, not even worth naming. Calum understood the message in that quiet: take down even one, and the Empire would quake.

This was no longer confidence. It was ambition, ferce and untamed.

Calum studied Silas closely, his expression heavy. “So even being the Legendary First Commander no longer satisfies you.”

Meanwhile, Lucien slipped soundlessly into his room.

Emma sprawled across the bed. Her breathing was slow and deep, her eyes already closed, as though she’d already slipped into dreams.

He shrugged off his coat, drew near, and gently wrapped the blanket around her shoulders.

“That was quick.” Emma opened her eyes and slipped her arms around his. “So? Did you already think your way out of trouble?”

Lucien sat beside her, fingers brushing a stray lock from her cheek and tucking it back with practiced ease. “Emma, how exactly would you like me to talk my way out of it?”

She looked at him. “Where did you go just now?”

“I spent some time in the observatory,” Lucien replied. “Looked at the view with Silas and Alaric.”

Just the view? Emma doubted it. Each of them was plotting in their own fashion–none of them simple, and certainly none innocent.

She let go of him, yawned, then shifted farther under the blanket. “Dinner’s still far off. Come, sleep with me.”

Her words were heavy with fatigue, each syllable sinking into the quiet room.

Lucien lay down and drew her against his chest.

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Chapter 532 Lines That Shouldn’t Be Crossed

“I thought you’d want to know what we discussed,” he murmured.

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Emma curled into him, eyes drifting shut, her words slow. “I don’t need to ask. It was obviously about me. Whatever you said, you said it for my sake. Whether I question you or not, you’d still make the same choices. So what’s the point of asking?”

She finished, nuzzling her forehead against his chest. “It’s so tiring, trying to keep control of everything.”

Emma had never wanted that role, and she wasn’t arrogant enough to think she could outmaneuver Lucien or Silas. Not even close.

They knew her limits. As long as they didn’t cross them, whatever they chose to do was their business.

She wouldn’t interfere or pry. If she ever wanted answers, she’d ask. If she didn’t, she’d let it be.

Lucien held her closer. Warmth mingled with a subtle ache in his chest; Emma’s unflinching insight always left him feeling exposed, and that honesty stung in ways he could not name.

He bent to press a slow kiss to her forehead, his rough palm resting over her stomach, steady and still.

“Go to sleep,” he whispered. “I’m here.”

Emma hummed softly, drifting. “Lucien… something Alaric said earlier. Phoenixes hatch from eggs, right? So, how many eggs will I have?”

For now, all they knew was that phoenix blood ran strong. The number remained a mystery.

Yet Alaric guessed that since Lucien had broken through level twelve and reached level thirteen, there would most likely be only one.

Lucien chuckled quietly while replying, “At higher levels, having a cub becomes harder. It’ll probably just be one cub.”

Just as Alaric predicted. Emma sighed, a hint of longing in her breath. “That’s a shame. I wanted to give you a whole flock, just to see you unravel.”

It would be like Rowan all over again–chasing one cub while another slipped away, until he’s spinning in circles, nearly in tears.

The thought of Lucien surrounded by flapping, mischievous phoenixes nearly broke her

composure.

Lucien stiffened. “Emma. Please don’t.”

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Chapter 532 Lines That Shouldn’t Be Crossed

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One was already more than enough. The thought of more sent a throb through his temples. disaster looming at the edge of his mind.

“It’s a wonderful idea,” he said seriously, “just… not for me. Marcus would be a better choice. He looks half–dead every day. A few cubs might actually wake him up.”

Emma leveled a long, knowing stare at him. Tsk tsk. So this is his game: dodge the burden by passing it to someone else.

Seeing her silent, Lucien continued, “If not Marcus, then Corvin. He’s gentle and simple–his cubs would be the same. Cubs like that deserve to come in groups.

“Or Calum,” he added thoughtfully. “He adores cubs. Imagine a bed full of tiger cubs–he’d be ecstatic.”

Now wide awake, mischief danced in Emma’s eyes. She looked up at Lucien, barely suppressing a grin. “I don’t care about their panic. I want to see you panic.”

Lucien stunned.

She imagined him frozen, spirit crumpled, while a flock of little phoenixes scattered in wild chaos.

The thought nearly undid her.

“Emma, don’t-”

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