Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 71

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

Emma’s eyes fluttered open, and her gaze quickly locked onto Edric’s face, a portrait of shock and unease. The remnants of sleep clung to her like a thick fog, making her feel both drowsy and curious.

What had Edric done this time to elicit such a startled expression?

Why did he look as if he had seen a ghost?

With a voice still laced with the warmth of slumber, she reached out, her fingers curling invitingly as she beckoned him closer. “Edric, come here and hug me!” she called, her words thick and soft, like a gentle caress.

Edric stood frozen for a heartbeat, his mind racing with a tempest of anxious thoughts. He could already imagine a multitude of disastrous outcomes: Emma’s fury, her demand for him to leave, or, even worse, her deciding that he was no longer welcome in her life.

But to his utter disbelief, none of those dreadful scenarios unfolded.

Emma simply gazed at him, her eyes shimmering with a warmth that melted away his fears as she lay cozily in the bed. In her sleepy state, she appeared so soft and utterly enchanting, igniting a fierce longing within him to pull her close.

He swallowed hard, the lump in his throat a mixture of regret and desire. Just as he parted his lips to speak, a strange sensation washed over him; his snake tail retreated, morphing back into human legs, and he bent down, gently lifting her into his arms.

“Emma, I’m so sorry for waking you,” he murmured, his voice thick with genuine remorse.

In that instant, Emma understood the source of his anxiety. It wasn’t fear of her anger; it was solely the worry that he had disrupted her peaceful slumber.

With a playful touch, she ran her fingers across his firm abdomen, her eyes dancing over his handsome features. She feigned a pout, stifling a giggle that threatened to spill forth. “I was having the most wonderful dream, and then you woke me up. That’s really unforgivable, you know,” she teased, her tone light yet infused with mischief.

Edric stiffened at her playful accusation, panic flickering across his face like a candle in the wind.

“Emma, I…” he began, desperate to explain himself, but before he could articulate his thoughts, Emma laughed, leaning in to press her lips against his in a soft, unexpected kiss.

—

**Chapter 71: Performing Mental Comfort For Edric**

“Since you’re so dreadful for waking me up, you have to stay here and nap with me as your punishment,” she declared, her eyes sparkling with playful defiance.

In truth, the idea of snuggling up to a handsome guy was infinitely more appealing than the prospect of sleeping alone.

“Huh?” Edric’s mind spun in a whirlwind, completely thrown off balance by Emma’s unexpected invitation.

“What are you waiting for? Just lie down,” she urged, a playful grin spreading across her face as she pushed him onto the bed, snuggling into his arms with a sense of ownership that made his heart race.

In that moment, a thought struck her—Edric was on the verge of a breakthrough.

“I just want to nap with you for a while, nothing more. That’s okay, right?” she asked, her voice laced with a hint of concern.

Edric sensed her hesitation; he could feel the weight of her worry pressing down on them. He nodded gently, a reassuring smile breaking through his initial tension. “Just a nap is fine,” he replied, his heart pounding at the thought of being so intimately close to her.

Even if her desires might run deeper, he was determined to keep his own impulses in check.

In the quiet of the room, Edric took a moment to lock away Corvin and Coalball, the creatures he had unceremoniously tossed off the bed. With a flicker of his mental power, he ensured they would remain silent, preventing any disturbance that might interrupt Emma’s much-needed rest.

Then, he wrapped his arms around her, feeling an overwhelming wave of contentment wash over him.

The sweet, floral scent of Emma enveloped him, soothing his frayed nerves and allowing him to relax completely. Holding her felt like nothing he had ever known before, a serene bliss that settled deep within his soul.

As Emma drifted into a peaceful sleep, her breaths soft and rhythmic, the world outside faded away until morning arrived, unceremoniously breaking the spell.

Emma was puzzled by his tension but nodded seriously. “Yeah, your mental power was so unstable. Why didn’t you tell me? If I hadn’t remembered just now, I wouldn’t have known you were suffering so much every day.”

To Edric, the pain was a familiar companion, one he had learned to live with in silence.

He scrutinized her with lingering concern. “Are you all right?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Emma asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

It was merely a small act of mental comfort, after all.

Edric continued to check her over, his worry palpable, but eventually, he began to relax a bit, ready to explain himself.

—

As the morning light crept into the room, illuminating the space where Emma and Edric lay entwined, a profound shift began to take shape in their relationship. The playful banter that had once masked their deeper fears and insecurities transformed into a tender understanding. Emma’s gentle touch on Edric’s tail and her willingness to delve into the chaos of his mind signified a burgeoning trust that neither had anticipated. In that moment, they both realized that vulnerability could be a bridge, not a barrier. Edric’s anxiety began to dissolve under Emma’s nurturing presence, while she, too, felt the weight of her own fears lift as she embraced the intimacy of their connection.

The unspoken promise of support hung in the air, a testament to their evolving bond. Edric’s relief at Emma’s acceptance of his struggles mingled with a newfound determination to share his burdens, while Emma discovered the strength within herself to be a guiding light for him. Together, they stood on the precipice of a life they had both been afraid to fully embrace, their hearts whispering the possibility of love and healing. As they exchanged glances filled with unvoiced understanding, they knew that they had taken the first steps toward a shared journey, one that would require courage but also offer profound joy. In this moment, they had not only opened the door to their fears but also to a life rich with hope and connection.

—

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the next chapter, readers can anticipate a deepening of the bond between Emma and Edric as they navigate the complexities of their feelings for one another. With Edric’s mental stability still a concern, Emma’s newfound ability to provide him with comfort will likely lead to pivotal conversations about vulnerability and trust. Will Edric finally open up about the pain he has kept hidden? As they explore the depths of each other’s minds and emotions, the stakes will rise, and the tension between them will become palpable, pushing them closer to a defining moment in their relationship.

Moreover, the chapter promises to delve into the intricacies of their unique connection, as Emma grapples with her own emotions while trying to understand Edric’s struggles. Expect moments of laughter and tenderness, interspersed with the weight of their shared experiences. As they confront their fears and insecurities, the question looms: will their bond withstand the challenges ahead, or will the shadows of their pasts threaten to tear them apart? The anticipation builds as readers are left wondering how far Emma and Edric are willing to go for each other in a world that seems determined to keep them at odds.