Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 87

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

Did he just call me Ms. Tibarnt?

Emma blinked, her mind reeling as she stood before the man who had just materialized in her room. The shock coursed through her like a jolt of electricity. “You’re my suitor? What’s your name?”

Her thoughts raced, a chaotic whirlwind of confusion. Just moments ago, she had been nestled under the covers in her own room, drifting off to sleep. How had this stranger entered without triggering the security system? A thousand questions clamored for attention in her mind as she scrutinized him, utterly perplexed.

The man chuckled softly, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. With a delicate touch, he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing against her skin. “I’m the one you were thinking about tonight, of course,” he replied, inching closer until his cool, invigorating scent enveloped her like a gentle breeze.

As he leaned in, he began to unbutton his shirt, each clasp slowly giving way, revealing glimpses of the skin beneath. His lips grazed the delicate curve of her ear, and his voice, smooth and cultured, contrasted sharply with the teasing intimacy of his actions. “Ms. Tibarn, aren’t you happy to see me?”

Emma stood frozen, her voice lost in the shock of the moment. Inside, her mind screamed, What a flirt!

This level of playful banter, this kind of charm—it could only belong to someone from the Enchanter Clan!

A flicker of suspicion crossed her features as she narrowed her eyes. “You’re… Malrik, aren’t you?”

For a heartbeat, Silas stilled, the air thick with tension. Then, without a word, he tossed his shirt aside, stepping closer, his body nearly brushing against hers as he wrapped an arm around her waist. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, sending a thrill through her. “Why would you think I’m from the Enchanter Clan, Ms. Tibarn? Why not Lucien? Or… Silas?”

He had been gravely injured, lying dormant like a withered branch, feigning the stillness of a lifeless piece of wood. Yet, his consciousness had never truly vanished; it ebbed and flowed in and out of slumber.

In those fleeting moments of lucidity, he had overheard Edric and Emma discussing her suitors, piecing together the fragmented details of his fate. He learned that the Beast God had paired him with a huntress—and, by a twist of fate, that very huntress had saved him while he lay in a state of unconsciousness.

He had also gleaned that Emma was human, and he understood the weight of that revelation. To the therian kind, human blood was a sacred treasure; it held the power to elevate a beast to divine status. Yet, despite the peril of exposing her secret, she had chosen to use her own blood to heal him.

Silas recognized that her motivations were not entirely aligned with his desires.

Silas chose not to respond directly. Instead, he gently pushed her back onto the bed, his movements deliberate. “Do you truly believe that only the Enchanter Clan knows how to seduce, Ms. Tibarn? Personas are merely masks for others to see. The real me—the one who remains hidden from everyone else—is the one who belongs solely to you.”

With that, he leaned down and captured her lips in a sudden, fervent kiss. “Remember this, Ms. Tibarn. I’m Silas. And I’m far more skilled at seducing than any Enchanter alive.”

Silas? He’s Silas?! That’s completely different from what the lightcore said!

Before she could articulate her surprise, his lips silenced her once more. His arms tightened around her waist, drawing her closer until there was barely any space left between them.

Her thin nightdress provided no barrier against his warmth; she could feel every contour of his body, every breath that caressed her skin. Despite his refined appearance, his kiss was anything but gentle—dominant, passionate, leaving her breathless and yearning for more.

Emma struggled against him, attempting to push him away, but he remained undeterred. In a moment of desperation, she bit down on his tongue, the sharpness of her action causing him to pull back, pain flickering in his eyes. Yet, beneath that calm exterior, there was a dangerous glint—something that quickened Emma’s pulse even further.

**Chapter 88: The Crescent Vine**