Chapter 22

*Heat Period*
She should interrogate—restrict—command answers—oath for life.
All the way Bai Shuzhou thought—indifference for right choice—lies and betrayal everywhere—
Yet holding broken Zhu Yu—same words again—chance—for a reason.
What do you want to say?
Zhu Yu gripped hand—shaking—poured Phoenix story—Royal Academy live experiments—forbidden—mutant fear rage—
Bai Shuzhou scars like Phoenix—
“Mutant too?” Light—secret shared—
You too— experimented?
Tail hard whip—not that question—not her turn—
Silence—waiting more—Zhu Yu only stared—tears—mist—
Cold: “What else?”
Caught down gaze—pulled ring—“Wanted to return—won’t come off—sorry.”
Raised ring for empire—now careful smile—
Brow knit—return like escape—too many sorrys—distance—
Nothing she wanted to hear.
Must bind her to talk?
Finger on lip—force eye contact—
“What are you thinking.”
Flat—but rose breath soft on cheek—
Blood smell close—pain seen—bleeds tears—
Blink—upturn tail—sweet—heart landed careful—
Buried in warm arm.
“Sister—I missed you.”
Not complain—not whine—just missed.
“Knew you wouldn’t abandon me!”
Sure—but gripping sleeve shakes—
Hot breath—tears—wet chest—
Imperial affairs to Feng—ransom letter unknown—why this change—
Half day—she chose stay—Federation ties—
Sigh—hoarse—“They hit you—don’t you dodge?”
Usually smart—don’t burn to shine—stupid—
Finger on hot gland—guide spirit—cold touch—flush worse—shrunk—afraid thoughts seen—
Touch collapsed tower—rose into gland—heart breaking cage—
Knights came—control—separate—
Emperor orders—return princess—Yzelia investigate disappearance—
“Med team ready—we’ll care—Majesty waits—” polite hard—
Auction unplanned—
Girl grabbed fingertips—clear—“Zhu Yu—blessing Zhu—surplus Yu.”
“Shan Hai Jing herb—eat no hunger.”
Intro—finger on lips—“Quiet—sober later.”
Won’t release—med team—silver case—cold vials—
Red eye corners—pheromone effect—rose in hair—soft command—victims—captives—press—diplomacy—sharp—
Yzelia thrilled—tail high—vines bound her—didn’t care—silver wings—admiration—
Yes! Princess guards soldier dignity—even abusive ex!
Great spirit—beautiful wings—
Memory Bai Shuzhou—pride—honor lip curve—
But voice hoarse—silver on girl shoulder—pause—swallowed breath—
Zhu Yu in arms—corner—Yzelia teeth grind—provocation—
Bai Shuzhou crooked finger—
Gold bright—Yzelia close—knight warn distance—pushed away—
Zhu Yu in arms—why distance—nobody pulls her out—
“Yzelia—catch the leak—other tunnels—” patting back—cold at top box—
“But emperor said bring Zhu Yu—I can’t leave her with you—”
“Only you can.” Steady—“Alive.”
Trusted! Tiger proud—“Yes!”
“Also—I interrogate Zhu Yu—isolation room.”
—
Tiger stunned—knight ugly—“Suspect not cleared—dangerous!”
Vertical glance—
Knight grit—“At least suppressor—stabilize—”
Not negotiation—attendants pin Zhu Yu—Alpha suppressor—
Calm girl saw needle—violent struggle—cover nape—
Vision blur—light spots—body dodge phantom attacks—
Heat—senses magnified—
Fractus reverse—thoughts sliced—
White room—void fall—screen 【Refused】—blue hate—gone—
“Don’t go…” whisper—
Don’t go please—
Don’t hate—don’t leave—
Spirit tearing flesh—
Sweat shirt—silent tears—
Want scream—barrier—unheard—
Faceless dots vanish—
Pinch wrist—nail flesh—
Fingers pass arm—face—no heart—
No self—
Fall silent cosmos—
Zhu Yu! Zhu Yu!
Ice hand through dark—grabbed her—
Stiff tremble—
Red mole flame—reality—
Cangyao warship—isolation—
Thick silence—private—
Kneeling—cold hands face—
Kiss cracked bleeding lips—
“Mm!” Bound hands jerk—whimper—
Neck arched—gland red—fingers knead—
Silver hair moon on shoulder—
Beast instinct—
Vines arms belly—bite lip—blood rose on tongue—
“Mm—” Bai Shuzhou stiff—pain hum—
Brow pain—blue eyes complex—endure—forbear—
“Zhu Yu…” steady hoarse—“Relax.”
Rose not gentle tide—vine force—bind domain—
“Don’t resist—take my power.” Ear—“Good—”
Body loosen—
Moon stream skin—
Will into chaos sea—unravel knots—
Pain tide out—warm spring—
Hell to hot bath—cling cool—
Forehead collarbone—rose scent—whimper—“Sister…”
Good—pinch cheek—
Switch—black eyes wet—“Sister.”
Sprout before storm—
Wood scent burst—true pheromone—
Bai Shuzhou start—pull away—
Too late—
Gold spirit tangled vines—world inverted—
Hands free—voluntary behind back till now—
“Mm!” Bai Shuzhou pressed—wall—hair wild—
Hand behind head—limit—
Waiting this?
“Zhu Yu—no mark—!”
Rose wild—vine thorns on Alpha gland—pierce if cross—
Heart thrill—control lost—
Lip bite—rose dew with wood—
Secrets—concentration rising—born to tangle—
Arm around neck—nails on gland—reins—
Alpha out of control dangerous—hated strength gap—
Low head—wood breath—ear—reined desire—
Forehead only—
Stars hold breath—
Hot magnetic hoarse—“Sister…”
“I like you—” clumsy words—“Do you like me?”
Pause—century—
“Can you—like me?”
Fingers on gland white—no strength—
Silk damp—dark spreading stain.