Corvin leaned in and whispered fast. "The huntress kicked you out and let Prince Lucien in. He's still up there. Guess His Highness knows how to please her better than you do." Silas stared at him like he'd grown another head. "Didn't think that metal skull of yours could gossip this well." Corvin crossed his arms. "I'm not gossiping. I'm just telling the truth." He hadn't slept at all. He was too worried Lucien would snitch. Maybe he'd tell Emma that Corvin had been too rough on him. Silas gave a sharp laugh. "You're scared Lucien's gonna complain to Emma that you bullied him, aren't you?" "I did not!" Corvin barked. "I took great care of him! Treated him almost like my own kid. I was just a little strict."He rubbed the back of his neck. "How was I supposed to know he was Lucien?" Silas clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Relax. Prince Lucien isn't the type to tattle. He's got too much pride for that." Corvin squinted. "You're sure? You promise?" Silas nodded once. "If he complains, I'll take care of it." Corvin grinned, relief spreading across his face. "Knew I could count on you, Silas." He stretched, finally letting himself breathe. "Alright, I'm heading to bed. You're my brother now. Once the huntress treats me better, I won't forget what you did." He smirked. "I always pay back favors." Silas smiled lightly. "What a good friend you are, huh?" "Yeah," Corvin said proudly, heading off to his room. When he was gone, Silas turned his gaze toward the third floor. His jaw tensed, and his eyes darkened. D*mn it. He'd been careless. He'd forgotten that the Aurelias had their own unique bonding ritual. He'd guarded against everything else, yet still let Lucien get ahead. "It's over," he muttered under his breath. "Things are about to get ugly." Morning arrived. The first light of dawn slipped through the white curtains, spilling across the bed in soft gold. Lucien's eyes opened slowly. The pain in his body was gone. His injuries had healed completely. His energy burned brighter than before.He froze. His power had climbed to Rank 11 overnight. That had never happened in the history of the Empire. Realization hit like a spark, and he turned fast. Emma lay beside him, still asleep. Her small frame was curled against his chest, her face pale but peaceful. Her slender legs rested across his, soft and warm. The nightgown she wore clung to her, the fabric light as mist. "Emma?" Lucien's voice trembled. Seeing her so pale filled him with guilt and worry. He gently pulled the blanket over her, careful not to wake her. She stirred anyway, her eyelashes fluttering. Her sleepy eyes met his. "Lucien," she murmured, voice soft and drowsy. "You're awake." Emma woke fast, the haze of sleep fading from her mind. The potion she drank last night had done its job. Her dizziness was gone, but her body still felt drained, her muscles weak. She reached out and touched Lucien's face, her fingers tracing the edge of his jaw. "How do you feel?" she asked quietly. "Are your wounds better? Is your ability back?" Lucien's throat tightened. His voice shook when he spoke. "You… you gave me your blood, didn't you?" Even saying it made his chest ache. He knew how rare her blood was, and she had given it to him without hesitation. Emma nodded. "Yeah. You turned back into Coalball and passed out. I thought you were dying. I panicked and fed you my blood. Are you okay now? Feeling any better?"She knew her blood could heal therians, but she had never tested how powerful it was. She'd only ever given it to Silas once. Maybe she hadn't given enough back then, because he hadn't recovered as fast as she'd hoped. Lucien took her hand gently, his lips curving in a faint smile. "I'm healed. Completely. And I advanced. I broke through, Emma. I reached Level Eleven." Her breath caught. That was impossible. Advancing past Rank 10 was something most therians never achieved, even after decades of effort. Lucien had been stuck at that peak for years, and now he had done it in one night. "You reached Rank 11?" she said in disbelief. "You mean my blood helped you break through?" Lucien nodded."Yes. It was your blood. Emma, thank you. But please promise me you'll never do that again." His voice was firm but filled with fear. He would rather stay trapped at Rank 10 forever than see her bleed for him again. Emma blinked, her surprise turning into understanding. Now she finally knew how strong her blood really was. She must have given Silas too little before. She threw the blanket aside and climbed over him, straddling his waist. Her hands framed his face, her gaze burning with determination. "I know what you're thinking," she said. "You're the same as Silas. You don't want me to get hurt." "But you're my family, Lucien. You're my partner. If I can help you, why would I ever hold back?" Lucien's lips parted, uncertain. "But—" Emma silenced him with a kiss. Her lips met his, warm and firm, her breath brushing against his skin."No buts, Lucien," she whispered against his mouth. "Trust me. I won't go too far."