"Stop right there." Lucien's cool gaze swept over Silas. "All of you, come to the study." Silas paused. Marcus froze. Edric cleared his throat. "Then, I'll head back to train." He didn't argue with anyone in front of Emma. Lucien didn't let him off that easily. "Edric, you're coming too." Edric sighed. … On the third floor, inside the training room, Emma sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, her breath calm but powerful. The last flicker of light faded from the three Level 6 beast cores in her palms. They turned to dust as she absorbed every trace of their energy.The higher her rank climbed, the faster her body devoured energy. She was sure of it now. But even she wasn't a bottomless pit. When she'd first reached Rank 5, she could barely handle a single Level 6 beast core. Yesterday, she managed two. Today, three. If she kept progressing like this—and with enough beast cores at hand—she'd reach Rank 6 in no time. Before, her training had always been slow because she couldn't afford beast cores. She'd had to hunt beasts herself, one by one in the forest, saving up for weeks just to get enough for a single round of training. But that struggle was over. Lucien and the others had filled the storage room to the brim, and Marcus had brought a mountain of gifts. Now, there were enough beast cores to keep her supplied for a long time. … After training, Emma showered and changed into a soft, comfortable set of loungewear before heading downstairs to look for Silas. He was still in Lucien's study.She sent him a quick message. Silas: 'Go to my room first. I'll be there soon.' Emma opened his bedroom door—and stepped into what felt like another world. The floor was carpeted with delicate, finger-length blades of soft green grass, springy beneath her feet like walking on clouds. Tiny flowers in every color dotted the field, and firefly-like insects drifted through the air, glowing faintly as they danced. A small waterfall shimmered not far away, feeding a clear stream lined with luminous stones. Bright little fish darted between them, flashing their colors in the light. In the center of the valley stood a great blue tree, its branches hanging low like a curtain of willows. The cascading strands formed a natural canopy that wrapped around the bed, turning it into a hidden retreat. A gentle breeze rustled through the branches, carrying a scent of fresh leaves and water. Emma felt her whole body relax. Her mind drifted. These spatial stones were truly miraculous. With enough of them, anyone could shape a space into whatever they dreamed of—instantly. Her own room was made with them too: vast, warm, filled with light from floor-to-ceiling windows and cozy, golden tones. Lucien's and Silas' rooms reflected their own personalities—no two spaces alike. By the time Silas finally returned from Lucien's study, Emma was fast asleep. A gossamer-thin quilt floated over her like a cloud, soft and self-adjusting to her body temperature. Silas brushed aside the hanging branches and sat quietly at the edge of the bed. His fingers traced the outline of her face, gentle as a breeze. He bent down and pressed a kiss between her brows before reluctantly rising to take a shower. When he came back, his hair still damp, dressed in light sleepwear, he slipped into bed behind her. Vines began to sprout along the edge of the bed, twining upward in slow, graceful motions. Within a minute, they had formed a small, deep-blue hut woven entirely of living plants, enclosing the two of them in their own private world. Silas lay on his side, resting his head on one hand, watching her. He reached out; soft vines slid over Emma's wrist and waist, curling gently around her. The light tickle made her stir in her sleep, her body shifting slightly. "Mmm… Edric, cut it out." Edric liked to tease her with his serpent's tail, and she thought it was him again. At the sound of that name, Silas' eyes darkened. The vines around her waist tightened just enough to make her breathe faster. He leaned down and caught her earlobe lightly between his teeth. "Emy," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous, "in my room, you don't say another male's name." The scent of grass and wood surrounded her, pulling her from her dreams. Emma blinked open her eyes, meeting Silas' face inches from hers, handsome and close enough for his breath to touch her skin.Half-asleep, she smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Silas… you're back." "That's right, sweetheart. It's me." He kissed her lips, biting gently, afraid to hurt her. The vines slid under her clothes, tracing over her skin like living ribbons, wrapping and unwrapping in restless motion. His breathing grew rough, his control slipping. "Emy…" His voice broke into a whisper. "Emy, help me…" He couldn't hold back much longer. Why had Edric been the first one at her side, and not him? In that dreamlike world, everything burned. Emma felt like her whole body was on fire, her breath coming in heat and tremors. She didn't know if it was a dream, or if the night itself had caught flame.