Corvin didn't even feel the need to argue. He said flatly, "Take Marcus with you. He's Rank 11—it'll be safer if he's by your side." Emma had no objections. She tossed Cotton Candy to Corvin. "He's yours for now. I'm going to find Marcus." When Emma stepped out of the rest pod, she saw Marcus had already stored the crystal coffin and was waiting neatly by the entrance. The moment he saw her, he moved forward and took her hand. "Ms. Tibarn, where are we heading to pick fruit?" he asked. "Should I shift into my beast form so you can ride?" The book had made it clear. Before bonding, a male had to keep his huntress in a good mood, prevent her from tiring, and maintain plenty of physical contact. Staying close was crucial—so that when the time came to bond, she wouldn't instinctively push him away. Marcus gently kneaded Emma's hand. It was soft, warm—perfect to hold. That rabbit didn't even compare.He leaned closer as he spoke, their shoulders almost brushing. Emma could feel his cool palm pressing into hers. The faint chill slipped between their fingers, impossible to ignore. His touch was deliberate—slow pressure, pauses at each knuckle for a precise, careful squeeze. A tremor ran up her spine. Her first instinct was to pull away, but his grip only tightened. His thumb traced lazy circles on the back of her hand—steady, comforting. Almost possessive. Something felt off about him today. Emma glanced at Marcus, who was standing dangerously close, and frowned. "Are you feeling all right?" she asked. Why is he standing so close, and why is he toying with my hand like that? What exactly is he trying to do? "I'm all right," Marcus replied seriously. "Ms. Tibarn, are you uncomfortable?" Am I doing something wrong? Maybe the way I'm holding her hand is making her uneasy.He hesitated, debating whether to release her, but Emma said calmly, "I'm fine. If you're fine too, let's go find Aria." Ms. Tibarn hasn't said she's uncomfortable—so that means she isn't, right? Marcus didn't let go. Instead, he intertwined their fingers and walked beside her toward Aria's location. ... Inside the rest pod, Corvin was typing a message to Silas. Corvin: 'Silas, I finished all the books you sent yesterday. Got anything else? I want to learn more.' Silas had just signed off on a stack of reports from his subordinates when the message popped up. He frowned. Is this guy really that good at learning? Silas: 'You understood both books already?' Corvin: 'Yeah. I've got a photographic memory—I remember everything in them.' And he wasn't exaggerating. He truly remembered every word, though a few concepts still puzzled him. He could always test those later. Silas sent him a few more links. Silas: 'Since you're such a quick learner, study these next. They're video lessons.' Corvin received the files but didn't open them right away. Corvin: 'You're the best, Silas. Don't worry—I'll pay you back. When we return, I'll send you some gear.' Marcus had given him two Rank 10 insect cores earlier, and Corvin felt like he'd struck gold. Beside him, Malrik peeked at the links and tapped a few buttons on Corvin's lightcore with his tiny paws. "Cotton Candy, stop that," Corvin warned. Then he froze. His heart nearly stopped when he saw what the rabbit had done. Malrik's taps had forwarded all the links Silas sent—to the liaison group Corvin had created for Emma's suitors. It automatically sent private messages to everyone in the group. Corvin had made that group after finding out who Emma's potential partners were, so he could coordinate with them more easily. Back then, Drake hadn't officially broken off his match with her, so he was included. Damian and Kael had already been removed. No one had ever spoken in that group since its creation—Corvin had practically forgotten it existed. And at the moment, thanks to that rabbit, it was active again. Worse, the messages couldn't be recalled. "Cotton Candy, do you realize the disaster you just caused?" Corvin groaned, running a hand down his face. Sending it to Marcus was fine—he'd planned to contact him anyway. Malrik was dead; that didn't matter. Edric was unconscious—manageable. Lucien might buy it if Corvin claimed it was a mistake. But Drake was going to be a problem. Marcus, meanwhile, stood nearby watching Emma talk with Aria. He glanced at his lightcore and saw the forwarded links. He nodded in quiet approval, pleased that Corvin had sent him five lessons all at once.