There wasn't a single trace left of Theodore. Having dealt with Theodore, Marcus rushed back to Emma's side. "Ms. Tibarn, are you alright?" His anxious eyes scanned her from head to toe before he pulled her into a tight embrace. "Ms. Tibarn, I'm so sorry. I failed to protect you." If he hadn't insisted on going hunting that day, she never would have been swept away by that freak snow tide. Emma, who had just finished calming a guilt-ridden Lucien, leaned in and planted a kiss on Marcus' cheek. "Marcus, I'm fine. You don't need to blame yourself. It wasn't your fault." It was just an accident. "Awoo!" Remy peeked out from Drake's hair and whispered, "Daddy, how come Mommy's kissing those two males, but not you?"Daddy, you should go over there too! Get Mommy to give you kisses. That's how you make her like you." Drake's gaze drifted toward Emma. She was chatting and laughing heartily with Marcus and Lucien. Her face lit up with an ease he rarely saw when she was with him. A dull ache settled in his chest, even creeping into his voice. "They're your mommy's mates, Remy." "Awoo?" Remy tilted his head, puzzled. "But aren't you Mommy's mate too, Daddy? You and Mommy even have a baby fruit together! "Those other two don't have any baby fruits on their heads. Mommy must like you the most, Daddy!" Hearing this only made the ache in Drake's chest worse. "Remy, you're not my cub." He was a Drakonid. How could he possibly have a fruit for a child? They weren't even the same species. "Daddy, is your mental power collapsing again and making you say silly things?" If Drake wasn't his daddy, then how could he hang from his horns?"You've admitted I'm your cub!" Remy huffed, convinced that his daddy's mental power must be fuzzy again. "Awoo! Mommy! Mommy!" Remy shouted at the top of his lungs toward Emma. "Don't—" The moment Remy called for her, Drake was so rattled he couldn't even look in her direction. Just remembering all the things he'd done when his mental power had fractured made him want to dive straight to the bottom of the ocean and bury himself in the sand. "What's wrong, Remy?" Hearing his shout, Emma hurried over. "Mommy!" Remy blurted anxiously. "Daddy's mental power is collapsing again. Quick, you have to help him. Give him a kiss!" Emma was left speechless. Drake hurried to clear up the misunderstanding. "Emma, don't listen to him. He's just talking nonsense. I'm fine." "Daddy, you're the one talking nonsense!" Remy shot back. "Mommy, he was totally out of it a second ago. He said I wasn't his cub!" Marcus and Lucien walked over, their gazes settling on the little fruit bouncing furiously atop Drake's head. "Hey, little fruit, stop hopping," Marcus said. "Drake's really not your dad." "Awoo!" Remy's panic ratcheted up a notch. "You're lying! My daddy is Drake! Daddy, tell him! Tell him I'm your cub!" Marcus' lip twitched as he listened to the tiny howl. "You're a fruit. It's weird enough that you've decided a Drakonid is your dad, but why are you howling like a wolf cub?" What in the world had this little fruit been picking up? Drake's head was pounding. He reached up and gently patted the frantic fruit. "Remy, settle down. Let me talk to Mommy for a second." Remy instantly went still, obedient as ever. Drake turned to Emma, his fingers nervously twisting the fabric of his sleeve. "Emma, Remy's latched onto me. For now, it looks like we can't pry him off. You, Lucien, and Marcus should stay here at the Thalassian Palace. We'll wait for Silas to get here and figure this out."Emma nodded. "That's probably our only option right now." Remy was utterly convinced Drake was his dad, and no amount of arguing was going to change his mind. For now, they'd just have to wait for Silas to sort it out. Emma noticed Drake's pale face and asked with concern, "Drake, you don't look well. Is your mental power collapsing again?" "I'm fine," Drake shook his head. "It's just a side effect from the potion. I need to sleep it off. I'm taking Remy to rest now. I'll have Thero arrange rooms for everyone." With that, he turned and walked away quickly. Right now, he really couldn't bring himself to face Emma. Watching Drake and Remy leave, Marcus leaned against Emma, his voice weary. "Ms. Tibarn, I'm exhausted too." Both he and Lucien had pushed themselves to the breaking point to get here. Now, his whole body felt like it was falling apart. Hearing this, Emma quickly asked Thero to arrange lodgings for them. Thero reserved the finest suites in Thalassian Palace for Marcus, Lucien, and Kieran. Marcus and Lucien were Emma's mates, and anything less than the utmost respect would have been unthinkable. Once they were settled in the lavish suite Thero had prepared, Marcus pulled Emma into a hug. "Ms. Tibarn, I know you want to spend time with Lucien tonight, but could you stay with me tomorrow night?" Emma and Lucien hadn't seen each other in ages. Marcus knew he couldn't compete tonight, but he also missed her terribly. "Sure," Emma replied, hugging him back and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.