"Tomorrow night, I'm going to tie you up," Emma teased. Hearing that, Marcus nipped at her lip with a playful grin. "I'll be waiting, Ms. Tibarn." Emma waited until Marcus was sound asleep before slipping out to find Lucien. When she reached his suite, he had just stepped out of the shower. A white towel hung low on his hips, leaving his powerful chest bare. Fresh scars from his recent injuries crisscrossed his skin. While the healing potions had done their work, the marks wouldn't fully fade for another month. The sight of those crisscrossing scars made Emma's eyes instantly well up. Lucien caught her expression and panicked. "Emma, I'm sorry. Did the scars scare you?" She shook her head. "No. They just break my heart." She reached out, her fingertips tracing the scars on his chest with careful tenderness, afraid even the lightest touch might hurt him. "Look at all of these. Yet you told me your injuries weren't serious." If this wasn't serious, then what was? "I didn't want you to worry." Lucien pulled her into his arms. "Emma, please don't cry. I'm fine now. It really doesn't hurt. "I promise I'll take better care of myself next time. I won't let myself get hurt this badly again, okay?" That was a battlefield. What promise could he possibly keep? Emma knew he only said it to comfort her, to ease her mind. She shoved him onto the bed. "You let my Lucien get hurt this badly. Tonight, I'm going to punish you." Lucien let himself fall back onto the soft mattress. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with warm indulgence and amusement. "Oh? How exactly do you plan to punish me?" His voice was a little hoarse, and he deliberately lowered it, making it sound deep and magnetic, like a subtle and compelling invitation. Emma didn't answer. She leaned down, placing her hands on either side of him, her body hovering just above his. A strand of dark hair slipped over her shoulder and brushed his cheek, tickling him lightly. "First," she whispered, her voice soft as a feather yet carrying unshakable authority, "you're punished for hiding how badly you were hurt—for making me worry." Before the words had even faded, she lowered her head. Her warm lips landed precisely on a fresh scar near his collarbone. The kiss was feather-light, chaste—yet it struck Lucien harder than any seduction. The moment her lips touched his skin, his whole body went rigid, breath caught in his throat. He stared at her, his Adam's apple bobbing uncontrollably. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, she raised a finger and pressed it to his lips, silencing him. "Shh. I told you. Tonight, you're being punished." Her fingertip was cool—a stark contrast to the heat of his lips. "Second," she continued, her breath ghosting over his lips, carrying that unique, fresh scent of hers, "you're punished for not taking care of yourself—for allowing yourself to get hurt this badly." As she spoke, her fingers traced the line of his jaw, drifting lower until they settled over his Adam's apple. Then, she dipped her head and bit gently at the most vulnerable spot on his neck. "Nghh…" Lucien couldn't hold it back. A low, suppressed groan rumbled in his chest. The sting on that sensitive artery sent his blood surging to his head before flooding back through his entire body. He instinctively wanted to pull her close, but he remembered her command. All he could do was clench his fists at his sides, the veins on his arms standing out as he fought the urge to drag her down against him. Seeing the raw restraint on his face, a faint smile finally curved Emma's lips—triumphant, yet softened by a pang of tenderness. She slowly straightened, though her fingers still lingered on his lips, tracing their shape. "As for the third punishment…" Emma drew out the words deliberately. She leaned close to his ear, her voice a breathy whisper meant for him alone. "You're punished by getting a good night's rest!" It wasn't that she didn't want to bond with him right then. She remembered what Aria had told her—that for Aurelia, bonding was sacred. They built a nest for their beloved using their own plumage. It wasn't something to be done lightly. The raw heat and conflict in Lucien's eyes froze, replaced by astonishment. "What are you looking at?" Emma said softly. "I know Aurelia values the bonding ceremony. It can't be done on a whim." She tugged the towel from his waist and tossed it aside. Then she pulled the covers over them both, nestling into his arms until she found a comfortable spot against his chest. "Tonight, we're just going to sleep," she murmured. "When we get home, we'll bond."Lucien looked down at her, nestled against him, feeling as if his heart had just been brushed by something softer than any feather.