A searing kiss fell onto Emma's lips as soon as those words fell from Lucien's lips. Steam filled the bathroom, fogging the mirror with a thin layer of mist and blurring their reflections into a hazy silhouette. No one knew how long the kiss lasted before Lucien finally pulled away, their foreheads resting together. His eyes shimmered with moisture and heavy desire, and his usually cool and composed face was flushed with a faint, telling red. "Emma," he rasped as he stared at her kiss-swollen lips, his Adam's apple bobbing, "That's not enough." … The temperature in the bathroom rose higher and higher, steam spreading through the entire space. The mirror's reflection was long gone, swallowed by a white, misty blur. … The sky was already dark by the time they finally left the bathroom. The lights downstairs had been turned on, bathing the living room in a warm golden glow. The kitchen had been returned to its previous spick and span condition. Edric and Drake were cooking in the kitchen. Marcus, Silas, and Kirean were sitting on the couch in the living room, each absorbed in something. Callum stood by the fish tank, feeding the fish. The atmosphere between the men was strangely harmonious. Suddenly, all the men in the living room snapped toward the sound of footsteps coming from the stairs. Their gazes immediately locked onto Lucien. He had changed into a fresh black silk robe, the belt loosely tied around his waist, exposing his sharply defined collarbones and a portion of his firm chest. There were also several unmistakable red marks on his chest. The picture it painted was so suggestive that they were impossible to ignore.His face was soft as he held Emma's hand. Those deep eyes never left her face as he regarded her with tenderness. The look he gave her was so loving and sweet that it was almost enough for her to drown in. Still, the satisfied yet faintly provocative look on his face felt like a lance through the men's hearts. Marcus, who had been sitting on the couch, dropped his foot onto the floor with a sharp thump. His silver-gray eyes narrowed dangerously on Lucien, acting like a lone wolf whose territory had just been invaded. There was no hiding the cold hostility radiating off him in waves. Silas remained composed in his seat, his gentle smile never faltering. Yet, there was no warmth in his usually gentle eyes. Instead, they were glinting with a hint of barely concealed danger. Kieran stared at Lucien with open envy before sneaking a glance at Emma, his face practically screaming, I want that too. Callum, who was standing by the fish tank, froze mid-movement.His tall frame cast a long shadow across the floor as the glass reflected his stormy expression. He tightened his grip around the fish food tightly, his knuckles turning white. A powerful wave of jealousy and frustration coiled around his heart like a tightening vine. He couldn't even cook a proper meal, and yet Lucien… Lucien could. "Heh," scoffed Marcus as he glared at Lucien. "Prince Lucien, did you lose your hands somehow? Why can't you wear your clothes without assistance?" His voice sounded weak, but the sarcasm dripping off it was absolutely poisonous. His eyes landed on the red hickeys across Lucien's chest before flaring with white hot jealousy. He felt so jealous that he could barely think straight. Then, he gritted his teeth and continued, "Prince Lucien, do you need me to help you fix your clothes?" Marcus couldn't stand the look on Lucien's face. Not one bit. Lucien, who was still in a fantastic mood, didn't bother arguing with him. Instead, he squeezed Emma's hand lightly and smiled. "It's fine. This is my reward. Unlike someone, I haven't upset her… or blown up the kitchen." His remark had been feather light, but it had hit both his targets, Marcus and Callum, with unerring accuracy. Emma stared at Lucien in shock. She had never expected him to put Marcus and Callum in their place like that. Had he lost it? Did she have to call an exorcist? In her eyes, Lucien had always been the most composed one out of the lot. He was her anchor, the unmoving stone in the chaos that was her home. He had never been as open with his emotions like Marcus, and he certainly had never been this sharp with anyone ever. Marcus couldn't even maintain the scowl on his face when he heard Lucien's words. His silver-gray eyes widened as he blurted, "Lucien, have… have you gone insane?"There was something fishy going on here. What happened up there? Something was definitely amiss. Lucien ignored him. Instead, he guided Emma to the dining table and helped her down. "Emma, wait here. I'll check on Edric and the others to see if dinner's ready." Everyone stared at him as though he'd grown another head. Had he really gone insane? Lucien met their shocked eyes, offering no explanation. He wasn't crazy. He had simply made up his mind on the way back. He didn't want to be Emma's first mate anymore. He always had to keep a cool head as her first mate. He had to be magnanimous and care for everyone's needs and wants. He couldn't even compete for affection the way others could. As her first mate, the shackles of obligation and duty dictated that he could never recklessly seek her attention.