The rest of the reddish light that illuminated the door's threshold gradually faded away.

  Time passed in tremors. Amid sobs, it stretched out.

  Ting hoped to be welcomed by a strong and secure embrace. Instead, she was met with cold, hard backs, like impenetrable walls.

  Even though she could hear the breaths and feel their heartbeats sync with hers, it wasn't enough. If she were alone, she thought it would feel no different.

  She tried to call him, whether with scratches or touches. Never with words. Maybe that's what was missing, both the sentences and the courage to say them. Whenever she tried, the sobs would block them in her throat.

  If he's going to leave, why did he come back to this place?

  Even if she didn't want to, there were things she couldn't help thinking about. Her mind was not very clear or focused, so the answers she found were often the easiest ones, perhaps the ones she wished were true.

  Or is he just a little irritated by what happened?

  Scratching Noah's rough belly, she waited for some reaction. Even if it was negative, anything would be better than simple, dry indifference.

  If I ask... he would stay, wouldn't he? She bit him, but couldn't leave a mark. After all, he was still here.

  There was no response.

  For... me? She hoped so.

  However, the night flowed along with each of her tears, and in the end, she couldn't speak or slow it down. Time would not wait for her. And apparently, neither would Noah.

  — I want to get up now.

  Her thin, still trembling arms did not move. Ting was determined that this time she would be the one to ignore him. She knew Noah could remove them whenever he wanted and there was nothing she could do if that were the case. But if he didn’t do it, if he stayed by her side even if she didn’t have to ask—

  It would mean he really cares, wouldn’t it...?

  A simple question that she was afraid to know the answer to.

  Her body froze and her heart jumped when she felt his cold hands touch her own. She squeezed her eyes shut and tightened her grip on him.

  At the echo of a long sigh, his rough fingers disappeared.

  Ting blinked. Hesitant, she looked up, checking if Noah was still there, lying in the same spot. She wished she could do it looking into his eyes, but those backs were enough. They gave her the answer.

  He cares.

  However, her arms did not loosen. She was still not confident. Ting still felt there was something to be wary of, something she couldn't grasp with her hands that way. She just didn't know what it was.

  Getting as close as possible, she waited for her heart to calm down. She allowed some time for their heartbeats to sync again.

  — I didn’t find anything about the city in the city lord's residence, — she revealed, paving the way for a possible conversation. — I was told that many of the scrolls were burned during the incident, so if there was anything, maybe it’s better for us to look in what they called 'the 4 families.'

  It took a while, but Noah answered in the same tone as always. Yet, Ting quickly noticed there was something different.

  — I see. Well, you still have time, so you can research more carefully later.

  "You"... He's excluding himself? She scratched him, somewhat irritated. Or was it just a mistake?

  — I also found...

  — Found? What?

  — The place where the people were buried, — she forced herself to say.

  Though expected, Noah’s response affected her more than she expected, leaving her somewhat sad. Ting knew he wouldn't offer her words of consolation or pretend to care for the dead, but she hoped he would at least show that he cared about her. She thought he would hug her.

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  Why isn't he doing anything...?

  Watching him remain still was a bit disappointing to her and surprising. But also worrying.

  Even if he stays by my side... he's avoiding me now, isn't he?

  — Can you hug me for a bit? I need it, — she tried to be direct.

  There was no response or movement.

  Is Noah trying to distance himself? She gritted her teeth at the thought.

  — You’re upset.

  — ...No, I’m not.

  — You are, otherwise why are you avoiding me? — He didn’t answer. — You’re pushing me away, aren’t you?

  The delay in his response made her think she was right. Still, it was just a thought covered in fear. Ting preferred to keep it that way.

  — Don’t worry, I won’t stop protecting you, — Noah said in a hesitant tone he tried to hide.

  And thanks to the state she was in, Ting was unable to notice the details, the locked up tension, and hesitation present in each of his words. To her, the phrase sounded as if it had been said with extreme indifference, flowing as smoothly as possible.

  — Are you serious...? — The sound of scaly skin being scratched echoed through the room. For the first time, Noah moved. He looked at her hands, feeling her nails digging into his skin and fearing she might actually hurt herself. — And what about that talk of marriage?! You can’t do this after saying you’d marry me! No, I won’t accept it!

  Holding her hands, he stopped her from hurting herself further. As the nails separated from the flesh, some allowed a view of the reddish interior as she moved them. Blood trickled down, staining their clothes and palms.

  — I won’t... I won’t let you leave either.

  — So what do you expect me to do, Ting?

  — What...?

  — I fulfilled your wishes and looked for things you might like, cooked for you and then for dozens of people, built houses for complete strangers, all just to make you happy. — With pieces of cloth torn from his own clothes, Noah stood to bandage her fingers. After turning to her, he looked into her eyes as he began, — Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you owe me for it. But... what else do I have to do so you’re no longer afraid of me, Ting? Get rid of my power? Gouge my eyes out? Sorry, but I can’t do something like that.

  At that moment, the dead disappeared from her mind. The clarity was evident but, still, Ting was unable to answer a question like that.

  — I... I don’t know... But— — She clung to his clothes. — I don’t want you to leave.

  — Don’t want to, or are you scared?

  Her mouth opened, but any answer she might give escaped her mind. She clenched her fist.

  — If I ask you to stay by my side, will you?

  While wrapping the last two fingers, Noah used the time until he finished to think over what she said. His answer did not change in his mind, and still, the certainty that he was right did not come.

  — Probably, — he admitted.

  Ting swallowed hard. Even if she wanted to deny it, she knew what that meant. She’d prefer he said it in clear words, but it was enough.

  It’s not a lie... he really does like me.

  Knowing that fact only made everything harder in the end.

  — Then, I’m sorry, Noah, but I don’t want you to go. — She lay down.

  Even if maybe she couldn’t give him what he wants now, she didn't intend to be alone. She needed his company.

  I wonder how long this will last.

  And instead of dread, a new fear was born in her chest.

  When he realizes I’m not the good person he thinks I am, will that be the day he starts to hate me and leaves me?

  She would try her hardest to reach him and keep him by her side. She would learn to love him.

  She opened her arms.

  — Hug me. — Noah couldn't refuse. — We’ll get married. I want that, and I don’t think it’s just out of fear.

  — Are you saying you like me?

  — I’m not sure. Maybe... Maybe I’m starting to. Can you wait for me just a little longer?

  — I can try.

  Ting shivered as his fingers ran along her back.

  Between liking me and enjoying playing with me, it seems he enjoys the latter even more.

  She frowned.

  — But, even though you said I shouldn't bite you, you did that to me a few times during the night. — Shivering, she looked away. She could already foresee where this was going. — How would you prefer to solve this?

  — I’d rather you forgot that ever happened... No? — She sighed. Those eyes didn’t seem to see that as an option. — Just once, and not too hard. I don’t want to have a permanent mark or anything like that.

  She turned away, incredulous. That wasn’t what she had planned for the end of that conversation. Regardless of the option, in none of them had she imagined things would end that way. It was a bit funny, as well as unexpected.

  — Do it in a place that won’t show.

  Moving her hair aside, she made way for her shoulder. And by loosening the top of her clothes, she could show it with her clear, bright skin.

  Noah approached. That was a hard invitation to refuse.

  — Should I stop after the bite?

  — What do you mean?! — Ting immediately covered herself. — We’re not married yet, don’t forget that.

  — Alright, I’ll stop, — he sighed. — Maybe after the second time, — he muttered.

  — What? No, wait—!

  Enveloped by strong arms, she couldn’t move. Her fingers twisted in the covers and sheets as Ting felt she was beginning to regret it.

  Idiot...!

  Even if her guess was right, and she might have his heart in her hands, in the end, it was still uncertain who controlled whom in that relationship.