Drops dripped from the dark sky.

  Although it had been strong enough to shake the door, the night wind was too far away to be noticed. It was always drowned out by contained sobs. The morning breeze, however, was hailed in its slightest noises.

  — You—! — With her hand on his shoulder, Ting stopped Noah from getting closer. However, she couldn't free herself from the grip that held her. — You say you want me to be honest, and yet you keep acting like this. Do you have any idea what I would do if I were really honest in this kind of situation?

  — Would you thank me for making you stop thinking about other things? — he kissed her hand.

  Ting couldn't deny it. She still remembered the image and the nauseating smell that filled the air around them, but the weight on her chest began to ease. Apparently, she wasn't wrong; that was really what she needed. Nonetheless, the incessant kisses still made her a little uncomfortable.

  — That is not a reason for you to keep doing that! Stop kissing my neck.

  — All right, — he sighed, kissing her once more — you don't have to get upset.

  — I don't have to?! — She slid the fabric aside, revealing her shoulder with some reddish marks — I told you once, not five times! Kissing me won't make me ignore this.

  — ...That sounds like an invitation to keep going.

  She covered herself quickly. With her hand blocking the way, she didn't drop her guard until she was free.

  — If you keep acting like this, crossing the lini— — she felt his fingers sliding on her abdomen, making her freeze. She grabbed his hand there — I'll end up not letting you touch me at all.

  — Until the wedding, you mean? — she nodded — Is that a threat?

  — A warning. You want me to be honest. So, that's what I really think about what you're doing.

  Before getting up, Noah kissed the nape of her neck one more time. He stretched.

  Ting turned immediately after being released. Her eyes were narrowed, eyebrows full of lines, and yet she was still beautiful.

  — So your plan is to use my desires against me until we're married? I don't think that's a very smart choice.

  — Why? — she thought for a moment, searching for things besides food that Noah might use to get her to please him — Alchemy...? — she guessed nervously — If I do that, will you stop teaching me?

  — No, I already promised I'd teach you that. But maybe alchemy isn't the only thing you'll want to know from me. — he gave a smile that, to her eyes, seemed to contain great mischief.

  — You've already told me about the Demon Beast Forest. The only thing left is for you to tell me about your past before that. I admit I'm curious, but I can wait until we're married for you to tell me. — Ting argued as she allowed Noah to fix her clothes.

  — So even that has a deadline...? — she looked away — But that's not what I was talking about.

  — Then—!

  Picking her up by the waist, Noah lifted her. He needed to see her figure clearly to fix the top of her clothes. All so that no marks would be visible, since he knew she didn't want that.

  [I’m pretty sure she also "didn't want" you to keep going after the first dozen kisses, but okay.]

  He rolled his eyes.

  — There's still the creature inside me. Aren't you curious about what it is and how I have something like that? — he said.

  Ting swallowed hard. Yes, she was afraid. However, she could never say she didn't want to know more. She even thought that maybe, if she knew, the horror she felt would be replaced by her curiosity and excitement.

  There's more...?

  Noah didn't seem to be done boasting.

  — Just like the things I might have brought with me from the forest. — He leaned to her ear — For example, the beast's body. — he whispered, then tried to kiss her again. He was stopped by the hand that covered her neck — ...This is getting a bit out of hand, don't you think?

  Watching him, Ting stretched her neck. The sensation on her shoulder was uncomfortable, because the bites seemed stronger than she thought. Her wandering eyes always landed on that confident face which, as much as she wanted to deny it, was not wrong.

  He won't tell me that so easily, I'm sure.

  She absolutely wanted to see one of those forest creatures. Even if she had to—

  No, that would be going too far! She shook her head, denying her own thoughts.

  — Did you just think about it? Are you wondering what you’d have to do for me to tell and show you?

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  — No, I’m not curious. I'm sure it would be something obscene.

  — Oh, really? Then why don’t you let go of my pants?

  She frowned. Her fingers trembled, as if refusing to obey.

  Just tell me already, idiot!

  She tightened her grip; she didn’t want to give in. But Noah wasn't going to give in so easily either. Maybe if she insisted just a little longer...

  After a click of the tongue, she let him go.

  He stood up.

  — Where are you going now? And dressed like that.

  Sliding to the edge of the bed, she took out a piece of dark clothing from her spatial bag. It had markings reminiscent of fire and contrasted with the mostly black fabric. On the chest was a small image of a flaming bird.

  — What’s this? Are you already trying to make me wear your family’s mark?

  — Haha, funny. It's better than walking half-naked in front of others. Or does the rule of covering as much skin as possible only apply to me?

  Noah grabbed the clothes and quickly took off his torn shirt so he could put on the top. But then he paused — Could you close your eyes? — he finished changing pants after Ting turned around. Of course, she didn't do it before laughing a little.

  — So you feel embarrassed too? — she commented, while adjusting his clothes and belt.

  — I'm not a robot.

  — Robot...? — With a raised eyebrow, her expression made her confusion clear — Another term from your world?

  — Hmm, yes. Well, I’m not a statue, you see?

  — I'm not an idiot. I already got it the first time from the context. — she stood up — So, where are we going?

  — You, I don't know. — Holding her by the shoulders, Noah sat her on the bed — But I have something to finish.

  — You're going to leave me alone again? Why? I thought we had already settled things. I don't like this place, I can't stay here alone for a whole day.

  He thought for a moment, then sat next to her. He thought Ting was still scared, as she kept holding her legs, forgetting her nail wounds. However, that fear didn’t seem to be directed at him, which was good. Noah just couldn’t say if he was right to think that.

  — And I don’t think I could stay by your side right now. It's very likely I wouldn't be able to contain myself.

  Ting slid to the side, moving away. With a frown and sharp, watchful eyes, she firmly held her clothes.

  — And also, what I’m going to do is a surprise. Even if I have to change the meaning now, that I’ll still keep. You can't see it yet.

  — Oh, in your world, do they call concubines "surprises"? Thanks for the gesture, but I'd rather not receive a surprise like that.

  — Concu— That joke wasn’t funny. Why don’t you try finding something fun to do? — he stood up.

  — Can I call someone to spend time here with me?

  — Why couldn't you?

  — Even if it's a man? — Her vision darkened. Blinking, Ting found herself lying down while Noah remained hovering over her. He smiled — Should I take that as a no? Is that the limit?

  — Like I said, your jokes aren't funny. — She felt his hand slide down her waist. Noah came closer, aiming for a visible part of her neck — Do you really want me to stay here with you? — he asked.

  — Get out already! — She pushed him, then sat up with her hand covering where he had touched — If there’s any mark—

  — Well, it looks like you won’t be able to find anyone for company today. — Noah closed the door as the pillow flew at him. He opened a crack — Sorry. — he said with a smile.

  — Idiot!

  The door shuddered as another pillow hit it.

  Feeling around her neck, Ting tried to sense if any mark existed. She couldn’t, but she also wasn’t able to say nothing was there. She couldn’t be sure.

  Tsk!

  She sighed as she let herself fall. She closed her eyes and yelled at Noah in her mind more times than she thought necessary. Not just for the kiss and bite, but also for leaving her alone even after she said she didn’t want him to.

  I hope that surprise is worth it.

  It took some time, but she eventually got up. She wouldn’t go out, afraid that a visible mark might actually be there. She climbed onto the bed and crossed her legs. She closed her eyes and calmed her heart. She controlled her breathing. She would use the time to check if everything was all right with her cultivation after the sudden breakthrough she’d gone through.

  The energy circulated at her command, like a controlled vortex.

  Things were different in the forest where even the walls now looked strange to Noah as he looked at them again.

  — It's too simple, don’t you think?

  [Why are you only saying that now, when you know you’ll stay here with her?]

  — Just answer the question. Can’t you do something so simple?

  [I’m not an architect.]

  — And not even polite, from what I can see.

  Construction resumed from the beginning... At least the roof hadn’t been started yet. Noah thought this was good, because it would be more painful to restart something already finished.

  The floor that was once made of wood was replaced by stone slabs. Half-cut logs formed the walls.

  It’s a bit better.

  He looked from above whenever he wanted to analyze the construction clearly.

  But it still needs to improve more...

  Being the simplest part, the first layer of the roof was completed in a few minutes. It was made of light boards. On top of that, rows of halved logs were placed, always with the rounded part outward, to match the appearance of the walls.

  — Something's still missing, something every cabin needs...

  Noah tried to concentrate, and thinking of Ting, all he could see was her body.

  A bathtub! He decided, like an epiphany.

  — I think Ting will like it.

  [Of course, you’re definitely doing that for her.]

  — Since you don't intend to help, could you stop with the sarcasm?

  [I’m not sure, can I?]

  He sighed while rolling his eyes.

  He wanted to keep building, as he wanted to see the result. But the sky was no longer so clear.

  He returned to the residence, laughing at the fact that Ting seemed to have really believed he’d left a visible mark on her neck when he left. Noah always kept checking her location via the map, and so he knew she had stayed in the room the whole time.

  I bet she’s mad about that...

  [For sure!]

  — Don’t show your excitement so openly when you speak, aren’t you supposed to be on my side?

  [And I am.]

  [Most of the time.]

  Most of the time...?

  Noah stopped in the skies. Something seemed wrong. For some reason, the guards seemed restless. In the forest behind him, something was moving, and it was a bit too fast for those people. He turned to the bedroom. Ting had remained motionless all day; now he feared it hadn’t been by choice.

  The impact of his feet hitting the ground shook the soil. The strong breeze generated rustled the tree and the boards of the buildings. Dust rose. And the door slammed.

  He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her sane on the bed.

  Ting blinked, only to see Noah wearing a rather unusual expression. Maybe it was nothing, but from her perspective, he looked stunned.

  — Did something happen? Did your "surprise" escape?

  — Er, almost...

  — What..?

  — Wait a little longer, I’ll need to go out again.

  — No! This time I'm coming too. — She got up with a jump, her look made it clear that wasn’t a request. Ting had already decided.

  [3 points were used to purchase information.]

  [Anomaly information is available.]

  [Its location and that of those closest to it will be shown on the map.]

  There's no refund, I suppose.

  [...No.]