Azure Flame, Don’t Shut the Door

When Lily turned around, she saw Azure Flame's expressionless face.

She was dragged back and set down in front of the tub.

Only now did Lily notice that the water in the tub, once clear, had turned red.

Damian Black's wounds had started bleeding again.

"Don't move around! Look what you've done to the Heaven's Dew—it's all blood now!" Bones complained.

This little attendant was extremely cute and handsome, but there was an indescribable wickedness between his brows.

Even his name was weird—he was actually called Bones.

Damian didn't move or speak, but his eyes stayed locked tightly on Lily.

"Bones, how is His Highness?" Skye asked.

"He'll be fine after soaking for a while," Bones said. "But he can't move around! Got it, Little Five?"

Damian Black said nothing.

Skye nodded.

"I'll head back now!" Bones said. "I'm in closed-door cultivation for a while! Don't bother me unless it's urgent!"

"Skye, escort Bones back," Azure Flame said. "Bones, thank you!"

"We're friends, no need for that!" The purple-robed child grinned, giving Azure Flame a playful smack on the rear before leaving with Skye.

Azure Flame may look like a woman, but she's all steel and muscle. Even when Bones smacked her, her face didn't change at all.

After the two left, Azure Flame said to Damian Black, "Your Highness, focus on healing. I'll take my leave as well."

Damian Black nodded slightly.

So Azure Flame left too.

Lily Bai turned to follow.

But Azure Flame blocked her way, saying, "You stay here."

"Huh? Why? Hey, don't close the door, Azure Flame!"

Azure Flame closed the door and added a Restriction Seal.

Lily Bai pulled at the door with all her strength, but it wouldn't budge.

Why did they leave her here alone?

Could it be... they're planning to eat her for nourishment?

Her mind conjured up scenes of demon beasts eating people—she could almost see herself being bitten in half, chewed up, bones crunching.

A chill ran down her spine as she slowly turned around.

Damian Black was soaking in the tub, lips curled in a faint, ambiguous smile as he looked at her.

"Uh... Demon Emperor, I just think, you know, a man and woman alone in a room isn't really proper. Maybe I should go out first? You can... heal... ah! Ah! Ah!"

Before she could finish, a sudden force pulled her over, and she ended up sprawled across the edge of the tub.

If she hadn't reacted quickly and braced a hand on the Demon Emperor's shoulder, she would've fallen headfirst into the tub.

Damian Black seized her hand.

"Don't eat me! Don't eat me!" Lily Bai struggled desperately.

"Shut up!" Damian Black snapped, voice low and a bit weak.

The effort made him bleed again, staining the clear Heaven's Dew with shocking red.

Lily Bai shut her mouth, staring at him with a mix of fear and curiosity.

"Won't eat," he added, then slowly closed his eyes.

After a while, his breathing grew even, and a faint red glow shimmered around him.

But he still didn't let go, gripping her hand like an iron clamp.

Lily Bai tried to pull away, but couldn't.

So she simply leaned against the edge of the tub, watching him closely.

Skye had already changed him into clean white underclothes and scrubbed away the blood and burns.

Mm... now that he's wet, he looks even better... makes me want to touch him, maybe even bite...

As if possessed, Lily Bai reached out to touch his face.