The Emperor exhaled sharply, suppressing the frustration coiling in his chest. Another guard stepped forward, voice cautious. “Your Majesty, what are your orders?”
He tilted his head back, gazing at the sky. A faint glow on the horizon signaled the approach of dawn. Too late. He had chased enough rebels in his lifetime to know—once they disappeared into the shadows, they would not be found unless they wished it.
His hands curled into fists. Hua Ren. His Ivory Warlord. Gone.
The thought sent a wave of something sharp and bitter through him. The anger in his veins simmered into something cold and cruel. He turned to his men, his voice deep and curt.
“We return to the palace.” His gaze burned with fury as he continued. “Put up wanted posters of the Ivory Warlord. I want them in every town, every home, every corner of the Celestial Kingdom. Whoever brings him to me will be granted a place in the palace and riches beyond their imagination—until their very last breath.”
The guards bowed, their response swift. “Yes, Your Majesty!
A shock of icy cold engulfed Hua Ren’s body as he was unceremoniously dumped into a tub of freezing water. The chill crashed against the unbearable heat that had been simmering within him, momentarily forcing it into submission.
He broke the surface with a gasp, coughing as he sucked in deep breaths of air. His pale fingers clutched at the edge of the bath, steadying himself before snapping his gaze up—straight at the culprit.
Sheng Fei stood by the tub, his golden eyes shimmering with barely concealed amusement. He looked completely unrepentant, his arms crossed as he admired his handiwork.
Hua Ren was breathtaking.
His long, white hair clung to his shoulders, the damp strands framing his flushed cheeks. His usually sharp, pale eyes were narrowed in irritation, but the way his wet lashes quivered slightly only made Sheng Fei think of something else entirely. Even that glare—intended to be threatening—looked more like a seductive flutter of his lashes in Sheng Fei’s mind.
And those wet clothes...
They were plastered to Hua Ren’s body like a second skin, accentuating every delicate curve, every graceful line of his frame. The fabric, darkened by water, was practically translucent, leaving nothing to the imagination.
“Shameless! Stop staring!” Hua Ren rasped, his voice hoarse. He could not just see Sheng Fei undressing him with his eyes. He could feel it. His body was still trembling from both heat and cold and Sheng Fei staring at him like he wanted to ravage him was not helping. The cold was keeping him level headed but the heat made him want to jump Sheng Fei’s bones. He had never felt this way before.
Sheng Fei cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away for a second—just a second—before his gaze flicked back and his lips curled into a lazy smirk. He folded his arms, coming to a realisation that he had all the rights to stare. “Why should I not stare?”
Hua Ren scoffed, narrowing his eyes further. What was wrong with this guy? “Because it is rude.”
Sheng Fei chuckled, low and rich, his amusement only deepening. He leaned in slightly, voice dripping with mischief.
“Let my eyes feast on your beauty, love,” he murmured. “At least I’m being a gentleman and keeping my hands to myself.”
A violent splash of water hit Sheng Fei square in the face.
“Be more of a gentleman, then,” Hua Ren huffed, turning his head with a stubborn flick of his wet hair.
Sheng Fei wiped his face, laughter still glimmering in his golden eyes. But when he spoke again, his voice softened, turning serious.
“Do you feel better now?”
Hua Ren, still stubbornly looking away, nodded meekly. “Where are we? Is this one of your hideouts?” His senses were still dull, clouded by heat, but he could tell—there was no one else here but them.
“Yes,” Sheng Fei confirmed, standing with his arms crossed. “It’s a new one I discovered a week ago. I’m the only one who knows about it, so don’t worry. The Emperor could torture a thousand rebels, and he still wouldn’t find us.” He gave Hua Ren a reassuring glance. “Stay put. I’m going to get you some towels.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
Hua Ren exhaled, his tense shoulders loosening just a little. Everything with the Emperor had happened so fast that he hadn’t had time to process it. And now—now—he couldn’t even think straight. The ice water had helped at first, but already the heat was returning, creeping through his veins like fire. A haziness settled over his thoughts, and an unbearable itch started spreading in his lower body. His gland throbbed, aching, longing for an Alpha’s bite.
Then, his nose caught it.
Sage and musk. His Alpha’s scent.
His fingers curled against the wooden tub as he shuddered.
“Are you really okay?” he heard Sheng Fei asked.
The voice was close. Too close.
Hua Ren turned his head slightly, his white lashes fluttering as he stared. Sheng Fei was crouching beside the tub, concern clear in his golden eyes. He had draped a large, fluffy white towel over a chair and was now watching Hua Ren carefully, studying him.
Hua Ren moaned softly, his nostrils flaring as he drank in the scent that sent his mind spiraling. Why did he smell so good? He felt his fingers twitch before he even realized he was moving.
He reached forward, plucking the pin from Sheng Fei’s top knot.
Dark, silken strands cascaded over his mate’s shoulders like ink spilling down porcelain.
A slow, pleased smile tugged at Hua Ren’s lips.
“Why do you look so good?” he murmured, his voice husky, distant.
Sheng Fei blinked, clearly thrown off for a moment, before a delighted smirk curled his lips. His mate—the rigid, composed Ivory Warlord—was batting his lashes at him. Heat or not, this was absolutely delicious!
He leaned in, lowering his voice. “You think I look good?”
“Very good,” Hua Ren whispered. His pale eyes were fever-bright as he trailed his fingers through Sheng Fei’s soft hair. “You smell good too. I like it. I like everything about you.”
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