"Where is he?" she asked Run Chu, Hei Yan's second-in-command. Run Chu's expression darkened. "There was an incident near the border. A young cub wandered too close to Snake territory. Alpha went to retrieve him."
"That was yesterday!" Xin Yi's stomach twisted. "Why isn't he back yet?"
"We don't know." Run Chu looked genuinely worried. "He should have returned by now."
[Ooh, trouble! (⊙_⊙)]
Xin Yi tried to focus on the clothing lessons, but her mind kept drifting. Was Hei Yan okay? Had he gotten into a fight with Qing Li? Was he hurt?
Why did she even CARE so much?
[Because Host is catching feelings! ♪]
"I am NOT!"
"Not what?" Feng Huang appeared at her elbow, making her jump.
"Nothing! Don't you have clothes to make?"
"Already finished mine." He gestured to his very minimal tunic. "Now I'm here to help you."
"I don't need—"
"You look worried, Xin Yi." His voice softened slightly, losing some of its playful edge. "Are you concerned about the Panther?"
She hesitated. "I.….maybe. A little."
"He's strong. He'll be fine." Feng Huang leaned against the table where she was working. "Though if he doesn't return... the courting competition becomes much simpler."
"FENG HUANG!"
"What?" He grinned. "I'm just being practical!"
That evening, Xin Yi retreated to her palace to work on a more complex clothing design. She wanted to make something with actual sleeves, maybe even pockets….then the door opened without warning.
"Hello, little Xin Yi."
She looked up to find Feng Huang leaning against the doorframe, his golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. He had removed his tunic, standing there in just a simple wrap around his waist.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I wanted to see what you were working on." He prowled into the room. "You have been so focused all day."
"I'm just making clothes—"
"Mmm." He was behind her now, looking over her shoulder at her work. "So dedicated. So talented."
His breath tickled her neck.
"Feng Huang—"
Then she felt it. His tongue, rough and wet, dragging slowly up the side of her neck.
"AH!" Xin Yi jumped, but he caught her waist, holding her in place.
"Shhh," he purred. "I'm just marking what's mine."
"I'm not YOURS! We're still—"
Another lick, this time along her shoulder. Then another at the curve of her ear.
"Feng Huang!" Her voice came out breathy, weak. Heat was pooling in her lower belly, her skin tingling everywhere he touched. He turned her to face him, his hands warm on her waist. His eyes had darkened, and his pupils dilated.
"You smell so good," he murmured, leaning in. His tongue traced her collarbone. "Taste even better."
Xin Yi's knees felt weak. Her hands came up to push him away, but somehow ended up fisting in his hair instead. He licked up her throat, across her jaw, so close to her lips—
And then he stopped.
Pulled back, and stepped away with a satisfied smirk.
Xin Yi stood there, breathing hard, flushed, confused. Why did he stop?! "Why did you stop?"
His smile turned wicked. "Because, little Xin Yi..." He backed toward the door. "I will make you beg for my touch. When you finally accept my mark, it will be because you can't live without it."
And then he was gone, leaving her standing there, flustered and aching.
[OH MY GOD HOST'S FACE RIGHT NOW (≧▽≦)]
"SHUT UP!" Xin Yi pressed her hands to her burning cheeks.
[He's GOOD! No wonder he's the promiscuous one! ☆]
"I don't want to talk about it!"
[Host's heart rate is through the ROOF! (◕‿◕)]
"SYSTEM!"
[Just saying, if Host needs to take a cold bath—]
"I AM GOING TO BED!"
She threw herself onto her fur bedding, face burning, body still tingling from his touch.
What was WRONG with these beastmen?!
And why, just why, was she kind of... disappointed he had stopped?
[Because Host is HUMAN and hasn't been touched like that in her entire life! ☆]
"Go away!"
[Sweet dreams, Host! Try not to dream about Tiger tongue! (^▽^)]
"I HATE YOU SO MUCH!"