Chapter 129 Fading mark

Chapter 129: Chapter 129 Fading mark

Right after the beautiful confessions at the garden, where Noah had been blushing so hard he could barely look Killian in the eyes, he had completely forgotten about the magic stuff he had originally come there to practice.

Apparently, the same thing had happened to Killian because the Alpha hadn’t stopped smiling ever since.

The two of them slowly made their way through the magical garden, with Noah still holding the strange sword in one hand and the other being held firmly by Killian.

"Do you still want to do the magic thing you came here for, or should we go eat?" Killian asked, glancing at him with an amused smile. "I can see the way you were eating that apple, and damn, it was obvious that you were starving."

Noah blinked.

He had been caught.

Food had been the only thing on his mind for the last several minutes. The apple had merely been something to distract himself with because, despite how quickly he had eaten it, his hunger hadn’t been quenched at all.

He was still fucking hungry.

"Come on, let’s go eat," Noah finally said. "I can’t wait to see what Eugene made for us."

Killian chuckled.

"And remember what I said about the sword. Be careful with it. I don’t want to see you wound yourself."

His caring words made Noah smile.

He appreciated how Killian was always worrying about him, even though Noah was perfectly fine. For some reason, the sword couldn’t hurt him. Whatever strange attack it had unleashed when Killian tried touching it had done absolutely nothing to Noah.

And that was another mystery he desperately wanted answers to.

There were just so many things he wanted to understand.

His memories.

His connection to Ashton.

Lysander.

The strange abilities inside him.

The way supernatural beings reacted to him.

And, most importantly, this damn sword.

It wasn’t just because the weapon was apparently meant to belong to him. There was something different about it. Something that made his skin tingle whenever he held it.

No one else could even wield it.

Killian had nearly burned his hands trying to take it from him.

Yet Noah could hold it as naturally as if it had always belonged in his hands.

But that raised another question.

If the sword was truly meant for him, why had the Emperor been able to possess it all these years?

What exactly was the sword waiting for?

Noah didn’t know.

And the more he thought about it, the more he realized there were too many unanswered questions surrounding him.

He would definitely find out eventually.

Killian tightened his hold on Noah’s hand as they returned to the cottage.

"I hope you remember the dance which you now owe me," Killian said casually.

Noah looked at him.

"It’s a special one, and I don’t want you to forget."

Noah didn’t think there was any chance of him forgetting that.

The moonlight dance.

He had promised Killian.

So he nodded.

"I remember."

That simple answer seemed to make Killian’s entire face brighten again.

They had barely stepped into the cottage when the smell of spices immediately hit Noah.

He stopped.

Then his stomach growled.

Loudly.

Killian stared at him.

Noah stared back.

Neither of them said anything for a few seconds.

Then Killian burst out laughing.

"Don’t you dare."

"I’m hungry!"

"I can see that."

Another delicious smell drifted through the corridor.

Roasted meat.

Something savory.

Something spicy.

Noah’s eyes widened.

"Could that be Eugene cooking?" he asked, genuinely surprised. "I didn’t know he knew how to cook that well."

Killian, who had an equally shocked expression, shook his head.

"Neither did I."

He sniffed the air again.

"Honestly, I’m speechless. I didn’t know Eugene was capable of making something that pleasant to the nose."

Noah smiled.

"Then let’s go see what they are doing."

The two of them followed the smell until they reached the kitchen.

And the moment Noah stepped inside, he froze.

What the hell?

He looked around.

Then slowly turned to Killian.

Killian looked back at him.

The kitchen looked like it had been attacked by an army.

Everywhere Noah looked, there were dishes, vegetables, utensils, pots and random ingredients.

Someone had dropped flour across the floor.

There was water around one side of the kitchen.

A few vegetables were scattered on the table.

Marcus was busy trying to clean something.

Damian was carrying another pot while looking like he regretted every decision that had brought him there.

Eugene was desperately trying to look like he had everything under control.

Even Lamia wasn’t spared.

The Phoenix witch was standing there with an expression that suggested he would rather fight an army of demons than spend another minute in the kitchen.

And in the middle of all of it stood Rose.

Giving sharp instructions like a general commanding soldiers during war.

"Marcus, don’t put that there!"

"Damian, wash those properly!"

"Lamia, stop complaining and bring that over here!"

"I am not your servant!" Lamia complained.

"Then act useful!"

Lamia grumbled something under his breath but obeyed.

Noah stared at the chaos.

Then he finally understood why the food smelled so good.

"Oh."

Killian raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Now I understand why the place smells so good."

His eyes landed on Rose.

She had carefully arranged the meals into several food flasks, at least one modern thing they had managed to find in the cottage.

The actual cooking, however, had been done the traditional way.

And judging by the state of the kitchen, it had clearly been an experience.

"How long would it take them to clean this place and make it spotless again?" Noah asked.

Killian shrugged.

"I have absolutely no idea."

Then he smiled.

"But I’m very glad I didn’t volunteer."

Noah laughed.

"Hi there, guys. How is the cooking going?"

Eugene, who hadn’t noticed their arrival, immediately turned around.

His eyes widened.

"Oh!"

He rushed toward the food flask before quickly composing himself.

"I asked Rose to serve the meal. Let me just help clean the things we used."

He flashed Noah a proud smile.

"So, what do you think? I know you doubted me, but I’ve shown you that I can do it."

As he spoke, Eugene secretly gave Rose a warning look.

Don’t you dare say anything.

Rose rolled her eyes.

She clearly understood what he was doing.

Noah paused.

"You’re kidding, right?"

Eugene’s smile became even wider.

"Oh my God, Eugene. You did all this?"

"Of course."

"That’s so cute."

Noah walked closer, genuinely pleased.

"I’m happy you cooked for us. Although, if you couldn’t do it, it wouldn’t have been a problem. But..."

He gave Eugene a playful wink.

"I love men who know their way around the kitchen."

Silence.

Damian’s head snapped toward Eugene.

Eugene looked like someone had just handed him the keys to the kingdom.

Marcus slowly looked up.

Killian coughed into his fist.

Lamia looked thoroughly entertained.

Then Damian frowned.

He opened his mouth as if he was about to say something.

Instead, his elbow knocked against a plate.

The plate fell.

CRASH!

Everyone jumped.

Damian stared at the broken pieces.

"...Maybe you should all go already."

Noah blinked.

Damian quickly continued.

"I’ll bring the food. You can go eat. Jeez, before we lose all the plates before sundown."

He hurried out of the kitchen, clearly embarrassed.

Noah watched him leave.

"What was that about?"

Killian shrugged.

"Jealousy."

Noah frowned.

Before he could say anything, Damian suddenly returned.

"You love men who can cook?"

His expression was suspiciously worried.

Noah blinked.

"I mean... yes?"

"I didn’t know that."

Damian looked genuinely troubled.

"You never told us."

Noah stared at him in disbelief.

Then he looked toward Marcus, who was putting down the plate he had finished cleaning.

Then Eugene, who was still wearing that ridiculous proud smile.

Then back to Damian.

"It’s not a big deal."

Damian looked unconvinced.

Noah sighed.

"Of course I love men who can cook. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you guys, especially you."

Damian’s face immediately turned red.

Noah couldn’t help staring.

These men had been blushing so much lately that he genuinely couldn’t understand who was supposed to be the shy one between them.

"You love me?"

Damian’s eyes practically lit up.

"You said you love me?"

"Yes."

"You love me even though I can’t cook?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Really."

The next thing Noah knew, Damian jumped at him.

"Whoa!"

They both fell.

Unfortunately for Damian, he landed directly on the floor while Noah landed safely in his arms.

Their faces ended up inches apart.

They stared at each other.

Neither moved.

For one dangerous second, it looked like they were about to kiss.

Noah’s heart skipped.

Then a voice interrupted them.

"That was damn risky."

Marcus stood nearby, staring down at them.

"You could have injured yourselves."

Damian immediately helped Noah up.

Marcus shook his head.

"And you people shouldn’t think one useless thing like cooking is going to make me dislike you."

He glanced toward Eugene.

"If it’s nothing serious, I don’t see why anyone should have a problem with it."

Eugene’s expression softened.

Marcus had clearly noticed how worked up he had been about the cooking.

The man had been acting as if his inability to cook properly would somehow make Noah stop loving him.

Marcus simply didn’t understand what Eugene was so afraid of.

"Can we please take this to the dining table?" Lamia finally interrupted.

He walked in carrying a huge tray.

"I’m hungry, and I’m tired of standing in this kitchen."

Noah laughed.

"Fair enough."

Lamia placed the tray down and immediately began organizing everyone.

Whatever strange issues they had, he decided they could sort them out at the dining table.

At least there, nobody would be dropping plates.

One by one, Damian, Marcus, Killian and Noah followed him.

Eugene remained behind.

Rose watched him.

Then she slowly walked toward him.

"You should stop lying to him."

Eugene looked at her.

"He loves all of you. At least he’s learning to."

She crossed her arms.

"And from what I’m seeing, he can’t imagine his life without you anymore. You’re no different."

Eugene lowered his eyes.

"Just be yourself and go be with your man. You’re creating unnecessary problems where there shouldn’t be any."

But Eugene didn’t smile.

His fear was still there.

"I marked him."

Rose’s expression changed.

"And that mark seems to have faded."

His voice lowered.

"According to the histories, that’s a bad sign."

He swallowed.

"It’s tearing me apart."

Rose remained silent.

"What if the mate bond rejected me?"

Eugene’s voice cracked slightly.

"What if I’m not going to be one of his mates?"

For the first time, Rose didn’t have a quick answer.

Because despite everything she had just said...

Eugene wasn’t imagining the danger.

A fading mark wasn’t normal.

And if the histories were correct, it could mean something far worse than Eugene losing his place beside Noah.

It could mean the bond had recognized something that none of them understood yet.

Something about Noah.

Something about Ashton.

Or perhaps...

Something about the soul living inside Noah.