Chapter 142 Loyalty too deep!

Chapter 142: Chapter 142 Loyalty too deep!

Lamia’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor as he witnessed the shameless display happening right in front of him. And it wasn’t just him—Rose and Oliver were there too. The three of them exchanged a look before simultaneously turning their heads away.

The kissing had become far too intense. The atmosphere itself felt hot enough to burn, and Lamia could practically feel the heat from where he stood. Worse, Noah’s pheromones were spreading through the entire cottage, wrapping around him like an invisible force. Lamia couldn’t even blame himself for reacting. As an Enigma, he was naturally sensitive to powerful scents, and Noah’s current pheromones were anything but ordinary. They were intoxicating.

Oliver, who seemed to be having an even harder time, quickly covered his face with both hands. He swallowed, then swallowed again, and once more, desperately trying to keep himself from reacting to the overwhelming scent filling the room. Eventually, he managed to steady himself. "Hmm." Lamia glanced back briefly. "It does look rather sexy to be doing that here."

Oliver slowly lowered his hands. "But no matter how critical the situation is, I still believe all of you could carry this over to the bedroom."

Nobody answered. Lamia waited. Nothing. He looked around. Still nothing. They were completely ignoring him, as though he had suddenly become invisible. Noah wasn’t even looking in his direction anymore—he was too busy being surrounded by four gorgeous Alphas, and judging from the way they were acting, the entire outside world had ceased to exist.

Who could blame him? Noah had been overwhelmed by emotions all day. First, the truth about his identity had finally come out. Then Marcus had collapsed. Then they discovered the Emperor had the Book of Shadows. Then Noah had somehow been marked by an unknown enemy. Now his body was reacting to the pheromones around him, and the four Alphas were struggling to keep themselves under control. It was enough to make anyone lose track of reality.

Killian, at least, eventually regained enough sense to move. He bent down and scooped Noah into his arms. Noah let out a startled sound as Killian carried him bridal-style. "Killian!"

"We’re going."

"Where?"

"Somewhere private." Killian’s lips curved.

The other Alphas immediately followed. They had already decided that the mating ceremony needed to happen as soon as possible. They wanted the bond. They wanted Noah officially recognized as theirs. And after everything that had happened that day, none of them wanted to waste another moment. Killian carried Noah toward the cottage while Eugene, Damian, and Lysander followed closely behind. They looked like bees chasing after a flower—except the flower was Noah.

Oliver watched them disappear. The moment they were gone, he released a long breath. "Finally."

But even with Noah gone, his scent remained everywhere. It clung to the air. The rich chamomile growing around the cottage seemed to carry it, making the entire garden feel strangely intoxicating. Oliver rubbed his forehead. "This is going to be a long night."

Lamia crossed his arms.

Oliver suddenly glanced at him. "Do they actually know what the official mating ceremony and the final part of it will involve?"

Lamia looked at him. "Why are you asking me?"

"I don’t know." Oliver shrugged. "I just thought someone should tell them."

Rose, who had been standing nearby, shrugged. "They should know, shouldn’t they?" She looked toward the cottage. "It’s common knowledge."

Oliver nodded. "And come on. It’s not like they’re not already all over Ashton."

Rose paused. "True." She crossed her arms. "So I don’t think it will change that much." Lamia raised a brow. Rose continued, "Although once the bond is complete, their connection will become much stronger. Their minds and emotions will be linked more deeply." She looked serious for a moment. "And honestly, maybe that’s what they need."

Oliver nodded. "Especially now."

"They’ve spent so much time fighting each other." Rose sighed. "If becoming officially bonded helps them stop fighting and makes them more united in protecting Ashton, then maybe it’s a good thing."

Lamia didn’t respond immediately. He looked toward the cottage. "The enemy is getting closer."

Rose nodded. "Exactly."

They both understood that the ceremony wasn’t simply about romance anymore. It was about creating a stronger connection between Noah and the people who were going to stand beside him when everything finally collapsed around them.

But while Rose and Oliver were still discussing it, Lamia suddenly turned toward the sword. His expression changed. "We need to deal with this." He walked toward the Heavenly Sword. Oliver followed.

Lamia stood beside it and stared down at the weapon. "We need to seal it."

Rose frowned. "Seal it?"

"Yes." Lamia reached toward the sword. "And only release it when Noah actually needs it." His voice became firm. "Right now, we cannot risk this weapon falling into the wrong hands."

He raised his palm. Ancient words left his lips. A wave of magic surrounded the sword. The weapon slowly lifted from the ground. But something strange happened. The glow that normally surrounded it disappeared. The Heavenly Sword suddenly looked ordinary—almost disappointingly ordinary. Anyone who didn’t know its true nature might mistake it for an old weapon with no magical value.

Lamia stared at it. "Perfect." He guided it toward the fountain in the middle of the garden. The sword floated through the air before slowly descending toward the water.

Rose watched curiously. Oliver was about to say something when—a golden hand suddenly erupted from the fountain. Everyone froze. The hand grabbed the sword, then pulled it straight beneath the water. The weapon disappeared. The fountain returned to normal.

Rose blinked several times. "What..." She looked at Lamia. "How did you do that?"

Lamia gave her a blank look. "I didn’t."

Rose pointed at the fountain. "The hand!"

Oliver immediately looked away.

Rose’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t act like you didn’t see it."

Oliver cleared his throat. "I saw nothing."

"You definitely saw it."

Lamia sighed.

Rose moved closer. "At some point, I feel like you have to teach me some magic." Lamia looked at her. "I’m serious." Rose’s expression became hopeful. "I’m still mad at you for hiding so many things from me, but you could redeem yourself by teaching me some magical secrets." She gestured toward the fountain. "Look at me. I suck at spells like that."

Oliver snorted.

Rose glared at him. "I’m serious!"

"You’re going to get yourself killed."

"I know." She frowned. "Every time I try something complicated, I end up with a headache, nosebleeds, bloodshot eyes, and sometimes I can’t even stand properly." She sighed dramatically. "It’s embarrassing."

Lamia stared at her. Oliver immediately caught his gaze and subtly shook his head. Don’t. Lamia understood. He didn’t want Rose to know the full truth. Not yet. So he looked back at her. "When I begin training Noah after his heat, you can join us."

Rose’s face brightened. "Really?"

"But I’ll only teach you the basics."

Her smile faded slightly. "The magic I’m going to teach him is ancient and extremely powerful. You can’t handle that level of mana yet."

Rose tried to hide her disappointment. "Hmm." She forced a smile. "That’s good." Her smile became wider. "Basics are fine." Then she turned around. "I’m tired. Goodnight!" She walked away.

Lamia watched her disappear. But Rose didn’t actually leave. She slipped around the corner and crouched down where nobody could easily see her. She had noticed Oliver’s warning, and now she wanted to know why. She waited.

A few seconds passed. Then she heard Lamia’s voice. "Why did you tell me not to teach her?"

Oliver sighed. "You know why."

"I want to hear you say it."

Oliver leaned against the wall. "You’ve realized who you are now."

Lamia remained silent.

"You’re supposed to be the king of the Phoenix witches." Oliver’s voice became serious. "You’re going to have to return to your people eventually. Gather them from their hiding places. Protect them. Stop the mistreatment they’re suffering."

Lamia’s expression hardened. "And?"

"And if this Pureblood mission wasn’t so important, you would have gone back already."

Lamia looked away.

Oliver continued. "That’s why you can’t go around teaching everyone the knowledge you possess." He shook his head. "It could be fatal."

Lamia frowned. "How?"

"The other witches aren’t built to handle the same level of mana as you." Oliver’s voice lowered. "Your knowledge is ancient. Much of it comes from those who are already dead." Lamia’s eyes narrowed. "Knowledge from the dead shouldn’t simply be handed to the living." Oliver paused. "Especially not to Rose."

Lamia looked toward the corner where Rose was hiding. "You would only be putting her in danger."

Lamia shook his head. "How is that related to helping my friend learn magic that could protect her?" His voice became frustrated. "I can’t be beside her forever."

Oliver didn’t answer.

"I don’t want something happening to her because I wasn’t there." Lamia’s expression hardened. "And as for the ruling bullshit..." He waved his hand dismissively. "I don’t want it."

"You don’t get to decide that forever."

"I do." Lamia turned away. "My place is with Ashton."

Oliver stared at him.

"Even after I complete his final mission and make sure he destroys his enemies, I’m not abandoning him." Lamia’s voice became colder. "If leaving him means protecting a group of people who never gave two fucks about me, then fuck all of that." He turned to walk away.

Oliver suddenly moved. He came up behind Lamia and stopped close enough that his breath brushed against the back of Lamia’s neck. Lamia’s entire body stiffened.

"They are dying." The words were quiet.

Lamia didn’t move.

"Your people are being killed because they have no leader." Oliver’s voice cracked. "If you don’t return and take your place, the legendary Phoenix witches could become extinct."

Lamia’s fists tightened. "As I said..."

Oliver stepped closer. "Stay beside Ashton." His voice became almost pleading. "Help him however you can until he’s strong enough to stand on his own."

Lamia remained silent.

"But don’t let your people die." Oliver’s voice broke. "Please."

Lamia slowly turned around. His expression was cold. "Ashton Lane is my mission."

Oliver stared at him.

"I can’t leave him." He pointed toward the entrance. "You can go." Lamia’s eyes hardened. "You’re powerful enough." He turned away. "Lead them yourself."

And with that, Lamia walked toward the entrance without looking back.

Oliver remained standing there.

Rose slowly emerged from behind the corner. She looked completely confused. She had understood almost none of what they were talking about. Phoenix witches. A king. Ancient magic. Extinction. Leadership. Her head hurt just thinking about it.

But one thing had become painfully obvious. Lamia’s loyalty to Ashton wasn’t ordinary. It was far too deep.

She folded her arms. "Why does he care about Ashton this much?"