Chapter 138


    “A ck one.”


    Orion ced the iris in front of her.


    A faint, familiar scent wafted into her nostrils, cutting off Xanthea’s miserable screams abruptly as she


    slowly opened her eyes to indeed see a ck iris before her.


    The flower had six petals, shaped like an orchid, and its green leaves were narrow yet sharp, swaying


    passionately in the thick night breeze. It added an endless allure to its already captivating presence,


    drawing Xanthea’s mind into a whirl of fascination.


    Xanthea stared at the iris, lost in its beauty, “It’s so beautiful.”


    Orion, too, was mesmerized, “Yeah.”


    “I can’t believe they actually have irises here!”


    “Ms. Nightshade, do you know thenguage of ck irises?”


    “Of course!”


    Proudly sniffing the iris, Xanthea boasted, “I’m a fervent iris aficionado! Among all varieties, ck is not


    only rare but its symbolism is most unique.


    As she spoke, she suddenly noticed a milky white snake coiled around an apple blossom branch,


    raising its head and peeking at them. Its green eyes emitted a terrifying glow in the dark night, instantly


    turning her face pale.


    “Ahhh! A snake, there’s a snake!”


    “Orion, let’s get out of here! Please, I’m really scared, can we go, please?”


    “Let’s go.


    Xanthea, frightened, threw the iris aside and burrowed into his arms like a startled cub, her voice


    trembling. She started to whimper, clearly her mental defenses copsing.


    Orion, hearing her pitiful sobs, frowned with deep guilt.


    “Okay.”


    “Don’t be afraid, it’s alright now.”


    “We’ll be out of here soon.”


    He gently patted her back, soothing her, unable to resist kissing her t


    He thought, “‘m sorry, sweetheart.”


    trembling curls.


    Even though he knew he shouldn’t scare her, he couldn’t resist the temptation to just hold her and keep


    walking, foreverand ever, to the end of time.


    But this forest was like mirage; once they left, it all shattered.


    From the cosy party to the depths of the forest, it was just a fifteen–minute walk.


    For Orion, those fifteen minutes passed in a blink, but for Xanthea, it was an ordeal!


    Chapter 138


    She clung tightly to Orion’s chest, drawing warmth and strength from his heat and the robust thumping


    of his heart, until she heard a heavenly voice, “Ms. Nightshade, we’re here.”


    They had arrived?


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    Slowly, Xanthea opened her eyes and saw the lively party not far away, with music and dancing, and


    the clean ground beneath her feet without a trace of the snake. Joy burst forth in her eyes.


    Thank goodness!


    She was finally safe again!


    “Put, me, down.”


    Her eyes narrowed slightly, her voice calm but deliberate.


    But as soon as Orion set her down, she pushed him away, wiping away a tear that hung pitifully at the


    corner of her eye, her brows furrowing fiercely, transforming from a pitiful little fox into a fierce tigress.


    “Orion, you deceitful, shameless, opportunistic, petty trickster! How dare you trick me like that.”


    She was so angry she couldn’t speak clearly, but Orion, visibly delighted, casually praised, “Ms:


    Nightshade, what eloquence.”


    His teasing demeanor seemed to say: Even so, what can you do about it? Aren’t you still at my mercy?


    Chapter 139