Cupter 722


    Felicia’s hings had been on the verge of copse when <b>she </b>received this sudden life–saving breath


    Herves spped open, and though everything around her was still pitch–ck, she knew who hade for her–Stephan!


    That bastard finally showed up.


    She wanted to punch him, but she had no strength lett


    Stephan’s arm wrapped firmly around her waist, polling her with him as he swam forward. Every so often, he pressed his lips to hers, transferring air into her lungs.


    Felicia, now fully conscious, matched his movements and swam forward.


    The moment they broke through the surface, Felicia gasped for air, taking in deep breaths. How wonderful it was to be able to breathe.


    As she caught her breath, she looked up and finally noticed the others. Most of Stephan’s men were already gathered there.


    Then, she turned to Stephan


    Before she could say a single <b>word</b>, he grabbed her and pulled her into a tight embrace


    Despite hisrge frame and powerful heartbeat, his body was cold. I was not just the kind of <b>cold </b>from being submerged in water but the kind that came from fear Felicia was stunned for a moment before she heard his voice. “Thank God you’re okay. Thank God.”


    The ram emotion in those words made her heart soften.


    She patted his back reassuringly and said, “I’m fine. Don’t worry. If you were really that scared, don’t leave me behind again next time, alright?=


    “Lwon’t. Never again.”


    The <b>presseda </b>kiss to her damp hair.


    Previously, he ran off after seeing his long–lost father. At that moment, he was too merwhelmed by shock, hence he didn’t think much before giving chase, trusting his subordinates to protect Felici


    After giving chase, the strange traps, mechanisms,


    | maic field daruptions of the ind cut off all forms ofmunication


    Stephan had tried to turn back, but the route he had taken was gone, reced by an endless cliths ide plunging into the sea.


    It took him this long to break through the ind’s thision and tight his way back. Hei amaged to find his subordinates, but Felicia was nowhere in


    Alter learning that Felicia had fallen into the hole, Stephan jumped right in without a second thought. When he jumped in, the hole was already filled with water, and in he saw her unmoving body.


    At that moment, his heart almost stopped, and a terrible <b>sense </b>of dread gripped his heart..


    Thank God she was okay.


    “We’re going home.”


    the water,


    Stephan gently kissed felicia’s palm, droplets of water still clinging to his impossibly handsome face Beneath his sharp brows, his <b>deep</b><b>, </b>obsidian eyes reflected her shrunken viboucle. She was focused, unwavering, and full of quiet intensity.


    Felicia’s lips curved into a smile as she <b>nodded</b>. “Alright, let’s go home.”


    The most important task of this trip had been to rescue Maurice and repay his favor. Now that it was done,


    As for everything else, there was no need to ask–she already had most of the answers.


    Stephan’s father died long ago, back when he first set foot on this ind. Stephan must have followed the traces left behind, only to find the answer he had long suspected. <b>And </b>the old man in Felicia’s dream–the ene fishing by the shore–was undoubtedly tied to this ind in countless ways. Perhaps he was its guardian..or its judge. Since that old man had told her in the dream that this was not a ce she should be and had even promised to let her leave, there should be no more obstacles ahead That was Felicia’s assumption. <b>And </b>soon enough, reality proved her right.


    The devastating storm and tidal wave that had once threated to gulf the entire ind were now gone. All that remained was the wreckage–scattered debris and broken trees. But there was no sign of <b>the </b>destruction that should have erased this ce.


    on their way back, a crew member suddenly shouted, “We have a signall We’ve made contact w


    Everything was going smoothly–almost too smoothly


    Felicia let out a quiet breath of rebel.


    Iwith the fleet ourside!”


    As she stepped onto the ship that had brought them here, <b>a </bmotion erupted behind her. She turned to look and saw Maurice’s group returning as well.


    They looked a little worse for wear, but thankfully, they were all in one piece. They didn’t sustain any serious injunes, just a few scrapes and bruises. Everyone was ounted for


    That was <b>good </b>news as that meant there was no need to send <b>a </b>search party.