Chapter 200: Would You Still Save Me?
The last words Albert shouted were swallowed by the wind, she didn’t hear a single thing.
She bit down hard, her lips bleeding from the bite.
The only thing she could do is survive, until a chance appears.
She didn’t know how long they flew, but Evan’s movements started to falter, his wings trembled fiercely, and his breathing grew heavier.
Seraphina sensed something was wrong but dared not interrupt him, she could only silently clench her fists.
Finally, he circled twice above a dense forest, selected a tree hollow in an old tree, and descended, gently placing Seraphina at the entrance.
He stumbled upon landing, using his right wing to brace and prevent a full fall.
Seraphina had barely steadied herself when he turned away, lowered his head, and started tending to the wounds on his wings.
The air was permeated with a faint scent of blood mixed with earth and decaying leaves.
The tree hollow wasn’t large; it was just enough for the two of them, lined with a layer of dry leaves, warmer than outside.
Moss grew on the inside of the hollow walls, slightly damp to the touch but sufficient for blocking the wind.
Seraphina leaned in the corner, watching Evan inch his way in.
Though small, this temporary resting spot was the only refuge they had at that moment.
Seraphina staggered upon getting down, the beast skin blanket sliding halfway off.
Instinctively, she reached to grab it, but the blanket still fell onto the ground, getting muddy.
Her knee hit a stone on the hollow floor, sending a wave of dull pain, but she couldn’t afford to worry about that.
Only then did the cold crawl up from her feet.
It was then she realized she was practically naked, her face flushed, and hastily she pulled out a beast skin skirt to wear.
Her fingers trembled a bit, and it took two tries to tie the knot successfully.
The rough beast skin caused a strange friction against her skin.
Once dressed, she took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down, she couldn’t afford to lose composure.
Turning around, she saw Evan slumped against the hollow wall.
His arms hung by his sides, shoulders slightly drooped.
"Evan, are you okay?"
She rushed over to him in two quick strides, bending her knee to kneel down, reaching out to touch him but stopped, her fingers frozen midway, her face full of worry.
"Where are you hurt? Let me see, I can handle it."
Evan slowly lifted his head, his amber eyes devoid of any emotion.
He blinked once, his pupils contracting a bit.
His breathing was light, and his chest barely rose as he spoke.
After a long silence, he finally spoke slowly.
"No need to fuss, us males can take it, a little rest will do."
As he finished speaking, he forced a smile.
But that smile did not reach his eyes, making him look even more haggard.
Seraphina immediately frowned, stubbornly.
"These wounds are all because you shielded me, you rushed in recklessly the moment I stepped inside. I can heal, just tell me where it hurts, I’ll do it."
Whether he wanted to or not, she couldn’t stand by and watch someone get hurt for her without doing anything.
Evan gazed at her, seeing in her eyes no pretense.
After a few seconds, he murmured softly.
"If I accept your kindness but can’t bond with you in the end... would you still want to save me?"
Seraphina’s eyebrows twitched slightly, replying decisively.
"I’m helping you to repay this favor, not to make you agree to bond. You took the blow for me, there’s no way I can watch you bleed and endure stubbornly."
Her gaze fell onto Evan.
Evan looked at her, relying on the sharp eye of his male instincts.
Even in the dark hollow, he could clearly see her expression.
Her gaze was pure, untainted.
He no longer evaded, slowly turning his back to Seraphina, his clothes soaked with blood.
Seraphina moved closer, but the light filtering from the top of the tree hollow was sparse.
She could only see clumps of dark red.
Light filtered intermittently through the cracks above.
She paused for a bit, speaking softly: "I can’t see it clearly, might have to feel around for the wound... let me know if it’s painful, is that alright?"
Evan’s muscles twitched once, quickly relaxing again, his tone still calm.
"No worries, males aren’t that delicate."
The twitch was an instinctive reaction, quickly suppressed.
Only then did Seraphina dare to reach out, her fingertips resting on his back.
Her hand hovered for a moment, confirming no objection from Evan, before it truly settled.
Every movement was exceptionally cautious, minimizing the extra pain from friction.
The warmth of the blood made her aware the wound was not stable yet.
She immediately mobilized her internal spiritual power, channeling Spiritual Spring Water to flow from her fingertips.
The moment Spiritual Spring Water touched the wound, the burning pain rapidly alleviated.
Though still upright, the muscles no longer remained on high alert.
Afraid of missing tiny cracks, she probed repeatedly with her fingertips along his back, from shoulder to waist.
She dared not be careless, checking repeatedly.
But just as her fingertip almost brushed against his side.
Evan suddenly turned, grabbing her hand.
His palm was wide and strong, clasping her wrist without crushing it.
They were suddenly so close, close enough for Seraphina to feel his breath against the side of her face.
His breath brushed against her forehead and temple, carrying a slightly warm moisture.
She could smell the residual blood scent on him, mingled with the forest earth aroma.
The space was tight, leaving no room to retreat.
Their distance shortened to nearly touching.
Her hand froze midair, heart skipping a beat, instinctively wanting to withdraw.
"No need to look further, no more wounds."
Evan’s voice was hoarsening compared to before, his grip on her hand was not tight.
As soon as he spoke, he released her hand.
Seraphina immediately retracted her arm, stepping back slightly, recreating half an arm’s distance, no more or less.
Being so close earlier had made her uneasy, her face quietly flushed.
She turned around, curling her legs, sitting at the hollow’s edge, resting her chin on her knees.
Moonlight cast diagonally on the ground, showing a silvery white mark.
Albert’s personality was very stubborn.
To take her back, he would do anything, perhaps even go for lethal action.
The problem is, Evan is only Green Rank, and she is a non-combat female, even if they charge back now, they would only be handing over another captive, unable to shake the Blue Rank Albert.
Evan watched her back, curled into a tiny ball.
He was too familiar with such thoughts.
After a long silence, he finally spoke: "Do you want to save them?"
Seraphina’s shoulders trembled slightly, then lightly nodded.
"Yes."
Wyatt endured harm for her, having his bones crushed.
Isaac, Gideon, and Kaelan were beaten and hurt because of her.
She closed her eyes, her throat rolled slightly.
Evan continued: "Then why don’t you say it? Why not ask me if I can figure out a way?"
Seraphina abruptly turned her head, eyes full of surprise.
Her lips parted slightly, momentarily speechless.
She truly hadn’t thought of this, her first reaction was that Evan was merely a Green Rank male, probably couldn’t help much.
"Can you really save them?"
Evan neither nodded nor shook his head and only looked towards the cold moonlight outside the hollow.
"The first time I saw you back then, I wasn’t human. You were just barely waist-high of a person, sitting on Father’s shoulders, your eyes twinkling like stars."