The little girl’s delicate wrists rested on the bow, her fingers gripping the green floral path tightly. With a slight movement of her fingers, the lotus flower above her head swayed gently.

The blinding sunlight couldn’t outshine Alaric’s striking features. Emerald was breathless from his kiss before he finally let her go.

He gritted his teeth near her ear and muttered darkly, “If you fall asleep at a crucial moment again, I won’t forgive you.”

Emerald blinked in confusion. Did I really fall asleep last night? Is he still stuck on that?

Thinking back, aside from the dull ache in her back—probably from sleeping on the wooden floor—there was nothing...