After the Nine Nether Queen left, only Mo Xie and Asharuiya remained in the chamber. Silence settled between them.
Asharuiya looked up at the armored figure on the Blood Throne. A complicated expression crossed her face. Her lips parted several times, but no words came out.
"Little Evil..."
The moment she spoke, Mo Xie raised his head. A blood-red gleam flashed in his eyes, as though some power had surged within him.
He lifted a hand. Spatial Power enveloped Asharuiya and pulled her up from beneath the altar.
Asharuiya felt her body move beyond her control. She floated toward Mo Xie and came to rest astride his lap.
"Little Evil, you..."
Though her hands touched cold armor, she felt an unexpected warmth. She stared at the man before her in surprise.
After Mo Xie reclaimed part of the Underworld King's authority, the ancient, heavy Evil Dragon Armor Robe had changed. It now fit his body closely, more like a second skin, and no longer hindered his movements.
He slipped an arm around Asharuiya's slender waist and gently stroked her cheek with his other hand. Lowering his eyes, he said softly,
"I'm still me, sis. Don't worry."
Asharuiya breathed a genuine sigh of relief. She had been terrified that, after today, her little brother would no longer be the same.
She reached up to touch Mo Xie's face, covering his hand on her cheek with her other hand. Her eyes were full of tenderness and pain.
Her fingers traced down his cheek, brushed over his prominent Adam's apple, and finally settled over his heart.
When she felt it beating, a radiant smile spread across her face, bright enough to melt a frozen glacier. Mo Xie stared at her, momentarily dazed.
As long as his heart still beat, that was enough. She