CHAPTER 86: WHY AREN’T YOU ASKING?

Kaya

Magnus was right—it didn’t take us long to reach the place he had in mind.

His wolf had run so fast that everything blurred around me, the forest a smear of motion and wind. But once we slowed down, I realized we were headed for a secluded cave, nestled deep within the sanctuary of the forest, hidden behind a towering wall of fragrant pine trees.

When we come to a full stop, Magnus gently lowers me to the ground before shifting back into his human form. He scoops me into his arms, and the heat radiating from his bare skin nearly sears mine where our bodies touch.

I half-expect Rana to make some inappropriate remark—but to my surprise, she remains silent. I’m in too much pain to question it just yet.

"Just a little longer," Magnus murmurs, voice low and comforting as he steps into the cave.

And the moment we cross the threshold, my breath catches in my throat.

The cave itself is simple—its stone walls dark and weathered, patches of moss and ivy clinging to the rock like nature’s brushstrokes. But what makes the space come alive are the tiny golden lights dancing across the walls. Fireflies. Hundreds of them, maybe more, flickering like stars brought down from the sky.

But it’s what lies in the center of the cave that truly steals the air from my lungs.

"Is that... a hot spring?" I ask, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Magnus nods and steps closer, angling me so I can get a better look.

It’s a mesmerizing sight—an almost perfectly round pool of crystal-clear water, with soft clouds of steam curling upward into the cold stillness of the air. Purple flowers, delicate petals, and tiny green leaves float gently atop its serene surface. Curious about their source, I lift my gaze—only to find myself frozen once again.

The entire ceiling is blooming with flowers.

A canopy of violet blossoms spills from cracks in the stone above, as if the cave itself had decided to bloom. It’s wild, surreal... breathtaking.

"What is this place?!" I breathe, completely entranced.

Magnus walks up to the edge of the spring and carefully lowers me onto the warm, smooth stone rim of the natural tub. The heat soothes the ache in my skin the moment it touches me.

"It’s a secret I’ve never shared with anyone," he says as he slips into the water with a quiet splash, ripples dancing outward. "Well... no one but you. Now."

His words stir something deep inside me.

Part of me feels like an intruder in this hidden sanctuary, this intimate piece of his world. But the other part... feels deeply honored. As if he’s offering me something more than just shelter—a glimpse into a sacred part of himself.

"Put your ankle in the water, but try not to move it," he instructs after a moment, his voice softer now. He stands directly before me, one hand gently guiding my leg into the steaming spring.

His expression is calm but focused, amber eyes fixed entirely on my injury.

And that’s when it hits me—we’re both completely naked... yet he doesn’t even flinch.

I applaud his nonchalance.

Rana finally chimes in, her voice dripping with exaggerated sweetness. I cringe at the sound. But just because he doesn’t want to look, she purrs, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the view...

As if hypnotized, my gaze trails down the contours of his chest—broad, muscular, and glistening faintly from the steam. My eyes drift lower, over the chiseled lines of his stomach, but I catch myself just in time before they can venture any further.

Not like I haven’t seen it before, I remind myself dryly. I don’t exactly need a fresh reminder of just how well everything works for him down there.

"Eyes up here," Magnus says as if he can read my dirty mind, his voice low but sharp with amusement.

I flinch so hard I nearly slip into the water. A splash narrowly avoided. He chuckles under his breath, though his gaze remains locked on my ankle. Both his hands move with practiced care as he massages the swollen skin, his touch gentle and soothing.

"I... I don’t feel any pain anymore," I stammer, grasping at anything to steer the moment away from my mortified thoughts.

He nods slightly, humming as he continues his work.

"This water has healing properties," he explains calmly. "It’s from the flowers above. When the petals fall into the spring, the heat breaks them down. Their oils and essences dissolve into the water—infusing it with whatever natural remedies they hold."

"Oh," I murmur, unsure how else to respond. My eyes flick toward the floating petals, and sure enough, some are already beginning to disintegrate—melting into the water like delicate soap slivers, leaving faint trails in their wake.

"How did you even find this place?" I ask after a moment, curiosity blooming in the silence between us.

For a while, Magnus doesn’t answer.

The sound of the water lapping softly around us fills the cave as he works, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long breath, he finally speaks.

"I found it a long time ago," he says quietly. "Let’s just say... I was badly wounded after an incident. Unlucky, really. I stumbled around until I somehow ended up here. It saved my life."

He pauses, eyes distant.

"I haven’t come back in years."

His explanation is vague—an invitation to probe deeper—but I decide not to press him. Instead, I watch in silence as Magnus’s large, surprisingly gentle hands move over my ankles and calves, gliding warm water across my skin as though he’s a water mage weaving healing spells into my body.

And honestly, it feels like magic.

A wave of relief rolls through me—no more pain, no more stinging, no more stiffness. My muscles unwind under his touch, soothed by the heat and the quiet. But beneath the calm, something else stirs.

A maddening heat coils between my thighs—intense, aching, growing more insistent with every slow sweep of his hands. It has nothing to do with the water and everything to do with him.

"Why... aren’t you asking me?" The words stumble out, shaky and fragile, barely escaping my lips before I lose the courage to speak them.

His hands pause—just for a second—before continuing.

"What should I be asking you, Moonlight?"

"I thought... you’d ask me again. Why I didn’t do anything... to the ghoul."

This time, he stops completely. His hands still. His gaze rises, sharp and golden, locking onto mine with a suddenness that makes my breath catch.

And just like that, I’m undone.

A jolt of emotion bursts through me—fireworks beneath my ribs, a rush of heat that melts everything in its path. My heart feels too full, too fragile, burning under the weight of his stare.

"I want to ask you," he says, his voice soft but unwavering. "But I need you to be ready to answer honestly. Are you ready?"

I swallow hard, forcing down the lump tightening my throat. My lips part, but I hesitate, letting myself linger in the warmth of his eyes for just a moment longer—eyes that see through me like no one else’s ever has.

And then, I nod.

"Yes. I’m ready."