When I hit the second tier, I smile and relax as a wave of warmth washes over me. I did it!! Little Bun jumps out of my lap and runs around in a circle with excitement. I giggle at him and scoop him up as the sun slowly begins to rise.
It took all night but it was worth it... I feel like I may have pushed myself though. Somehow I feel slightly unstable. I bite my lip as I try to figure out why. Was this why Zhen said not to advance too quickly? I think I vaguely remember him saying something...
Why do you never pay attention, Nova? Huh?? I sigh in irritation but when the sun starts peaking over the trees in the distance, everything else fades away. It's so pretty! I think this is only the third time in my life I've seen a sunrise.
I'm not a morning person but I've seen a lot of sunsets... somehow they are similar and yet completely different. I slowly stand and watch as red-orange sunrays stretch across everything in front of me. Now that I'm standing, the warm sun reaches my face causing my smile to grow.
"You make it seem like it's such a magical thing," Guozhi says from beside me. I turn to find him watching me with a small smirk. I smile at him in return and turn back to the sunrise as I say "Because it is. I'll be leaving today."
Guozhi was quiet for a few moments before saying "I know. I wanted to come see you off. I'm gonna have some of my men bring you back so I don't have to worry about your safety." I turn to look at him with shock as I say "I'm fine going myself."
Guozhi gives me a strained smile and says "Your beauty will be your downfall Bunny. Trust me on this." I give him a small smile and nod as I say "Then I'll have to thank you." Guozhi waves me off as he both walk to the front of his compound.
Several men watch while whispering but they keep it low so I can't hear anything. Little Bun rides on my shoulder in a deep sleep. He was up playing all night. When we come to the front gate, I turn to Guozhi and give him a hug while saying "Thank you again for saving me. I hope we can be good friends from now on."
I step back to see him completely stiff. He grits his teeth and nods his head so I quickly decide to leave before he changes his mind. Right before I leave, I stop and turn to look back at him. He watches me with dark eyes but doesn't move.
"Guozhi, fall in love with someone who sees the wars within you and not only chooses to stay but also chooses to stand by your side and help you fight them," I say before waving at him and leaving. Guozhi reaches up and clutches his chest as he watches Nova leave. He turns around and walks away without another world.
I walk a few feet out of the front gate as Bai Lei suddenly appears in front of me with glowing red eyes. I nearly run straight into him as I struggle to stop in time. He too seems shocked as his eyes suddenly change back to their black color before grabbing me.
He pulls me to his chest as his entire body seems to wrap around me in a powerful hug. I wrap my arms around him and bury my face into his chest and take a deep breath. I've missed him so much. He goes to attack the men walking with me but I quickly pull his arm back and say "They were helping me return! Don't hurt them."
Bai Lei looks confused and unsure as I turn to the other men and say "Thank you but this man will take me back." The men slowly nod and walk back to the gate with confusion. Suddenly, Ren appears next to Bai Lei on his knee.
I squint at the shiny scalp as I ask "Ren? What happened to your hair?" Ren shakes a little as he says "The price for your safety is nothing. Please don't mind it." Bai Lei looks down at the shiny bald head with a frown before saying "Let's return."
Ren bows and disappears but as Bai Lei looks back up, he freezes. I turn to see Guozhi standing at the gate with his men behind him. Guozhi came when his men said a powerful man showed up and took Nova. He should have known...
Bai Lei tightens his arm around my waist and says "This is the second time you've taken something of mine..." Guozhi snorts and says "If you took better care of her I wouldn't have to keep saving her. If you have no intention of taking care of her, just leave her here. I'll make sure she's happy."
My jaw hits the floor as I quickly say "Guozhi, I'm n..." But I'm cut off when Bai Lei suddenly says "Touch her again and I WILL kill you." I feel Bai Lei's power increase before we're both back in his room. He pulls me to him again and hugs me tight as he slightly shakes.
He must have been so worried... I reach up and begin rubbing his back as I say "I'm fine... everything is okay." He pulls me back and starts looking me over from head to toe and asks "Are you hurt anywhere? Are you feeling unwell or tired? Are you hungry or thirsty?"
I give him a strained smile and say "Calm down okay? I'm perfectly fine, see?" I say pulling away from him and spin. The look he gives me has me coming to a stop with worry. So much pain can be seen on his face and in his eyes that I find it hard to breathe.
He steps forward and gently grabs both sides of my face as he looks into my eyes saying "You are my sun, my moon, and all of my stars. Your eyes hold everything my soul thirst for and when you were taken from me... I lost everything, Love."