"Nina—Nina, what's wrong?"
The males scrambled to their feet, all calling out to her at once.
The mist hung thick over the pool, blurring everything into soft shadows. They could only make out Nina's vague silhouette, nothing more.
The vines wrapped around their bodies—her vines—and they didn't dare sever them to push forward.
Hearing voices from all around her, Nina instinctively tugged one of them closer.
When she lifted her gaze, she found Kith looking absolutely helpless before her.
His eyes widened at once. A flush far too deep colored her cheeks, her expression unfocused and unwell.
"Nina… are you feeling unwell?" he asked urgently.
"I… I feel terrible…" Her voice was soft, unsteady.
Her body swayed.
Kith caught her immediately, pulling her into his arms, holding her close.
The coolness of his skin pressed against her burning body. The sharp, unmistakable scent of a male filled her senses.
And just like that, her restraint began to crumble.
