Neo lay still in the recovery bed, eyes closed, body limp. Inside, he grinned. The plan was working exactly as he wanted.

Two days earlier, the factory manager had watched everything from her private screen. She saw Neo push himself against the monster, saw him force the last healing potion down Nara’s throat instead of using it on himself. Her jaw tightened. She knew both of them—especially Neo—deserved a reward from Noble Zod for what they had done. She had been looking forward to seeing Nara’s face when the girl learned the truth.

She copied the recording, slipped the crystal into her pocket, and ordered a team to bring Neo and Nara back to the factory. From there they would be taken straight to Zod’s castle for proper healing.

While the two of them rested in the factory’s medical wing, the manager handed her husband Mark a sealed letter and the crystal.

"Show her the video," she said. "Do whatever it takes to convince her."

Mark nodded. "I will." He had already heard the rumors. Now the manager herself confirmed it. Neo had sacrificed his only potion for Nara. That single fact settled something in Mark’s mind. Neo was the best man they could ever bind themselves to by contract.

A group of factory guards escorted the three of them to Zod’s castle. The noble himself met them at the gates. His yellow eyes swept over Neo’s broken body, then Nara’s pale face. He wasted no time. He summoned his best healers and ordered them to work without rest. Beatrix was left in charge of anything the two needed—food, clean clothes, quiet.

Two days passed.

Nara woke first. Mark sat beside her bed and told her everything. He played the recording. She watched Neo fight, watched him press the potion to her lips while his own wounds kept bleeding. Tears ran down her cheeks. She shoved the covers aside and ran to Neo’s room.

Mark followed. "He hasn’t woken," he said quietly. "The healers say... with the damage he took, he might never wake at all."

Nara’s eyes widened. Her heart slammed against her ribs. Is it because of me?

She turned to her husband and the remaining healer. "Leave. Both of you. I need a moment alone with him."

Mark hesitated. He saw the wild look in her eyes and remembered how chaotic her emotions could become. After a second he nodded and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

The room fell silent. Only Neo and Nara remained.

Neo kept his eyes shut and slowed his heart even further, just enough to stay alive. He had decided this the moment they reached Zod’s estate. Lower the heartbeat. Force the body into a near-death state. Let the guilt eat at her until she demanded privacy. Then take what he wanted.

He felt her stare. Heard her soft voice.

"Who would have thought an asshole like you would do something like this... sacrificing yourself for me."

Silence stretched. Then she whispered, "Since you’re sleeping, I’ll use the chance."

She leaned over him. Her hands cupped his face. Her lips pressed to his. Soft at first, then deeper. Her tongue slipped past his lips and met his. She kissed him hard, arms tightening around his shoulders as if she could pull him back from whatever dark place he was in.

Neo stayed still, tasting her, feeling the heat of her mouth, the way her body leaned into his. He let her take what she needed.

When she finally pulled away, her breathing was uneven. She called for the others to come back in.

Mark entered first. His eyes flicked to her mouth, then to Neo’s. Both sets of lips were wet and shiny. A sharp thrill ran through him. He looked at Neo—

—and Neo’s eyes snapped open.

Nara jerked back with a small gasp. Mark froze. The healers rushed forward at once, surrounding the bed, voices overlapping.

"How did you wake? Your case was considered nearly hopeless. We need every detail—"

Neo sat up slowly, a crooked grin on his face. "I was in a cold place. Then I saw a goddess. Red hair. Green eyes. Beautiful lips. She kissed me. Fire burned through my chest and I started living again. For some reason... that goddess was so beautiful I wanted her."

Nara’s cheeks went scarlet, bright as a tomato. She pressed both hands to her face. Did my kiss save him? Her heart hammered like a trapped bird—the exact same feeling she had felt the first time she looked at Mark. She shook her head hard.

"No."

The door opened again. Noble Zod walked in with Beatrix at his side and the factory manager just behind them. Zod’s yellow eyes locked on Neo.

"Thank you for protecting my factory. You stopped a great deal of damage."

Neo gave a wry smile. Inside he thought of the original plan—destroy the factory, force answers about the Nyx tribe out of Zod. But the quest had no time limit. There was no rush. He could enjoy himself first. When the fun ended, he would still break Zod in some quiet forest and take what he needed. For now, he would play along.

Zod continued, "The void plant belonged to a rival of mine. I’ve already sent forces after him."

He looked from Neo to Nara. "For what the two of you did, a reward is fitting. A three-day journey to the beach. All expenses covered. Five-star hotel. Full security."

Both Neo and Nara stared. Nara turned to Mark. He only laughed.

"Don’t worry, wife. Just enjoy the time there."

Nara faced Zod again. "Can my husband come?"

Zod shook his head. "No. It was you and Neo who killed the creature. If Mark had been there, he would be included. He wasn’t."

Nara’s expression turned sad, yet her heart kept beating faster at the thought of three days alone with Neo on a beach. She pushed the feeling down and nodded.

"Yes. I’ll go with him."

Zod smiled. "The carriage is already waiting. Everything is arranged."

Neo inclined his head. "Thank you."

Zod laughed. "The money I almost lost, I’m investing in you instead. Use the time. Blow off steam. Come back stronger."

Neo nodded once more.

He and Nara walked out together. They climbed into the waiting carriage. The door shut. The wheels began to turn.

Nara sat by the window and watched her husband Mark raise a hand in farewell as the carriage rolled away from the castle gates.

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