Chapter 396
Perched in the tree, Natasha and Evander were locked in a staring contest.
She was so exasperated she almost laughed, snapping, “Why on earth did you just howl like a wolf? Great, just great. Now we’ve got a whole pack of wolves surrounding the tree. So, who’s going down to be their dinner, you or me?”
Any warmth she’d felt just moments ago vanished without a trace.
I could just wring Evander’s neck right now, Natasha thought furiously.
Evander smirked faintly and said nonchalantly, “Relax. They’ll leave once they figure out they can’t climb up here. What’s the big deal?”
Blood still oozed from his shoulder, the pungent scent driving the wolves below into a frenzy, their eyes wild with hunger.
A few wolves were still scrambling up the tree. Natasha saw they’d already climbed about three feet up the trunk.
Without a second thought, Natasha kicked the wolf square in the head.
The wolf was sent tumbling by her kick, rolled across the ground, then scrambled back to its feet.
The wolf still wanted to edge closer to the tree, but fear held it back.
Evander stared at the wolves below, then back at Natasha, his face full of disbelief. “How the hell are you this strong? You just kicked a wolf clean off the tree.”
Forget her guts for a second–even her sheer strength is on a whole other level. Most women couldn’t even come close.
She was nothing like those delicate, pampered noble ladies he’d seen in the capital.
Evander mused, “Those noble ladies in the capital always speak in such soft, delicate tones and are quick to shed tears at the drop of a hat.”
Natasha stood out like a sore thumb among them.
“I’ve been training since I was a kid,” Natasha said, arching a brow at Evander with a smug grin.
Evander was about to retort, “Aren’t you worried you’ll scare off all your suitors acting like this?” But then it hit him–they were both still stuck up in the same tree. If he actually said that, Natasha would probably kick him right out of it.
A sharp pain shot through his wounded shoulder, making Evander wince.
Only then did Natasha realize he was still hurt.
“Turn around. Let me check your wound,” Natasha said.
Evander glanced at the wound on his back–blood was still seeping out. This couldn’t go on.
“Thanks,” Evander said stiffly, then turned his back to Natasha.
No sooner had he settled than a small hand grabbed the nape of his neck.
Then, to Evander’s utter astonishment, Natasha unceremoniously pulled open his collar and pushed aside his robes.
“Huh?” Evander instinctively tried to turn away, but Natasha smacked him on the back. “Hold still. You’re not some blushing maiden—what’s there to be shy about?”
Evander’s face flushed crimson as he stammered awkwardly, “Even if I’m not a maiden, this is still highly improper.”
In his mind, such intimacy was reserved only for those closest to him.
Natasha rolled her eyes at his reaction. “Your Highness,” she scoffed, “if I don’t pull open your robes, how am I supposed to examine your wound? You expect me to diagnose it through the fabric?”
Her retort rendered Evander speechless.
“Couldn’t be bothered with you if it weren’t for that wolf’s claw you took for me,” Natasha muttered under her breath. Evander’s face flushed even redder.
The next second, Natasha’s teasing voice came from behind. “Well, well, well. Who would’ve thought His Highness looks so slim, but actually has quite a physique–broad shoulders, narrow waist, perfect proportions. No wonder you drive so many women crazy,”
Evander’s face turned beet–red, as though he’d just been scalded.
Evander squeezed his eyes shut and muttered to himself, “He’s a man.”
But Natasha’s siren–like voice drifted into his ears as she said, “After what we’ve just been through, we share a bond forged in life and death. Could you talk to the King and ask him to revoke the imperial decree? Honestly, I never planned on getting married in this lifetime anyway.”
Her mouth kept chattering away, but thankfully her hands weren’t idle either.
Natasha reached into her robe, took out a pouch of wound–healing powder, and gently dusted it onto Evander’s wound.
Evander’s muscles gave an involuntary twitch.
He expected Natasha to mock him, but to his surprise, she said, “There’s nothing to be ashamed of–pain is just part of being human. We’re just flesh and blood, not some immortal beings. Everyone feels it.”
Her words were still playful, but her touch grew unexpectedly gentle.
As if to soothe his pain, she leaned in and gently blew on his wound.
Evander felt a strange warmth stirring in his chest. He turned his head slightly and murmured, “Thank you.”
“You took a wolf’s claw for me, and you’re still thanking me?” Natasha teased, eyes glinting. “Is His Highness always this soft–hearted?”
Evander knew she was teasing him and could only roll his eyes in exasperation.
Suddenly, a sharp ripping sound came from behind him as the fabric tore.
“This wound needs to be bandaged, or it’s just going to reopen again,” Natasha said, her hand already reaching around him from under his arm.
Her small hand fumbled across his chest as she mumbled to herself, “Hmm? Where’s that piece of cloth?”
Evander, his face burning, shoved the cloth into her hand without meeting her eyes. Instantly, Natasha’s cheerful voice rang out, “Oh. There it is.”
Unable to take it any longer, Evander finally snapped, “Natasha, are you deliberately taking liberties with me?”
“If I’m taking liberties with you, it just proves you’re irresistible. If even your body can’t tempt me, then you’d truly be pathetic.”
Natasha counted on her fingers as she tried to convince him, “Think about it–we’re always at each other’s throats whenever we meet. What does that tell you?”
Playing along with wide–eyed innocence, Evander asked earnestly, “What does that mean?”
“See? We’re totally incompatible.” Natasha slapped her thigh excitedly and exclaimed, “Your face does nothing for me if we actually got married, we’d be miserable for life. But hey,” she added with a smirk, “I’m still into your body.”
“Wh–what kind of outrageous nonsense is this?” Evander spluttered, so flustered he nearly toppled out of the tree.
If I have to spend another second with Natasha, I’m going to lose my mind.
Natasha quickly held him down and, with playful seriousness, said, “Don’t get so worked up. I’m just speaking hypothetically. Besides, I have principles– I wouldn’t marry you just because I’m into your body and ruin your life. So relax.”
Evander turned away in a huff, refusing to acknowledge her.
He finally saw through it–Natasha was nothing but a shameless flirt.
Evander huffily adjusted his robes, shooting Natasha a wary look.
He was terrified she’d give in to her brazen impulses and pounce on him.
He looked for all the world like a sulky, wronged young bride.
Natasha shot him a playful wink. “So, Your Highness, are you going to give my proposal some serious thought?”
Evander stammered, “Wh–what proposal?”
“Ask the King to revoke the decree. We’re astrologically incompatible, and with my temperament, if we got married, you’d probably end up wearing horns,” Natasha teased, deliberately trying to scare him.
Evander’s face turned ashen with rage. “The imperial decree has already been issued–how am I supposed to change it?”
He was truly exasperated by Natasha. For a young lady, her words were far more risqué than anything he’d ever heard.
‘Craving my body? How is this any different from being a lecherous rogue?‘ Evander fumed inwardly.
After Evander finished speaking, he shot Natasha an exasperated look. She responded with a theatrical sigh and a look of mock regret. “Well, I guess there’s no other choice–Your Highness will just have to endure being stuck with me for life.”
Evander was done. He didn’t want to speak or even look at her. With a heavy sigh, he simply squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to block her out completely.
But Natasha pried his eyes open and teased, “Hey, don’t you dare fall asleep. What if you doze off and end up as wolf food?”
Evander was dead tired, but after Natasha’s relentless provocation, he was so furious that his chest tightened with the bitter taste of blood.
Trapped and helpless, he fumed–couldn’t go up, couldn’t get down.
He closed his eyes, trying to block out Natasha, but suddenly heard her snicker mischievously behind him. “If you dare fall asleep,” she teased, “I’ll strip you bare and have my way with you.”
Evander’s eyes snapped open. Overcome with rage, his blood surging violently, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.