The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 94

Chapter 94: Shallows and Red Flags

After all the work getting my school off the ground, I was finally enjoying myself, laughing with Livia and Elowen as they began to relax. We stood ankle-deep in the surf, and I’d started a splash fight more than once.

Three beautiful girls in wet swimsuits would inevitably draw attention, and of course that meant the exact kind of men we wanted to avoid.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw three shirtless, bronzed men approaching, swaggering as if they owned the beach.

One of them with way too much gel and not enough brain cells spoke first.

“Hey there, sexy ladies, look at you, standing around like you’ve got something better to do than spend a little quality time with a guy like me. Come on over, join us in the water for a bit, and I’ll show you what real fun feels like. Trust me; you’ll be thanking yourselves later.”

We all three turned in their direction; the mood shifted instantly as Elowen moved behind us and Livia stepped slightly in front of me.

My smile dropped at the ego of these three men that oozed off their very being.

I tilted my head. “Just move along; none of us are interested.” Of course I had talked about meeting some nice men recently, but these guys were walking red flags.

They blinked at my instant refusal, obviously caught off guard. Livia had her usual stone-faced expression, while Elowen looked more like a cornered rabbit, eyes bouncing around between abs and awkwardness.

I studied them with a sharp eye. Their faces said everything I needed to know. Sleazy smiles, arrogant postures, and the kind of look that made my skin crawl. There was no doubt each and every one of them was undressing our bodies with their eyes.

The guy in the middle shrugged. “What’s the problem?” He gestured to the men on either side of him. “We’re three men, and you’re three women. Sounds like a good time to me.”

I crossed my arms. “Listen, we’re not interested in spending any quality time with you.”

He just smirked. “Come on, don’t be like that. We’re just being friendly.”

I held his gaze without flinching, unimpressed. “This is a friendly warning,” I said, my voice cold. “My husband can be a jealous man, and you’re already too close for comfort. I highly suggest you back away.”

That got a snort from Livia and a small giggle from Elowen; both of them knew how obsessed my archduke was with me.

The guy’s grin faltered at that. “What are you even talking about? Are you a bitch or something?” I guess he didn’t believe that a certain individual’s aura was flaring in the distance. These men would probably die if they stepped any closer to us.

I smiled viciously, knowing my protector was close. “I can be, but in all honesty? I’m actually an archduchess from another world. So, if you had any sense at all, you’d be kneeling in front of me right now.”

He blinked. “What?”

“Where I come from, men like you don’t even get the chance to speak to women like me. You wouldn’t so much as glimpse my face without permission. So the fact that you’re standing here, grinning like a sunburned dog with two brain cells, is already generous.”

What gives this bastard the right to interfere with our fun? I’ve already told him to back away. He’s forcing my hand and the way I speak with him.

His face started turning red. Was it anger, embarrassment, or just confusion… it didn’t matter. It was all the same to me because he was irrelevant in the first place.

I brought up my finger and pointed towards the beach where Noah was standing with a face that could literally kill.

“See that man over there?” I said sweetly.

They turned in his direction and finally saw an absolute apex predator staring them down.

Noah’s eyes were like blades that were ready to cut. I watched on as they all took in his appearance and, at the same time, stepped back.

At that moment a thick pressure enveloped the area that was centered on those three men. He didn’t move, but his intent was so obviously clear.

“Like I said earlier, my husband will end your lives if you get too close. So please, make a smart decision for once in your life and throw away any stupid ideas bouncing around in that little head of yours.”

The guy looked back at me, weighing his options. He probably thought three against one would be easy. Little did he know he was about to face a living nightmare in a world without magic.

I smiled one last time, trying to save their lives. “Go.”

He turned, muttered something under his breath, and walked away quickly with his two idiot friends, none of them looking back.

Once they were gone, Livia exhaled hard. “You scared them off so effectively.”

Elowen nodded slowly. “Do men usually talk like that here?”

I turned to them with a shrug. “That wasn’t a normal interaction. I sensed danger as soon as they approached, so I tried my best to steer them away.”

Livia gave me a smirk. “This is why people call you terrifying.”

“Correction, I’m adorable,” I countered, stepping back into the water.

Noah visibly relaxed, his tension disappearing into the wind as if it had never been there at all. He sat back down and placed Lyra in his lap as he paid close attention to any other individuals who dared approach.

After… we tried to enjoy ourselves a bit more after that interaction, but it had definitely spoiled the mood. The sun was also beating down on us, creating some redness on all of our skin.

We looked like porcelain dolls, white as snow. Getting too much sun would be a problem.

As the three of us walked back across the sand toward my two most important people, I glanced to the side and studied their expressions. Elowen looked shaken, but Livia, on the other hand, was more pissed off than anything else.

I playfully bumped shoulders with Elowen and then glanced at Livia.

“Listen,” I murmured, hardening my tone. “Those men aren't what I meant when I told you to open your hearts to possibilities. They weren't harmless flirts, and they're certainly not normal men.”

They both looked at me with thoughtful expressions.

“They were predators,” I said flatly. That's why when they saw someone who felt like an apex, it was a full-on retreat.

Livia’s eyes narrowed slightly. Elowen just looked confused and, at the same time, worried.

“If we had agreed to go with them, many things could have happened. They probably would’ve played nice for awhile and then… impair our judgment in some way through some type of drug or alcohol. Once we were out of commission, they would have used our bodies as they wished.”

Elowen's eyes widened and she took an involuntary step back as the color drained from her face. "That kind of thing happens here?"

“Sadly, yes,” I said grimly.

Livia’s hands curled into fists. “That’s disgusting.”

“That’s how things are, and why I kept my distance from those men. I only wanted to share the good parts of this world with you, so I’m sorry it turned out like this.”

I stopped walking and looked each of them in the eye.

“Never ignore your instincts when you find yourself with people like that around you. It’s no different than being a noble and fighting off those in opposition of your goals. It doesn’t matter how well they sugarcoat their words; always suspect something until proven wrong.”

That was drilled into me during the year I spent trapped in that vicious house. I developed a sixth sense for danger the moment it stepped into view.

Elowen just nodded slowly.

Livia gave a nod, “Understood.”

I softened up after that serious talk, placing a hand on both their shoulders.

“There are good men in this world and ours, but the bad ones are probably just as vast. Be smart, and if you ever find yourself in danger, come find me or Noah.” My smile was bright, trying to raise the mood. “Well… I know Livia could probably handle herself.” I said with a chuckle.

Elowen was more the deer-in-headlights kind of personality. Given true danger, she would freeze up one hundred percent.

When I turned back, Lyra was smiling at me, cooing with delight. Noah still held her, his chiseled chest on full display.

He met my eyes. I nodded once to reassure him that I was fine. My arms instantly went for Lyra, pulling her into my embrace and kissing her all over. She was the perfect distraction to pull my thoughts away from what just happened.

Then I stood up and put Lyra into Livia’s waiting arms.

“Alright,” I said, glancing back at Noah. “Now that the beach is all clear and the creeps are gone.”

I held out a hand to him. “Let’s go make everyone jealous.”

After taking a few steps I stopped suddenly. “Wait… Noah, hold on.”

He paused with a bit of concern on his face. “Is there something wrong?”

“Not at all,” My grin was huge as I walked back to our umbrella and spread out a soft towel. “I just had a better idea.”

I flopped onto my stomach with a small sigh of satisfaction and rested my head on my folded arms in the shade.

“I haven’t had a proper massage in weeks,” I said with exaggeration. “If we’re going to spend even more time frolicking in the waves, I desperately need to put on some sunscreen.”

Noah knelt down beside me with a soft chuckle, already squirting the liquid into his hands.

“Back?” he asked.

I nodded, eyes closed, my voice light. "Everywhere you see pale skin, rub it in thoroughly."

Behind me I heard Noah’s hands lathering up, followed by a cool sensation that started to spread throughout my body.

He was always just rough enough to meet my needs, a skill honed by all the times we’ve been like this. I can be demanding about these things, but Noah never complains; he always does it with a smile.

His fingers worked the sunscreen in slow circles across my shoulders, easing the tension I had just accumulated. I let out a low hum of contentment, eyes fluttering shut.

“Mmm, yes, that's the spot.”

Livia and Elowen, who were now drying themselves off nearby, made a conscious effort not to look directly at us. But their obvious glances brought a smirk to my face.

There was no way I would miss out on such an opportunity. With everything I’ve been through lately, I deserve a beachside massage from my warlord husband.

“You’re going to fall asleep like this,” Noah whispered into my ear, hands now smoothing lotion down my back.

"Well, if it happens, so be it. Just let me rest my head in your lap while I sleep."

After a while his hands lingered, indulging in rubbing my body. They were firm and methodical, everything I needed.

He tapped my shoulder and motioned for me to roll onto my back. I obeyed and looked up; he was bathed in light, and the sight filled me with joy, though perhaps it was only how good I felt that made everything glow.

“I love you,” I murmured.

A smile grew on his face before he leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I know.”

After about thirty minutes I reluctantly relieved Noah of his duty because I wanted my turn. It wasn’t fair that I was the only one getting such treatment, and I also wanted to give it a try.

I stretched luxuriously on the towel, feeling completely spoiled under the shade of our umbrella while once again experiencing the magic of Noah’s hands. Maybe it has something to do with his swordsmanship?

After sitting up and gazing at his satisfied face. “Now it’s your turn.” I didn’t even give him an option, motioning for him to lie down.

He obviously didn’t resist because why would he? Getting such a thing from his beautiful wife would be any man’s dream. Not to mention I very much wanted to rub my hands over that body.

Come on then.” I popped the cap on the sunscreen and rubbed it together in both hands, covering them completely. “Let me enjoy my privilege.”

I straddled his lower back, balancing carefully so I wouldn't put too much weight on him. It hardly mattered though; I was nothing more than a paperweight on this man. I mirrored his movements, rubbing along his body and matching the slow rhythm I remembered.

Those firm muscles, warm skin, and that golden light that seemed to still resonate from his body.

My aim was to be thorough, but honestly I was having far too much fun.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Livia and Elowen staring the whole time, not even trying to look away. I can understand Livia doing this, but Elowen?

Their expressions… always priceless when I do something bold like this.

Livia’s mouth was slightly open, brows furrowed like she couldn’t decide if she was impressed, horrified, or just giving up entirely.

Elowen had gone full statue mode, cheeks redder than the umbrella above us, clinging to her towel like it was armor.

I wiggled my finger at them with a smug grin. “This is marriage; take notes.”

Lyra was currently snuggly in her stroller watching our every movement. Hearing her cute little noises and giggles always brings the brightest smile to my face. I stopped for a second and leaned over to kiss her forehead.

“Yes, my lovely girl,” I whispered, “Mama is thriving.”

I went right back to work, humming an old tune. Applying sunscreen felt less like a chore and more like making memories we’d keep forever.