’How can something so good exist?’ That was Liam’s first thought when he opened his eyes, his disbelief having survived through the night of sleep.

As per usual in the last period, especially after Grace almost died, Liam awakened on his side with her using his right arm as a pillow, curled on his chest.

Except that there was a big difference that day. Liam’s left arm touched nothing but skin. Both he and Grace were naked, using her robe as a blanket.

’How can anyone do anything but this?’ Liam gasped internally, still shocked about the experience, finding some value in Lancelot’s way of life.

Liam looked down at the brown hair between his arms, recalling every single moment of the new experience, and it just didn’t make sense. Nothing did.

The sensation of two bodies becoming one, connected, complicit, and in perfect tune. All the sounds Grace had made, the way she clung to Liam and called his name in his ear. The pleasure of it all was so otherworldly that Liam couldn’t understand how couples could even think of keeping their hands off each other.

Liam definitely didn’t find the answer to that while feeling the thin body between his arms. If it were up to him, he would be at it again right away, a part of him already ready and in agreement.

’Calm down,’ Liam cursed himself, ’Both of you. I clearly overdid it.’

The fact that even Liam had slept was very telling of that part, but he had been unable to help himself. He couldn’t get enough of Grace. Even now, he was nowhere near having had his fill.

’Though she is so beautiful,’ Liam sighed internally, genuinely happy, pulling Grace closer.

"Master Liam," Grace’s teasing voice resounded at that point, "Already like this after you ravaged me for hours? I thought I was going to break."

"I can’t control it, I’m sorry," Liam apologized. "I tried to be gentle."

"Taking you was a bit of a challenge," Grace sighed. "I should be glad cultivators are tough."

"I’m sorry," Liam could only reiterate his apology.

Grace chuckled, crawling up a bit and lifting her head so that it could be right in front of Liam’s face.

"Don’t ever apologize for wanting me," Grace smiled, a hand rising toward Liam’s face. "And it might have hurt a bit initially, but I still loved every second."

Grace had seen right through Liam’s worry, so he could only lower his face to kiss her. She welcomed the gesture but soon pushed herself away, sitting up while keeping her knowing gaze on Liam.

Liam admired the spectacle, watching as Grace adjusted the robe over her, only leaving her naked back for him to see. She was obviously playing with him, tempting him, and he fell willingly into the trap.

Before Liam knew it, he was also on his butt, Grace between his legs, his arms sealed around her slim waist. She looked pleased, and her left hand let go of the robe-blanket to reach for his hair, as if wanting to keep his head close to her.

"Master, you claimed a lady’s first night," Grace said, wanting her tone to be dramatic, only to sound cheerful.

"It was also my first time," Liam admitted.

Grace had learned as much from Liam’s story, but hearing him say it made her happy. She was claiming more of his firsts, pleasing her greed.

"Even so," Grace continued, "Will you take responsibility for life?"

"Yes," Liam instantly replied, not forgetting what Grace had once said. "You’ll always be in my arms."

There hadn’t been any doubt in Liam’s mind even before he first kissed Grace. That bond was for life, now more than ever.

’Even if you have a lover?’ Grace thought, limiting that question to her mind. She believed she already knew the answer anyway, and mentioning it would only make Liam feel guilty. Moreover, she didn’t want him to think about anyone but her during that moment.

Even without the mention, Liam’s thoughts did wander in that specific topic, but he didn’t waver, and it sounded unfair when Grace was naked in his arms, so he focused on her. It wasn’t even hard to do so.

Grace clung more tightly to Liam’s hair as he kissed her shoulder. His senses went into overdrive, drawing an honest comment out of him.

"I love the taste of your skin," Liam admitted. It honestly wasn’t just a matter of taste due to what his superhuman senses perceived, but he didn’t know how best to describe it.

"Poor, poor me," Grace joked. "Am I at risk of being swallowed by the big bad snake?"

Liam laughed, and Grace leaned her head sideways, trapping Liam’s between it and her hand. The two remained like that for a while, until a shocking question resounded.

"Liam," Grace called, pursing her lips. "Do you want children?"

Liam blinked, only looking ahead. He had never considered the topic, but his mind got to work now that it was out.

Things were different for mortals. They formed couples, became intimate, and, if the Heavens willed it, conceived children. That was the natural course of things.

However, cultivators had a choice through techniques to avoid conception. They could decide whether and when to have children, and Liam had to admit that he didn’t have a straight answer.

"Maybe," Liam replied, "Not now."

With how precarious Grace and Liam’s situation was, children were out of the question. The couple could hardly protect themselves, let alone babies.

"Do you?" Liam added.

"I want a boy that looks just like you," Grace revealed, and Liam couldn’t understand if she was teasing him or being serious.

"How greedy are you to already talk about our son?" Liam opted for teases.

Grace experienced very unladylike reactions at the "our" in Liam’s question, but managed to hold it in since the topic was serious.

"I know we can’t have children now," Grace exclaimed, "But perhaps in the future. The idea of a real family, one not ruled by wealth ..."

Liam peeked at Grace. He couldn’t see much with her lying her head on his, but he understood. The Clan had deprived her of the very concept of family, but she had Liam now, and he could allow her to create it.

The answer Liam couldn’t give just a few seconds ago arrived with a firm self-vow. ’I’ll give her a family.’

"Though a Qilin giving birth to the Snake’s children," Grace pondered out loud. "Fate has a twisted sense of humor."

Liam had already considered that strange pairing, but his thoughts went elsewhere now that children were involved.

"I wouldn’t want our children to get my Hatred," Liam admitted.

Grace’s expression went deadpan at that second "our". There was a limit to the insidious attacks she could take. Actually, that didn’t really exist anymore now that her and Liam’s relationship had developed to that point.

Liam would have to take responsibility anyway, one way or another. Grace would make sure of that.

"Master, giving you children would be your prized possession’s greatest honor," Grace uttered, straightening her head, only to turn it and deliver a kiss on Liam’s temple.

Liam began to turn toward Grace, only for another kiss to land on his cheek. Her grip on his hair receded. She retrieved her arm, only to slowly spin in Liam’s embrace, facing him.

Grace looked a bit timid as she leaned for a proper kiss now, wrapping her arms around Liam’s neck, her knees sliding past his legs, allowing her to sit on him and approach something that had poked at her ever since waking up.

"It’s also my duty as your woman to take care of your needs," Grace whispered, her forehead on Liam’s, her eyes closed.

In a different situation, Liam would have told Grace not to push herself, but his brain short-circuited. He craved more of the voice she had used last night, and it didn’t take long for it to return.