Soul Land: Phoenix & Tiger (A Rivals-to-Lovers Story)
Chapter 4: One Shelter, Two Enemies?!
The forest was quiet again.
Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng walked side by side, exhaustion creeping in after their fight with the Shadow Wolves. The cold wind blew through the trees.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
Damn it
She hated this weather. Her flames flickered weakly—she was running low on spirit power.
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*Noticed* You’re struggling.
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*She scowled* I’m fine.
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*He raised an eyebrow* Your flames say otherwise.
She ignored him and kept walking.
Dark, but deep enough to hide in for the night. Perfect.
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*Smirked* Looks like we have a place to rest.
Xiaotao stepped in first, sighing in relief as the cave blocked out the wind. She sat against the wall, checking her wound.
Blood soaked through her sleeve, and a faint, dark aura surrounded the bite mark.
It was… worse than she thought.
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*Frowned* It’s infected.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*Clicked her tongue* It’s nothing.
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
It’s something if you lose an arm
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*Rolled her eyes* I’ll heal it myself.
Her flames flickered as she tried to burn the infection away—but the wound pulsed, and pain shot through her arm.
She hissed, clenching her teeth.
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*Watched, unimpressed* Yeah, that’s not working.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
shut up
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*He sighed* Move your hand.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*She blinked* What?
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
I said, move your hand.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*narrowed her eyes* Why?
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*He crossed his arms* Because you’re stubborn and stupid, and I’d rather not carry your dead body back to the Academy.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*She huffed* I can take care of myself.
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*He glared* Then take care of yourself without almost passing out.
She stared at him. He stared back, Finally, she muttered a curse and shifted slightly, allowing him to see the wound.
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*Kneeled beside her. His fingers hovered over her arm* This will hurt.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*She smirked* I can handle it.
He pressed down on the wound.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
FUCK--
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
Told you
She bit her lip, trying not to show weakness.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
(damn him)
Dai Yueheng’s golden aura flared, surrounding his fingertips. Slowly, the dark infection started to dissolve.
She bit her lip, trying not to show weakness.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*Watched, surprised* You… know healing techniques?
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*He shrugged* Basic ones. Works better than whatever you were trying.
She scoffed, but didn’t pull away.
Minutes passed. The wound wasn’t healed completely, but the infection was gone
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*Pulled back* There. Don’t die
Xiaotao flexed her fingers. The pain was duller now.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
....Thanks, *she muttered*
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*He raised an eyebrow* Did you just say thank you?
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*She kicked his leg* Shut up
Xiaotao blinked. It was the first time she’d heard him laugh like that. It wasn’t mocking—it was… natural.
Her heart did a weird thing.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
(no, not happening)
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
*Leaned against the wall beside her.* You should sleep. I’ll keep watch
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
*She huffed* I don’t need you protecting me
DAI YUEHENG/DAI/ML
Didn’t say you did. *He smirked* I just don’t trust you to wake up before something tries to eat us
She rolled her eyes—but her eyelids were already heavy.
MA XIAOTAO/XIAOTAO/FL
Fine. Wake me up if something happens
Xiaotao let out a slow breath. The warmth of the cave, the fading pain, and his steady presence made it easier to drift off.
For the first time, sleep came without nightmares.
Dai Yueheng glanced at her once, then shook his head. Stubborn woman.
But… he didn’t mind watching over her.
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